Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 1

Duplin Journal

Area chambers hold yearly banquets

the BRIEF this week

O cer-involved fatality

Duplin County

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating an o cerinvolved fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on Cornwallis Road and Betholite Road in Duplin County on Thursday, Feb. 22. According to the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce, the accident took place while the o cer was responding to a domestic dispute. The driver was transported to ECU Health in Kenansville and passed away from his injuries. The deputy, who was also transported to ECU Health in Kenansville, was treated for non-lifethreatening injuries. DJS

Early voting ends March 2

Duplin County

In-person early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m.

Individuals NOT registered to vote in Duplin County may register and vote during the early voting period by showing proof of residence.

Early voting sites are located at the American Legion Building at 529 E. Southerland St. in Wallace and the Lois G. Britt Agricultural Service Center at 165 Agriculture Dr. in Kenansville. DJS

Beulaville Chamber hosts Secretary of State Elaine Marshall

Awards given to volunteers, retiring police chief

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Thursday night, Feb. 22, with North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall as guest speaker.

Beulaville Chamber president John Weston called the meeting to order, and Beulaville Mayor Hutch Jones gave an update on various goings-on in the communi-

Airport terminal dedicated in memory of Futrelle

Board of County Commissioners approves special commemoration unanimously

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners recently approved a resolution to honor the life and legacy of the late George Futrelle, former airport director and county assistant manager, who passed away

ty. Jones talked about various grants the town has received to work on improvements, including a PART-F grant, which will be used to revamp the town’s parks.

After a dinner by Ezzell’s Catering was served, Chamber members elected o cers for the coming year.

The following awards were given out during the annual banquet: Retiring Police Chief Jamie Rogers, Police O cer of the Year; Matthew Maready, Fire ghter of the Year; and Sally Houston Weston, Volunteer of the Year. Each award winner received a plaque and a check.

Following the awards, May-

or Jones introduced the guest speaker, Elaine Marshall. In 1996, Marshall became the rst woman elected to a statewide, executive branch o ce, and has served as Secretary of State ever since.

Marshall previously taught home economics in the public school and community college systems, co-owned a book and gift store, and established an interior decorating business, while also practicing law, according to her biography on the N.C. Secretary of State website.

“Secretary Marshall has been very active in many civic

unexpectedly last May.

Futrelle played an instrumental role in the growth and success of the Duplin County Airport where he served for more than three decades.

“Mr. Futrelle not only contributed to the development of the Duplin County Airport, but

also served as a spiritual leader to his community, providing guidance and support to those around him,” said Joshua Raynor, Duplin County Airport director, as he read the procla-

See FUTRELLE , page 2

OSHA investigates Butterball death

Contractor dies from injuries sustained at Mount Olive turkey plant

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

MOUNT OLIVE — A tragic accident at the Butterball plant in Mount Olive led to the death of a contractor on Thursday, Feb. 22.

The contractor, whose name has not been released, died from injuries sustained during the accident. This incident is under investigation by the Department of Labor.

According to Mindy Wharton, Butterball public relations manager, the person was an external contractor’s employee working on a project at the Butterball facility. The person died from injuries sustained during the incident.

“We are deeply saddened, and we extend our sincere condolences to their family and friends,” wrote Wharton in an email statement sent to the Duplin Journal. “We will continue to coordinate closely with the relevant authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.”

According to OSHA records, there were two previous fatalities at the Mount Olive plant, one in 2017 and one in 2021, both involving employees who died of electrocution. The cause of the Feb. 22 fatality is unknown, as no further details have been released as of press time.

Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce honors outstanding professionals for their service

‘Doing it right,’ Bryan Miller says

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Members of the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce, local leadership and special guests gathered at the Country Squire Restaurant on Feb. 22, for the Chamber’s annual banquet celebration.

Duplin County Manager Bryan Miller and Assistant County

Manager Carrie Shields were the guest speakers. Miller said he was thankful for the warm welcome and the great deal of hospitality he has received since he came to Duplin County last October.

The County Manager shared that he has found the real strength of Duplin County is the sense of community and its residents, adding that Duplin is “doing it right.” Miller shared that he is taking the lead of those who came before him, “and we are going to do it right.”

“Duplin created an incredible fund balance thanks to the Board of County Commissioners, and Duplin did that right… Duplin developed a master plan for Duplin Commons and did that the right way. Duplin had chosen strategically to focus on economic development and agriculture, and did that the right way,” Miller said.

“It was great to see the Kenansville Chamber in action. It was great to see them honoring people from the community that do such a tremendous job, teach-

ers, farmers, re ghters, o cers, medical personnel… to see them go out of their way to recognize everyday heroes was great.”

See

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

(Left) The Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual banquet on Feb. 22 at the Country Squire Restaurant. Pictured above from left to right are Kirk Tripp, Paul Phillips, Hannah Bell, Richard Barden, and Luis Arellano. (Right) North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall was the guest speaker at the Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Town Hall.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BEULAVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARRIE SHIELDS

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA RAYNOR

Front row from left to right: A.J. Connors, Grey Morgan, Larry Debose, Joshua Raynor, Scotty Kennedy, Jerry Tysinger, and Roger Davis. Back row from left to right: Commissioners Jesse Dowe, Justin Edwards, Dexter Edwards, Wayne Branch and Elwood Garner.

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CONTACT US

For

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

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

FEB. 29

New moms are welcomed to join the WIC breastfeeding class on Feb. 29 from 2-3 p.m. at the Duplin County Health Department, located at 340 Seminary St., Kenansville.

MARCH 1

Wallace Parks & Recreation will host Bookworm Buddies featuring book reading, crafts, snacks, and activities for ages 3 to 8 at the Campbell Center, located at 513 SE Railroad St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-285-2905.

The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at James Kenan High School in Kenansville from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

MARCH 2

Duplin County Partnership for Children presents family indoor movie night to celebrate Read Across America Week. Bring chairs and blankets for a FREE fun-filled night. Dinner for everyone who provided RSVP. Children will receive a book. Space is limited, call 910-2962000.

Heartsong Tribal and special guests present ‘The Call of

CRIME LOG

FEB. 21

John James McEachern, 44, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 21, and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $4,500.

Orlando Perez, 29, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 21, for assault on a female. A cash bond was set at $2,500.

Ladaryien Dashon Tatum, 23, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 21, for second-degree trespass. His bond was set at $500.

FEB. 22

Raimon Cornelius Parker, 22, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 22. He

Drums’ at The Country Squire Restaurant. Admission is $5, proceeds bene t Sarah’s Refuge, Inc. For reservations call 910-296-1727.

MARCH 4

The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the rst and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.

The Beulaville town board meets the rst Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910298-4647.

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

MARCH 6

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

MARCH 7

The Duplin Board of Elections has monthly meetings every first Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Elections Office, located at 160 Mallard

was charged with firstdegree burglary, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $210,000.

Ashley Marie Edwards, 34, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 22, and charged with possession of Schedule-II controlled substance. Bond was denied.

FEB. 24

Justin Lee Maready, 28, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 24, and charged with possession by a felon, driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances, possession of marijuana

Street in Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2170.

Duplin County Cattlemen Association meets the rst Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.

MARCH 11

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

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

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

MARCH 12

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

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For information, call 910-2893159.

greater than 1/2 oz to 1 1/2 oz, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Bond was set at $28,000.

FEB. 25

Juan Carlos Avelar Perdomo, 37, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 25, and charged with three counts of driving while impaired, driving while license revoked not impaired-related, two counts of reckless driving to endanger, possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area, reckless driving with wanton disregard, and driving while license revoked not impaired-related. His bond is set at $20,000.

MARCH 14

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 910285-4136.

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

MARCH 16

Join the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department on March 16 for Easter In The Park. The event will feature vendors, Food trucks, Pictures with the Easter Bunny, and an Egg Hunt.

MARCH 21

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

MARCH 23

Farmers’ Day Parade will be on on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Main Street in Faison.

MARCH 30

The Faison Easter Egg Hunt will be on March 30 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 184 Park Cr., in Faison. The free event will feature an egg hunt, train rides, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more!

Tyrone Herring, 52, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 25, and charged with assault inflicting serious injury and simple affray. His bond has been denied.

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

FUTRELLE from page 1

mation out loud. “George H. Futrelle’s expertise and passion for aviation extended beyond his local community as evidenced by his role as the former North Carolina Airport Association President and his active participation on airport boards and panels.”

The Board unanimously approved to dedicate the Duplin County Airport Terminal in his memory with a prominently-displayed plaque. The special tribute will cost approximately $8,000 according to documents.

“The plaque will serve as a testament recognizing the profound impact he had on the aviation community and the county of Duplin. Mr. Futrelle’s passion and relentless pursuit of progress has resulted in the Duplin County Airport being one of the county’s most treasured assets,” read the proclamation.

Chairman Dexter Edwards spoke a few words about Futrelle, and his dedication.

“I think that shows a lot that the (Duplin County Airport) board showed up tonight for this recognition. Likewise, those of you that knew George Futrelle as the assistant county manager also know of his dedication… George started the pork and beans meeting a long time ago and we had pork and beans for every one on our board meetings, and Josh has kept it up,” said Edwards. Raynor told the Duplin Journal they are very excited to honor Futrelle’s memory. “We will be having a ceremony hopefully within a few months once everything arrives. He was extremely instrumental in getting the airport where it is today,” said Raynor adding that he hopes to continue what Futrelle started. “I learned from him for the past 10 years.”

“The plaque will serve as a testament recognizing the profound impact he had on the aviation community and the county of Duplin. Mr. Futrelle’s passion and relentless pursuit of progress has resulted in the Duplin County Airport being one of the county’s most treasured assets.”

