Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 2

Duplin Journal

on Sunday, March 10. Daylight Saving Time starts on the second Sunday of March at 2 a.m.

DJS

Town of Wallace to host public input forum on Clement Park project

Wallace Join the Town of Wallace on March 20 at the Wallace

Woman’s Club to view plans for Clement Park. The town requesting the public’s input on this project. Meeting will be from 6-8 p.m.

DJS

Public assistance needed in murder case

Duplin County

On Feb. 24, 2023, the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce began in investigation into the murder of Michael Sheron Sloan-Hall. At this time, no arrests have been made in this investigation.

The Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce would like to request the publics assistance with any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this homicide.

If you have any information concerning this case, please call the anonymous tip line at 910-372-9202 or the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce at 910296-2150. DJS

Election results

Duplin County

To view election results, visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections voter tool online. The Voter tool tracks municipal election contests in each county providing the most up to date results.

To view the voter tool, visit https://er.ncsbe.gov/ DJS

Free entrepreneurship workshops

Faison

Persons interested in starting a business can now participate in free entrepreneurship workshops that will be o ered on March 14, April 11, May 2 and May 30 at University of Mount Olive. According to the announcement, the workshops will focus on rural and agricultural businesses.

Local community rallies around ‘Miracle Miley’

19-month-old Miley Byrd on heart transplant waitlist

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE

— While most toddlers are learning to walk and talk and just having fun exploring the world around them, 19-month-old Miley Byrd of Beulaville is hooked up to IVs and mostly con ned to a bed at Duke Children’s Hospital. She’s already undergone two openheart surgeries and is currently on the waitlist for a new heart.

Miley was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means “the left side of her heart did not develop in the womb,” explains mom Chelsea Byrd, a rst grade teacher at Beulaville Elementary School.

“She is a spunky, brave ghter. There are lots of little miracles we’ve seen pour out over her life.”

Chelsea Byrd, mom to “Miracle Miley”

The two open-heart surgeries the young girl has already experienced took their toll, as well as a couple of sicknesses she’s had this year. “All the viruses she’s had this year took a hit, and now she’s in heart failure,” Chelsea told the Duplin Journal.

Miley was admitted to Duke Children’s Hospital on Feb. 13, and will remain there for the foreseeable future.

The hope at rst was that Miley could go home with oral

medications, but Chelsea said any time the IV medications are removed, Miley’s condition plummets. “The game plan is to keep her stable here until a heart is available,” Chelsea said. There’s also the possibility of a VAD, a ventricular assist device, which helps pump blood from the heart’s lower chambers to the rest of the body, but Chelsea said a heart transplant is likely the best option.

“The average wait for her age and speci c needs is one to six months,” Chelsea said.

Chelsea and her husband Ryan alternate days with Miley, and days at home in Beulaville with their two other children, Hudson and Emerson.

“We have good days and bad days,” Chelsea admitted. “One of us is always home with them

Former House of Raeford employee gets life in prison for killing coworker

The 2020 premeditated murder took place at the facility’s parking lot while the victim was on break

By Ena Sellers Duplin

Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Ofce of District Attorney Ernie Lee announced on March 4 that Antwan Terrell Wright of Goldsboro, was found guilty of murdering Darius Atkins of Rose Hill. Wright was charged with rst-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole on March 1.

According to the District Attorney, on Nov. 25, 2020, at 5:23 a.m. law enforcement was dispatched to the House of Raeford, located at 3333 US Highway 117, in Rose Hill, after Atkins was shot three times while he and other workers were in the parking lot of the facility during an early morning break.

Wright, who also worked at the facility, but did not show up for work during the same shift, waited for Atkins to come outside. According to the District Attorney it is believed that Wright had motives to shoot and kill the victim, which came out during the trial by jury.

According to the press release, Wright mistakenly believed that the victim shot up his grandmother’s house in Goldsboro, just prior to the shooting. Wright drove away in a vehicle that others recognized as a car associated with him but owned by his sister. Wright ed from the scene and was located approximately three months later with assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s cell phone records, and social media data was used to help connect Wright to the crime.

The investigation conducted by the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce, led to Wright being charged. The FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team assisted the investigation and prosecution. FBI Special Agent Harrison Putman obtained cellular phone records, which placed Wright close to the scene after

Duplin farmer named NC’s Pork Producer of the Year

Beulaville’s Brian Kennedy honored by N.C. Pork Council

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Agriculture is a way of life in Duplin County, and no one understands that better than our area’s farmers. However, there’s not often recognition of the hard work that

goes into making a farm successful. One exception to that rule is Beulaville-area farmer Brian Kennedy, who was awarded the North Carolina Pork Council’s Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year award at the council’s Annual Conference on Feb. 29. Brian Kennedy and his wife, Sherry, have run their hog farm together outside Beulaville since 2002. The family owns two nishing farms and also have a cattle farm.

“Our children started showing livestock, and that’s really how we got into it,” Sherry Kennedy said. “We started with heif-

ers, and then went to 1-year-old pigs.”

Though they’ll continue their pork grower contract with Prestage Farms, Brian Kennedy said the family will also focus on expanding their cattle farm in the future.

Brian said that he started with Prestage Farms in 1991 at 19 years of age, and has been with the corporation ever since.

County Commissioners adopt uni ed development ordinance

Board approves $40.2 million contract to build new detention center

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — After much discussion about the Duplin County Uni ed Development Ordinance (UDO) presented by Austin Brinkley with Insight Planning, at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 4, the Board voted 4 to 1 to adopt the ordinance with a change to the proposed

30-feet easement to remain at 50 feet.

Brinkley presented the nal draft of the UDO recommended by the planning board, which incorporates Duplin County’s seven ordinances combining subdivision zoning and regulatory language for land use into a user-friendly document to aid implementation.

“Your subdivision regulations really make up a large portion of your UDO,” Brinkley said during the public hearing, adding that it sets the requirements for the subdivision of land, installation of infrastructure as

well as standards and required guarantees from beginning to end.

Brinkley also addressed easements, which had de nitions added to include language specifying where structures can’t be located within the boundary of a recorded easement, putting restrictions on access easements.

“You do have a private easement exemption where lots can be created on a 30-foot easement, a maximum of three lots, be approved by the administrator, a service subdivision, which this is a special type of subdivision to create lots for utility

purposes, cemeteries, well sites, communication towers, things of that nature. There’d be a lot of restrictive covenants involved in those types of divisions. You have your type A expedited minor

$2.00

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHELSEA BYRD Miley Bird, who is 19 months old, is a Beulaville toddler born with a heart defect that has led to her being on the waitlist for a heart transplant.

Duplin

Neal Robbins,

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

Ena Sellers, News Editor ena@northstatejournal.com

Abby

Michael

David

For

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

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

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 910-2672721.

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 Street in Kenansville. For information, call 910-2962170.

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

CRIME LOG

FEB. 28

Arik Tyler Jones, 35, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 28, on charges of reckless driving with wanton disregard, hit and run leaving the scene of property damage, failure to report an accident, failure to wear a seat belt while driving, unlawful use of highways, improper turn, fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place for controlled substances, simple possession of Schedule II controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggressive driving, failure to heed a light or siren, driving the wrong way on a oneway street or road, failure to stop at a steady red light, failure to stop at a stop sign or flashing red light, expired registration card, fictitious or altered title registration card or tag, driving while license revoked but not impaired, speeding, littering less than 15 pounds, failure to maintain lane control, expired vehicle inspection, failure to burn headlamps, violation of rear lamps, and unsafe passing over a

MARCH 9

Get ready for Easter on the Farm at Penderosa Rescue & Sanctuary, located at 256 Lamb Rd., Willard, NC. Take a ride on the barrel train, enjoy a car show, games, pony rides, farm animals and lots of food vendors. The event will feature real Easter bunnies the kids can see and have their picture made with. Try your luck at the cake walk or get a balloon animal made just for you and enjoy a funfilled day at the farm.

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 910-2893078.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday

yellow line. Bond was set at $28,000.

Eldebarge Monroe, 36, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 28, with a bond set at $115,000. He faces charges of driving while license revoked, operating a vehicle without insurance, civil lending/ borrowing license plate, driving without proper vehicle registration, failure to wear a seat belt while driving, possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage in the passenger area, possession of marijuana up to 1/2 ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, expired inspection sticker, assault on a female, misdemeanor probation violation out of county, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed gun, and indecent liberties with a child.

Icel Duran, 29, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 28, with bond denied, charged with parole violation.

FEB. 29

Francisco Lizardi Vargas, 48, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on Feb. 29, with a

MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED IN DUPLIN COUNTY

Anita Marie Savage, Duplin County Register of Deeds

Issued 28 Marriage Licenses

In February 2024. They are as follows:

Frances-Kate Dorothea Johnson, Pink Hill, and Hali

Debra Michelle Jones, Pink Hill;

Wesley Randall Tilley Jr., Mount Olive, and Annabelle Brooke Chestnutt, Mount Olive;

Enna Sabina Herrera Dominguez, Faison, and Santos Gilberto Martinez Reyes, Wallace;

Sulma Brenic Delarca Orellana, Wallace, and Carlos Humberto Vasquez

Ferrera, Wallace;

Yokeily Veronica Soliz Torrez, Wallace, and Joel Wilfredo Aleman Meza, Wallace;

Cameron Michelle Cottle, Wallace, and Arnol Alexander Milla Milla, Wallace;

Kennetha Kimyata Kornegay, Faison, and Albert Eugene King Jr., Florida;

Stephanie Nicole Williams, Clinton, and Petit Dort Erwensli, Warsaw; Sara Guadalupe Lopez, Mt Olive, and Austin Robert Velasquez, Mt Olive;

Ashley Alaine Qualkenbush, Clayton, and Bridgette Leigh Hanchey, Wallace;

Kellie Jean Dine, Teachey, and Tylor Adam Reese, Teachey;

Joseph Aaron Heath, Rose Hill, and Cathy Lynn Parker, Rose Hill;

Julio Cesar Ruiz Banda, Magnolia, and Ledy Nohely Duarte Barahona, Magnolia;

Osman Pena Cruz, Mount Olive, and Maria Dalcy Dianeth Avilez, Mount Olive;

Alexus Mia Murphy, Beulaville, and Michael Garcia Velasco, Beulaville;

of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For more information, call 910-2857564.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For more information, call 910-2937814.

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.

The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at Beulaville

bond set at $1,500. He faces charges of being intoxicated and disruptive, as well as second-degree trespass.

MARCH 1

William Randall Register, 21, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 1, with a $500 bond, charged with assault on a female.

Olivia Lopez, 20, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 1, with a $500 bond, charged with simple assault.

Daryll Coleman Shipman, 25, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 1, with a bond set at $20,000. He faces charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting a public officer.

Johnny Ray Mildenberger, 54, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 1, with a $50,000 bond, charged with indecent liberties with a child.

Jose Salvador Ortiz, 31, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 1, with bond denied, charged with probation violation.

Christie Alexandria Bell, 42, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 1, with

Raul Orona, Mount Olive, and Juanita Diaz Galvez, Mount Olive; Mickenson Blanc, Warsaw, and Forgeline Noel, Warsaw;

Jared Norman Martin, Robbins, and Ashley Marie Hershey, Beulaville;

Francko Senat, Mount Olive, and Loudwige Garcon, Mount Olive; Willphgems Ballakams Leger, Florida, and Bertena Dormeus, Florida; Mikayla Layne Koch, Mount Olive, and Zackary Carter Mozingo, La Grange; Latasha Nicole Hughes,

Presbyterian Church Beulaville, located at 205 East Main Street, Beulaville, on March 12 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins welcome or make an appointment at redcrossblood.org

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 910-285-4136.

