Duplin Journal Vol. 8, Issue 43

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 43 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the

BRIEF this week

Wallace Police investigating deadly shooting WALLACE Anthony Deshaun Murray, 39, was found deceased on Friday, Dec. 15, according to a Wallace Police Department social media release.

“At approximately 9:30 p.m., Wallace PD responded to a report of shots fired at 125 Poplar St. Upon arrival, officers found an open door and could see a shell casing on the floor inside the residence,” stated the Wallace PD release.

Wallace law enforcement stated that upon entry into the home, a male with an apparent gunshot wound was found. EMS pronounced the man, who was later identified as Murray, deceased.

Wallace law enforcement believe this to be an isolated incident and stated that they do not think there is any further threat to the public.

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information to call 910-285-2126.

DJS

Wallace Police makes arrests for attempted home invasion WALLACE The Wallace Police Department recently arrested and charged four suspects for a home invasion and attempted robbery this summer.

On July 29, officers responded to a home invasion and attempted robbery at the 100 Block of E Carol C MHP Lane.

Suspects were later identified as Roddarious Plummer, 19, Alejandro Silva, 21, Jermaine Faulk, 34, Samantha Courtright, 19, and Raimon Parker, 22.

Plummer, Parker, and Silva were each charged with first degree burglary, attempted armed robbery, and two counts of felony conspiracy. Faulk was charged with first degree burglary, aid and abet armed robbery, accessory after the fact, and two counts of felony conspiracy. Courtwright was charged with aid and abet armed robbery, and two counts of felony conspiracy.

All suspects with the exception of Raimon Parker had been arrested as of press time. Anyone with information on Parker’s whereabouts should contact Wallace PD at 910-285-2126 or policeinfo@wallacenc.gov.

DJS

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Author Roland Edwards brings large crowd to Beulaville An estimated 250 people visited Beulaville Town Hall on Thursday, Dec. 14, to get signed copies of Roland Edwards’ book, “The History of Beulaville.” See the full story on page 5.

New Teachey mayor vows to bring community together Town native was sworn in on Dec. 11

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal TEACHEY — If there’s one thing the newly sworn-in Teachey mayor can’t stand, it’s division. “Division really ruffles my feathers,” said Bobby Jones, who was sworn in as the town’s newest mayor on Dec. 11.

“So I’m all about breeding unity, whatever it takes to produce

unity and cultivate unity within the community. That’s going to be the foundation behind everything we do, and every decision that we make.”

Jones is a native of the Teachey area, and a 2003 graduate of Wallace-Rose Hill High School.

He’s also a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving four years after high school, mostly stationed in Los Angeles, Calif. “I just had other See TEACHEY, page 5

ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Dawn Ward is Magolia’s new Mayor. She was sworn in Dec. 12.

Magnolia has a new mayor Town adopts new town seal, slogan

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

New Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones stands in front of Town Hall on Friday, Dec. 15.

MAGNOLIA – Dawn Ward, Magnolia’s new mayor, was sworn in on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

“I feel really blessed to be here,” said Mayor Ward. “I feel, specifically, that God led me to Magnolia. I wouldn’t say that he moved me here to be mayor… but what I do know is that I feel like he is working here.”

While this is Ward’s first time in public office, the longtime volunteer brings a background in finance and experience as a paralegal.

“I prayed fervently about

(running for mayor) and I made the decision,” said Ward adding that she and her husband were both approached about the possibility of running for public office.

“I am just really excited and humbled, actually, to have the opportunity.”

“My family is from Beulaville, and my husband’s family is from Rose Hill,” said Mayor Ward, adding that Magnolia is where they have decided to retire. “It is like coming back home,” said the new mayor, who is getting ready to celebrate her 31st wedding anniversary on Dec. 26.

“One of the things that I had See MAGNOLIA, page 2

Outgoing Wallace councilman honored, new councilwoman sworn in Pender County proposes canceling the town’s water contract

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — The December meeting of the Wallace Town Council was the last for longtime Councilman Jeff Carter, who had served for more than 25 years.

Mayor Jason Wells pointed out that in addition to 25 years on the council, Carter also served about 25 years with the town’s rescue squad, when it was managed by volunteers. “So, 50 years of service to his town,” the mayor said. “In an age where volunteers

“It’s not the board; it’s the citizens of Wallace that make this city as great as it is.”

Outgoing Councilman Jeff Carter are often hard to come by, 50 years of service is just unheard of.”

Wells also recalled that when he first joined the council eight years ago, it was Carter who gave him the most resounding advice.

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Penny Thorne, center, was sworn in as a Wallace Town Council member at the December meeting. Her family was by her side as she took the oath of office.

“I think the first thing he said to me was ‘Just sit back and listen for the first six months and don’t say anything,’” Wells recalled.

“Probably the greatest piece of advice anybody ever gave me, See WALLACE, page 6

$2.00

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

2 WEDNESDAY

12.20.23

Mi

WEEKLY FORECAST

#6 WEDNESDAY

DEC. 20

HI LO PRECIP

50° 24° 4%

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

DEC. 21

HI LO PRECIP

DEC. 22

57° 29° 4%

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation”

56° 32° 5%

SATURDAY

DEC. 23

HI LO PRECIP

58° 37° 15%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

DEC. 24

HI LO PRECIP

DEC. 25

58° 41° 11%

HI LO PRECIP

62° 49° 24%

TUESDAY

DEC. 26

HI LO PRECIP

66° 54° 58%

DUPLIN CALENDAR SPONSORED BY

Duplin Journal

www.duplinjournal.com North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2023 North State Media LLC

Neal Robbins, Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com

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

Ena Sellers, News Editor

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County: DEC. 20 x There is a Red Cross Blood Drive at the American Legion, Wallace Post 156, located at 529 East Southerland Street, in Wallace through Jan. 5. Make a Legendary Impact! The blood drive will be from 1 – 6 p.m.

ena@northstatejournal.com

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

Michael Jaenicke, Sports Editor michael@northstatejournal.com

David Guy, Advertising Manager dguy@northstatejournal.com

DEC. 24 x The Beulaville Free Will Baptist Church will hold their Candlelight Communion Service on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.

JAN. 2 x The Kenansville town board meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., at 141 Routledge Rd., Kenansville. For more information, call 910-296-0369.

JAN. 3 x The Faison town board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 Northeast Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910-285-7564.

JAN. 8 x The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For more information, call 910-2893078. x The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 137 E. 2nd St. For more information, call 910-285-7564. x The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For more information, call 910-289-3078.

JAN. 9 x The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 110 E. Carroll St. For more information, call 910-289-3205.

CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042

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

JAN. 11 x The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., in the council chambers at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-2960369.

JAN. 16 x The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For more information, call 910-293-7814.

JAN. 18 x The Jan. 9 Duplin County Board of Education regular business meeting has been rescheduled to Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. in the O.P. Johnson Education Building.

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

CRIME LOG DEC. 11

Get in touch

www duplinjournal.com

x Jaquan Tavrouis James, 30, was arrested for resisting a police officer, possession of a schedule-VI controlled substance, driving with a revoked license, driving with a cancelled tag, manufacturing and possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance.

Bond was set at $25,000.

DEC. 13

Duplin Journal

MAGNOLIA from page 1 an opportunity to do, was speak to a number of older lifetime residents, and universally, what I heard from them was that (Magnolia) had been a thriving town, and they were saddened by how it had kind of declined and was not thriving the way that it once did and they wanted to see that come back,” said Mayor Ward.