County of Duplin, O ce of the County Commissioners, Resolution 2024-9

BEULAVILLE from page 1 groups in the areas of child welfare, women’s issues, and agriculture and small town economic development,” the biography reads. During her speech to the Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce, Marshall emphasized the importance of organizations like local chambers. She also talked about business development, especially in small rural communities like Beulaville.

Marshall talked about the Rural RISE NC initiative, a program of the Secretary of State’s o ce, which provides business resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, like a New Business Checklist, funding sources, and much more. For more on Rural RISE NC, check out sosnc. gov/rural_rise/index.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BEULAVILLE

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Sally Houston Weston was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce banquet on Feb. 22. She is shown with Chamber president and her husband, John Weston.

RE-ELECT ELWOOD GARNER

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Local farmer who understands the importance of agriculture to our community

Lifelong Duplin Resident

Proven Conservative Leadership

PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT ELWOOD GARNER

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | ADINA SAFTA

A sports analogy: fantasy football and politics

Spend as much time researching your primary ballot as you would treat your fantasy football team.

HISTORICALLY, FANTASY

FOOTBALL has been the highlight of the NFL season all around the country. Fantasy football is unique to other sports because of the fact that you are not rooting for a team, rather a player whom you believe in. Extensive research goes into looking at the history of the player and their record, in order to weigh the pros and cons of choosing that player to be on your fantasy team. With football season now over, we kick o our Primary election season. Spend as much time researching your primary ballot as you would treat your fantasy football team. Mark the circle next to their name if you are con dent that they can win in the General Election for you. Ask yourself the question “Does this candidate have the experience to ful ll the promises that they are making?” It takes ve minutes to research and look at the candidate’s history and experience. Some tips for where to get started:

NC Voter Record - look at how they voted in the past

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

LinkedIn Experience - validate their quali cations

White pages - look at their history and background

NC Secretary of State - verify if they own a business Campaign Website - compare their promises to your research

For too long we’ve heard politicians talk the talk and forget to walk the walk. In some way, we can’t fully blame them or hold them accountable if we are the ones electing them based on false narratives or ampli ed campaigns.

Albert Einstein is oft-attributable as saying; “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting di erent results.”

The primary election is more critical than the general election.

On a ballot with twelve positions, there will typically be 2-3 candidates to choose from. In the primary is when you can choose the best person for the job and to represent your party.

Many political groups, PACs, politicians, and leaders stress the fact that they are staying out of

the primary. In fantasy football, that’s like getting the rst draft and saying that you will pass on it and wait until the end to choose from whatever is left. Nobody does that.

If you stay out of the primary, then you should really just stay out of the entire election. We should focus on electing the right people, rather than the party. Once you get to the general, you have one candidate per position to represent your party. Don’t make the mistake of voting down the ballot and being fooled by the person’s letter next to their name.

Grab your friends, print out your district ballot and throw a Primary Season Party. Research the candidates, ask questions, and make it fun! Our elections don’t have to be boring and we the people, don’t have to sit this one out. Fantasy Football is every year. Our elections are every 2-4 years. Make this election count and let’s send the best players to the General Election!

Adina Safta is in public relations and lives in Wake County.

Biden open-door policy: some facts and historical context

Biden should be able to undo by executive order the policies he put in place by executive order.

WHAT’S BEEN MISSING these past couple of months from the coverage of and debate over the failed immigration bill? Some important basic facts and lots of historical context.

First, basic facts. Coverage in left-leaning newspapers and even in the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page has suggested that without new legislation, the Biden administration would lack the legal authorization to reduce the record number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border and remaining in the United States. The record is not in doubt. Customs and Border Protection has reported 302,000 immigrant encounters in December, the highest in history. Similarly, the total for the rst three months of the scal year — October, November and December 2023 — was 785,000 encounters, again a historical high. There’s no escaping the fact that illegal border crossings have been at record levels during the Biden administration.

And there’s no escaping, though in journalism, there’s been plenty of evading, the fact that this surge of illegal immigration is the direct and predictable result of changes in regulation and administrative practice by the Biden administration.

For example, the president long boasted of signing on his rst day in o ce an executive order repealing former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. That policy was the product of Trump’s pressure on Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in response to a signi cantly smaller border surge. Biden should be able to undo by executive order the policies he put in place by executive order. Any order issued on Day 1 of an administration should be revokable just as rapidly by the same

administration.

Evidently, some Biden advisers agree. According to the left-leaning Axios website, President Joe Biden “has considered ... an executive order that would dramatically stanch the record ow of migrants into the Southwest,” to be issued before his March 7 scheduled State of the Union address.

So the claims that Republicans, by opposing the Senate measure the Senate never passed, have prevented Biden from e ectively enforcing the border are incorrect. And the reason for Republicans’ skepticism about whether Biden would use enhanced border control authority is obviously justi ed by Biden’s refusal to use the authority he currently has. Biden has let in this record surge of illegal immigrants. He could cut it o .

This surge, by the way, includes relatively few Mexicans. Instead, many are from troubled Latin nations — Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador — and, as Fox News’ Bill Melugin reports, from farther a eld: China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, Africa.

The fact is that when Trump came down the escalator in June 2015 and said Mexico was “not sending their best,” the surge of low-skill immigration from Mexico, which lasted from 1982 until the mortgage security crisis in 2007, was already over. We were in the midst of a pause in mass immigration, something like the pause that occurred after the 1924 Immigration Act, which limited immigration beyond western and northern Europe.

Immigration restrictionists say that earlier pause allowed or furthered assimilation of the huge 1892-1914 Ellis Island surge of immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. The post-2007

pause seems to have facilitated the assimilation of legal Latin immigrants, as evidenced by, among other things, increased willingness to vote Republican, which I noted in a recent column.

That 1982-2007 immigration surge may have occurred in response to the labor market’s low supply of low-skill workers due to reduced workforce participation by low-skill black and white Americans. The argument then made was that it was too much to expect urban ghetto residents to travel a dozen miles to new suburban workplaces. But Mexican immigrants proved willing to travel 1,200 miles and more for those jobs.

There’s an echo here of the 75 years after the Civil War, when few black or white Southerners were willing to move to the higherwage but culturally hostile North. Instead, the rapidly expanding number of jobs in garment sweatshops in Manhattan and steel mills along the Monongahela and Mahoning rivers were lled by Ellis Island immigrants from Eastern Europe and southern Italy.

Are the million-plus illegal immigrants that the Biden administration has let into the country, with some told to report for court hearings in 2031, lling a gap not lled by American workers? Or, as seems more likely, is America getting a million-plus low-skill residents who will be stuck in illegal status inde nitely?

There’s little evidence the Biden administration ever pondered such questions in its haste to overturn the policies of the Evil Orange Man and slam the border wide open.

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

LETTERS

Heartbroken. I am heartbroken, America is in chaos, homes are broken into, business are ransacked, schools are in lockdown, education is in the backseat. All of this is unbelievable, but even worse, what about the safety of our children and families?

China is buying up our farmland, buying up our poultry industry and swine industry as well. Another company is controlling our seed production. Our energy supply is now coming from another country. Check your clothing labels, not made in America, and what about our pharmaceuticals? Who is controlling our medical supplies?

Where is our government at the state level and the federal level? Are our leaders asleep at the wheel? Can our leaders not provide the law enforcement necessary to make us safe again? Can our leaders not take action against the enemies that are in ltrating our nation?

I know that God is in control, but God expects us to do our part. “He has showed you O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8. My prayer is that God will raise up a great leader, like King David, or King Solomon, or even King Josiah in the Old Testament of the Bible, that will restore our nation to wholeness, to law and order, to respect one another, to hold life as sacred, and to return America to the Christian nation it was founded upon. My heart is broken, but I know that healing will come, because I have prayed for the healing of our nation, and I know that God will answer my prayer. Amen

Alice Scott, Pink Hill

BE IN TOUCH

WITH DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT

Getting to know Dr. Austin Obasohan

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THE

DUPLIN JOURNAL

strives to elevate the conversation within the community, and what better way to do that than to get to know our county’s leaders? In our rst Q&A, we sat down with Duplin County Schools (DCS) Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan, and asked him not only about challenges facing our public schools, but more personal questions like what’s the last book he read and what restaurants he frequents in the community. It’s all a way to get to know those who are leading Duplin County beyond headlines and public meetings.

When did you start as Duplin County Schools superintendent?

I was welcomed into the DCS family as Superintendent in July of 2010.

What made you want to be part of the public school system?

I believe that God has a master plan for our lives, and I am thankful that He called me to serve in the eld of education. He ignited a passion in me to work alongside children (and adults) as they teach, learn, grow and ourish spiritually and educationally. He used public education as a platform for me to serve his most precious gifts, our children, and for that I am most grateful.

How has the school system changed during your tenure as superintendent?

Building upon the foundation and successes of previous administrations, Duplin County Schools continues to work collaboratively with the community to prepare all students for career, college, and life success in a globally competitive society. Our Board of Education provides strong leadership and supports our schools in ways that allow students to thrive in school and beyond graduation. As the district increased its emphasis on career and college readiness for all students and transitioned from 16 to 13 schools, a focus on personalized pathways for all students through the STEAMA

(i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Agriculture) model opened doors for students to connect classroom learning with career opportunities.

What’s the biggest challenge facing Duplin County Schools right now?

The biggest challenge facing Duplin County Schools and schools across our nation is addressing the social, emotional, and academic gaps of students post the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic brought tremendous challenges and opportunities that further highlighted the changing needs of our school families. While the impacts of those changes will a ect our district for years to come, Duplin County Schools can tackle challenges and solve problems by working with our community as one family.