Duplin County Beekeepers meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center. Pi Day Bake Off will be held at the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library, located at 409 W Main St in Wallace. Bring pies by 5 p.m., judging will begin at 6 p.m. Register at the library or by calling 910-285-3796.

a $50 bond, charged with second-degree trespass.

MARCH 2

Felicia Orday Best, 35, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 2, with a $5,500 bond, charged with driving while license revoked but not impaired and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Wendy Lee Honeycutt, 48, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on March 2, with a $7,000 bond. She faces charges of driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, and habitual impaired driving.

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.

Beulaville, and Dwayne Donnell Bizzell, Beulaville;

Claudia Blasina Lizardo Lizardo, Rose Hill, and Osman David Izaguirre Matamoros, Rose Hill;

John Joseph Wojcuich III, Teachey, and Michelle Brice, Teachey;

Marvin Allen Wells, Rose Hill, and Tanesha Sanders May, Mount Olive;

Grayson Myrick Fussell, Wallace, and Sydney Nicole Norris, Wallace;

Larry Ray Strickland II, Mt Olive, and Stephanie Lyn Elsey, Mt Olive.

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Retired Beulaville Police Chief Jamie Rogers was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Mayor Hutch Jones at Monday night’s Beulaville Board of Commissioners meeting.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to “persons who have made signi cant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments,” according to the website, https://longleafpinesociety.org. It is one of the highest honors a North Carolina citizen can receive.

The mayor made the presentation to Rogers at the end of the

March 4 town board meeting.

“I’m not going to try to sugarcoat this one, but I do want to bring to the board’s attention, and to the public, that Chief Rogers has o cially retired,” the mayor said. “His last day was last Thursday, and he started part-time with us on Friday. He had half a day o .”

After those remarks, Jones presented the award to Chief Rogers, saying it is “the highest civilian volunteer award and public service award in the state.”

“Jamie, his career speaks for itself,” Jones added. “This is not something you get; it’s something you earn. Your experience has put you in a very elite group, Jamie.”

In other business at the March 4 town board meeting, the commissioners discussed a residential trash guidelines and enforcement policy proposed by Town Manager Lori Williams. “It’s something that Lori has

been working on,” Mayor Jones explained. “What she and I have been talking about, having a lot of conversation about, is I don’t want to say misuse, but there is some need for direction about the use of trashcans in town. A lot of folks are keeping those out 24/7.”

While some town residents are not physically able to push their trashcans back to their home after pickup is done, others may be negligent in leaving their trashcans by the road even after trash pickup days.

The policy de nes that trashcans should be placed by the curb on Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning, and should be removed no later than Wednesday evenings. It also denes exactly how the cans should be placed and where they should be stored.

However, the commissioners had some debate about enforcement of the policy, especially

when it comes to the elderly or disabled individuals.

“I like the idea, but I think there should be an exception clause,” said Commissioner Delmas Highsmith, adding that his parents are elderly and sometimes cannot move the trashcans themselves.

“There’s no need for a waiver unless there’s an enforcement mechanism in there,” Town Attorney Justin Hunter pointed out.

Williams proposed that a sentence be added to the policy, stating, “If your situation does not permit you to adhere to this policy, please contact Town Hall to be considered for a waiver of policy requirements.”

The board agreed to add that sentence to the policy, and it was approved unanimously.

Also at the March 4 meeting, the Beulaville town board:

• Held a public hearing on the closure of North Kennedy

The funding will be used for training facility upgrades

Duplin

WALLACE — Murphy Family Ventures recently made a $12,500 donation to the Wallace Fire Department. Fire Chief Taylor Johnson said that the funding will be used to add a “much needed” metal building to the department’s training facility.

“The facility is currently used by most all neighboring volunteer departments in Duplin, Pender, and Sampson,” Johnson said.

“Wallace greatly appreciates the generous donation Murphy Family Ventures made to the town’s re department,” a Facebook post from the town of Wallace stated.

Road between East Quinn Street and Wickline Road. The closure was approved unanimously.

• Approved a resolution for the town to apply for a North Carolina Department of Commerce for a Rural Transformation Grant. While the grant is geared toward rural downtown areas, the town manager proposed that if the town receives the grant, the funding should be used to revamp the old Town Hall building.

• Approved the purchase of a deaeration pipe for use at the wastewater treatment plant. The pipes cost $6,621 each, but were needed to help maintain the plant, said Public Works Director Ricky Raynor.

• Tabled a request from Raynor for $279,650 worth of equipment for Public Works. The mayor said that there were still a few “big-ticket items” the town needs to budget for, and tabling the request allows Williams to crunch a few numbers.

• Learned that Carl Mobley has been hired as the new police chief. He will o cially start the job once state paperwork is completed and approved.

Pictured from

right:

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

| JIMMY DIXON

‘Woke’ ideologies not the traditional concept

IN JUNE OF 1776 George Mason gave future generations some critical advice about the founding principles used to establish our Constitutional Republic. Said he, “no free government, or the blessing of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by…frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.”

A fundamental principle is a principle from which other truths can be derived.

Thomas Je erson captured the essence of that de nition with the beginning words of The Declaration of Independence; “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

There is enough for a life time of study in those 35 words and we had better wake-up or the “woke” crowd may destroy our children’s future. Please don’t think or say in my presence they are crazy. No, they are not crazy! They are intelligent in the ways of the world and very evil in their designs. They know what they are doing; they want to fundamentally change America!

They want to destroy America!

To fundamentally change America the “changers” must change the fundamental principles upon which this nation was

established. Maybe the most fundamental principle is that we were created by a Creator. Thus, they are dedicated to removing any reference to God, our Creator, from the public square and from our children’s schools.

That supersedes everything they want to change; we better wake-up! Je erson didn’t say we were born equal. He said we were created equal. Our Creator knew us before we were in the womb and He endowed us with the right to life. The “woke” generation believes man’s laws should determine who can be born.

Liberty is the right to freely exercise our God given agency to choose between opposing forces. Yes, we have the right to choose to do wrong things. We do not have the right to select the consequences. The big umbrella we are all under is the right to choose between good and evil.

The pursuit of happiness is that we have a God given right to enjoy the fruits of our labor. It is the right to own property and enjoy improving it for the bene t of our families. We have the right to journey when, where, and how we want to in our pursuit of happiness. Nothing makes most of us happier than good family memories.

The “woke” folks want to destroy the concept of family. They want to destroy the fact that there are only two genders. They want to destroy

the traditional concept of marriage. They realize that “as the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” They have taken their perverted e orts into the lower grades and prey on some of the most vulnerable of our precious children.

In ltrate and indoctrinate is their wellpracticed strategy. Put down the guns and the bombs because they work only temporarily. The God given yearning for freedom and liberty always returns. They actually pose the question, “How can we keep that God given yearning for freedom and liberty from ever coming back?”

The answer, be patient in ltrate and indoctrinate. Remove God from all places possible. Erode the concept of family. Destroy gender. Claim discrimination against those who won’t allow you to be a cat or a mouse or a cute little butter y. Control fashion, entertainment, Hollywood, the universities, and the media.

When all else fails just call good evil and evil good!

We, the people should teach our children to love God and His Son, Jesus, then make frequent recurrence to the magni cent founding principles used to establish The United States of America.

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

Recruitment, retention through innovative practices

We are also excited about the opportunities to grow our own educators through the state supported TA to Teacher Program and our DCS Grow Your Own Scholarshiploan opportunity.

THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE is changing, so we must be innovative in how we support, recruit, and retain high quality teachers in Duplin County Schools (DCS). Our Board of Education understands the tremendous challenges that districts face, not only here in eastern North Carolina, but across the state and beyond. Even through these challenging times, as “One Family” we are dedicated to nding solutions so that every classroom across the district is lled with highly quali ed teachers. We are proud of our recruitment and retention e orts that have been implemented over the years, but we must do more. Through programs such as the Beginning Teacher Support Program, TA to Teacher, our DCS Grow Your Own Scholarship-loan opportunity, the DCS Teacher Ambassador Program, the Duplin TEACH Academy pilot, and district license support, we continue to be solution driven in our e orts and work to evaluate these e orts to ensure that they are having a positive impact with our work to support, recruit, and retain teachers.

The Beginning Teacher Support Program has been a tremendous asset for our beginning teachers in their rst three years of teaching. Over the years, we have been fortunate to have Beginning Teacher Coordinators serving teachers in every school across the district providing personalized classroom support designed to meet the unique needs of our beginning teachers. In addition, beginning teachers have direct schoolbased support through site coordinators, and mentors. We pride ourselves on the continuous improvements of this

program and how these support e orts have continued to have an impact on teacher and student success.

We are also excited about the opportunities to grow our own educators through the state supported TA to Teacher Program and our DCS Grow Your Own Scholarship-loan opportunity. The TA to Teacher program supports current teacher assistants as they pursue a college degree leading to teacher licensure. Currently, DCS has three former teacher assistants that have completed the program and are employed as classroom teachers in Elementary Education and Special Education. The DCS Grow Your Own Scholarshiploan opportunity seeks out current high school students that also want to pursue a teacher education pathway with a commitment to come back to teach in Duplin County Schools. Currently, we have seven Grow Your Own recipients employed as classroom teachers across the district in the areas of Elementary Education, Middle Grades Social Studies and Middle Grades Math. This year, Duplin County Schools has implemented the Teacher Ambassador Program to create another “homegrown” recruitment pipeline for future educators. Teacher Ambassadors from every school designs opportunities to promote the teaching profession and increase the number of students interested in a teaching career. Future Teacher Clubs, established in all schools, give students, as early as elementary school, an understanding of the profession, opportunities to visit schools of education and explore the profession through realistic educational activities. To further address the need for

teacher candidates in DCS, the Duplin TEACH (Tomorrow’s Educators are Created Here) Academy seeks to grow, employ, and support future teachers from within our district. This year’s pilot began with the 9th grade class at Duplin Early College High School with intentions to expand to all high schools in the future.

In addition, our beginning teachers have a direct line of support for their teacher license process through the district’s Licensure Specialist and Beginning Teacher License Support sta . This support assists our beginning teachers in helping them understand their state established teacher license requirements so they are able to successfully convert their license within the appointed timeline. Beginning teachers have the opportunity to participate in virtual meetings at any time with license support sta based on their unique licensure needs throughout the year.

We truly value our teachers in Duplin County Schools. Our ability to o er personalized and strategic support has always been a top priority and it is critically important that we do whatever it takes to ensure that our teachers can be successful and remain in our classrooms. We know when our teachers are successful, they are able to truly impact the success of our students in tremendous ways, which is our ultimate goal. It’s not just about recruiting our teachers into the classroom but keeping them in our Duplin County classrooms with the support they deserve.

Dr. Austin Obasohan is the Duplin County Schools Superintendent.

COLUMN

COLUMN | AUSTIN OBASOHAN

This year’s Carolina Strawberry Festival promises good, sweet fun

Garden Gala kicko is new for 2024

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Wallace’s premier event, the Carolina Strawberry Festival, is getting a few tweaks this year, and promises to be better than ever.