The sentiment is echoed by the commissioners who have been taking steps towards that goal before she started, Ward told the Duplin Journal. “This is something that they were all already on board with.”

Ward’s excitement for restoring Magnolia to its thriving days matches her joyful and bubbly personality. With only a few days in office, the new mayor and board of commissioners have been diligently working on numerous projects with the assistance and expertise of

x Jordan Heath Medlin, 25, was arrested and charged with possession of a schedule-ii controlled substance, maintaining vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance, and possession of drug

their Town Manager Charles ‘Twig’ Rollins.

Mayor Ward shared that the old library building will be repurposed into a food pantry.

They have also formed a beautification committee and have placed poinsettias in the planters in front of the old library, the post office, and the prayer garden.

“Commissioner Wilson is actually heading that up,” said Ward. “Just these little things that we can do to show that we care about our town and that we take pride in it.”

Getting new benches for the prayer garden is also something they are planning to do.

“They all have been dedicated in honor or memory of someone, and so I love that kind of tradition, and that’s one of the things that I think is beautiful about Magnolia, its tradition and its history.”

The new mayor shared that they have plans to revitalize

paraphernalia. Bond was set at $2,500. x Markee Tyric George, 35, was arrested for robbery, interfering with an electronic monitoring device, and possessing a stolen motor vehicle.

Bond was set at $50,000.

DEC. 14

x Shradon Brown, 31, was arrested and charged with discharging a weapon into occupied property, discharge of a firearm in city limits, destruction of property, two counts of aggravated felony inflicting serious injury by vehicle, false report to law enforcement, and misuse of 911 system. Total bond

Magnolia’s downtown.

“Twig would be one to speak to that,” said Mayor Ward. “He has been amazing, and the commissioners and I are really excited to work with him.”

Rollings shared that they recently had an environmental assessment done to an old building space they want to repurpose, and they are looking at turning it “into either a shared working space or a business incubator, and it will become an anchor in the downtown area,” said Rollins.

The town manager shared that they have somebody looking at a building downtown “to bring quite substantial business and we’ve got another economic development project that would, if it comes to fruition, increase our tax base by 60%,” said Rollings.

Mayor Ward shared that the town adopted a new town seal with a slogan that says: “The

was set at $353,000.

DEC. 15

x Joseph Thomas Marapese, 29, was arrested and charged with driving with a revoked license, and speeding. He was given a $1,000 bond. x Juan Lopez Lopez Figueroa, 43, was arrested for driving while impaired and carrying concealed weapon and received a $500 bond. x Kelly Sharone Garner, 37, was arrested and charged with attempting to flee arrest. Bond was denied.

Town of Everlasting Connections.”

“We’re on the path to making it the charming, thriving town that it was before,” said Mayor Ward.

The Town of Magnolia now has an advisory council.

“She has intentionally selected people that are vocal and passionate and so it is a way to get information out and receive information about things in town you wouldn’t normally get. There will be a topic for every meeting,” said Rollings, adding that they plan to do one on the police department, and one on the new park master plan, as they get started.

The town has also upgraded the commissioners meeting room with a big screen so that people can see what the commissioners are looking at during the meetings.

“It feels more transparent to them, so I put the agenda up there and they know where we

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.

“We’re on the path to making it the charming, thriving town that it was before.”

Mayor Dawn Ward are at on the agenda and what is coming up,” said Rollins. “We’re having great attendance to the meetings... the people want to be heard and that is a big theme among myself and the mayor and the commissioners.”

“The citizens do have great ideas and sometimes if they don’t feel like they’re being heard they’re not going to be involved,” Rollings added.

The town’s goal is to bring people together. “Show them that they’ve got a say,” and empower them to take community pride.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

3

Military roots run deep for Ben Parrish Combat veteran serves as Sheriff’s Office training coordinator

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series.

ROSE HILL — Military roots run generations deep for combat veteran Ben Parrish, who started his law enforcement journey in 1987 when he joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a young 17-year-old.

Today, Parrish serves as the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office training coordinator, a position he has held for the last nine years.

“My father was in the Army.

His father was in the Army and his father’s father was in the Army,” said Parrish, adding that his military heritage goes back to before the country was established. “There are 14 documented Patriots in my family history. I have had somebody in my family involved in every conflict that this country has ever been involved in.”

Parrish shared that his biological father’s ancestry line goes back to John Skinner, the first U.S. Marshal of North Carolina.

“My biological father’s family is originally from Lenoir County… The family migrated in the 1700s down to South Carolina, but the family name stuck in Lenoir County, and that’s the Skinner’s,” said Parrish.

During his time with the U.S. Coast Guard, Parrish participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, known as the biggest operation since the Vietnam War when the U.S. invaded Panama to oust Gen. Manuel Noriega from power.

“I was down there for the Haitian migration, Cuban migration, that whole cocaine cowboy heyday. I was down there when the government was going after Jose Gacha and Manuel Escobar that whole episode, so I had seen the federal aspect of law enforcement on that side,” said Parrish. “It was a very active time in the war against drugs.”

In 1990, Parish got out and started his law enforcement career in North Carolina with Durham County Sheriff’s Office, then went to Creedmoor Police Department, just north of Durham.

“Ended up leaving there as

“I was sworn with three federal agencies at one time, all while working for the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office... we were able to bring resources to bear on the criminal activity here in Duplin County. In the seven years that I worked with them one of my primary responsibilities was the transnational gangs.”

Ben Parrish

a Lieutenant-- the first Lieutenant that agency had as an investigator,” said Parrish, adding that he spent the bulk of his career with Durham Police Department.

“My last duty assignment with Durham Police Department I was part of the housing unit assigned to McDowell Terrace right near North Carolina Central University. I absolutely loved it. The community was great for the two years that I was assigned there. We had zero violent crimes. We were very much embedded in the Community…

They saw us as law enforcement officers, but they also saw us as people that wanted to help their community.”

In 2003, Parrish deployed for his first tour to Iraq with the Army National Guard. The combat military police officer at the time, was part of a protective service detail for the commanding general.

“They had sent four of us from our unit to the schoolhouse in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to be trained as protective service agents, we had to come back and teach 14 others how to do the job before we deployed to Iraq.”

The combat veteran’s patrol area was in the Diyala Province -- the area closest north to Iran. According to Parrish, they had a lot of missions going into the communities and in Iraq. “I think all total, I did 180 wartime missions outside the fence,” said Parrish. “That was with the 30th Brigade out of Clinton, N.C.” On April 18, 2008, during his

ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Ben Parrish serves as the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office training coordinator, a position he has held for the last nine years. The combat veteran has served in Duplin County law enforcement for 15 years. second tour of combat, his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

“It killed my gunner instantly and injured my driver and myself. I was medevac out of the country because of my injuries,” said Parrish, adding that his wife at the time had moved with her parents in Duplin County to help with the kids while he was deployed and when he returned home, “she said we’re not moving back to Durham, and I said ‘yes dear’ … and I became a citizen of Duplin County.”

Parrish joined the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2008, by August, he was assigned to the gang unit and subsequently got assigned to the Department of Homeland Security, then the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the U.S. Marshals.