What’s the one thing you wish more people understood about the public school system?

One thing that I wish more people understood about the public school system is that we need highly quali ed teachers to ensure its success. The nationwide teacher shortage is a crisis and a challenge faced by most school systems. We must bring respect back to the teaching profession, so that our public schools can thrive. In order to meet the individual needs of students, our educators must do much more than teach. They wear many hats (e.g., teacher, parent, mentor, counselor, etc.). We need strong, unwavering school-tohome partnerships so that our children can succeed in school and at home. If we show our educators how much they are valued and respected, more people may go into the eld and the pool of highly-quali ed teachers will grow.

How does the public education system in the U.S. compare to where you’re from in Africa?

Education systems around

the world are very unique and, at the same time, similar in many ways. In my home country, teachers are one of the most respected people in the community. Limited resources and access in certain areas foster a genuine appreciation for education and a collaborative community e ort to educate all children. We know that every child has the capacity to learn, no matter where they live, their religious beliefs, or their ethnicity.

In the U.S., resources are plentiful and we must not take that for granted. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of those resources to ensure equal opportunities and access to a quality education for all children, so that their dreams can become reality.

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

In my spare time, I treasure spending time with my family.

What is the last book you read?

Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Leading the Calling, by Kathy Spencer, Ed.D. and Lesley Eason, Ed.D. and also Trust & Inspire, by Stephen M.R. Covey.

What’s your favorite eatery in Duplin County?

Those who know me well know how much I enjoy a variety of delicious foods. It is di cult to choose a favorite eatery, as there are a number of amazing restaurants in Duplin County with superb food and excellent service. Special thanks to all those who have satis ed my hunger and treated me so well over the years!

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

In my opinion, the best thing about living in Duplin County is that it is faithbased oriented with a community spirit second to none.

James Sprunt/NCWorks Career Advisor earns certi cation

Kenansville

Iris Carter, a WIOA Career Advisor for James Sprunt Community College and the Duplin County NCWorks Career Center, is now a Certi ed Peer Support Specialist through North Carolina’s Certi ed Peer Support Specialist Program, an initiative of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services.

Carter was provided the opportunity through the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board to take the 40-hour peer support training class. To receive a certi cation, participants are required to complete a 40-hour training class, pass an exam, ful ll 18 additional human services credit hours and obtain two personal references.

Cynthia’s Southern Luxuries to hold grand opening March 2

Beulaville

Cynthia’s Southern Luxuries, a new boutique in Beulaville, will hold a grand opening celebration on Saturday, March 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store is located at 701 Main St. in Beulaville, and specializes in skin care for men and women, candles, hair care and spa sets. To learn more, visit Cynthia’s Southern Luxuries: Natural Bath and Body Care Products.

Applications for the Pork Leadership Carolina program due March 4

North Carolina

The North Carolina Pork Council’s Pork Leadership Carolina is a year-long program designed to prepare young pork industry professionals (students, farmers and allied partners) for challenges and opportunities in the industry, with all expenses covered for the program. For more details, visit ncpork.org/

Kindergarten registration is March 15

Duplin County Registration for Kindergarten and applications for Pre-K will be accepted at all elementary schools and Pre-K sites on Friday, March 15, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Kindergarten students must be ve years old on or before Aug. 31. Pre-K students must be four years old on or before Aug. 31. Visit www.duplinschools.net for more information.

Spay/neuter ra e

Duplin County Duplin County residents can register for a free spay/neuter for one cat and one dog ra e sponsored by Pet Friends of Duplin County. Drawing will be May 4. Registration sites are Warsaw Hardware, Kenansville Dorothy Wightman Library, Beulaville Phillip Lee Library, Wallace Thelma Bryant Library, This Little Pig, Tabby & Barkers, and Traveling Gypsy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Dr. Austin Obasohan, superintendent of DPS.

North Duplin Elementary School announces Principal’s List, Honor Roll

North Duplin Elementary School has released the Principal’s List and Honor Roll for the second nine weeks of the 2023-24 academic year. In order to qualify for the Principal’s List, students must maintain an A average for the nine weeks grading period, while Honor Roll students maintain an A/B average.

Principal’s List

Third Grade: Avett Brown, Lillianna Griggs, Mia Aguilar, Shamiya Chestnutt, Sophia Herring, Kimber Martin, Ian Quintanilla, Oliver Redmon, Khloe Taylor, Wyeth Williams, Charlotte Nielsen, Ella Byrd, Leeland Faulk, Rylan Jackson.

Fourth Grade: Alexander Gonzalez Gonzalez, Brantley Gregory, Miligros Gutierrez Hernandez Aaron Henderson, Celeste Hernandez, Lina Kimes, Bria Lee, Brooks Lee, Alyssa Merriman, Nico Ortiz, Liliana Rojas, Baten Abdallah, Tabora Lopez, Asher Wadę, Caroline Cox, Georgia Grace Davis, Savannah Dyer, Kenji Godinez Perez, Eli Grady, Derian Juarez, Addie Kate Kornegay, Ella James Lambert, Lucas Lemus, Josiah Oates, Leah Orona, Belle Shields, Katherine Wolfe.

Fifth Grade: Akyra Decker, Paisley Grantham, Erick Lopez, Genelle Waters, Lilly Avilez Gonzalez, Eli Brock, Linda Godinez Perez, Eric Hidalgo Hernandez, Bryson Hill, Carlos Ibarra, Ander Lopez Garcia, Perry Brown, Noah Carter, Ashlyn Claire Grady, Donald Gray Herring, Vanessa Morales Santiago, Natalie Mutter, Hannah Nielsen, Felicia Romero Hernandez, Madison Thornton, Joseph Cash Wiggins.

Sixth Grade: Gabriel Cashwell, Teagen Mele, Michael Warren, David Escobar Santiago, Isela Zamudio-Long, Jack Herring, Cristina Knowles, Ethan Kornegay, Reagan Kosik-Strickland, Caroline Stevens, Nora Stringer, James “JT” Wolfe, Bailey Foster, Bryce Foster, Cheyenne Gri n, Diego Padilla.

Honor Roll List

Third Grade: Kolton Bowden, Ethan Goodwin, Eduardo Jimenez, Sebastian Mata, Yazmin Otero Velazquez, Abigail Pena, Aggie Wiggins, Allison Yesca Chilel, Kenny Andrade Padilla, Jude Lampron, Caden McLamb, Roselyn Olivos Gutierrez, Turner Pope, Ricardo Sanchez-Lopez, Ivey Best, Metta Eldridge, Brantley Maldonado, Arantxa Morales Santiago, Daniel Riscajche

Tucux, Mackayla Summerlin, Mildred Lopez Hernandez, Reece Kelly, Karen Cabrera Lopez, Mila Turner, Lily Coats, Tiago Chilel, Wilber Perez Pineda, Yeison Lorenzo Vasquez, Yaiza Jasso Marin.

Fourth Grade: Kelvin Chilel Benitez, Jose Por rio Chinchilla Rivas, Lezly Esmeralda Espinosa-Ventura, A’Journee Nicolle Williams, Maysa Bradshaw, Boyden Eldridge, John Matthew Ho man, Kayla Lyle, Isaac Mata Torres, Victoria Torres, Karlee Tucker, Hayley Wiggins, Maribela Alonzo-Vaca, Mattie Grace Brock,

Aryan Johnson, Jolen Jackson, Tamia May, Angel Rubio, Natalie Gonzalez Ortega, Cason Howell, Ronald Rivas Rodriguez, Mariah Santos-Aguilar, Ayn Tucux-Sosa, Evelin Valenzuela Sepulveda.

Fifth Grade: Angel Baena, Brayden Brock, Daisy Godinez, Bryson Gonzales, Avery Carter, Nolan Pate, David Ramirez, Finnley Wade, Nora Wiggins, Madison Williams, Liam Best, Eliy Cabrera Lopez, Payten Coley, Jesus Escobar Santiago, Viky Juarez, Anson Knowles, Raquel Lopez Hernandez, Shelby Medlin, Minerba Morales Perez, Aiden Toler, Ethan Whit eld, Hannah Whit eld, Logan Zambrano, Ivey Anderson, Jobani Galvez Chilel, Abraham GarzaFonseca, Isaac Garza-Fonseca, Ashton King, Matthew Lyle, Imelda-Marie Martinez, Karla Rivas Rodriguez, Paloma Santos-Aguilar, Jesus Barrera Calderon, Adan Favila Chavez, Neston Lopez Lopez, Howard Risor Mendoza.

Sixth Grade: Nicol Chilel-Gonzalez, Braylon Jett, Chloe Pfenning, Marissa Sanchez, Yadira Velasquez Lopez, Ethan Brock, Eric Coats, Yaiza Gonzalez-Dominguez, Sheila Matul Marroquin, Elvira Meza-Martinez, Dante Santibanez-Noriega, Mateo Valesquez Martinez, Isabella Griggs, Carley Hamilton, Betty Hidalgo, Haydn Ivey, Reagan Williams, Maddox Hamm, E’lani Kennion.

UMO o ers free tax preparation services

By Rhonda Jessup

University of Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE — The Tillman School of Business Department of Accounting, Finance, Cybersecurity, & Applied Computer Science has kicked off 2024 VITA Program under the direction of Waylon Woodall, CPA. VITA is an acronym for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. This program offers UMO students the opportunity to gain experience in preparing individual taxes for people who live in Mount Olive and its surrounding communities. This service is free to all taxpayers who are eligible to participate (generally taxpayers who make $60,000 or less in addition to other scope requirements).