Set for May 3-4, the Carolina Strawberry Festival is planning a Garden Gala this year, a new event that organizers hope will become an annual tradition, akin to Wilmington’s Azalea Festival Garden Party.

“The main thing is we want to have an event kind of like the Azalea Festival Garden Party to kick o the festival,” said Kristyn Padgett, who handles advertising and social media for the Strawberry Festival. “It will be a formal party, with an after-party at the Mad Boar.”

The Garden Gala is planned for Saturday, April 27, 1-6 p.m. at the Gardens at Johnson Nursery. “This inaugural kicko event promises an enjoyable experience with food, drinks, music, and an opportunity to explore the beautiful Gardens,” Padgett said.

Entertainment will be provided by The Catalinas, and there will be a red carpet with a Carolina Strawberry Festival backdrop for photos.

VIP tickets are $75 each, and include access to the exclusive VIP tent, two complimentary drinks, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, Strawberry Festival T-shirt and koozie, and Calibrachoa Superbells Strawberry Punch plant from Proven Winners. General admission tickets are $35, and include one complimentary drink, a Strawberry Festival koozie and Calibrachoa Superbells Strawberry Punch plant from Proven Winners.

For more on the Garden Gala, visit carolinastrawberryfestivalgardengala.com.

Friday night at the festival will include live music from North Tower and the Band of Oz, while Saturday night’s entertainment will be provided by Rivermist and The Tams. Both Friday and Saturday will include amusement rides by Funtime Amusement, and the dinosaur show by Ed’s Dinosaurs, which have always proven popular in the past, Padgett said.

The Strawberry Festival 5K Run and Walk will be slightly di erent this year, as the festival has partnered with Wallace Parks and Recreation and Full Send Racing. “The Parks and Recreation Department is such a vital part of Wallace,” Padgett said, “and we are so happy to support them as they raise funds for the new Inclusive Playground at Clement Park.”

Start and nish for the 5K will be the Campbell Center at Clement Park, with the 5K for runners and walkers of all skill levels, and the one-mile Strawberry Jam also available.

The Carolina Strawberry Festival wouldn’t be complete without its annual pageant, which will be held on Saturday morning at the main stage.

Categories include: Baby Miss Strawberry for ages 0-2, Mini Miss Strawberry for ages 3-5, and Little Miss Strawberry for ages 6-9.

“We’re hoping to have a good turnout,” Padgett said. “The pageant is always a popular part of the festival every year.”

There will be a recipe contest as part of the festival as well, but details are yet to be announced. And of course, there will be plenty of vendors and of course strawberries for sale at the festival.

“This inaugural kicko event promises an enjoyable experience with food, drinks, music, and an opportunity to explore the beautiful Gardens [at Johnson Nursery].”

Kristyn Padgett, Carolina Strawberry Festival

This year’s artwork will be featured on T-shirts and festival posters, and was created by Ashley Yanez, a student at Wallace-Rose Hill High School. For more on the 2024 Carolina Strawberry Festival, visit the festival’s Facebook page, or carolinastrawberryfestival. com.

Farmers Day Parade to honor deep rooted agricultural heritage

Special celebration seeks to honor Faison’s farmers

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

FAISON — As we kick o National Agriculture Month this March, members of the Faison Improvement Group are gearing up for the Farmers Day Parade set for March 23.

The yearly celebration will kick o at 11 a.m., with the line up starting at 10 a.m., on Ellis Street. The Parade seeks to celebrate the town’s deep agricultural roots and honor Duplin County’s farming community.

After the parade concludes, the celebration will continue with music, vendors, food trucks and a classic car & tractor show, with fun activities

planned for the entire family. Last year, the event was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the community who lled the streets of Faison to honor the town’s farmers. According to Andrew Taylor, FIG president, last year they had more than 80 entries who participated in the 47-minute parade procession.

“We’re very excited. This is going to be a big event,” said Taylor as he invited the public to participate on a social media post.

“[Last year] we had a great Farmers Day Parade, and we’re hoping to repeat that success and even grow it,” said Taylor.

“If you remember the old Market Day on Main Street, well, we are going to have a little bit of that… We want to make this a successful event.” Taylor added that they will

have a DJ and are hoping to bring dancing back to the streets of Faison. They will also have face painting and fairy hair for the kids along with other fun activities.

There is no registration fee to be in the parade, everyone is welcome to participate also entries for the tractor and classic car show are free. The tractor and car show will take place at the Faison Baptist Church and community building lots.

Taylor shared that they want to make the event even bigger this year and continue to grow it year after year.

“If you are a farmer, I know that you love to work … but this is also your celebration. And there is a special place at the back of the parade for you – a place of honor. Bring your tractors, bring some of your workers, come down, and let’s

“If you are a farmer...there is a special place at the back of the parade for you – a place of honor. Bring your tractors, bring some of your workers, come down, and let’s celebrate you as well, because this is your day.

Andrew Taylor, Faison Improvement Group president

celebrate you as well, because this is your day.”

There is still time to register! For more information, visit the Faison Improvement Group Facebook page.

Smith eld Foods names Kraig Westerbeek president of hog production operations

Warsaw Smith eld Foods has named Kraig Westerbeek president of its hog production operations e ective Feb. 29.

Westerbeek brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role. His career with Smith eld began in 1993 as environmental manager for Quarter M Farms, which later merged with Murphy Family Farms. He held leadership roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career, serving as environmental compliance director for eight years before being named assistant vice president of environment, health and safety compliance in 2010. From 2014 to 2017, he served as vice president, support operations for Smith eld Hog Production, where he was responsible for environmental compliance, engineering, construction, feed manufacturing, transportation and animal welfare.

Westerbeek also played a leading role in the formation of Smithfield Renewables, the company’s carbon reduction and renewable energy platform.

Westerbeek is a past member of the board of directors of the North Carolina Pork Council and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and is a current member of NPPC’s environmental committee, which he previously chaired. He also was formerly chairman of the Duplin County Health Board and is a current member.

Visit ECU Health’s

8-foot colon

Beulaville/Kenansville

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and that means it is time for The Great Colon Tour. During the month of March, ECU Health Duplin Hospital is helping teach about the importance of colon health with an 8-foot in atable colon. The colon was rst available at the Duplin County Health Department on Monday, March 4, and will be at the following locations on the following dates: Whaley’s Supermarket in Beulaville on Friday, March 15, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville on Monday, March 18, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; and the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact the community health improvement coordinator, at 910-296-8836 or eve.stroud@ ecuhealth.org.

Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants now available

By Rhonda Jessup University of

Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE — Future pilots in the UMO Flight School can now take advantage of the Redbird FMS state-of-the-art ight simulator. The simulator, which includes two aircraft setups- the Cessna 172 and the Piper Seminole, is programmable to simulate di erent weather conditions, terrains, and ying situations.

“The simulator is a game changer,” said Gary Whaley, Director of Flight Operations. “It helps our students understand situational awareness without the risks associated in an actual aircraft. It also allows our students to practice their maneuvers in an a ordable way to become pro cient enough to pass

their FAA check rides.”

With seating space for a pilot and instructor, the simulator has 180-degree surround screens. It has all of the same realistic features as the real aircraft. It is equipped with an innovative, three-axis, electric motion platform providing effective motion feedback for yaw, pitch, and roll. With a full aviation navigation database, the Redbird FMS allows students to simulate ying from anywhere in the lower 48 contiguous United States.

“Pilots who learn primary ight skills in a device that provides accurate motion feedback transition to the real aircraft in less time, because they know what it feels like to y,” Whaley said. “They are less anxious in the cockpit, have better touch

on the controls, and know why you need right rudder in the climb.”

Student feedback has been very positive. “It’s been really helpful learning how to do crosswind landing approaches,” said private pilot student Claire Beitel. Located inside the University’s hanger at the Mount Olive Airport, another key bene t of the aircraft simulation technology is that it is impossible to be weathered out. “There are lots of times when taking o in a light aircraft would not be possible, but thanks to our new simulator, students can y in all conditions,” said Je Jennings Aviation Instructor. Jennings notes that students can log around 50 accredited ight hours from the simulator.

“Due to the size of our program we are able to work with our students’ one-on-one for individualized training that is catered to their needs,” Jennings said. The UMO Flight School is 141 certi ed as approved by the FAA. “This allows us to offer nancial aid to help cover the cost of ight training,” said Jennings. “Compared to other ight schools along the East Coast our ight school o ers ight training at a very competitively a ordable rate.”

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with de ning Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists.

North Carolina North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders recently announced a new grant program to support the revitalization of downtown districts in the state’s rural communities. The Department’s Rural Economic Development Division is now accepting applications from local governments for the Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant program. Grants will be awarded by the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority beginning with its April 2024 board meeting and the initial application period for these grants closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 1. Complete guidelines for the Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants are posted on the Commerce website. The maximum grant amount per awardee is $850,000 and may not exceed $12,500 per projected job created or retained. Grant administration costs are limited to 5% of the awarded grant total, and applicants must provide a cash match equivalent to at least 5% of the grant amount, with the source of these local matches not derived from other State or Federal grant funds.

DUPLIN JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Janey Kate Brock, 2023 Baby Miss Strawberry, blows kisses at the 2023 Christmas at Twilight in downtown Wallace, while her mom Rebecca looks on. A new Baby Miss Strawberry will be crowned at the 2024 festival, set for May 3-4.

accolades

North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School announces Principal’s List, Honor Roll

North Duplin Jr./Sr. High 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

Seventh Grade: Ashley Arrieta, Meredith Paige Best, Maggie Frances Brown, Addison Faith Coates, Camden Brooke Cox, Kayley Grace Craig, Lily Brooke Foley, Lewis Cole Grady, Madeline Rose Kimes, Savannah Brooke Lambert, Katy Lopez Hernandez, Orlando Kruz Ortiz, Abigail Lee Rose, Milton Emmanuel Ruiz Castro, Sophia Grace Saldivar, Alexa Reese Smith, Garrett Michael Stevens, Carrly Anne Strickland, Alivia Nicole Tadlock, Nolan Dane Wiggins.

Eight Grade: Noah Chase Arnette, Aileen Karina Bartolon Gonzalez, Giselle Octavia Bernal, Taylor Jane Britt, Camryn Elisabeth Buckner, Tyson Paige Byrd, Steven David Camposeco Diaz, McKenzie Leigh Cox, Phoenix Gabriel Dyer, Greyson Beckett Futch, Alex Vicente Godinez Perez, Yesenia Socorro Gomez Maldonado, Alexandria Griggs, Raegan Susan Herring, Dulce Elena Hidalgo, Santiago Ernesto Kimes, Aaron Monroe, Wesley Taylor Parks, Henry Patrick Pope, Christopher Anthony Rodriguez, Havana Raven Ruiz, Mailey Yaretzy Sanchez, Rylan Burke Strickland, Clayton McCoy Tillman, Zander Curtis Twist, Alejandro Adrian Zavala.

Ninth Grade: Jose Davide Aleman

Rodriguez, Whitley Butler, James Brady Byrd, Vincenzo Jacob Enea-Varas, Quentin Gage Faulk, Skyler Alexis Figueroa, Samuel Henderson, David Holland, Rocsana Lopez-Ramirez, Ashley Matul Marroquin, Maria Guadalupe Montalvo-Garcia, Lisbeth Elvira Morales-Perez, Edgar Adrian Orona Montalvo, Maggie Reece Outlaw, Francis Gisela Pineda

Alcerro, Ingrid Starlethe RiscajcheOlvera, Benjamin Erick Stone, Sara Thomas Tucker, Valaja Jade Wallace.