“I was sworn with three federal agencies at one time, all while working for the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office... we were able to bring resources to bear on the criminal activity here in Duplin County. In the seven years that I worked with them one of my primary responsibilities was the transnational gangs,” said Parrish. “At the time we were not actively tracking gang members in Duplin County. During my tenure with the gang unit, we started tracking gangs… we were tracking 21 different gangs in Duplin County. That was not

ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL

The Training Center has two shooting ranges which can accommodate for 25 shooters going at one time. Pictured above is range two featuring 15 lanes. to say that they were all here, but they were operating in and around Duplin County, within two years we were tracking right at 41 documented gangs.

That is a lot for a community like this...”

“Fast forward to 2013, my partner at the time was a New Hanover County detective and he ended up getting shot in Creekwood Apartments during an Op …he survived the inci-

dent but subsequently had to medically retire, about a year later is when I went to, at the time, Sheriff Wallace and asked if I could come off the task force and come home,” said Parrish.

He became a training coordinator in 2014.

“At the time, the county did not have a training facility of its own,” said Parrish. “We worked very diligently to try and get our own training facility.”

Nonprofit offers cash rewards for reporting crime Crime Stoppers now in Duplin County

“Big kudos to the board members to take the time out of their day to come here... I applaud them because they all could be home cooking dinner, going to ball games or Christmas shopping, or whatever the case may be, but they’re here trying to make this thing work and ain’t getting a dime to do it.”

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE – KENANSVILLE – The words of Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” resonate with a concept the private, non-profit, charitable organization Crime Stoppers promotes involving citizens helping solve crimes, all while remaining completely anonymous. The program offers cash rewards if the information leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property.

After about a year in the making, Duplin County Crime Stoppers is now official. The program works hand in hand with the Sheriff’s Office but it’s managed by people in the community, and it is meant to assist solving crimes anywhere in Duplin County.

“It’s a way we can work with the community to try to solve some of these crimes,” said Sheriff Stratton Stokes.

Through the Crime Stoppers program, people who have knowledge of a crime are encouraged to come forward with information. The calls are all routed through a call center in Houston, and it’s all done in real time. Calls are entered into a system and the caller is given a login username and password so they can follow up later at any time. The reward process is completely anonymous. Using a computerized system people are

Chief Deputy Phil Humphrey

ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Pictured from left to right are Sheriff Stratton Stokes, Lt. Shane Miller, Bill Wolak, Raymond Campbell, Vonda Norris, Patsy McCoy, and Chief Deputy Phil Humphrey, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, during the Duplin County Crime Stoppers board meeting in Kenansville. given a code number, and if the information they provide leads to an arrest, that code number gets them the reward.

“They do not have to give their name or any (of their personal) information. They will be given a number, that is how they are identified,” said Lt. Shane Miller. He explained that after the caller gives the information to the call center, the operator

contacts the law enforcement agency associated with investigating the crime. “Once the investigator gets that information, they run with it.”

If the information leads to an arrest, after the investigator confirms it, the board decides the amount of the reward based on the type and severity of the crime. “There’s different monetary amounts for different

crimes,” said Miller.

The person who provided the anonymous tip can call the Crime Stoppers tip line and using their code number they can check if an arrest has been made. They will also use this code to get their cash reward at a banking institution without ever having to provide a name.

“Big kudos to the board members to take the time out of their

day to come here,” said Chief Deputy Phil Humphrey, to the group who gathered for their second official meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Kenansville. “I applaud them because they all could be home cooking dinner, going to ball games or Christmas shopping, or whatever the case may be, but they’re here trying to make this thing work and ain’t getting a dime to do it.”

To report crime anonymously, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202. You may also submit information on Duplin County Citizens Connect at cc.southernsoftware.com/tipsubmission/ Crime Stoppers relies solely on donations and the kindness of Duplin County citizens and businesses.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

4

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

A baby changes everything “No one 2,000 years ago or still today would expect a child to bring about such radical changes as Jesus did.

“ACTUALLY, WE ARE,” answered the new father who with his wife had welcomed their first child a couple of months ago. I had asked him, “Are you getting much sleep?” “She’s a good baby,” he said, “but having a child sure changes things.” Isn’t that the truth?

A baby turns the regular schedule upside down and focuses the attention and requires the energies of the new parents in ways they never imagined. And a baby changes things for a long time, even and especially when he or she grows up.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of a long-awaited baby whose life turned the world upside down at his birth and, especially, when he grew up. On the second Sunday of Advent, my wife and I watched the children of the Wallace Presbyterian Church tell the Christmas story from the shepherds’ perspective through scripture, readings, and songs. They did a good job sharing how the shepherds were going about their regular business when the angels appeared and proclaimed the astounding news of a baby being born in Bethlehem. They sang the comforting carol “Away in a Manger,” which we love to hear as we focus on the joy a newborn baby brings.

But, as almost all babies do, that baby grew up and what he did challenged the status quo of his world and the world at large. Before he was born, his mother sang about how, through this baby, God would bring down the powerful from their thrones and lift up the lowly, fill the hungry with good things, and send the

rich away empty. A week after he was born, an old prophet told the mother that her baby was “destined for the falling and rising of many and to be a sign that will be opposed, so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.”

Ominously, the old man warned, “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Surely that was the case as Mary watched her child grow up, find his calling, and be rejected and killed. In a Zoom Bible study recently, the leader was talking about the verses in Isaiah which we commonly hear during the weeks before Christmas, either in Advent worship or in Handel’s Messiah: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.” She referred to this as the inversion of Christmas.

No one 2,000 years ago or still today would expect a child to bring about such radical changes as Jesus did. To be honest, most of us are more comfortable thinking about the sweet baby Jesus away in a manger than the Jesus who turned over the tables in the temple, called (and calls) people to follow where he leads, shows a way different from the way things always have been, and lays claim to all of life.

Yet, just as Mary pondered everything the shepherds told her about her baby, we should think deeply about this baby who grew up and changed things. Merry Christmas!

Philip Gladden is a retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister who lives in Wallace, NC. He can be reached at gladdenphilip620@ gmail.com.

COLUMN | CHAD HERRING

Bill Graham and a whopper of an election ad “I’m used to seeing political ads that stretch the truth, but that’s quite the whopper.

The truth is the nuisance lawsuits were initially filed against family farmers like Joey Carter in Duplin County — not on behalf of them.”

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING me lately about an election ad that Bill Graham is running nonstop on TV stations across North Carolina. Graham is a Republican candidate for Governor and a trial lawyer at Wallace & Graham, the Salisbury law firm that spearheaded the nuisance lawsuits against Murphy-Brown, Smithfield Foods, and North Carolina family farmers.

The ad references Graham’s efforts to “stop a Chinese company from dumping toxins on North Carolina farmers.”

It appears to reference Wallace & Graham’s role in leading the nuisance suits against Smithfield. On his campaign website, Graham says he sued Smithfield on behalf of North Carolina farmers and homeowners after the company dumped toxic material on their land.

Yes, you read that correctly. He says he sued “on behalf of North Carolina farmers…”

I’m used to seeing political ads that stretch the truth, but that’s quite the whopper. The truth is the nuisance lawsuits were initially filed against family farmers like Joey Carter in Duplin County — not on behalf of them. (Watch the Hog Farmer documentary on Prime Video to understand how the lawsuits devastated Joey and other North

Carolina family farmers.)

When out-of-state lawyers were kicked off the case for unethical behavior, Wallace & Graham re-filed the nuisance cases in federal court and went after Murphy-Brown and Smithfield.

(Smithfield is owned by a publicly-traded company based in China -- but don’t worry, your bacon doesn’t come from China.)