The VITA season at UMO will take place through April 10. During this time, the program will have open hours for tax document drop off for those in the community who would like to have their taxes prepared by VITA volunteers. Upon completion and quality review of each return, taxpayers will receive a call from the site coordinator to schedule a time to review their tax return before it is electronically submitted to the IRS.

If you or someone you know may be interested

SPORTS

Bulldogs ignore hype to push aside powerhouse Vikings

Beat 11-time state champ, lose heartbreaker in ECC nals to SWO

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

KINSTON — When Ervin Murray started coaching Wallace-Rose Hill, the biggest kingpin to topple was Goldsboro.

Realignment moved the Cougars to another conference – but brought in an even more proli c program by adding 11-time state champ Kinston.

WRH has two state ags, one of which. came with current coach Ervin Murray playing for the Bulldogs.

ECC schools that once cringed as Goldsboro was on top of the hill for four seasons shook their heads in disbelief at the mountain range that is Kinston

Playing in a gym that was the prep playground for several NBA players – including Jerry Stackhouse, Brandon Ingram, Cedric Maxwell, Reggie Bullock and Charles Shackleford – is intimidating.

WRH removed part of the mystery for a night with a stunning 67-59 win over No. 1 Kinston (18-6) in the semi nals of the East Central 2A Conference Tournament on Wednesday of last week.

The victory over Kinston gave the ECC’s No.1 seed in the 2A playo s to Southwest Onslow.

The Bulldogs (13-12) fell to No. 2 Southwest Onslow 44-43 on Friday, and was scheduled to travel to No. 5 South Granville (21-1) on Tuesday this week for rst-round action in the 2A state playo s.

News-making triumph over the Vikings

Nearly every Bulldog did what was necessary to put WRH in a position to conquer Kinston.

Sophomore guard Matthew Wells (17 points) hit spot-up jump shots.

Forward Irving Brown was an opportunistic beast in throwing down for 14.

Center Amir Moore was a factor in the paint with 11 markers.

Point guard Jamarae Lamb played a much

Fearless Rebels roll Eagles for Carolina 1A Tourney title

ND storms to 11th-straight triumph, return to playo s

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO – North Duplin fears no foe.

The defensive-minded Rebels beat Rosewood 77-55 last Friday for the Carolina 1A Conference Tournament boys title by running the Eagles o the court.

The win was ND’s 11th straight for a rare postseason tourney ag.

“Defense makes us go,” said veteran head coach Je Byrd, whose team captured a regular-season conference title for the rst time in 22 years. “We went man-to-man in the second half and it’s probably been 10 games since we did that.”

ND’s two-team platoon system wore down the Eagles early in the second half.

Byrd’s recent two-platoon system worked wonders yet again, with starters Dujuan Armwood, Trashawn Ru n, Anthony Kornegay, Luke Kelly and Thomas Morrisey settng the tone.

Then the second unit – Brady Byrd, Branson Martin, Micah Lesesane, Donavan Armwood and Dylan Tyndall – once again complemented one another and exhausted Rosewood for the third time this season. Tev Collins is likewise at second-unit producer.

Byrd was forced to intermingle his units a bit late in the game, but sticks with his two teams because they feel “com-

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ND’s Dylan Tyndall hit a key 3-pointer in the second half during Friday’s win over Rosewood.

Revenge: Rebels rumble past Spartans

Avenge loss to regular season champ to claim third-straight CC tourney title

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO – Addy Higginbotham had an unshakeable con dence before North Duplin’s Carolina 1A Conference Tournament nal on its home court against Union.

That belief was strong in the 57-37 rout, even though the Rebels had lost the regular-season title to the Leopards 43-39 on Jan. 9 in Union Township.

“Oh, no, I knew we were going to win, no doubt about it whatsoever,” said the junior guard, whose team imp[roved to 17-7. “I just didn’t know how it would play out, whether it would be a close game or a blowout.”

Higginbotham scored 17 points, dished out nine assists

See REBELS GIRLS’, page 9

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ND captured its third consecutive CC Tournament title on Friday in Calypso.

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WRH’s Ervin Murray and his sta may have did their best job of coaching in ve seasons as the inexperienced Bulldogs are playing their best basketball at the end of the season.

Stallions cruise past Panthers late in ECC 2A Tourney nale

No. 9 ED gets new life in playo s after three losses to SWO

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE – East Duplin’s girls basketball team will get an opportunity to play against the best 2A schools in the East.

The chance comes after the Panthers lost for the third time to Southwest Onslow in last Friday’s East Central 2A Conference Tournament nals.

The Panthers (22-4) and Stallions (24-0) played two other close games and had few problems with other league foes this season.

SWO, which won the ECC regular season crown for the fourth consecutive season, took the No. 2 seed in the East eld.

No. 9 ED was to host No. 20 Edenton Holmes on Tuesday this week. The survivor faces the winner of No. 4 Eastern Wayne (21-3) and No. 29 Midway (1111) on Friday at the school of the higher seed.

“I’ve watched a bunch of the best teams play and we can play with anyone,” said Panther coach Mark Lane, who has guided his Panther teams to 20 wins eight times in his 16 seasons after replacing 1998 state 2A championship coach Jerry Hunter.

“I’ve seen Goldsboro (22-2), Eastern

Wayne and Seaforth (24-3) and a really good and athletic-as-heck North Pitt (23-2) team play. What we need to do is put four quarters together.

“The di erence between us and them is that we haven’t played in as many big games, pressure games,” Lane said. “We’ll be talking to our players on Monday about humility, e ort and attitude.”

The Panthers had substantial leads in the rst two encounters with the Stallions.

Friday’s game was close until an 1811 push by SWO in the third quarter that led to a 38-27 win. SWO topped ED 46-41 and 39-31 during the regular season.

Lane said ED’s shooting woes were the biggest reason for a third setback to SWO. “It was close in the rst half, but we shot 17 percent for the game getting good looks at the basket,” he said.

The free-throw line wasn’t kind either. ED hit on 7 of 19, while SWO was 12 of 17.

ED had a 20-12 and 26-24 edges on o ensive and defensive rebounding, respectively, for a total advantage of 4636. “The free-throw line was a di erence-maker,” Lane said. “We had fewer turnovers than the other two games and cut their points-o -turnovers difference (13-6).”

Ja’Myah Pickett paced the Panthers’ attack with 10 points, taking advantage of play inside the paint.

fortable on the court.”

“The two groups have chemistry and play together well,” Byrd said. “We share the ball. It’s nice when everybody gets to touch the ball. We were a bit more sel sh the rst of the year. I’m not seeing that now.

“I gured it out and no one is playing more than 16 or 17 minutes. It makes us so much fresher in the end of games.”

Up 38-32 with 2:58 to play in the third quarter, ND began turning a relatively close game into a runaway as Donavan Armwood hit a trifecta, Lesesane connected o a Martin pass and Dujuan Armwood went end-to-end, stretching the advantage to 4938.

The Rebels rocked Rosewood for a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter.

Ru n started the uprising with a hoop o a pass from Kornegay.

Dujuan Armwood then hit a pair of “and-1” opportunities.

The Armwood brothers followed with consecutive assists on hoops by Lesesane. They repeated the trick as ND ballooned its lead to 64-40. The streak took o just three minutes of the game clock.

The rest of the quarter was more about fun for the Rebels, including two scores by Collins and ve of six free-throw shooting via Lesesane and the Armwood brothers.

North Duplin opened the game by hitting the game’s rst eight points, with Kelly hittng two jumpers and Ru n an inside bucket. But ND missed too many early shots to put Rosewood away that quickly.

And in this game, the Eagles shot much better than in the two previous encounters – 59-50 and 46-38 triumphs for the Rebels.

Yet It was quickly apparent that Rosewood didn’t have the speed to stay on track.

Donavan Armwood netted 25 points, Lesesane 17 and Dujuan Armwood 11.

Two nights be ore, Wednesday’s semi nals, ND roared past Lakewood 76-68. Lesesane hit for 20, Dujuan Armwood 15, with

Martin and Donavan Armwood tossing in 10 apiece and Ru n nine.

ND led 22-7 after the quarter, but by just 33-32 at halftime as Dashaun Carr and Kristofer Robinson brought the Leopards back. Both nished with 17 points.

Rebels return to the state playo s

On Tuesday this week, No. 9 seed ND (15-9) was to return to the state playo s after a long absence on Tuesday by hosting No. 24 Tarboro (10-13).

“They’re the most athletic team we’ve played,” Byrd said. “They are a whole lot better than their record would make you think.”

The Vikings have won nine of their previous 11 after getting o to an 0-8 start because many of their players got a late start after the school’s football team went to the 1A nals. The survivor faces the winner of No. 8 Okracoke (195) and No. 25 East Bladen (10-12) on Friday. No. 1 Wilson Prep (215) would be the likely pick should ND advance into the third round.

ND has six players averaging more than ve points per game – Dujuan Armwood (16.0), Lesesane (10.8), Donavan Armwood (8.7), Ru n (6.4), Tyndall (5.6) and Martin (5.2), while Collins is at 4.2 and Kelly 4.1.

Byrd coached James Kenan to a 19-6 mark in in the 2016-17 season to tie Spring Creek – coached by current JK head coach Taylor Jones – for the CC regular-season title.

The previous season, Byrd guided the Tigers to a 19-7 mark, but was second to Neuse Charter in the standings. However, James Kenan beat Neuse in the tournament nals

Byrd was a member of ND’s 1989 state championship team.

He coached Hobbton from 2002-07. His father, “Speck” Byrd, coached at Hobbton for 30 years, and was the defensive coordinator of the school’s football team in 1993 that won a state title.