Tenth Grade: William Andrew Buckner, Isaac Royal Davis, Michael Edgardo GonzalezDominguez, Daniel Ashton Herring, Jose Yandel Juarez-Barrios, Lucas Grant Kelly, Henry Lopez Ramirez, Edgar Morales-Gonzalez, DeLuca Lee Potter, Raikol Cuanca Rives, Lily Katherine Stringer, Baker Lee Sumner, Adamari Torres, Lexi Esmeralda Vaca-Hernandez.

Eleventh Grade: Sadie Elaine Albright, Sasha Arguijo, Marissa Marianna Bernal, Ivey Elisabeth Blizzard, Lucas Craig Dail, Lilly Rose Fulghum, Kaitlin Arianna Grandy, Kaniel Gio, Addyson Rose Holloman, Emily Sahara JaimesPastrana, Braylon Lee, Dominic

MIRACLE from page 1

while the other is at the hospital with Miley.”

The support from their community has kept the couple going, Chelsea said. “I would love to express my gratitude for the teachers who donated their leave time to take me through the end of the school year,” she said. Her husband, a home health nurse, is free until April, also thanks to coworkers donating leave time to the family.

That’s truly a blessing, Chelsea said, so that they can switch from Duke with Miley to home with the boys. “[Her brothers have] struggled with all of this, so we’re trying to be present for them, too,” she said.

The family’s church community at Grace Covenant Church has also been supportive of Miley’s cause, with many not only o ering prayers, but donating money to help the fam-

Salazar-Sanchez, Chevelle Skye Stemmier, Douglas Jael TorresVillaita, Mia Layne Wade, Holden Wells Williams.

Twelfth Grade: Issa Aguirre, Parker Griffin Anderson, Kaylin Crystal Avila Gonzalez, Gavin Clark Birkin, Tristyn Gabriella Blust, Ava Evadne Bradshaw, Dalton Raef Britt, Leiden Kiez Brock, Krislyn Rhea Bryant, Eddy Kent Cabrera, Jayden Clemens, Felisa Graciela Cotoc Vasquez, Sophia Bryce Davis, Kloe Elena DeHoyos, Hannah Hope Gonzalez, Izabella Elizabeth Grieger, Mitchell William-Franklin Hardy, Brittney Jeanelle Huerta Mata, Sergio Andres Ibarra, Christopher Elliott Kornegay, Rayna Evelyn Lassiter, Jerrson Nepali Lopez Lopez, Luzbel Marroquin Velasquez, Viviana Mata Torres, Yubeiner Moises MoralesSantiago, Roselin Enel OrozcoRamirez, Ian Angel Pacheco-Reyes, Alejandra Michelle Riscajche

Olvera, Lisette Riscajche Tucux, Garrett Trace Roberts, Addison J. Smith, Anna Maria Villalon, Rayland Spell Warren, Zadee Elizabeth Wells, Gabriela Ruby Zamudio Long.

Honor Roll List

Seventh Grade: Kylie Brooke Bell, Braydon Lewis Brock, Madelyn Annette Cox, Zay-von Rasheen Dixon, Scarlett Melrose Dyer, Mia Marisol Estrella, DeAnna Marie Grantham, Yahayra HernandezLopez, Brady Holt Kelly, Jackson William Lee, Josselyn LopezHernandez, Allison Jasso Marin, Ashley Perez Perez, Noah Cole Price, Jose Benavides Reyes, Hannah Grace Roberts, Anthony Romeo Vaca Hernandez.

Eight Grade: Mayck Jasso Aguilar, Isabella Claire Bradshaw, Zuri Milan Brock, Katelynn Marie Ezzell, Dayanara Gonzalez Gonzalez, Asia Marie Grieger, Gabriel Anthony Grieger, Gracelyn Joyce Higginbotham, Wyllow Ruthe Holmes, Lisbet Sandra Jimenez Hernandez, Yostin Yankiel Lopez Garcia, Catalina Lopez Ramirez, Jonathan Jose ManzanaresChestnut, Nehemiah Luke McNeill, Aaden Graham Oakes, Daisy Ortiz, Guadalupe Alejandra Pablo Gaspar, Hisrael Perez Perez, Cindaria Savannah Phillips, Henry Rojas Rojas, Levi Charles Scott, Alexis Crace Simmons, Sara Grace Smith, Melanie Jade Soto, Emilee Claire Taylor, Schyler Marie Wheeler, Jorge Alejandro Zambrano Reyna.

Ninth Grade: JJuan Luis Alvarado, Zachary Shane Craig, Kevin DeHoyos-Garza, Mason Alexander Dixon, Marcellus Dashawn Foust,

ily through this tough time. There’s also been something of a viral Facebook following, with hashtags like #miracleMiley and #prayforMiley trending throughout the community and beyond.

“We never really expected this many people to jump on board,” Chelsea said. “It’s been a blessing to us.”

The hashtag #miracleMiley couldn’t be more appropriate for her little girl, Chelsea said. “She is a spunky, brave ghter. There are lots of little miracles we’ve seen pour out over her life.”

That stems from when she was rst born and the family prayed that her kidneys would begin to function. Within an hour of their prayer, her kidneys did function properly.

“Simply put, she should not be here,” Chelsea said.

For the latest updates on Miley’s condition, check Chelsea Byrd’s Facebook page, www. facebook.com/ChelseaDByrd.

Francisco Gomez Maldonado, Henry Gonzalez, Crismy James Gonzalez-Vazquez, Lana Ann Grant, Chalino Hernandez, Roselyn Yaritza Ibarra, Asiya Nevaeh

Jacobs, Jacob Samuel Kelly, Justin Caleb Lee, Meghan Leann Martin, D’Andrea Renee Morrisey, Thomas Isaiah Morrisey, Isabella Nicole Quintanilla, Judith Rangel, Branden Ariel Reyna, Isabel Raegan Ruiz, Esteban Santos-Clark, James Dylan Tyndall, Ricardo Gael Velazquez Robles, James Mauricio Ward, Gracie Elizabeth Wheeler.

Tenth Grade: Dayana Melanie

Aguirre-Cortez, Sumer Barksdale, Ricky Recardo Castro, Juan Everardo Chavez Jaurez, Tev Grant Collins, Austin Jayden

Duff, TaTeyawna Monte Faison, Lillyanna Fonseca, Kylie Jo Grady, Nathan Daniel Grantham, Sarahi Hidalgo Manjarrez, M’Chelle Mae

Jaco, Madison Elizabeth Lee, Jennifer Lopez Lopez, Yuridia

Lopez-Hernandez, Saniah Nacole McNeill, Robert Hunt Pate, Natalie Regalado-Rojo, Josue Yair Roblero-Benitez, Dante Kenneth Santibanez-Noriega.

Eleventh Grade: Carson Maloy

Barwick, Stephen Vance Carter, Alyssa Grace Conatser Smith, Areli Espinosa Ventura, Jose De Jesus Gonzalez, David Zaccheus

Grandy, Melanie Hidalgo Martinez, Daniella Renae Jaco, Miqueas

Lopez-Hernandez, Jazmine Marie

Manzanares, Riley Lynette Powell, Jair Quintana Borbonio, Jonathan Ecequias Ramirez Bartolo, Arnulfo

Ramirez, Jose Mario Ramos

Jimenez, Kimberly Joana Rubio, Gaby Antoineta Margarita Sabaj

Chilel, Jimena Sanchez Lopez, Melany Yahaira Sanchez, Adyson

Paige Spence, Mackenzie Logan

Vann, Yocelin Noemi Velasquez

Lopez, Garris Wyatt Warren, Austin Lee Wolfe, Logan Jesse Wood.

Twelfth Grade: Haleigh Paige

Batchelor, Anileli Ibelda Castillo

Lopez, Jesus Angel Gomez

Delacruz, Lucas Jon Gregory, Isaac

Benjamin Lehman, Mari Ester

Lopez Lopez, Maria Victoria Lopez

Santiz, Christian Landen Lyle, Zoey

Lizette Martinez, Dariana Jenell

Matute Sosa, Yostin Jahir Mejia

Zelaya, Roberto Molina-Guzman, Alexander Moreno Mendez Rivera, Rodrigo Olivos Gutierrez, Mariela

Elizabeth Quintanilla, Noa Arnoldo

Quintanilla, Marin Alfredo Ramirez

Vasquez, Omar Rojas Escalante, Elias Romero-Hernandez, Wilson Dexter Rouse, Gerardo Valencia Carrizalez.

the homicide and was a critical piece of evidence necessary to prove Wright’s guilt.

In addition, to the convictions for rst degree murder by premeditation and deliberation and possession of a rearm by felon. Wright has prior convictions in Guilford County for 13 counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon in February 2002 and attempted possession of a rearm by a felon in Wayne County for a weapons o ense that occurred just a little over a month prior to the homicide.

“This o ce values the hard work of the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce and FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team for their investigative e orts in this case. The prosecutors in this case spent countless hours at night and during the weekends preparing this case for trial. This was an e ort made by all those involved to help remove this violent o ender from our community and seek justice for the victim’s family,” stated District Attorney Ernie Lee.

Judge Henry L. Stevens, IV of Duplin County was the presiding judge. He sentenced Wright to life without parole for rst-degree murder and a consecutive sentence of at least 17 months and a maximum of about 2 and a half years, in the North Carolina Department of Correction. The State was represented by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lori Carroll and Assistant District Attorney Jason McGuirt.

PORK from page 1

“Prestage has helped me create a lifestyle that has been good for me and my family — everything we have is because of Prestage,” he said. “I’m proud to work and grow hogs for one of the largest family-owned protein businesses in the country, and I’m thankful that I had the chance to work for Mr. [Bill] Prestage.”

The feeling, it would seem, is mutual. In a statement honoring Kennedy and the other winners of awards from the N.C. Pork Council, Prestage Farms stated, “The pork industry truly has some incredible individuals, and we are lucky to be able to know and work beside some of them.”

Brian also thanked his wife and two children — Ciarra, 23, and Connor, 19 — for helping him earn the award, even asking Sherry to come onstage with him to receive the award.

“He said he couldn’t accomplish what he has accomplished without me,” said Sherry. “I take care of the hogs, and he is the nishing production manager for Prestage Farms.”

“It’s really been a joint e ort,” Brian added.

Other winners during the Pork Council’s annual conference were: Emerging Leaders Award — Zeke McCullen; Award for Excellence in Innovation — Dr. Ashley DeDecker, W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction — Dr. Billy Flowers, and N.C. Pork Hall of Fame — Jimmy Pollock.

“It’s an honor for my husband,” Sherry said, “because I know he is all in, but for other people to see and recognize that he’s doing his best, it makes me very proud.”

The Beulaville community is rallying around 19-month-old Miley Byrd, shown here with dad Ryan, mom Chelsea, and brothers Hudson and Emerson.

Rebels roll into third round to continue magical run

Take down Vikings, Eagles to run winning streak to 13 games

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Head coach

Je Byrd has North Duplin exactly where basketball teams want to be in March – playing their best basketball and having numerous players contribute.