When the trials began, the lawyers had to make an important choice: Were they after change in how hog farmers operate (known as “injunctive relief”) or did they want money?

Despite a lot of talk around toxins and nuisances, Wallace & Graham went for the money. And the trial lawyers didn’t hesitate to ask the jury for tens of millions of dollars.

In the end, Bill Graham and other lawyers walked away with millions of dollars. It was never about China or toxins--that’s not how our family farms operate. Graham put hard working farm families out of business while lining his pockets with money.

Chad Herring, a third-generation family farmer from Duplin County, is executive director of NC Farm Families. Learn more at https://www. ncfarmfamilies.com .

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Beulaville’s home-grown historian publishes book 96-year-old Roland Edwards’ ‘The History of Beulaville’ available now

BEULAVILLE — If you want to know anything about the history of Beulaville, there’s only one person to ask. And now you don’t have to wait until you come across him walking in his neighborhood or puttering around town in his Ford pickup. James Roland Edwards, known to most as Mr. Roland, has published a book full of photos and facts, aptly titled The History of Beulaville.

The 96-year-old lifelong Beulaville resident has been gathering information and photos for more than eight years, and finally decided he should heed many people’s advice and write a book.

“It’s not a business venture for me,” he explained to the Duplin Journal. “It’s just something I’m ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL interested in doing.”

A few years go, Mr. Roland Roland Edwards recently published his first book, ‘The History of Beulaville,’ which he signed put together a calendar featur- copies of at the Beulaville Town Hall on Thursday, Dec. 14. ing Beulaville history, and it was so successful, a book was the next logical step. “Doug Clark, a received lots of help from his to most questions they have good friend and neighbor of Beu- friend June Smith, Diane Kenne- about Beulaville.”

Edwards was born on a farm laville, and a few of our citizens dy, the late Frank Whaley, Trevor “I can’t imagine all of this said I should make a book about Normile, Jim Sills, and his editor about two miles from Beulaville, Beulaville, so I finally did,” Ed- and publisher, Daniel Ray Nor- and has been part of the town going on in the little old ever since. “I have grown with town of Beulaville.” ris. wards said.

Edwards said that focusing on Beulaville,” he said. “I’ve been Even though he knew interest was high, Edwards was shocked his book for the past few years here 96 years, and I’ve done just when an estimated 250 people has been somewhat cathartic about everything you can do. I’ve Roland Edwards showed up for signed copies of for him. “My wife passed away been a volunteer firefighter, a his book at the Beulaville Town about three and a half years ago, Mason, a Lion’s Club member …

Hall on Dec. 14. “I didn’t expect and physically and mentally, it’s you name it, I’ve probably done all this,” he said at the event. “I helped me to work on this book.” it. It has been a great blessing for Not only that, even nearing me to give back what the Lord gotten requests to send books to can’t imagine all of this going Chicago, New Jersey and Washon in the little old town of Beu- a century, Edwards says it’s im- has blessed me with.”

When asked what makes Beu- ington state. portant to stay active and enlaville.”

Those interested in purchasWhat’s perhaps even more gaged. “I try to walk every day, I laville so special, Edwards resurprising is that Mr. Roland rake my yard, I still mow the yard plied, “Just look at today. People ing a copy of the book can visit come out to any occasion or if Beulaville Town Hall or Simpwrote and published the book, myself,” he said.

And mostly, he loves gathering you need any help, people always son Real Estate in Wallace. The which is more than 500 pages, without so much as a comput- history and helping people learn show up. All you’ve got to do is let books are $50 each, and don’t er or smartphone. “I use a flip about the town he so loves. “It someone know you need some- worry if you missed out on Mr. Roland’s book signing. phone and a digital camera,” he makes me feel good when some- thing and they’ll help you.”

“If you see me in my little Ford And the book is resonating one calls me and says, ‘Mr. Rosaid with a laugh.

He didn’t do it all on his own, land, where was such and such?’ not only with current Beulaville pickup, I’ll sign one for you if though, Edwards stressed. He They know I’ll know the answers residents, but Edwards said he’s you’ve got a pen,” he said.

aspirations outside of that, educationally, that took me down a different road, so I did my four and no more, basically,” he said.

Once he was out of the Air Force, Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology, is a licensed minister, and received his master’s in professional counseling. He now works with Beulaville Mayor Hutch Jones at Tar Heel Human Services.

His wife, Brittany, is also a therapist, and they have two children, Camden, 9, and Levia, 2.

After earning his education, Jones moved back to Teachey, and has now been living in the town he was born and raised in for the past 13 years. His mother, Thelma Jones, is well-known in the community, he said, having maintained a career in customer service for more than 40

Register of Deeds records five new businesses in November Duplin County

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

TEACHEY from page 1

5

years. “We lived out in the country in Rose Hill for most of my childhood, and she lives right beside us now, which is amazing,” he said. “It’s great to have the kids run over there, so they can have grandma time.” Also, he added jokingly, “She was able to get me an extra vote for this election!”

A self-described born-again believer and devout Christian, Jones said his desire to serve his community is ultimately what led him to run for mayor. “I go by the scripture, Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve.

And that’s what I want to do,” he said. “As a mayor, I don’t want to be served and demand things, and just have a position or a title. I want to truly make a difference, bringing the community together, serving the needs of Teachey.”

He calls his first Board of

Commissioners meeting as mayor “surreal,” though he hates to use a cliched term. “It was a very different view from this side of the table,” he said.

When it comes to goals for his first term as Teachey mayor, Jones said he really just wants to bring the community together.

“During our campaign, me and my wife Brittany threw a community day for Teachey,” he explained. “We called it a Teachey Community Festival. We told everybody, ‘We’re not expecting money. We’re not expecting anything, but for you to come here and enjoy time together.’

That’s what we really want our term here to be about is community involvement, community support, and community engagement.”

The community is already somewhat engaged, with most of the seats usually filled during

the monthly board meetings.

“I really want to get even more of the community engaged and aware,” Jones said. “Because a lot of what I want to do is promote transparency, so that the people know exactly where their tax money is going, really.

I think awareness is so critical, and paramount, when it comes to local government.”

To him, Teachey represents “working class people that wake up, go to work, care for their family, and wake up the next morning and do it all again.” He also wholeheartedly supports the Teachey Volunteer Fire Department. “Public safety is huge on my agenda,” he said. “That’s really what Teachey’s only public safety is, the fire department.”

Just a few days into his new job as mayor, Jones said he’s still figuring it all out. However, to him, the most important thing

The Duplin County Register of Deeds Office recorded five new business names for the month ending Nov. 30, 2023: Country Sweets Bakery Cakes and More, M. Petra Venegas; Johnny’s Body Shop, Garland Hines, Jr.; Prudencio Romero Electric, LLC, Prudencio Romero and Felipe Prudencio; Sutton Tax Services, Gwendolyn Lamb Sutton; Speedy Mart, Thomas and Horne Oil Co, Inc., Marilyn Denny Thomas.

Thelma Dingus Bryant Library conducting pet food drive Wallace Thelma Dingus Bryant Library in Wallace is hosting a pet food drive to benefit Duplin County Animal Services now through Jan. 31. Please drop off bags or cans of pet food, towels and blankets at the library, located at 409 W. Main St., Wallace.

Track Side Market hosts extended holiday hours Rose Hill The Track Side Market in Rose Hill is offering extended hours for those last-minute Christmas shoppers. The store will be open on Wednesday, Dec. 20, from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, from noon to 7 p.m., and Friday, Dec. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 23, for the Christmas holiday.