The senior Byrd was Hobbton’s head baseball coach for 25 years, and was inducted into the Sampson County Sports Hall of Fame.

Senior Yamorie Hardison, perhaps the Player of the Year in the ECC, had game-high honors with 16. Junior Iyanna Galloway added 11. Khamara Dorsey and Makenzie Kemp pulled down 14 and 12 rebounds, respectively as SWO stayed unbeaten. It went 23-2 last season and fell to North Pitt in the third round.

East Duplin cruise past ’Dawgs, Blue Devils in rst two rounds

ED pounded Wallace-Rose Hill 6034 in Monday’s rst round on Jerry Hunter Court in Beulaville. Then they downed South Lenoir 43-28 in the semi nals on Wednesday in Kinston.

Pickett cleaned up for 13 points against WRH, Kenzie Cave and Makya Kornegay hit 12 apiece, Ava Noble nine and Sallie Hatcher ve.

ED was on the mark from the charity line, clicking for 8 of its 11 attempts (73 percent) as forward Pickett canned ve of six.

Cave added a team-high 13 rebounds.

ED led 19-4, 39-13 and 47-21 at the rst three quarter breaks.

Zakoya Farrior pumped in 12 in the triumph over the Blue Devils. Carrie Carr added eight, Pickett seven plus nine boards and Cave ve markers and seven rebounds.

ED scrambled to make the playo s last season with an 11-14 mark after missing the tournament in 2022 for the rst time in Lane’s 16-years

Stallions outlast feisty Tigers en route to ECC Tourney title

Southwest Onslow takes top playo seed in ECC

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

KINSTON – James Kenan’s Jamaury Coe canned a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter last Wednesday against Southwest Onslow in the semi nals of the East Central 2A Conference Tournament that looked as if it was a key play.

TJ Oats then let loose to nail a pair of trifectas.

Yet virtually every moment of excellence James Kenan had was followed by the exploits of a Stallion.

With one of the best players – Rue Chapman -- on the bench most of the second half, SWO’s depth and talent was still too much for JK, which lost 64-57.

Malekhi Hutchinson and Carlos Pagan each pumped in

13 points and Quaydon Holder 10 as the ECC’s co-champ and No. 2 seed captured the league’s top spot for the 2A playo s after beating No. 4 Wallace-Rose Hill. The Bulldogs had upset No. 1 Kinston in the same round.

SWO won the tourney title on Friday by nipping the WRH 44-43. No. 3 JK (14-9) lost for the third time in its last four games heading into the playo s.

Oats had 25 points for JK, Coe 12, Tyquise Wilson and Naszier Williams 10 each.

Every time Kenan made a push SWO answered.

The Stallions nursed a 10-point lead through the rst three quarters, and upped it to 53-34 with 5:06 to play.

Oats scored 10 points in the span of three minutes to trim the lead to under 10 points at 56-47. Coe’s bomb and a hoop by Naszier Williams both cut

the de cit to eight points.

Chapman returned to sink two clutch charity tosses with 45 seconds to play after Holder had done the same nine seconds earlier.

JKs nal score – a 3-pointer by Wilson with 29 ticks left on the clock – made the nal respectable, especially given SWO’s 85-61 and 62-48 wins over the Tigers during the regular season.

During a 69-44 victory over South Lenoir in the rst round on Monday in Warsaw, Tiger forward Kel Artis banged his way to 18 points.

Oats chipped in 10, Wilson eight and Coe six o a pair of 3-pointers.

JK led 35-18 at halftime and limited the Blue Devils to three points in the third quarter.

No. 26 seed JK traveled to face No. 7 Hertford County (19-8) in Tuesday’s rst round 2A playo game.

JK’s TJ Oats popped in 25 points against SWO.

REBELS BOYS’ from page 7

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ED’s Zakoya Farrior can shoot the lights out of the ball when she’s in her zone.

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North Duplin captured its rst Carolina Conference regular season title and tournament title in 22 years.

Wildcats end season with Coastal Tourney title

4 Seed Richlands takes down No. 2 Croatan, No. 1 West Carteret

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

RICHLANDS – Cinderella wore blue and gold at the girls’ Coastal 3A Conference basketball tournament as the No. 4 seed walked away from the palace with the biggest trophy.

Richlands beat two schools that had tagged it with defeats to capture the postseason title in their nal time on the court this season.

Despite the late e orts, Richlands (14-11, 5-6) did not qualify for the 3A playo s that began this week.

Third-place White Oak (713, 6-4) was the 32nd and nal team in the NCHSAA’s East bracket. Coatan checked in at No. 25 and Coastal regular season champ West Carteret (14-9, 9-1) at No 10.

The Wildcats started their madcap rise with a 38-34 win over No. 5 Swansboro (8-14, 3-6) as Tashi Allen went o for 14 of her 20 points in the second half.

Mia Wells added eight points and four assists and Jayla Booney had ve markers.

Allen, a senior, pulled down 12 of Richlands’ 40 rebounds. Booney and Reagan Stapleton combined for 10 boards.

Another senior, Jordyn Fisher, grabbed eight rebounds and had four assists, though scoring just one bucket.

Then the upsets started like a magic wand of tournament madness, where anything can happen in a bracket.

Stapleton, a senior, punched in 16, Allen 15 and Fisher nine as Richlands used a 14-6 third-quarter rush to upset No. 1 West Carteret on Thursday in the semi nals.

The Patriots had crowned

and had six steals as the best player on the court during a one-sided 57-37 win. Union heads into the playo s with an 18-5 record.

It was ND’s third straight CC Tourney title. The Rebels had also won the regular-season crown the previous two seasons before Union captured its rst league ag in 11 years this winter.

It was satisfaction over celebration following ND’s win.

“We’ve been there before and acknowledged the win and then move on to think about the playo s,” Higginbotham said. “ They (Union) don’t like us very much and we feel the same about them. It’s been that way since I was a freshman. We’ve won and know how to react after a game.”

Higginbotham, the Rebels’ point guard, got everyone involved early, including rstyear starter Lilly Fulghum, who scored 10 points.

“She’s one of those players that get overlooked easily,” Higginbotham said. “She showed up against Union, driving by them and hitting her free throws.”

Senior shooting guard Reece Outlaw contributed 10 markers and had eight steals Fulghum also made it easier on ND post Tateyawna Faison ( ve points) by grabbing 10 rebounds.

Early push is formula for victory

the Wildcats 62-36 on Jan. 30, with Richlands falling 37-32 in the rematch.

Wells and Fisher added 10 apiece for the Wildcats. Skyler Setzer had 15 and Ellas Graham 12 for West Carteret.

Richlands’ recent history with Croatan featured two close losses – 43-41 on Feb. 13 in Richlands and 41-37 on Jan. 30 in Newport.

History meant little as Allen netted 16 points and had 15 rebounds and Fisher added 11 markers, six boards, three assists and two steals in the 31-29 triumph in the final.

Wells snagged eight rebounds and added the other three Wildcat points.

Allen scored 12 of her points in the second half, and Fisher had her total output in those two quarters.

Neely McMannen scored 13 points for the Cougars.

Richlands led by five points after one stop and 10 by the extended intermission.

The rst three minutes were a microcosm of the second half as ND went in front 8-0.

Megan Martin found Fulghum for a hoop, Higginbotham hit two free throws and canned a layup after a steal, and nished o the run with a rebound basket.

Higginbotham also took a charge from Spartan star Aryiana Spearman during the run, while Faison had one of her four intimidating blocks.

Spearman, who scored 22 of Union’s 37 points, shot the ball often and from outer space zones well beyond the 3-point line.

Two of Spearman’s teammates follow suit to launch more long shots, many of which turned into fast-break opportunities for ND.

Spearman kept Union close in the opening quarter and tied it at 15-15 with 4:01 to play in the half.

But a 15-2 streak turned a close game into a rout that had two additional chapters in the second half for the homestanding fans that packed the gymnasium.

ND’s boys, seeded No. 1, would follow by winning their nale against Rosewood, which is covered in a separate story.

‘Showtime’ attack in three episodes

The Rebels’ o ense clicked into high gear in the second quarter as Martin cleaned up a rebound for a bucket, and Out-

Tigers fall to Hawks in opening round

James Kenan’s rst tournament ended game ended with Tigers leaving points at the free-throw line as North Lenoir notched a 58-54 win in LaGrange.

“Both teams played really hard and it was like two di erent games as they controlled the rst half and we were strong in the second half,” said JK coach Kenny Williams. “North Lenoir shot the ball well, or better than I’ve seen them shoot all year. And that was ultimately the difference.

“But our foul shooting continues to be our downfall. We’ve got to knock down a higher percentage, especially as we move forward in the playo s.”

JK (10-13) grabbed the No. 23 seed in the East and were set to open up Tuesday at No. 10 Goldsboro (22-2). The Cougars beat JK 64-35 on Dec. 28.

The Tigers enter the playo s on a four-game losing skid.

North Duplin, boys’ basketball

Lesesane has played a pivotal role in North Dublin’s rst Carolina Conference regular season and tournament titles. ND had not won a league crown in 22 years.

The junior is second in points (10.9) and rst in rebounds (6.1), while playing about half a game because head coach Je Byrd, who rotates in two squads unto the oor.

Yet it’s hard to argue with the results as ND has won 11 straight with the 5-foot-3 Lesesane running the oor, playing tough defense and shooting 53 percent from the eld.

He is one of seven juniors who will return to ND next season.

law scored after solid passes from Martin and Higginbotham. ND moved the ball and Union wasn’t able to react well enough. Higginbotham made it 24-17 with a charity toss and a jumper and it became a numbers game the Spartans couldn’t win. Outlaw chunked in two free throws after a strong drive to the iron and Faison had a conventional 3-point play during the rst of three ‘showtime’ attacks on the Spartans.