The Rebels beat East Bladen and Tarboro last week in the rst two rounds of the 1A playo s to extend their winning streak to 13 games.

The Carolina Conference regular season and tournament champ is also 12-1 in its home gym.

No. 9 North Duplin traveled to face No. 1 Wilson Prep (23-5) on Tuesday in the third round. The Tigers are likewise on a 13-game roll. The winner takes on the survivor of No. 4 Southern Wake (22-9) and No. 12 North Edgecombe (21-5) on Friday. Dujuan Armwood, ND’s leading scorer, was his normal consistent self with 14 and 18 points, Tev Collins and Brady Byrd were in an unusually bright spotlight against Tarboro, while Branson Martin and Dylan Tyndall lled stepup roles against East Bladen. Starters Dujuan Armwood, Trashawn Ru n, Anthony Kornegay, Luke Kelly and

See ND BOYS, page 8

Panthers upend No. 4 Warriors to keep championship hopes alive

Play focused in crunch time to move into third round of playo s

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

GOLDSBORO — In front of Eastern Wayne for the bulk of three quarters, East Duplin faced adversity as the home team rallied from a 51-37 de cit.

The Warriors pulled to within four points with a 16-6 rush with 1:41 to play in the second-round 2A state playo matchup.

The No. 4-seeded Warriors (22-4) were charging hard and seemed to have momentum on their side.

Then the young Panthers stepped up by staying focused and in control, not letting the pressure or EW’s fast break get

See ED GIRLS, page 9

COLUMN MICHAEL JAENICKE

WWE free-for-all breaks out at ND boys’ game

THE ACTION by Tarboro players, coaches and fans at last Tuesday’s boys’ basketball game at North Duplin was nothing short of deplorable.

I was courtside and have never experienced human behavior like this at a high school basketball game.

If you stop reading now, understand it was nothing short of a travesty, and the visitors should be punished by the NCHSAA, the governing body of high school athletics in the state.

Based on past actions, I have don’t think the Association will take the right action, even after reviewing tapes and a report sent in by longtime ND Athletics Director Ricky Edwards.

Here’s the end result of Tarboro’s many misdeeds and words that came because their people objected to the o ciating.

If you stop reading now, understand it was nothing short of a travesty.

The game was stopped with 1:20 to go when a monster-sized Tarboro assistant coach was escorted o the court.

I’m standing at one end of the gym when I see a rush of players and fans –men and women – in the stands toward ND fans in the bleachers. They wanted to ght anyone that didn’t’ come from the largest town in Edgecombe County.

Thank God, I wasn’t wearing a greencolored shirt favoring the home team.

When the bleachers were emptied, action was still occurring on the court as fans, who looked like moms, dads, uncles and students felt they had the right to cause chaos at a high school basketball game.

This happened at James Kenan about a month ago when the Tigers were playing Wallace-Rose Hill.

There are video tapes on the Internet showing both mad-cap scenes.

It’s ugly.

It’s disgusting.

And yet it keeps happening.

Tarboro’s displeasure with the o cials started early and never stopped. Never mind the Vikings were down by more than 20 points and missed numerous open shots all night.

They were a 10-win regular season team that featured many studentathletes who were football players on a team that lost in the 1A state nal.

But the o cials were to blame, and since ND brought them in for the game them, it too should su er or be held accountable.

Duplin County Sheri ’s Department o cers, along with administrators and athletic o cials from North Duplin,

See COLUMN, page 10

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL ND’s Micah Lesesane can drive, beat a press and score.

ED’s Kinsey Cave passes well in transition and can also nish at the rim.

East Columbus’ Graham wears out Rebels inside

Sophomore connects for 33 in second-round victory

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

LAKE WACCAMAW — Super sophomore Malia J. Graham missed just two shots for East Columbus all night, and she owned missed shots as a beast in the paint.

Seniors Kaley Mitchell and Destiney Mitchell combined to hit for 23 markers, including three 3-pointers.

North Duplin fought hard, but fell to once-beaten East Columbus 63-52 in the second round of the 1A playo s last Friday at the Gators’ gymnasium.

Graham, a 6-foot power player who is averaging a double-double, hit 15 of her 17 eld-goal attempts to score 33 points, second-most in her career. She hauled down nine o ensive and four defensive rebounds, and made three blocks.

The game marked the nal one for Rebel Reece Outlaw, who scored 14 points, and had six steals and six rebounds. She was Duplin County’s Player of the Year in 2022, and will play softball for the Rebels before transitioning to the diamond at UNC

ND BOYS from page 7

Thomas Morrisey or Tyndall get it done for the rst unit, while Brady Byrd, Branson Martin, Micah Lesesane, Donavan Armwood and Collins come in halfway through a quarter and ND never skips a beat.

Several player bounce around, though the integrity of the two squads remains intact.

Throttle Eagles with shooting, speed

ND broke down East Bladen with a barrage of outside bombs, fastbreaks and a defense that made it tough for the Eagles (1113) to nd uncontested shots.

The Rebels led 28-26 at halftime after what Byrd called a “sluggish rst half.”

That changed when Tyndall started hitting trifectas and Martin and Armwood began to attack the rim.

Byrd made a conventional 3-point play to open the third and Donavan Armwood followed with a tip and a bucket o an inbounds pass.

Tyndall added back-to-back 3s and then a steal and layup to push the lead to 43-35.

Dujuan Armwood added a pair of charity tosses and a layup o a long pass from Treshawn Ru n to keep the momentum in ND’s direction at 49-41. The Rebels were scoring easily, while the Eagles struggled for points and direction.

Martin hit the free throw after his hoop to give ND a 10-point bulge with 4:54 to play.

Dujuan Armwood then nailed six free throws and Martin, Ru n and Tyndall nished o No. 25 East Bladen, which upset No. 8 Oracoke in the rst round.

Du. Armwood netted 18, Tyndall 12, Micah Lesesane 12 and Martin 11. But Lesesane left in the third quarter and did not return, while Donavan Armwood fouled out.

Team ND won again with its two-platoon system, which had to be altered a little by coach Byrd.

Collins, Byrd rise up against Vikings

Collins (11) and Byrd (13) went beyond their season averages in a 90-70 conquest of No. 24 Tarboro on Tuesday.

While Armwood brothers Dujuan (14) and Donavan (18), plus Lesesane (13) were high rollers, ND showed its depth throughout.

The game was called with 1:31 to play when Tarboro players and fans attacked ND fans in the stands, and a Viking assistant coach was escorted o the court. (See the story on this on page 8.)

“I just felt it took away from what our players did on the court,” Byrd said. “It tainted

in the fall.

ND nished 18-8, with ve losses to 2A schools. The Rebels went 64-12 the previous three seasons with Outlaw in the starting lineup.

Addy Higginbotham added 12 against EC and Lillie Fulghum had 13 points and 11 boards.

Tateyawna Faison netted 10 markers, and had ve boards and ve blocks.

The two schools combined for 50 turnovers in a game that was entertaining but far from awless.

Behind Graham, East Columbus, whose only loss is a road setback to Waccamaw Conference rival East Bladen (24-4), shot 54 percent from the eld.

The win avenged a playo loss to North Duplin two seasons ago.

This Friday night, EC hosts No. 11 Gates County (22-4), which beat Carolina Conference regular-season champ Union 4837 last Friday.

Rebels roast Roxbury in opening round

In Tuesday’s rst round for North Duplin, Outlaw swished in 22, Higginbotham 10 and Faison nine, plus seven rebounds and ve blocks when the Rebels de-

what we had accomplished. That was the worst part. But I’ve never seen or been involved in anything like this in all of my coaching days.”

Byrd is a 1989 North Duplin graduate.

Backcourt mates Collins, a junior guard, and Byrd, a senior whose father is the coach, caught re in the third quarter. Dujuan Armwood (three buckets, four free throws) kept the ow moving amid fouls being called constantly as both teams combined for 91.

Tarboro played like football players. ND played like basketball players. That was the key di erence, and why Tarboro became upset with the o ciating, even when shooting a horrible percentage and playing sloppy on both ends of the court.

ND was advantageous, raising its lead to 20 in the fourth when Bryd slipped a pass to Ru n in the paint for a strong basket.

Byrd made a 3-point play and had zipped in four free throws o techinal fouls against the Vikings.

Collins was a factor any time he was on the court in arguably his best game of the season.

ND led 41-26 at halftime as Collins hit a key 3 early and a oater to start the second quarter. Donavan Armwood (three) and Ru n (two) likewise had “message” baskets in the paint.

‘Big’ Eagles are huge challenge for Rebels

Wilson Prep has size and strong depth similar to ND as four players average 7 points or more.

Leading scorer Ben Ferguson, a 6-3 post, is averaging 16.4 points. He checks in ahead of Leslie Miter (12.8), Brandon Andrews ( 11.4), Josh Hicks (9.1) and Keonate Barron (7.2).

The Eagles’ losses have come at the hands of Farmville Central (27-1), and private schools Southern Wake Academy (229), Burlington (23-13) and Green eld (31-7).

They nished second to Wayne Country Day in the NCISAA’s Coastal Plains 2A Conference.

Hoops Notebook

Dujuan Armwood (15.8 ) is tops in scoring for ND. He is followed by Lesesane (11.2), Donavan Armwood (10.4), Ru n (6.3), Tyndall (5.8), Martin (5.3), Byrd and Collins (4.3 each) and Luke Kelly (3.8).

Though Lesesane (6.3) and Ru n (5.3) lead in rebounds, nearly every Rebel is always about clean the glass.

The Armwoods are the top two assist players, but again, many others pass out helping hands in a two-platoon o ense in which 10 players get to touch the ball frequently.

molished No. 19 Roxbury Community 62-41 for its 38th straight home win.

The Bulldogs (13-8) played with the Rebels for a quarter, but Higginbotham set up her teammates for hoops that led to a 3021 advantage at halftime.

Higginbotham hit a pull-up jumper midway through the second quarter, found Outlaw for a fast-break layup, and then had helping hands on baskets by Abigeal Norris and Eva Quintanilla.

Higginbotham and Outlaw hit long jumpers to withstand a 6-0 rush by Roxbury in the third.

Outlaw added a trifecta and a layup, Higginbotham two more eld goals and two more assists as ND soared to a 50-31 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

Higginbotham, Outlaw and Meghan Martin accounted for the rst nine points of the fourth.

Outlaw canned her nal jumper at the 1:48 mark.

ND won its rst four games, then lost ve of six before the start of conference play, but rebounded to take 13 of its last 15 encounters.

The Rebels smacked Union 5737 to capture its third straight CC Tournament title. ND won the CC’s regular season crown the past two seasons.

Hoops

season ends in the rst round for ’Dawgs, Tigers

Rebel boys, Panther girls lone teams left in playo s

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — The basketball season came crashing down for four Duplin County schools last week as the James Kenan and Wallace-Rose Hill boys, plus the North Duplin girls lost in the rst round of the NCHSAA playo s.

Last Tuesday, No. 28 Wallace-Rose Hill hit eight 3-pointers but was unable to gun down No. 5. South Granville, which got 24 points from Pierce Pettit and 22 via Oliver Roberts.

Those Vikings (22-7) were upset 53-44 in the second round by No. 21 Southeast Alamance. South Granville led by 10 at halftime – 42-32 – but rallied to trail 64-59 entering the fourth quarter.