Got local business news?

Let us know about any grand openings, new businesses, noteworthy achievements, or upcoming events, and we’ll share it with the community.

Email Features/Business Editor Abby Cavenaugh at abby@ northstatejournal.com.

“I want to truly make a difference, bringing the community together, serving the needs of Teachey.”

Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones is to represent the town well.

“It’s establishing relationships with people, and businesses, so that you have community support for one another,” he said. “At the end of the day, there’s going to be a time when we all need something. And what we really need is support from other people. The more we support and love one another, I think the better off the community can be.”

ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Smithfield feeds more than 650 county employees Douglas Cowan with Smithfield Foods, cooks pork chops for Duplin County employees who celebrated their yearly Christmas party on Friday, Dec. 15 at the Duplin Events Center. “Smithfield has a large footprint in Duplin County as one of the county’s largest employers. This is just a small token of our appreciation for their efforts to make our community one of the best to live, work and raise a family in,” said Rhonda Campbell, Smithfield Foods sustainability manager. To the right is a group of Smithfield Foods employees and county volunteers, who were part of the crew assisting in the event. Smithfield prepared 300 pork chops, chicken and side dishes to feed county employees.

6

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Wallace PD officer sworn in, detective earns commendation New K-9 officers Maverick and Viper also introduced

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — The Wallace Police Department dominated the first portion of the town council’s regular monthly meeting on Dec. 14.

To start off the meeting, a new police officer, Detective Clarke Beringer, was sworn in by Judge Henry Stevens IV. Chief Jimmy Crayton said of Beringer, “He’s been in law enforcement for a very long time and brings with him a wealth of knowledge. And unfortunately, since he started last Monday, he has been absolutely swamped with cases and investigations, and I think yesterday, he completed about 33 juvenile cases we had in the last week alone. He definitely hit the ground running.”

While Det. Beringer is a new member of the Wallace PD, there are two other, even newer officers, Crayton said. “But they come on four legs.”

K-9 Maverick and K-9 Viper were introduced to the large crowd at the town council meeting. “K-9 Maverick is a black Lab that hails from Poland, and he is 14 months old,” Crayton explained. “And K-9 Viper comes from the Netherlands, and is 19 months old. Both are certified in narcotics detection, article searches and tracking.”

The K-9s and their handlers, Officers Sanchez and Meshaw, graduated from their training on Dec. 6 and began working with the Wallace Police Department last week.

Crayton also took a few moments to honor two WPD employees for earning the Chief’s Award of Excellence and the Officer of the Year award, which is voted on by the department. The Chief’s Officer of the Year is Mike Murphy. “You may remember, Officer Murphy was our first cadet; we hired him as a cadet and he rose through the ranks,” Crayton said.

“Mike’s one of those that no matter what I ask him to do, he’ll do it.

He’s the first one to volunteer for anything we have going on. He’s out there every day, working as hard as he can for his community.”

Fellow police officers and employees selected Captain Weston Padgett as the Officer of the Year.

“Det. Ramsey is the ideal coworker to have; he’s a team player and will do everything he can to help his unit succeed.”

Capt. Weston Padgett “Captain Padgett heads up our administrative division,” Crayton said. “He’s over our detectives, our evidence, all kinds of stuff.

Last year, he received the Chief’s Award of Excellence, and this year, the employees recognized him as Employee of the Year.”

Capt. Padgett then came forward to recognize Detective Jonathan Ramsey. “Over the last year, his hard work and dedication has been above and beyond, more than I could have asked for,” Padgett said. “He’s been assigned to the criminal investigation division for just over a year now, but he has hit the ground running.”

Padgett went on to say that the department has been short one detective over the past year, and Ramsey took on that extra caseload, as well as his own. “Det. Ramsey has been a team player.

He’s produced quality case files, completed very thorough investigations,” Padgett said. “Det. Ramsey is the ideal coworker to have; he’s a team player and will do everything he can to help his unit succeed. The community at large is very fortunate to have detectives that are motivated like Det. Ramsey. As his supervisor, I am very fortunate to have him.”

After formally recognizing Det. Ramsey, Chief Clayton read a letter from Jeffery Smyth, director of the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Criminal Investigation Standards Dvision.

The letter informed Ramsey that he was qualified to receive the law enforcement officer’s advanced certificate. “After examination of your credentials, the commission unanimously approved your advanced certificate award,” the letter read. “The award requires substantive professional experience, many hours of additional training, and a high level of education.

To meet these requirements is a feat worthy of commendation.

You are one of a very select group of officers to receive this commendation.”

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

New Wallace Police Officer Clarke Beringer was sworn in by Judge Henry Stevens IV during the Wallace Town Council meeting on Dec. 14.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALLACE POLICE DEPARTMENT

At the Dec. 14 Wallace Town Council meeting, Wallace PD Detective Jonathan Ramsey was presented with an advanced certification award, one of the highest commendations a law enforcement officer can receive.

WALLACE from page 1 because it helped me understand the inner workings of the town.”

Another longtime Wallace leader, former Mayor Charley Farrior, also spoke of Carter’s service to the town. He talked about the “visionary council” that Carter and he were both a part of, which dealt with the closing of the town’s biggest water customer, Steveco Knit, and the addition of the now-largest water customer, Pender County.

“Jeff is one of the strongest advocates for citizen’s rights that this town has,” Farrior added.

“If Wallace could help, Jeff bulldogged it until we got it through.”

When it was his turn to speak, Carter stated, “Y’all make the town what it is. It’s not the board; it’s the citizens of Wallace that make this city as great as it is.”

After Carter was presented with a painting of Wallace’s famed depot and a resolution in his honor, new Councilwoman Penny Thorne was sworn in, along with re-elected council members Frank Brinkley, Tasha Herring, and Francisco Rivas-Diaz, who also retained his position as mayor pro-tem.

Once the council got to the business of the meeting, a public hearing on an annexation request from Pender County was postponed. Later in the meeting, the council discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pender County.

Town Manager Rob Taylor explained that the mayor and the

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jeff Carter, who served on the Wallace Town Council for more than 25 years, waves to supporters at his final council meeting on Dec. 14. county had recently had discussions with Pender County representatives and that the county’s attorney had drafted a MOU. “The only issue I really see is that they would like to work toward canceling the water agreement they have with the town,” he said.

“They buy a minimum of just under $25,000 a month from us. They believe they can supply most of their water on their own.”

Former Mayor Charley Farrior stated that it was a 40-year contract that Pender is hoping to cancel. “It’s going to take a lot of houses … to replace that money,” he said.

After some discussion, Taylor said he and town attorney Anna Herring would work on “strengthening some of the wording” and bring the MOU back to the council at its January

meeting.

In other business, the council unanimously approved: • A unified development ordinance (UDO) amendment limiting where vape stores can be located within the town limits.

• The condemnation of an easement on a piece of property in town. “We would still pay the owner the same agreed upon

amount of $15,000, but the court would decide how the funds would be disbursed, not the owner,” explained Town Manager Rob Taylor.

“Condemnation protects the town’s interest and avoids future possible litigation.”

• Rebidding a renovation project for the Clement Park Community Center. Two bids were received, but one did not include the 5% bid bond and another exceeded the $825,000 grant amount, meaning the town would have to make up the difference. After some discussion, the council decided to have the project rebid.