Sophomore

Up 30-17, North Duplin continued to play relentlessly in the next two quarters, and in the process made Union look tired, slow and lled with individual one-on-one moves and quick misses.

Higginbotham stirred Union’s sleep poison in the third after a Martin score in the paint as part of a 10-5 run in the third quarter. Higginbotham had assists on hoops by Fulghum in the open and Outlaw o an inbounds play.

Spearman hit her rst long shot at the 4:41 mark and another basket with 11 seconds left in the quarter, but ND still led 40-24 and was playing con dently and calmly. ND all but waved goodbye to the Spartans after Higginbotham nailed a jumper at the free-throw line, Martin had yet another putback and Higginbotham went coast to coast.

It was 52-31 when Spearman hit a trifecta, which was matched by Higginbotham 43 seconds later.

Hoops Notebook

Higginbotham (17), Fulghum (13), Outlaw (11) and Faison (six) paced ND past Lakewood in the semi nals.

The Rebels took the No. 9 seed in the 1A playo s and were to host No. 24 Roxboro Community (13-8) on Tuesday. The winner travels to meet the survivor of No. 3 East Columbus (21-1) and No. 30 North Moore (8-16) on Friday.

ND, which made it into the third round in 2022 and fourth round last season, needs three wins for a possible fourth-round rematch against No. 6 Union.

The Rebels are 63-11 in the past three seasons.

ND beat No. 2 Perquimans (22-4) last season in the third round in Calypso before falling to Falls Lake Academy 67-55, which is the No. 1 seed this season.

No.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Hawks guard Young out at least 4 weeks

Atlanta

The Atlanta Hawks have lost All-Star point guard Trae Young for at least four weeks with a torn ligament in his left pinkie nger. Young was hurt during Friday night’s loss to Toronto and had surgery Tuesday in New York. The team says Young will be evaluated in four weeks. The Hawks are ghting for the nal playin spot in the Eastern Conference. Young leads Atlanta with his averages of 26.4 points and 10.8 assists per game.

MLB Bellinger returning to Cubs on 3-year $80M deal

Chicago Cody Bellinger is going back to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to an $80 million, three-year contract. The slugger can opt out of the deal after each of the rst two years. Bellinger’s return is a big win for the Cubs, who waited into spring training as the center elder explored his options in free agency. He hit a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 steals in 130 games for Chicago in 2023. Bellinger is set to make $30 million this year, and then $30 million in 2025 if he stays with Chicago and $20 million in 2026 if he doesn’t opt out of the contract.

NHL

Coyotes terminate Ruzicka’s contract after social media video surfaces Tempe, Ariz. The Arizona Coyotes terminated Adam Ruzicka’s contract after he cleared unconditional waivers. The moves come after Ruzicka posted to social media a video showing him with a white powder appearing to be cocaine and a credit card on a counter. Ruzicka was in the second season of a two-year contract worth $1.525 million. The 24-year-old from Slovakia had been with the Coyotes for only about a month since they claimed him o waivers from the Calgary Flames. Ruzicka had no points in three games with Arizona after nine in 39 with Calgary. He has played in 117 NHL games since making his debut in April 2021.

BULLDOGS from page 7

bigger role than his nine points would indicate.

Marlo Harris and Ka’Shawn Scarborough had key moments as each scored six points.

Ja’Corey Boney added four markers and great defense.

In fact, WRH sti ed and frustrated Kinston so much the Vikings’ shooters struggled to nd the bottom of the net throughout the game.

WRH’s signature win came in a dominating performance that isn’t told in the nal margin of victory. The Bulldogs made the Vikings look like the underdog.

“A lot of things came together to make it our time,” Murray said. “We did a good job competiting. The biggest di erence was our mental preparation.

Suarez edges Blaney, Busch for thrilling win at Atlanta

The Trackhouse Racing driver got to the line rst in a three-wide nish for his second career win

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Ga. — Daniel Suarez hoped but wasn’t certain he was the winner after the closest nish ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Then came the photo evidence: Suarez edged Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide blur at the line to win a crashed- lled NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday.

The second career win in 253 Cup races for Suarez set o a celebration that included a long series of congratulations from other drivers for the popular native of Monterrey, Mexico.

“It was a very special moment,” said Suarez, who entered this contract year with his future seemingly uncertain with Trackhouse Racing.

“I was just hoping. I saw the tower and thought I was rst. I thought I had it but then they said there was a review.”

The review con rmed the rst win for Suarez since June 2022 at Sonoma. It was his

rst victory on a speedway, but he said he’s not satis ed after locking up a spot in the playo s in only the second race of the year.

“Some people actually told me you can relax, now you’re in the playo s,” Suarez said. “Hell no! My goal is to win more than one race. This is not re -

Duke’s Filipowski injured when Wake Forest fans storm court

The Blue Devils’ big man hurt his knee in a collision on the court

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM — Kyle Filipowski remembered seeing the images of Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark being accidentally knocked down by a fan storming the court after her team su ered an upset loss.

Roughly a month later, Duke’s 7-foot star found himself part of the same discussion on the dangers of court-storming, his right leg wrapped in plastic to fasten an icebag to his kneecap. And he wasn’t happy about what had just happened.

“Just like any other upset game where the fans rush the court, all hell goes crazy,” Filipowski said after being hobbled in a collision with an on-rushing fan after the eighth-ranked Blue Devils lost at Wake Forest on Saturday. “Just trying to get my way o the court, and you know, you’ve got these crazy college students just doing whatever they want. It’s got to be a little more protective when things like that happen.”

The Clark incident, coming Jan. 21 after then-No. 2 Iowa’s loss at Ohio State, o ered a reminder of the risk facing ath-

“All year we’ve played one of the strongest schedules and we’re not looking for moral wins or to play close and lose by two or three points. We knew we were better than our record.”

Murray also said assistant coaches Jermel Miller and Jack Wells, and the WRH bench, played essential roles in the win.

“We’re a team, and with that everyone makes contributions,” he said. “Every player and especially our coaches. We came through a lot to get to this point.

“No, we don’t have basketball-only players like Kinston. Our kids play football and there aren’t many out there who believed in us.”

WRH also had three opportunities to win the game against SWO. “We had three late chances in the last 19 seconds and other one

letes and coaching sta s stuck in the path of an oncoming exuberant rush of fans eager to celebrate at midcourt.

It’s long been regarded as a rite of passage and part of the fabric of college athletics, most notably in a sport that captures the national spotlight every year with its “March Madness” spectacle in the NCAA Tournament.

Yet Saturday marked the latest incident of the potentially combustible combination created by fans venturing between the lines that belong to the athletes right up to that nal horn.

“When are we going to ban court-storming?” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “Like, when are we going to ban that? How many times does a player have to get into something where they get punched or they get pushed or they get taunted right in their face? It’s a dangerous thing.”

Later Saturday night, Wake Forest athletics director John Currie issued a statement saying he had expressed “regret” for the incident to Duke athletics director Nina King as well as to Atlantic Coast Conference senior associate commissioner Paul Brazeau.

“Although our event management sta and security had rehearsed postgame procedures to protect the visiting team and o cials, we clearly must do better,” Currie said.

with six seconds to play,” Murray said of the one-point loss in the nal. “But here’s what I know. Our kids are ready for whatever a team throws at us in the playo s.”

Grabbing the lead and bringing it home

WRH got separation from Kinston midway through the third quarter when Moore scored twice in the post area, the second of which was a 3-point play, and Wells and Harris canned bombs. Lamb found Brown alone for another hoop during a 19-11 run that put WRH in control 44-36 with 1:20 left in the quarter.

Kinston closed the gap to 44-40 entering the fourth, but Moore went back to work for a pair of buckets and Wells drained another 3-pointer.

was third.

“It was fun racing, but just a couple inches short,” Blaney said. “I’m happy for Daniel, though. That was fun racing him and Kyle. That was fun.” Suarez gave credit to Busch, another Chevrolet driver, for providing a late push.

“It’s good to see Daniel get a win,” Busch said. “We were helping each other being Chevy team partners and working together there. Shows that when you do have friends and you can make alliances that they do seem to work, and that was a good part of today.”

A massive pileup of at least 16 cars on the second lap was the biggest in the history of Atlanta Motor Speedway and set the pace for a procession of wrecks. The crash left many cars heavily taped for the remainder of the afternoon.

The intensity picked up when Austin Cindric went to the bottom of the track in his Team Penske Ford for a fourwide pass to take the lead with 50 laps remaining.

laxing here. ... The goal is for you to not be surprised when the 99 is in victory lane.” Busch, who won Saturday’s Trucks race, moved to the middle between Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion, and Suarez to set up the dramatic nish. Blaney was second, only 0.003 seconds behind, and Busch

Michael McDowell, who on Saturday won his rst pole in his 467th start, won the rst stage but collided with Daytona 500 champion William Byron while trying to slow down to enter pit row in the second stage. McDowell su ered right front damage and each car fell one lap behind before McDowell made his way back to the lead midway through the nal stage. He nished eighth.

The Cup Series moves to Las Vegas next weekend.

The prologue came with Duke trailing by four with 1.8 seconds left, down to a single inbounds heave for some type of miracle nish. Fans had already moved down to the court area as Mark Mitchell heaved a long inbounds pass that was intercepted by Cam Hildreth near midcourt. And they were at full sprint once the horn sounded.