Balanced scoring helped fuel

the comeback as Irving Brown netted 15, Amir Moore 13 and Ka’Shawn Scarborough 12. Jamarae Lamb and Marlo Harris each tossed in 10 and Matthew Wells hit six on the strength of a pair of trifectas. Scarborough and Lamb also had a pair of bombs.

WRH won four of its nal six games to nish at 13-13 in a season that started with Brown as the lone returning starter. But Lamb, Wells, Harris and Moore, a freshman center, progressed to become nightly contributors. Bulldog head coach Ervin Murray loses only defensive specialist Ja’Corey Boney and Scarborough.

JK’s boys, the No. 26-seed, were eliminated by No. 7 Hertford County 76-55. The Bears outscored the Tigers at each turn, using a 26-15 push in the second quarter to forge a 40-28 lead at halftime.

JK was treading water to

hang with the Northeastern Coastal 3A/2A Conference champs as Shimere Garris pumped in 25 points, Rimiez Williams 17 and Keveon Rodgers 15.

It was the nal prep game for seniors Ja’Maury Coe, a threeyear starter and Kel Artis, a two-year starter.

By losing ve of its last seven, JK coach Taylor Jones’ club nished 14-10.

Yet the Tigers return a nucleus of players that include Tyquise Wilson, TJ Oats, Stephone Stanley and Darius Howard.

The Tiger females fell to No. 10 Goldsboro 52-41 in the opening round in Wayne County. The Cougars upended No. 7 Northeastern in the second round last Friday. No. 23 seed JK (10-14) let a promising season turn sour by dropping its nal ve games.

Yet what head coach Kenny Williams might best remember is the many close games that didn’t go the JK way.

He’ll lose post Lillie Kornegay and guard Ron’Nyia Joyner, but returns a ock of underclassmen that includes freshman upstart Y’Anna Rivers and Aleyah Wilson.

North Duplin’s girls lost in the second round. See the story on page 8.

That left only the Rebel boys and East Duplin girls as thirdround competitors.

JK’s Kel Artis and WRH’s Amir Moore muscle for position in the paint.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Tateyawna Faison goes strong to the basket.

Johnson steps away from gridiron position at Clinton

Leaves after loss in 2A nal, six-year mark of 61-12 mark

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CLINTON — Cory Johnson has moved on.

The Clinton football coach has departed, according to Athletics Director Brad Spell.

Johnson led the Dark Horses to the 2A state nal last fall.

Clinton (15-1) lost 28-18 to Reidsville, the same school East Duplin beat 24-21 the previous season for the rst boys sports state title in ED history.

No successor has been named to ll the post.

The details surrounding his departure were unclear. Johnson couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.

Johnson and the Dark Horses weren’t looked at kindly this year by many area schools

because they brought in six new players that were college recruits. No Duplin County schools were members of Clinton’s conference since 2021, but Wallace-Rose Hill played the Dark horses, as usual, losing 58-22 after winning 35-18 in 2022.

Six Clinton players signed

to play in college, with two more expected to go to smaller schools.

Johnson took over for Bob Lewis, who won four state titles over two stints in Clinton.

Johnson guided the Dark Horses to a 61-12 mark in six seasons. They included four conference titles in ve campaigns, three in the East Central 2A Conference over Wallace-Rose Hill, East Duplin and James Kenan, plus four others.

The 2009 graduate of Jack Britt High in Fayetteville became one of the youngest coaches in the state – 27— when he took the Clinton job.

He played football at Catawba College for four seasons. The rumor mill has him moving to a South Carolina high school for better pay, joining coaches from N.C.’s Scotland County sta , where he started as a defensive coach.

untracked.

Senior Sallie Hatcher hit a jump shot and a free throw, Zakoya Farrior tossed in a bucket, and Kendall Cave, Farrior and Ava Noble combined to sink 5 of 6 charity tosses in the nal 41 seconds as the No. 13 ED won 65-57.

ED did what it could not do twice recently against ECC champ Southwest Onslow –hold onto a lead – including in last week’s East Central 2A Conference tournament championship game.

This week the Panthers (245) traveled to Vanceboro to face No. 12 West Carteret (22-3) on Tuesday in the third round. The winner travels to meet the survivor of No. 1 North Pitt (25-3) and No. 8 Nash Central (18-8) on Friday.

The Final Four is March 1116 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

The win helped salve the wounds of ED’s 37-32 loss to EW last season.

Signi cant win for Panthers

The win was the biggest this season for ED, which has an underclass roster and played in the two-tiered ECC.

Three of the Panthers losses were to No. 2 East seed Southwest Onslow. The other was an early setback against 1A North Duplin. Both those schools were alive in the postseason heading into this week.

“It was a team e ort with a

lot of players making contributions,” said Panther head coach Mark Lane. “It was the best we’ve been for four quarters this year.”

ED kept its composure when EW played a pressing defensively style, in the front court and in transition.

“It’s the best we’ve responded to that by far,” Lane said. “Our defense, aside from a few lapses, was working. We were rebounding well and scoring with a patient o ense (in the half-court set) and didn’t get hurt badly on runouts (fastbreaks).

“It validates our good record.”

ED sprinted to a 14-4 lead on the shooting of Farrior, Cave and Ja’Myah Pickett, before the Warriors rallied to cut the decit to 17-16.

The Panthers cruised at 75 mph in the second quarter to take a 12-point advantage by halftime.

“I think our balance, defense and rebounding were big and made the di erence,” Lane said. “I rotated Carrie (Carr) and Ava (Noble), and played both Carrie and Ja’Myah at the same time as well.

“So we got rebounds, steals and points from a number of players. They trusted in each other and shared the ball.”

ED needs to contain Heggie, Yates sisters

The Panthers scrimmaged WC in the preseason, and will need to control the inside play of 6-footer Torvonyah Heggie (19.3 ppg., 11.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks). The senior scored 32 in

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Antonio McKoy

Harrells Christian Academy, Sophomore

Antonio McKoy had a season Harrells Christian Academy fans won’t soon forget.

a second-round win over Fairmont. Guards Shalawn Yates (14.7 ppg., 4.8 steals, 4.1 assists) and Alissa Yates ( 9.1 ppg., 4.1 steals, 4.6 assists) also make the Eagles soar. WC lost three times to No. 1 North Pitt – and no other foe.

“I told our team we were as good as anyone and now we’re seeing that is true,” Lane said. “They’re long like Eastern Wayne, and while we have to watch the big girl (Heggie) inside, No. 20 (Shalawn Yates) is as good a player as we’ve faced since Southwest’s No. 20 (Yamori Hardison, likely ECC Player of the Year).

“We played well against West Carteret during the scrimmage.”

Hoops Notebook

ED’s record is the fourth-highest win total for coach Lane, who has guided the Panthers to eight 20-win seasons in 16 campaigns, with a career mark of 288-120.

The latest win pushed the current club ahead of the 2015 team (23-4), which was led by Jonisha McCoy, that year’s Duplin County Player of the Year . One more victory will send the Panthers past Lane’s 25-win clubs of 2012 and 2018. Two wins ties the 26-2 team of 2019.

On the opening round on Tuesday, the Panthers bounced No. 20-seed Edenton Holmes 49-20.

ED ran o a 14-0 streak in the second quarter to take control, and then limited the Aces to 10 second-half points.

“He’s the most talented player I’ve coached in 16 years,” said HCA coach Clayton Hall. “He can score a three levels. He’s creative and can get his shots. He has matured in his work ethic and wants to be in the gym every day. He still has work on discipline on o ense and defense.

“He has three Division I o ers and I expect him ceiling to rise even more on a circuit with Team CP3 this spring and summer.”

McKoy guided the Crusaders to its second-consecutive 20 win season and achieved several individual accomplishments.

He was the Coastal Independent Conference Player of the Year and an NCISAA all-state 2A player. He also scored his 1,000th-career point this season as HCA went 22-10, which included three losses to No. 4 Fayetteville Academy.

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard/shooting forward averaged 21.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals. McKoy put in 17.4 points and 8.5 rebounds as a freshman when the Crusader nished 20-6.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Cory Johnson

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED GIRLS from page 7

ED head coach Mark Lane has developed his team into the fourth best in terms of wins in 16 seasons by working with players such as Carrie Carr.

Rebels’ diamond nine, JK, WRH softball teams start strong

Three schools win rst two games in rst week of action

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The North Duplin baseball team is as “back” as the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie line – though counting on a new pitching sta .

And speaking of hurling, Lexi Kennedy’s senior season promises to be the best as Wallace-Rose Hill’s softball team adjusts to the loss of a handful of longtime starters.

Indeed, it’s time to “Play Ball” on the diamond, even if rain hats, sweaters and possibly even gloves are worn by fans in the stands.

Note that the ND softball team begins this week after a bulk of players return following a second-round loss in a basketball season that saw the Rebels win 18 games.

Here’s a rundown of the rst week of spring – without extended training shaping up, starting with baseball.

Du , Pate lead Rebels past Tigers

ND won consecutive CC titles with Austin Du behind the plate and Hunt Pate in the leado role.

While hurlers Richard Noble and Erik Rossa are playing college baseball, ND’s o ense might win a few more games than its defense.

Pitching will still dominate, and any school that’s without a solid sta will be hit like a machine gun by the Rebel lineup.

Du and Pate each drove in three runs in last Wednesday’s 11-2 win over James Kenan in Calypso.

Du smacked a double and triple into the out eld gaps, while Pate doubled, walked twice and swiped two bases.

Tanner Kornegay, Holden Williams and Garris Warren limited JK to ve hits and single runs in the fourth and fth innings to cut the Rebels’ lead to 6-2.

ND countered by scoring four times in its fth and once in the sixth.

Cal Avent and Hunter Whitman knocked in runs against Warren as JK avoided a 10-run mercy-rule loss, despite committing seven errors. Mason Grady and Eli Avent added singles, while Rebels Wesley Holmes and Eric Santos Clark chalked up hits.

Williams scored twice and stole four bases.

Earlier in the week, ND (20) crushed Lejeune 17-1 in a ve-inning game in which the Rebels scored four times in the rst and added three more in the second and six in the breakout third.

Du and Holmes each knocked in a pair of runs and Warren brought in three. Pate scored three times and had an RBI.

JK (0-2) with a roster of newcomers and underclassmen, fell 15-6 in its opener against Lakewood.

Will Barbour, Jeremiah Hall, Wyatt Barbour, Brody Batchelor and Hunter Whitman drove in run.

Brothers Eli and Cal Avent stroked two of JK’s three hits.

The Tigers face Union today (Thursday) in Warsaw. ND faced Trask on Wednesday.

Panthers take care of rival Wildcats

Baines Raynor, Halen Watkins, Zack Brown, Austin Rouse and Luke Hughes drove in runs last Friday in Beulaville as East Duplin recovered from a 2-0 rst-inning de cit to plunk Richlands in the rst of two meeting between the two schools. They square o again April 10 on the Wildcats’ diamond.

Raynor lashed three hits and Watkins smacked a two-run

COLUMN from page 7 attempted to break up what could only be described as a melee.

ND head coach Je Byrd rushed to get his player into the locker room at a joyous time for local fans. ND was about to earn its rst postseason win in more than 20 years.