• The appointment of Taylor Johnson as fire chief.

• The appointment of Council Member Jason Davis as a signatory.

• The 2024 meeting schedule.

• An amendment to the rules of procedure suggested by Town Clerk Jackie Nicholson.

• The reappointments of Mayor Jason Wells and Mayor ProTem Francisco Rivas-Diaz to the Cape Fear Council of Governments, and Rod Fritz to the Eastern Carolina Council.

• A motion to direct the town clerk to review a Voluntary Contiguous Annexation petition from Strong Rock Engineering Group to annex a piece of property at 4027 S. NC 11 Highway. A public hearing should be scheduled for the council’s February meeting.

SPORTS Cavallaro, Jarman nab marquee awards WRH sophomore is POY, ED senior Extra-Effort Awardee, Williams top coach

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal TEACHEY – Big hitters at the net slamming home a kill.

Sharp-shooting servers with aces in their eyes.

Daredevil diggers determined to save a point.

Radar-like setters, who ignite the fuse of an offense.

All of these fall wonders are found on the Duplin Journal’ s 2023 All-County Volleyball Team.

The county was filled with top-rate individual players, a banner-winning school and a coach who has taken his school from the basement to contending for a title.

Wallace-Rose Hill captured two of the marquee awards – Player of the Year and Coach of the Year – and had four firstteam selections.

East Duplin and North Duplin each placed a pair on the eight-player first team.

A Panther workhorse captured the second player honor, the Extra-Effort Award.

Coach of the Year Kevin Williams, WRH Is the secret to a winning team about athletic talent and skills?

Teamwork must certainly play into the equation.

And no team in the world has ever been told, “Now go out and play.”

Coaches often build the mold

for the foundation.

And in the case of Kevin Williams, he designed a plan of attack by reading players and transforming their individual talents into a this-is-our-manuscript plan for success.

The Wallace-Rose Hill coach won the honor last season by coaching a group of seniors, who were starters for three to four years.

Those Bulldogs went 17-5 overall and were third in the ECC with a 9-3 mark.

WRH had seemingly peaked, even though a couple of underclassmen made solid contributions and would return this fall improved and experienced.

A second-round exit in the 2A playoffs provided warm fuzzies about the program.

Then, out of nowhere came the next push, making fans all but forget about Mary Hadden Braswell, the top player in 2022, and Bailey Gatton, her sister-incrime against the enemy at the net.

Yet it’s Williams that responded to get WRH’s young stars on their right stage marks to go 18-5 overall and 10-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs’ lone league losses were to champ North Lenoir, which finished 21-2 and unblemished in the ECC. Williams changed the Bulldogs’ mode of attack after backto-back non-conference loses to Trask and Pender to open the season.

He pulled a familiar scheme.

“I moved Jansley (Page) from outside hitter to a key role in setting,” Williams said. “I did this with Mary Hadden and it See VOLLEYBALL, page 8

FIRST TEAM Angelina Cavallaro, WRH, Soph.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Angelina Cavallaro

Addyson Jarman, ED, Senior Reece Outlaw, ND, Senior.

Jansley Page, WRH, Soph.

Addison Tuck, ED, Senior Addy Higginbotham, ND, Junior Mattie Gavin, WRH, Soph.

Analeise Rivenbark, WRH, Soph.

SECOND TEAM Neyland Tate, ED, Senior Eva Quintanilla, ND, Junior Lillie Kornegay, JK, Senior Lilly Fulghum, ND, Soph.

Zoe Cavenaugh, ED, Soph.

Lexi Kennedy, WRH, Senior.

MICHAEL JAENICKE | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Angelina Cavallaro, WRH, sophomore.

COACH OF THE YEAR

EXTRA-EFFORT AWARD

Kevin Williams

Addison Jarman

Kevin Williams, WRH.

MICHAEL JAENICKE | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Addyson Jarman ED, senior.

Our team has 50 years of combined experience focusing on Duplin County real estate. How can we help you?

910-290-2194

facebook.com/SimpsonRE

Curt Simpson, Broker in Charge

MICHAEL JAENICKE | DUPLIN JOURNAL

8

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

VOLLEYBALL from page 7 made us better.

“Jansley is a really good hitter and the touch of a setter with her hands. She unselfishly spread it around and it gave us a group of players driving the ball.”

WRH would avenge its two early losses the next week as part of an eight-game win streak that ended with a setback to ECC rival North Lenoir.

But the tone of the season was set and Williams helped underclass players to develop – and still win, even though most matches were fairly competitive.

“They’re a bunch of young kids that bought into the system,” Williams said. “We won 18 games but I felt like it should have been 20.

“Still, I too am surprised. It’s hard to understand how we did so well after losing the seniors we did. We had three freshmen, four sophomore, three juniors and two seniors, and only lose Lexi (Kennedy) and Tiffany (Corum). So, this team is going to be good for a few seasons.”

That’s the opposite face of WRH before Williams took over after mentoring under Susan Miller, who is now at East Duplin.

“You have to know where I started and how it came about,” Williams said. “We had some tough four-win seasons and maybe a six-win one in the Covid year (2020). But we’ve had some talent come through, got things going at the middle school, and got kids to connect.”

Connecting – and showing players he cared about them on and off the court – might best describe what Williams has done at WRH. And he’s also shown he can devise a solid script for success.

Player of the Year Angelina Cavallaro WRH, sophomore Cavallaro edged out East Duplin’s Addison Jarman to become Player of the Year.

The sophomore led the county In kills (244) and aces (84), while having 103 digs and 25 blocks.

She had 13 slams in WRH’s 3-2 loss to Pittsboro Northwood in the second round of the 2A playoffs.

Cavallaro had 17 kills and 12 digs on Sept. 1 when the Bulldogs beat the rival Panthers 3-1 in Wallace. Jarman had 12 kills and 13 blocks.

The rematch on Oct. 10 was nearly a draw between Cavallaro and Jarman. WRH won in four close sets.

She also slid past teammate Jansley Page, who had a remarkable sophomore campaign.

Cavallaro, who had logged 106 kills, 27 aces, 25 blocks, 64 digs as a freshman, was an all-ECC selection in her second season.

“She has a touch,” said Williams when talking about how she had two or three times the

K JOSEPH DIXON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Reece Outlaw, ND, senior. aces of other good players in the ECC. “Nearly every one of those were legitimate, you-can’t-playthat-ball aces. She’s only 5-foot6, but can jump out of the gym and has a hammer of a hit.”

Extra-Effort Award Addyson Jarman East Duplin, senior Jarman was fast, tough and carried a mean swing.

The all-ECC selection had 208 kill and 103 blocks as a show of her power on offense and defense. She had 10 or more kills in 17 matches and five times had eight or more blocks in a game.

She had 143 kills and 96 blocks as a junior.

“She worked exceptionally hard in the off-season to improve her game,” said ED coach Susan Miller. “She was an offensive beast this year on the court.”

The Panther senior finished her career with 413 kills and 269 blocks.

Her claim to fame was how she produced points and kept balls alive defensively.

ED struggled to make the playoffs and earned a ticket because of the consistency of Jarman, who will play college volleyball at Methodist University next fall.

How big was Jarman for the Panthers? She averaged 2.7 kills per set.

The six other players on the

first unit and six more on the second team are as follows: FIRST TEAM Analeise Rivenbark WRH, Sophomore Rivenbark had 143 kills, 93 digs, 54 blocks and 28 aces.