“I mean, like everyone knew it was coming,” Filipowski said. “They were up four with 2 seconds left. Everyone was just waiting for the moment. Did they do anything to stop it? They didn’t do anything to stop

WRH could almost smell victory, in front by 51-42. Yet the Bulldogs kept pressuring the Vikings as a Lamb steal and layup and a jumper from Wells stretched the lead to 13 at 55-42. There was still time for a comeback. But WRH withstood every attack and counter-punched with precision after Kinston cut it to 56-51 with 1:21 to play. Brown, who will be a Division I running back after his senior season next fall, powered his way to the rim for a hoop. Then Wells, Lamb and Boney hit free throws, and with a Lamb steal and layup all but sealed it at 6456.

Hoops Notebook

Lamb, the Bulldogs’ leading

it. That’s just ridiculous.” Scheyer — who referenced the Clark incident and said he regretted not pulling his players o the court sooner — was asked whether he would press the issue with ACC o cials for changes going forward.

“Yeah, they’re here today, you see it,” Scheyer said. “Who in their right mind can see that and (say), ‘Yeah, that’s smart’? It’s dangerous. In what other sport does that happen? And I’m telling you, I don’t even think, it was — what, did the buzzer go o and all of a sudden fans are at halfcourt.”

scorer this season, didn’t score as much when WRH went 4-1 in its last ve games, but his presence has been evident on the court nonetheless.

The sophomore will be Brown’s running mate in the WRH back eld next fall. Moore, a frosh with tons of potential and a very sturdy 6-foot-6 frame, could give WRH the center it has often had to get by without: A mobile player in the post who takes up a lot of space.

Brown, whose late-season blossom helped ignite the Bulldogs into a tie for third place in the ECC with James Kenan, scored 14 points in a 57-54 rst-round win over North Lenoir.

Harris (11), Wells (19), Boney (seven) and Lamb ( ve) added support.

CHUCK BURTON | AP PHOTO Fans storm the court as they celebrate with Wake Forest players after the Demon Deacons defeated Duke on Saturday in Winston-Salem.

JOHN BAZEMORE | AP PHOTO

Daniel Suarez (99), left, edges Kyle Busch (8), center, and Ryan Blaney (12) at the nish line to win Sunday’s Cup Series race at Atlanta.

Quinton Anthony “Buck” Rich

May 24, 1936 - Feb. 23, 2024 (age 87)

Quinton Anthony “Buck”

Rich, 87, of Wallace passed from this earthly life to his eternal rest on Feb. 23, 2024, to be forever with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. Rich was born on May 24, 1936, in Garland to the late Reverend Vance and Minnie Bell Rich. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Vance Rich, Jr., Kathleen Rich O’Neal, Faye Rich Schneidmiller and Melburn Rich. He was a member of Peniel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church and served with The Gideons International for 25 years. Mr. Rich was employed with Wallace Enterprise for 20 years and with Raleigh News & Observer.

Mr. Rich is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Janice Horrell Rich; his loving daughters, Jan R. Davis and husband Joe of Rose Hill, Ann R. Evans and husband Russ of Kenansville and Bridget R. Evans and husband Mark of Wallace; grandchildren, Felicia Beaman and husband Brant, Amy Smith and husband Palmer, Hannah Powell and husband Josh, Austin Evans and wife Andrea and Abby Venable and husband Scott; great-grandchildren, Taylor Pickett and husband Michael, Ellee Beaman, Ryder Smith and Sydney Powell. Additionally, he leaves behind his brother, Wayne Rich of Wallace, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved him dearly.

Buck, as he was a ectionately known, was a devoted husband and caring father, grandfather and brother who loved God and his family more than anything. He enjoyed the simple things in life such as sitting in his rocking chair with his feline friend “Ma Kitty” resting beside his chair, vacationing in the mountains and get-togethers with family and friends. Being very masterful with his hands, Buck enjoyed building bird houses, making signs and other woodworking projects. He was owner and operator of Rich’s Signs for many years until retiring due to declining health. Buck was one who loved to have a good time. He was a prankster and enjoyed pranking many people. He enjoyed a good joke and always had a good one to tell. Buck loved life and enjoyed laughing and making others laugh with him. He was a kindhearted gentle man who loved people and would give the shirt o his back to anyone in need. Most of all, Buck loved the Lord and served Him for many years. His life was a great example for his children and grandchildren to follow. He will surely be missed but treasured memories of him will forever live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Graveside funeral service was held at Garland Cemetery on Feb. 26, with his son-in-law, Reverend Russ Evans, Reverend Joe Foster and Reverend Dewey Ball o ciating.

Being that Buck was such a colorful person, each of Buck’s boys are honoring him at the service by sporting one of his ties.

The family received friends Sunday afternoon, Feb. 25, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace.

Flowers are welcome or you may send memorial gifts to Peniel PFWB Church, 6491 Englishtown Rd, Wallace, NC 28466 in memory of Quinton “Buck” Rich.

Dollie Mae Hu n Snowden

Jan. 8, 1928 - Feb. 20, 2024 (age 96)

ROSE HILL — Mrs. Dollie Mae Hu n Snowden, age 96, of Rose Hill passed away on Feb.20, 2024.

Funeral services will be held on March 3, at 2 p.m. at Byrd’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rose Hill. A burial will follow at Hu n Cemetery, Byrd’s Chapel Road in Rose Hill.

Left to cherish her precious memories: two children: Prince Snowden of Rose Hill and Joyce McGhee of Magnolia; two brothers: Bobby Hu n (Virginia) of Teachey and Samuel Hu man (Lynetta) of Leland; four grandchildren, 13 greatgrandchildren, several greatgreat-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss her dearly.

Darryl Thomas Lloyd

Aug. 26, 1963 - Feb. 14, 2024 (age 60)

Darryl Thomas Lloyd of Pink Hill and formerly of Pin Hook passed from his earthly life on Feb. 14, 2024, while at home. Born on August 26, 1963, he is the son of the late Orland Thomas and Lottie Melvina Dail Lloyd. He is also preceded in death by a brother, John Lucas Lloyd; paternal grandparents, Leslie and Mary Lee Dail; paternal grandparents, Henry Thomas and Julia Lloyd; and grandchildren, Kenneth Lee Ballard and Braden Hernandez.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Olivia Rennee Lloyd; children, Ti any Renee Boykin and husband Hunter of Kenansville, Tracy Allane Lloyd of Pink Hill, Lesley Thomas Lloyd of Pin Hook, and Sabrina Lloyd Hernandez of Jacksonville; siblings, Vivian Rabun of Phoenix (Ariz.), Debbie Turner and husband Richard of NinetySix (S.C.); close friend, Mike Henderson; 12 grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews. We feel Darryl left us much too early, but our Lord knows what He is doing. Darryl was full of life and enjoyed telling a good joke at about “every other breath.” He had a great party philosophy as was observed by all who knew him well. He loved family, which meant more to him than any other thing on earth. His guitar was important to him, and he also enjoyed golf.

A service to celebrate his life was held on Feb. 17, 2024, in the Oak Grove Church of Pin Hook with visitation before the service. Interment followed the service in the Dail Cemetery. Flowers are welcome or please consider a contribution to the ECU Hospice.

Unieca Yvonne

Richardson

June 15, 1978 - Feb. 17, 2024 (age 45)

Unieca Yvonne Richardson, 45, of Winston -Salem, calmly took the Master’s hand and entered into eternal rest on Feb. 17, 2024, at home. A funeral service was scheduled for Feb. 26, at Greater Yeshuwa Temple, Wallace. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Unieca was born June 15, 1978, to Lila Bea Robinson and Roy Richardson in Duplin County. She was educated in the Duplin County Public School System and graduated from Wallace-Rose Hill High School, Teachey, with the class of 1996. She continued her education at James Sprunt Community College, Kenansville to become a CNA. As a CNA, Unieca worked for the Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation of Wallace, which ignited her passion to help others... and the journey began.

In 2007, Unieca graduated from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to become the family’s rst and only Registered Nurse. For over a decade, she worked diligently at Wake Med Baptist Hospital, which wasn’t considered enough with her desire to help others. Therefore, she added to her workload a part-time position at Novant Health Rehabilitation Hospital, an a liate of Encompass Health.

Unieca was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, co-worker and friend. The lives she touched with her contagious smile, love, laughter and legacy will live on and be shared with generations to come.

Unieca leaves her cherished memories to three children: Li’Nieca Cierra Williams, Nyla Sanaa Ngofa, and Sarah Omini Faith Ngofa all of the home; three grandchildren: Caira Chanel Fuller, Avery Semaj Williams and Grayson King Williams all of the home; parents: Lila Bea Robinson (James) and Roy Richardson (Barbara); three siblings: Johnny Robinson (Lisa), Turwanda Dobson (Michael), Angela Carter (Michael); seven special children: Omar Carr, JaQuayle Robinson, Joshua Robinson, Tania Miller, Mitchell Moore, Johnna Robinson, and McKenzie Robinson; maternal grandmother: Hattie Jones; a host of aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends who love and will miss her dearly.

Annie

SPONSORED BY QUINN MCGOWEN FUNERAL HOME

Lewis “Buck”

Williams

May 19, 1926 — Feb. 13, 2024 (age 97)

ROSE HILL — Deacon

Lewis “Buck” Williams, age 97, of Rose Hill passed away on Feb. 13, 2024, at Mary Gran Nursing Center in Clinton.