The two schools combined for 70 fouls in the game, and seven players fouled out. The Rebels adjusted their play to how the o cials were calling the physical game. Tarboro never did, and in fact lowered their collective shoulders and rampaged to the rim. Even a basketball novice could see the Vikings were playing football without pads, and insisting they were being called for touch fouls on the other end.

Here’s the worst part. No adults came to the rescue for Tarboro and players and fans took that as an open invitation to take matters into their own hands.

Think a block of raging Bobby Knights misbehaving and being de ant about their stance.

I’m leaving ND folks out of this other than to say Byrd felt the fracas and antics took away from the accomplishment of his team. And he was right.

I don’t need backup to support my opinions because I saw it transpire in real time. It made me wonder where in society is this kind of behavior acceptable?

double. Raynor, a sophomore, threw 90 pitches in six innings, giving up three hits and two walks, while whi ng eight. Cain Graham smacked a home run and a single and drove in two runs on Tuesday during an 11-5 loss to 3A Southern Wayne in Dudley.

Hughes added a pair of RBI, but ED couldn’t hold back the Saints’ o ense, which smacked eight hits and was gifted with 18 walks from ve ED pitchers.

ED (1-1) plays a two-game set with former conference foe and state powerhouse Midway early in the week, and hosts Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday.

Liu tosses no-hitter against Leopards

What a way to start the season.

Kaiden Liu struck out 12 and didn’t allow a hit last Monday as Wallace-Rose Hill won its rst game under new head coach Logan Kissner, breezing past Lakewood 14-4.

Though it was hardly a perfect game for Liu, a junior, who walked six, he drove in a teamhigh four runs with a home run

and a single. Reid Page had a single, home run and two RBI, Dane Turner a pair of singles and Caden Gavin added two hits and three runs.

Gavin swiped four of WRHs nine stolen bases as the Bulldogs scored ve times in the rst two innings and added ve more in the fourth.

Page launched three hits in four trips two days later when WRH (1-1) fell to Clinton 8-4 in Teachey.

Hayden Lovette doubled and singled and knocked in two runs, while Liu had two base knocks in four plate appearances.

SOFTBALL

Kennedy, Page re ’Dawgs past Dark Horses

Lexi Kennedy struck out 14 and Jansley Page ripped a pair of home runs last Wednesday to pace Wallace-Rose Hill to a hard-fought 4-3 win over Clinton. Kennedy allowed just three hits and four walks and also drove in a run.

Meanwhile, Page, a sophomore who shined in volleyball,

Nowhere I know, and I’ve covered prep sports for the bulk of 35-plus years.

Every year.

Every season.

I haven’t showed up at every game for fourto-six years, like many fans who have a son or daughter on the prep circuit.

Sadly, I’m embarrassed for Tarboro, and sports fans everywhere. Recent incidents like this happened in Vance, Chatham and Wake counties to name just a few.

Yet ghting is a problem in public schools across the nation. About 46 percent of schools in America have seen an increase in ghting and violence, according to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics.

In nearly all of these, the ghters are out of control. They are hurting those around them and unaware of the consequences of their actions. People – students, teachers, administrators –have been hurt.

Here’s a big concern: Crowd control. There cannot be enough peacemakers to quiet a gym with 900 in attendance.

Making your voice and opinions known is di erent than starting a revolt that had me running faster than members of Congress during the Jan. 6 asco in D.C.

I have no answers on how to curb this. That’s not my job. But it should be on someone’s radar, and I’m not talking about law enforcement.

went yard twice to drive in two teammates as part of her 3-for4 day.

Kaylee Powell added three hits and Chloe Straughn two hits and the other RBI.

The two schools were slated to meet again on Wednesday in Clinton before WRH squares o against defending ECC champ East Duplin on Friday.

Kennedy (4-5 with two doubles and three RBI), Powell (25, two RBI) and Isabella Parker (2-3, two RBI) guided the Bulldogs to an 18-0 stomping of Lakewood in their season opener. WRH lashed 17 hits and reached base eight times because of Leopard errors.

LeNayah Kennedy didn’t allow a hit in four frames and Paxton Tyndall was spotless during her one-inning stint. Wildcat Goins mows down Panthers

Makenzie Goins did it again.

The Richlands pitcher whi ed 18 and did not walk a hitter during a 9-0 win over East Duplin last Friday in Beulaville.

Goins, one of the best in the state, who also knocked in two runs, beat the Panthers twice last season during their 19-5 campaign that included an ECC regular-season title.

LeNayah Jackson driled three hits to drive in three runs, and Erin Thibault and Reagan Stapleton combined for four of the 10 hits surrendered by three ED pitchers.

Kinsley Bond, Emory Raynor and Kasryn Parker had singles for ED (1-1) which smoked Southern Wayne 14-0 in its opener in Dudley.

Carley Grace Jenkins had two singles, a home run and drove in four runs.

Addison Tuck added a threerun double, while Parker, Neyland, Tate Bond and Raynor produced run-scoring hits.

Tigers race out of gate with pair of wins

James Kenan won a pair of games to open its season –which is exactly half the wins the Tigers had last season when they tallied a 4-14 mark.

Coach Craig Armstrong’s club popped Lakewood 10-3 and scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to overcome West Brunswick 4-2.

Brenda Serrano and Armstrong’s daughter Anna Morgan each drove in three runs with two hits.

JK scored eight times in the nal two frames against Lakewood, breaking open a 2-1 game through four innings.

Shylah Sloan, Esmeralda Garcia, Gernyla Miller and Kenadi Gi ons joined the hit parade for an o ense that bashed out 13 hits.

Armstrong went the distance in the circle, allowing two hits, three walks and whi ng 13.

Sloan had four hits in four trips in the triumph over the Trojans a day earlier.

Armstrong and Jourdan Joe punched their way on base twice and combine to drive in three of four runs o Olivia Brown.

Armstong., a four-year starter, gave up one hit, one earned run and struck out seven during a 77-pitch performance.

All I know is violence starts somewhere, and while it may become the “new normal” the underlying truth disappears.

People get caught up in. a cause. It wasn’t the Rebels, but the Vikings who stepped far over the line of acceptable behavior.

I spent a few days pondering this game and the depth to which it took people, transforming the gymnasium into a WWE free-for-all.

The more I thought about it the worse it became.

Yes, I’m old school. But me and others, including most coaches, are truly oldies but goodies.

There is no place for this in high school athletics.

None whatsoever.

Tonight, I’m praying our society nds a way to stop it, and the rst step in the process is making examples out of the abusers.

Suspend players and coaches. Fine schools and administrators. (I’ve seen a few of the latter leading unruly revolts.)

Let the rules apply.

Bring the truth to the surface.

And punish the guilty parties.

Bring back values that sports foster.

Throw out the trash that has wandered into athletics.

We’ll never miss the knuckleheads who take things into their own hands.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Kinsley Bond punches out Richland’s Makenzie Goin.

obituaries

Helen E. Thomas

Feb. 7, 1927 - Feb. 17, 2024 (age 97)

The sweet Helen E. Thomas, 97, of Warsaw met her Heavenly Father on Feb. 17, 2024. She went peacefully and ready to embrace her loved ones who came before her.

She lived all her 97 years devoted to God, her family and friends. Whether you knew her from years of military wife duties, family gatherings, square dancing, the beauty shop, watching Braves baseball, church functions, her chocolate pies (grandchildren favorite), Avon selling, or just her ability to make all of those around her feel loved, you knew she was a one of a kind. Her loving eyes, long hugs and sweet smile reassured all they were always welcome to sit and stay a while at the farm.

Born Feb. 7, 1927, in Duplin County, she married Steven R. Thomas Sr. July 4, 1943. She followed him around the world for more than 26 years embracing his military career. After raising their 2 boys while serving in the military they settled back in their hometown of Warsaw. She then owned and operated RaeBill Beauty Shop in Magnolia. She could be found smiling and working hard to make her clients look just perfect.

Helen, “Oma”, is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Fred Eason and Bessie Tyndall Eason, her beloved husband of 50 years, Steven R. Thomas Sr., valued companion John Brookshire, precious son, William F. Thomas, and many friends and family.

She leaves with precious memories her eldest son, Steven R Thomas, Jr (Saunda); daughter-in-law Wilmoth Thomas; grandchildren, Kelly Thomas (Sue), Thomas Thomas, Don Thomas (Tammy), Jodi E Lavigne and Heather L Thomas (Susan); great-grandchildren, Kristen Cummings (Trey), Joel Thomas (Lindsay), William Thomas (Tyler), Cavan Thomas, Andrew Thomas (Franki), Jessica Thomas, Christina Lavigne, Amber Twisdale (Troy), Kristel Thomas; Great, Great Grandchildren, Camden Cummings, Adison Lavigne, Lilly Thomas, Ryder Cummings, Rylee Thomas, Luci Thomas, Serenity White and Kota Twisdale.

She wished for no owers because “ owers are only good when I am alive.” Instead, please send all celebrations to the youth program at Warsaw United Methodist Church. Her passion was for her church to show future generations the love of Christ. The family requests, in honor of our sweet Oma, to hug each other tight.

The family received visitors Saturday Feb. 24, at Warsaw United Methodist Church and had a memorial service immediately following visitation. Burial was Monday Feb. 26, at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Tifny Mae Williams Brown

Nov. 29, 1941 - Feb. 26, 2024 (age 82)

Tifny Mae Williams Brown, 82, of the Woodland Church area near Albertson, passed away early Monday morning, February 26, 2024, at her home.

She had been a hardworking woman, often doing manly labor for area farm families as well as maintaining her own home and caring for the needs of her family.

Tifny Mae leaves behind her daughter, Pamela Sullivan, of the home; a son and daughterin-law, John William “J. W. “ Sullivan and Annette Whaley Sullivan, of Scott’s Store area; three grandchildren, William Sullivan with Kimberly Shanholtzer of Mount Olive, Jonathan Carter with Beth Edwards of La Grange, and Joshua Carter with Olivia Foy of Albertson; seven greatgrandchildren; a sister-inlaw, Joyce Williams Gautier of Seven Springs; along with several nieces and nephews. She has been reunited with deceased loved ones to include her husband, Alvin W. Brown; her parents, William Henry “Buddy” Williams and Maybelle Carter Willliams; a brother, William Francis “Buck” Williams; and a sister, Zella Mae Williams Gautier.

Visitation was held at Tyndall Funeral Home on Friday, March 1, and at other times at the residence.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 2, at the funeral home with burial following at Oak Ridge Memorial Park, Pink Hill. O ciating was the Rev. Mark S. Hobbs.

Ronnie Swinson

Aug. 27, 1956 - Feb. 27, 2024 (age 67)

Ronald Neil Swinson, known to most as Ronnie Swinson, life long resident of the Mount Olive area, died Tuesday night, February 27, 2024, at Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was 67.

Ronnie had been employed with Friendly Mart, Inc., Turner Auto Parts, and Chas. F. Cates and Son, Inc. during his working years.

He leaves behind a brother and sister-in-law, Mitchell and Daphne Sutton Swinson of Mount Olive; a sister and brother-in-law, Diann and Marty Mitchell of Raleigh; a niece, Madeline Swinson of Mount Olive; three nephews, Dustin Swinson of Mount Olive, Patrick Tucker and Nicholas Tucker, and their families of Raleigh.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Leamon G. Swinson and Ethel Kay Coker Swinson; and a brother, Dennis Swinson.

Funeral services were held by the graveside Friday, March 1, at Wayne Memorial Park. Leading the service was the Rev. Je rey Dail. The family greeted friends at the cemetery at the conclusion of the service.