Her leadership skills were evident as players looked up to her and followed her example.

“She has an energy and passion and seems like she’s all over the court,” Williams said.

Reece Outlaw North Duplin, senior Outlaw, a first-team Carolina 1A Conference player for the Rebels, ad 160 kills, 128 digs, 30 blocks and 24 aces.

She was the top softball player in Duplin County last spring and top basketball player in the winter. She guided the softball team to the 1A final and the hoop squad to the fourth round of the playoffs.

Jansley Page WRH, sophomore Page stepped up her game with 130 kills, 386 assists, 80 blocks and 49 digs.

WRH has gone 35-10 with Page in the starting rotation.

She had contributed 22 aces, 78 kills, and 114 blocks during her freshman season.

Addison Tuck, East Duplin, senior

Tuck’s value to ED was tremendous and went beyond her 24 blocks, 41 aces, 110 digs and 58 kills.

“She is the definition of a utility player,” Miller said. “We asked her to step up and play middle blocker (due to an injury to another player).

“Her presence will be truly missed next year, as she’s been a true leader stepping into any position over the last four years.”

Mattie Gavin, WRH, sophomore Gavin was one of the biggest surprises in Teachey.

The first-year varsity player fit in like a lost puzzle piece for WRH. Work in the weight room improved her leaping ability, according to Williams.

“Squats, duck walks and box jumps helped her develop to where she jumps like a 5-foot-9 player when she’s only 5-4,” said Williams, whose sophomore came through with 233 dig during an all-ECC season.

Addy Higginbotham, North Duplin, junior Higginbotham has been a first-team player in Duplin in softball and basketball and made similar contributions for the Rebels in the “brutal volleyball league” known as the Carolina 1A Conference.

While ND has ruled in the

winter and spring, Higginbotham produced winner-like numbers for the Rebels (8- 11, 4-7 ), belting 86 kills, 40 aces and 120 digs.

SECOND TEAM Neyland Tate, East Duplin, senior Tate showed up in numerous stat categories – 74 kills, 65 digs, 36 aces and 23 blocks.

Eva Quintanilla, North Duplin, junior She contributed in every match, going for 102 kills, 25 blocks and 25 aces to show she was a ready-for-prime-time player.

Lillie Kornegay, JK, senior Kornegay led the two-win Tigers in kills with 51.

Zoe Cavenaugh, East Duplin, sophomore Cavenaugh had 121 kills as an offensive force.

Lexi Kennedy WRH, senior.

Kennedy had 277 assists, 47 digs and 25 aces.

Lilly Fulghum, North Duplin, sophomore Fulghum, whose arm ND rode softball to the 1A finals, handled a volleyball well too, with 336 assists, 87 digs and 42 aces.

JOSEPH DIXON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Left, WRH won 18 matches this fall and 17 the previous season.

Above, Jansley Page, WRH, sophomore

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

9

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

%LOO &DURQH 7+$1. $

)$50(5 7,0(6 $ '$<

:DOODFH 1 &

Lillie Kornegay James Kenan, girls’ basketball Lillie Kornegay scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds during James Kenans’ 41-38 upset of North Duplin.

It was the Rebels’ fifth loss in three season.

Kornegay is a first-team all-county player from a season ago when she averaged a double-double.

JK is off to a 5-1 start behind their senior post player.

FILE PHOTO

Tigers control backcourt duo to upset Rebels Kornegay, Rivers go off as JK’s guards apply defensive pressure

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal WARSAW – Lillie Kornegay and Y’Anna Rivers combined for 26 points and 20 rebounds as forces in the paint for 2A James Kenan.

Yet a huge key to laast week’s 41-38 win over 1A power North Duplin was in “the changing of the guards.”

“We knew we had to control No. 4 (Reece Outlaw) and No. 5 (Addy Higginbotham) and told our guards to make them work for everything they got,” said JK coach Kenny Williams.

Backcourt starters Ron’Nyia Joyner and Gabriel Outlaw applied pressure to the Rebel duo, and Williams used the fresh legs of Mar’Keshia Strong and Kaelan Williams in support.

While Outlaw had 17 points, Higginbotham was limited to just seven markers.

“Our guards prevented giving up crazy runouts (fast breaks) and stayed composed when they made the runs you would expect from a good team.”

JK, which beat Kinston 3736 three nights later to improve to 4-1, won the game in the fourth quarter after ND fought back to take a late lead.

ND (5-1) lost for just the fifth time in three seasons.

“We just didn’t have it,” said ND coach John Oliver. “I asked my assistant (Sandy McCarty), ‘what’s wrong with us,’ because we can’t win games playing like this.”

Outlaw was playing sick, although that was hardly all that held ND back.

“We had a play set up to get the ball to Reece during a key sequence and for some reason the ball never got to her, though she was wide open,” Oliver said.

“And people were taking shots they don’t normally take.

“We just didn’t have it. Last year, when we played like this, we escaped. The year before Lakewood got us. We just weren’t ready to play basketball.”

The triumph was one of, if not the biggest during Williams’ tenure at JK. Kornegay, the team’s top scorer the past two seasons,

JOSEPH DIXON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Tiger TJ Oats scored 29 points when James Kenan tripped ND 88-78. scored 14 points, but missed key chunks of the second and third quarter, both of which were won by ND, 16-8 and 10-5, respectively.

Yet an early 17-7 jump and an 11-5 closeout sealed the deal for the Tigers, even after ND had a four-point lead entering the final quarter.

Joyner and Gabriel Outlaw combined for 11 markers, and freshman Aleyah Wilson added five.

“Aleyah was all over the court,” Williams said. “She gave us a push with her speed and energy, especially in the third quarter when we struggled playing without Lillie (Kornegay).”

Panthers dropkick Wildcats East Duplin ran Richlands out of the gym last Tuesday, drubbing its rival 57-19.

A balanced attack saw JaMy-

ia Pickett hit for 13 points, Kinsey Cave 11, Makya Kornegay and Zakoya Farrior eight each, and Sallie Hatcher six.

The Panthers improved to 5-1 with a chance to avenge its lone loss on Jan. 3 when North Duplin comes to Beulaville.

ED begins East Central 2A Conference play on Wednesday with a trip to LaGrange to face North Lenoir (4-4).

Crusaders drop third straight Harrells Christian Academy had a three-game winning streak to open the season.

And after a 59-30 setback to Wake Christian Academy on Friday, the Cru knows what a three-game skid feels like.

The losing started with a tough 46-42 setback to conference foe Halifax Academy, and continued with a 59-14 decision to Cape Fear Academy.

HCA, 5-5 overall and 1-2 in league play, face unbeaten Wayne Christian on Monday and winless Liberty Christian the following day.

BOYS Tigers out-gun Rebels North Duplin (3 -3) put a scare into James Kenan, despite the Tigers taking an 88-78 win on Tuesday of last week.

The Rebels shrunk a double-digit deficit to six points in the second half.

“We executed very well in the first half taking the lead 53-38 with 65% of our points coming off an assist,” JK coach Taylor Jones said.

“I was very proud of how we moved and flowed on offense despite what a good North Duplin team was trying to do.”

TJ Oats pumped in a season-high 29 points as one of six

Tigers to score in double figures.

Darius Howard added 14 markers and eight boards, Tyquise Wilson hit 14 with eight assists, and Jeremiah Hall and Stephone Stanley chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, Kel Artis had six points, 10 boards and three blocks as a force in the paint.