A viewing was held on Feb. 24, at Byrd’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rose Hill, followed by the funeral service. The burial was at Duplin Memorial Gardens, Highway 117 in Teachey. Left to cherish his precious memories: wife of over 70 years, Essie Mae Williams; sister, Regina Kenan “Tang” of Rose Hill; daughters: Barbara McLean (Charles) of Raleigh, Wilma Vann (Donald) of Bowie, Md., and Wanda D. Williams of Brandywine, Md.; son, Lewis Edward Williams (Celestine) of Goldsboro. In addition, he has 10 grandchildren: Donald R. Vann II (Tamatha) of Morrisville, Lewis A. Williams of Goldsboro, Dr. Sharon L. Williams of Roanoke, Va., Gregory L. Vann of Bowie, Md., Lionel M. Williams (Kamala Lee) of Roanoke, Va., Chivalry Moore of Durham, Lamar Newkirk of Franklinton, Joshua C. Williams of Brandywine Md., Stephanie Calhoun of Gastonia, and Tonya Prince (Ronald) of Bowie, Md.. In addition, he is survived by two sistersin-law: Mary Alice Ingram of Vacaville, Calif., and Alice Williams of Rose Hill. He also has several great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and too many beloved cousins and friends to name, that will miss him dearly.

Mark Anthony Carr

Nov. 18, 1960 - Feb.13, 2024 (age 63)

Mark Anthony Carr, also known as radio personality “Doug Williams,” 63, of Elkridge, Md., passed away Feb. 13, 2024, at Ellicott City Healthcare Center in Maryland.

Funeral service was Tuesday Feb.27, at Adoram Missionary Baptist Church in Wallace. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. The interment was at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey.

Douglass Hall

Feb. 21, 1956 - Feb. 21, 2024 (age 68)

Douglass Hall, 68, passed away on Feb. 21, 2024, in his home in Beulaville.

All services are private.

Survivors include spouse, Diana Hall of Beulaville; son, William McCarthy of Beulaville; sisters, Sandra Raynor of Beulaville and Lisa Miller of Surf City; several nieces and nephews In lieu of owers, donations can be made to Community Funeral Home of Beulaville.

Mina Marie (Hatchell) Baker

June 17, 1935 - Feb. 14, 2024 (age 88)

Mina Marie Hatchell Baker of Rose Hill departed her earthly life on Feb. 14, 2024. Born on June 17, 1935, she is the daughter of the late John Bryant and Ruth Elizabeth Edwards Hatchell. She is also preceded in death by her late husband, Bennie Baker; siblings, Durwood Hatchell, Raeford Hatchell, Johnny Bryant Hatchell, Norman Hatchell, Ruth Phillips, Betty Starnes, Adell Hatchell Edwards, Ozell Wells, and Naomi Thompson. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Benjie Malone and husband Tommy of Teachey and Benjamin Forest “Ben” Baker, Jr. and wife Sherri of Raleigh; grandson, Adam Forest Baker of Charlotte; and sister, Mary H. Finch of Wilmington. Everyone remembers Mina Baker — maybe for di erent reasons, but she was a woman of character. She served her community by contributing her talents in beauty. Everyone emerged from her beauty shop looking fantastic. As one of 11 siblings, she worked hard and dedicated all her love to being a wife to Bennie Baker and raising her two children, Benjie and Ben. In her 88 years of life, she served the Lord in her thoughts and actions. In 2001, she became a grandma to Adam Forest Baker who was the beat in her heart. We will all miss Mina in each of our own ways, but her memory will be kept alive through family sharing stories. Let’s all think of a few and share.

Family greeted friends at a visitation on Feb. 18, with service following in the chapel of Padgett Funeral & Cremation Services in Wallace. Inurnment followed the service in the Rock sh Memorial Cemetery of Wallace. Floral arrangements are welcome or please consider a contribution to North Chase Nursing and Rehabilitation Center — Resident Council Fund) and address to Sarah Revis, Administrator, 3015 Enterprise Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405.

William Rex Carlton

May 25, 1952 - Feb. 22, 2024 (age 71)

WARSAW — William Rex Carlton, 71, passed away Feb. 22, 2024, at ECU Health Duplin in Kenansville. Mr. Carlton was born May 25, 1952, in Duplin County to the late Ward House Carlton and Mildred Gurley Carlton.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Feb. 28, in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw.

Rex is survived by sisters, Debbie Carlton Baker and husband, George of Warsaw; sister-in-law, Connie Carlton; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Rex was preceded in death by brothers, Henry Ward Carlton and Johnny Carlton.

Jesse Kenneth Scott

March 27, 1942 - Feb. 17, 2024 (age 81)

CHINQUAPIN — Jesse

Kenneth Scott died on Feb. 17, 2024, at the Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He is survived by his sisters, Sue Osbeck and husband Dave of Florida, Ann Sanders and husband Harggett of Greenville; brother Randy Scott and wife Debbie of Chinquapin; nieces, Kim Bratton, Dusty Scott; nephews, Ryan Osbeck, Zach Osbeck, Brent Sanders, Mark Scott, and Patrick Scott.

In lieu of owers, donations can be made to the church or charity of your choice.

The funeral service was held on Feb. 20, at Serenity Funeral Home, Beulaville with visitation one hour before service. Interment was at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

KENANSVILLE from page 1

Kirk Tripp, Paul Phillips, Hannah Bell, Richard Barden, and Luis Arellano were presented with awards for their outstanding contributions and service to the county and the Town of Kenansville. Each of the ve honorees also received a $50 gift card.

O cer Tripp was awarded Outstanding O cer of the Year, Phillips was recognized as the Outstanding Farmer of the Year, Bell was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Barden received Outstanding Fire ghter of the Year, and Arellano was

Roland Leslie Thompson

Jan. 19, 1956 - Feb. 9, 2024 (age 68)

Roland Leslie Thompson, 68, died on Feb. 9, 2024, at his home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lettuce Thompson, and brother Danny Thompson.

All services are private.

Survivors include spouse, Linda B Thompson of Beulaville; sons, Roland Allen Thompson (Little Roland) (Tonya) of Beulaville, William Brett Kennedy (Brett) (Alex) of Snow Hill; daughter, Angie Stiles of Beulaville, sister, Christina Lancaster (Stephen) of Beulaville; brother, Michael Thompson (Lisa) of Kenansville; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Carolyn Sasser Baker

May 11, 1936 - Feb. 8, 2024 (age 87)

Carolyn Sasser Baker, 87, passed away on Feb. 8, 2024, at ECU Health in Kenansville. Mrs. Baker was born May 11, 1936, to the late Emmitt George and Wray B. Sasser.

A graveside service was held on Feb. 13, in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw.

Carolyn is survived by sons, Nelson Baker of Kenansville and Stanley Baker of Magnolia; grandchildren, Dana Baker and husband, Bryan Jones of McClellanville, S.C., and Brian Baker of Wilmington; greatgrandchildren, Ella Grace, Easton, Lucas, and Elsa-Rose; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by husband, Earl Nelson Baker; daughters-in-law, Pamela Sue Baker and Carol Jeanne Baker; grandson, Kevin Allen Chambers Baker, and sister, Cumy S. Butler and husband, Arthur.

Graham Preacely Quinn

March 4, 1934 - Feb. 18, 2024 (age 89)

Graham Preacely Quinn, 89, passed away on Feb. 18, 2024, in Genesis Mt. Olive Care, Mt. Olive.

Graveside service was held on Feb. 21, at Quinn Family Cemetery, Potters Hill. Visitation took place at the cemetery. Survivors include spouse, Opal Sholar Quinn of Potters Hill; son, Marvin L. Quinn “Buddy” (Diane) of Goldsboro; daughter, Beverly Q. Futral (Pat) of Potters Hill; grandchildren, Brandon Futral, Courtney Futral, Ashley Hobbs, Je rey Quinn, Phillip Quinn and Justin Quinn; and nine great-grandchildren.

in having taxes prepared through the program, please use the resources below for more information:

• For information on taxpayer eligibility/scope requirementshttps://www.irs.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/p3676bsp.pdf

• For information on what to bring to the sitehttps://www.irs.gov/individuals/checklist-for-freetax-return-preparation

• For information on how to schedule a drop off appointment - Either use this link provided (https:// calendly.com/umovita/vita-appointment) or email Waylon Woodall at wwoodall@umo.edu.

• For general questions to the program coordinator - Email Waylon Woodall at wwoodall@umo.edu or call him at 919-6587675.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The Convention of Original Free Will Baptists founded the University. For more information, visit www. umo.edu.

named Outstanding Medical Personnel of the Year.

Miller said he was proud of the awardees and thankful for their service to the county.

“They are incredible people,” said Miller. “We should all be so thankful.”

The County Manager also shared updates on the construction projects at the Duplin Commons, which are moving fast.

“The scheduled completion date for the Senior and Veteran Services Center is December,” said Miller. “That’s tracking along perfectly. Daniels and Daniels, the construction folks, they are

doing such a wonderful job, and they are keeping everything on track.”

Miller told the Duplin Journal that the transportation building was about to receive its certi cate of occupancy and as soon as it did, they would start moving furniture into the building.

“Hopefully we’ll get them (the employees) in that building within the next two or three weeks,” said Miller, adding that the “animal services center should receive their certi cate of occupancy within the rst two weeks of March. So, we are going to have a lot coming online really, quickly.”

Miller added that with all these new facilities, the county will be able to provide better services to the residents. “Our residents will be better cared for. The services will be better,” said Miller.

“We’ll nally be able to give the residents what they’re paying for with their tax dollars.”

According to Miller, while they don’t have a date set for the new detention center groundbreaking, they anticipate a contract will be presented to the board in March. “We do expect that at the latest, the second meeting in March,” said Miller.

“It was great to see the Kenansville Chamber in action. It was great to see them honoring people from the community that do such a tremendous job.”

Duplin County Manager Bryan Miller

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