SPONSORED BY QUINN MCGOWEN FUNERAL HOME

Benjamin Michael Vernon

July 14, 1958 - Feb. 28, 2024 (age 65)

SALEMBURG — Benjamin

Michael Vernon, 65, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton. Mr. Vernon was born July 14, 1958 in Wayne County, to the late Paul Edward Vernon and Alma Moore Vernon.

Visitation was held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. A funeral service followed in the funeral home chapel and burial concluded the service in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw.

Mr. Vernon is survived by wife, Laura Vernon of the home; sons, John Michael Vernon of Fayetteville, Jesse James She eld and wife, Mariel of Salemburg, and Jimmy Darrell She eld, Jr. and wife, Amy of Wallace; daughter, Melissa Jane Tibby of Salemburg; brother, Stevie Vernon; sister, Judy Kay Vernon of Salemburg; eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Vernon was preceded in death by brothers, Paul Levi Vernon and Billy Daniel Vernon.

Orlan Mitchell James

Feb. 12, 1928 - Feb. 22, 2024 (age 96)

Orlan Mitchell James passed away peacefully at his home at age 96.

He was a loving spouse, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. A lifelong sportsman, hunting and shing were his passion. He made countless lifelong friends through his times in the woods and on the water. During World War II he served his country in the Navy. Always known to have a smile on his face and for his easy going way of life, he will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him.

Funeral service was Feb. 25, with visitation beginning one hour prior, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment was in East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, Joyce Cowan James of Wallace; daughters, Peggy James Miller, (C.A.) of Beulaville, Nancy James Schwinn of Beulaville; grandchildren, Susan Miller Raynor (Ricky) of Wallace, Jessica Miller Harper of Beulaville, Chase Schwinn (Kayli) of Garner; and great-grandchildren, Cecilia Thigpen, Riley Harper, Caelyn Thigpen, R.J. Raynor, James Schwinn and Bridger Schwinn.

Adam Wayne Lassiter

Dec. 30, 1982 - Feb. 24, 2024 (age 41)

Adam Wayne Lassiter, 41, went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 24, in New Hanover Regional Medical Center, peacefully with family and friends by his side.

He is survived by his mother, Martha Lanier Currie of Leland and father, Gary Wayne Lassiter of Kinston. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Leslie Lanier and Mary Raynor Lanier, and paternal grandparents, Alvin Earl Lassiter and Frances Langston Lassiter.

Born December 30, 1982, in New Hanover County, his love of music began early, with many Sundays spent at Grandma Mary’s, where the family would gather for pickin’ and grinnin’, and singing old gospel songs. Adam was saved at 13 years old at a Carman concert where he began his love for Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. He had many talents, playing trumpet in high school and picking up the guitar and piano from his Uncle Bill and Aunt Morlene, to playing drums and singing. Oh, how we loved to hear him sing! He spent several years in praise and worship bands as well as leading them. So many talents and such a blessing to all that heard him. He also played in other bands and the drums throughout the years in various locations as well as being a fantastic DJ. He was a True Entertainer. But above all, Praise and Worship is where his heart was. Outside of church, Adam had other jobs through the years at the courthouse in Brunswick County and then being a probation o cer. When you asked him, he did not like being a probation o cer, but he could adapt wherever he was and he used the opportunity to witness to those in need and befriend those that needed it because even though it was not allowed in his position, he knew that’s what Jesus would do. His family and friends always felt so loved by Adam, but nothing compares to the bond between him and his mother. This beloved son was her protector, her con dant, and her best friend. They were so in tune with each other, they would nish each other’s sentences.

As part of a post on his Facebook page says: “Have you ever met someone who was just good? Kind and funny and joyful? Not a mean bone in their body kind of good? Adam was that kind of person. He loved God and used his musical gifts to bring people to Him, even if you weren’t sure where you were on that journey.”. He was loved by Many and will be Greatly Missed! In lieu of owers, you can make donations to Community Funeral home to help pay for funeral expenses.

2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought a good ght, I have nished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Funeral service was held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, followed by visitation, at Freedom Baptist Church, 802 N. College Road, Wilmington, NC. Graveside service was Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Amos Lanier Cemetery, Chinquapin.

Walter Verneal

Gresham

April 27, 1933 - Feb. 27, 2024 (age 90)

Walter Verneal Gresham, 90, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at his home. He is preceded in death by his spouse, Joyce Ann Gresham and a grandchild, Rachel Lynn Fussell.

Funeral service was held Monday, March 4, 2024, with visitation an hour prior to the service, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment followed at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville. Survivors include: daughters, Wanda Simmons of Kenansville and Lynn Fussell, Kenansville; grandchildren, Nathan Simmons (Liz), Courtney Rooks (David), Kaitlyn Rivenbark (Matthew), and Lindsey Brennan (Tanner); great-grandchildren, Alyna Rooks, Paisley Rooks, Zachary Rooks, Hayes Rivenbark and Rowan Rivenbark.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Sarecta Methodist Church, 926 N. Williams Rd., Pink Hill, NC 28572 or Attn: Amanda Murphy or 2024 Alzheimer’s Assoc. 225 N. Michigan Ave. FL 17 Chicago, IL 60601.

Russell Dean Stiles

March 10, 1952 - March 1, 2024 (age 71)

Russell Dean Stiles, 71, died on Friday, March 1, 2024 at his home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Durwood and Doris Stiles and brother, Anthony Stiles.

Funeral service was Tuesday, March 5, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Sandhill Cemetery, Pink Hill.

Survivors include: spouse, Rosa Stiles of Potters Hill; sons, Rusty Stiles (Shelby) of Beulaville and Juan Stiles of Potters Hill; daughters, Rhonda Moore (Bobby) of Kenansville, Rebecca Stiles (Mateo) of Potters Hill, Kimberly Stiles of Potters Hill, and Emily Stiles of Potters Hill; sisters, Loria Lewis (Bobby) of Wilson, Ballery Russo (David) of Pink Hill, and Karen Kennedy (Charles) of Kenansville; brothers, Donnie Stiles (Brenda) of Richlands and Preston “Mousey” Stiles of Pink Hill; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Billie Jo Brock Bizzell

Nov. 30, 1971 - Feb. 21, 2024 (age 52)

Billie Jo Brock Bizzell, 52, died at her home in the Beulaville community on Feb. 21, 2024. She is survived by her daughter of the home, Kayleisa Cartwright, and her fiancee, Lynn Smith; a son, Rashad Brock of Goldsboro; her two sisters, Bonita Jones and husband Owen of Calypso, and Patricia Benson and her husband Jackie of Faison; and her brother, Glenn Brock and his wife Carol of Goldsboro. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Kendra Cartwright, K’Lynn Smith, and Kenya Cartwright.

Billie Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Durwood Benson Brock, Sr., and Inez Gurganus Brock; a daughter, Ashley Cartwright; and two brothers, D.B. Brock, Jr., and Ernest Ray Brock.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Chapel of Tyndall Funeral Home. Burial followed the service in the Pate cemetery, where the family received friends.

Aaron Wesley Hall

Oct. 16, 1928 - Feb. 14, 2024 (age 95)

Aaron Wesley Hall, 95, of Beulaville, heard the Master’s call and entered into his eternal rest in the early morning of Feb. 14, 2024 at ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville.

Funeral service was on Feb. 22, at Church of God and True Holiness, Beulaville. Visitation was held Feb. 21, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw. Interment followed the service at the Hall Family Cemetery, Beulaville.

Roy “Danny”

Melvin

July 9, 1960 - Feb. 17, 2024 (age 63)

Roy “Danny” Melvin, 63 of Pink Hill passed away Feb. 17, 2024 at UNC - Lenoir Hospital. Funeral service was held on Feb. 21, at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Beulaville. Visitation followed the service. A graveside service was held on Feb. 22, at Devotional Gardens, Warsaw.

Survivors include: wife, Ann Davis Melvin; brothers, Leroy Melvin, Bobby Melvin, Gary Melvin, and Jimmy Melvin.

ORDINANCE

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where the track to be divided is greater than ve acres. No part’s been divided within the 10 previous years. It doesn’t qualify as any of the other exemptions and then no more than three lots are being created,” said Brinkley, adding that those are statutorily required.

Another update highlighted was that home park operators will be able to sell the lots only when the entire park is being divided and all infrastructure within the park meet the standards of a subdivision. “Essentially they would have to legally be converting the whole park into a manufactured home subdivision in order to sell o any individual lots within the manufactured home park,” Brinkley said.

Commissioner Justin Edwards questioned the request to reduce the size of easements to 30 feet. The current requirement is set to 50 feet and the Department of Transportation requires 50 -60 feet to build a road and allow space for installation of utilities and other requirements.

Chris Hatcher, Duplin County Planner, shared that he believes a 50-foot easement was a bit excessive for an access easement for only three lots.

“A 30-foot easement is adequate size to support a graveled improved access for emergency services and for general access to the properties,” said Hatcher, adding that other rural counties have the 30-foot easement.

Commissioner J. Edwards disagreed.

“I’ll be honest with you, a 30 foot easement, once you ditch it on each side, if you’re required to keep your drainage ditch inside that 30-foot easement, if you have to put a ditch on each side of your access road, your access road is going to be less than 10 foot. So you’re down to a single lane road that can’t get i y. I mean, our county has been there. It gets to the point the emergency services can’t get in, you can’t meet, and it is an issue. That is why we went from 30 foot to 50 foot to combat those issues. And that’s why I personally want to stay on 50 feet,” said Edwards.

Hatcher explained that when someone grants that access easement of 50 feet that becomes an unusable area in their property.

“If you got a 200-foot property

Duplin Journal

line and it’s 50-feet wide, that’s like 50 times 200,000 square feet of area that’s not usable for your property. Plus then too, they also have to gain that additional square footage on the other side of that property to maintain that usable area of a half acre of the 21,780 some odd square feet. Those were the bigger issues that we heard coming from the public as far as when I do this access easement, I can understand what the purpose is for the 50 but if we’re just creating one or two, three lots out of this, that amount of square footage that I’m losing would actually sometimes hinder someone from being able to subdivide their piece of property,” said Hatcher. “Sometimes people can’t get the 50 foot access easement because their property doesn’t have it and they have to share it with the neighboring property to gain that 50 foot access easement. Some property owners are willing to share that, some are not. Those are the major concerns that we’ve had recently with the 50 feet and asking for the reduction to the 30 feet.”

Commissioner Jesse Dowe stated that several people had approached him requesting that it be a 30-foot easement and it’s been six months dealing with that issue.

County Manager Brian Miller recommended the board approve the UDO as presented with the amendment to a 50-foot road easement.

“I have seen what Commissioner Edwards is speaking about rst hand if you want to research it’s called Raw Sakers Road number two, where emergency services vehicles were not able to provide curbside service to the residents on the road so I would recommend to the board to approve it with the amendment… to a 50-foot easement.”

After much discussion the Board of County Commissioners decided to follow the County Manager’s recommendation and the motion carried with four commissioners voting yes and one no.

“I have seen what Commissioner Edwards is speaking about rst hand if you want to research it’s called Raw Sakers Road number two, where emergency services vehicles were not able to provide curbside service to the residents on the road so I would recommend to the board to approve it with the amendment.”

Duplin County Manager Bryan Miller