JK (2-2, 0-1), which lost 7753 on Friday to Kinston (6-2), led 53-38 at halftime and 69-57 entering the final quarter.

Dujuan Armwood knocked down 23 for ND (3-3), which recovered to beat Jones Senior 64-51 last Friday.

Branson Martin netted 14, Tev Collins 13 and Trashawn Ruffin 10.

M.L. Carr Invitational features 3 days of hoops Wallace-Rose Hill will host the third annual M.L. Carr Invitational on Dec. 27-29.

Coastal Carolina, Southeastern HomeSchool, New Bern, Tuscarora (Leesburg, Va.), Trask, Hobbton, Pender and the host school will play three games each. Games start each day at 4 p.m.

Carr is a former WRH grad who was a member of the Boston Celtics’ NBA title teams in 1981 and 1984, and later was the Celtics’ head coach and general manager. He also started on Guilford College’s 1973 NAIA national championship team with Lloyd (World B.) Free and Greg Jackson.

Crusaders rally to whip Bulldogs Wake Christian led at every stop except the one that really counts.

Harrells Christian bench talk by coach Clayton Hall hit home during a 31-19 closing rush during an 84-76 come-from-behind home win last Friday.

Antonio McKoy drilled in 23 points, Zicareian McNeil 21, BJ Bennett 13, Dashaun McKoy 12 with 10 boards and Samir Gibbs 11.

HCA (8-5, 3-1) handed the Bulldogs their third loss in 13 games.

Three days earlier, the Crusaders lost a 37-36 heartbreaker to Cape Fear Academy (6-1) as McNeil took game-high honors with 12 points. Gibbs added nine.

Antonio McKoy, who is averaging 21.2 points, was limited to seven.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

10 NATIONAL SPORTS

SIDELINE REPORT NBA

Curry’s 3-pointer streak ends at 268 games Portland, Ore. Stephen Curry’s NBArecord 3-pointer streak ended at 268 games Sunday night in the Golden State Warriors’ 118-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Curry was 0 for 8 from 3-point range, 2 for 12 overall and scored seven points. He began the streak Dec. 1, 2018, at Detroit. Curry, the NBA career leader who recently made his 3,500th 3-pointer, last went without one in a regular-season game on Nov. 8, 2018, when he was 0 for 4 against Milwaukee.

He also owns the secondlongest NBA streak at 157 games.

COLLEGE SPORTS

MSU trustees approve release of Nassar documents to AG East Lansing, Mich.

Trustees at Michigan State University have unanimously voted Friday to release documents related to the school’s investigations into nowimprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar to the state’s attorney general.

The documents first will be reviewed by the school’s general counsel before they’re released. The school had argued that the documents are protected by attorney-client privilege.

Nassar was sentenced in 2018 to 40 to 175 years in prison after he admitted to molesting some of the nation’s top gymnasts for years under the guise of medical treatment.

MLB

Scherzer has back surgery to miss start of ’24 season Arlington, Texas Max Scherzer had surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back and will miss the start of next season for the World Series champion Texas Rangers. General manager Chris Young said Scherzer had surgery Thursday after injections and other conservative treatments didn’t relieve the pain. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was removed from Game 3 of the World Series because of his back. Young says the team is hopeful Scherzer will be fully healed and recovered by June or July.

Scherzer says the pain got worse after returning to his offseason home in Florida.

AP PHOTO

Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar looks to throw a pass during the Mountaineers’ win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

App State slogs past Miami (Ohio) in the rain-soaked Cure Bowl The Mountaineers won six of their final seven games to finish 8-5 The Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. — Joey Aguilar threw for 211 yards and scored on an 8-yard run in the third quarter as Appalachian State beat Miami (Ohio) 13-9 on Saturday in the rain-soaked Cure Bowl.

Aguilar’s scoring run capped an 11-play, 73-yard drive and gave App State (9-5) a 13-3 lead after Michael Hughes kicked field goals of 29 and 22 yards in the first half.

Miami (11-3) running back Rashad Amos answered Aguilar’s TD with a 23-yard score late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 13-9. He finished with a career-best 180 yards on 33 carries.

But the RedHawks squan-

Los Angeles A show produced by Lakers superstar LeBron James has won a Daytime Emmy. “Recipe for Change: Standing Up to Antisemitism” won for outstanding daytime special at the Creative Arts and Lifestyle ceremony in Los Angeles. The YouTube Originals special was executive produced by James and his business partner Maverick Carter.

It was hosted by Ilana Glazer, Moshe Kasher and Idina Menzel. James has previously won three Sports Emmy awards, including one this year for “The Redeem Team” about the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.

“We had to make one more play than they did.

And we did.”

Shawn Clark, App State coach University of Central Florida.

Officials with the Cure Bowl reported an inch of rain fell before the game started and another inch fell between kickoff and the final play.

The conditions certainly affected play. There were 13 fumbles, with Appalachian State losing two and Miami losing three.

“Ball security is at a premium, and it didn’t seem like either team managed to do it,” Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin said. “Just kind of have to plod through it and make the last

play.”

Appalachian State rushed for 151 yards in the second half to put the game away. Anderson Castle had 119 yards on 18 carries for the Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers had a 332227 advantage in total yards.

Amos accounted for most of the RedHawks’ total.

Miami kicker and Lou Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson kicked a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter. He missed his lone PAT attempt.

“The elements were rough,” Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark said. “We had to make one more play than they did. And we did. Toward the end, our running game started to wear them down.”

Appalachian State celebrated its victory the only way it could, by sliding through the water and mud covering the midfield logo.

NCAA, states seek to extend order letting transfer athletes play North Carolina is one of seven states that filed a lawsuit on behalf of players who have switched schools more than once

TELEVISION

LeBron-produced special wins Daytime Emmy

dered a potential chance to take the lead when backup running back Keyon Mozee fumbled on a short carry near midfield with 2:39 remaining. Miami never got the ball back.

Aguilar was named the MVP. He completed 19 of 33 passes and spread the ball around, hitting seven receivers. Kaedin Robinson caught nine passes for 118 yards in the difficult conditions.

“We just want to stay true to ourselves,” Aguilar said. “The weather is going to be however the weather is going to be.”

The rainy weather forced both teams to try to focus more on ball security and stick to the ground.

The game was played as a steady rain soaked the area and pools of water formed around midfield over the bowl logo and in the end zone at FBC Mortgage Stadium on the campus of the

The Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization asked a federal court Friday to extend a small window for multiple-transfer athletes to compete through at least the winter and spring semesters.

The motion seeks to extend the 14-day temporary restraining order barring the NCAA from enforcing a rule for those athletes who transfer multiple times.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey in West Virginia issued a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. The ruling, part of a lawsuit by a coalition of seven states, said athletes who previously were denied the chance to play immediately after transferring a second time can compete in games for 14 days.

The NCAA then circulated a document to its member schools

clarifying that the redshirt rule for athletes would still apply if the court’s decision is reversed: Basketball players who compete during the two-week window would be using up a season of eligibility.

Now, the two sides apparently are coming together to address the athletes’ desires.

“Let the kids play,” West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said in a news release.

The motion said that following consultation among the parties, the court is being requested to convert the retraining order into a preliminary injunction that will remain in place until the case is decided.

“The NCAA shall take no action to retaliate” against any participating athlete or their school while the preliminary injunction is in effect, based on the athlete’s reliance on the injunction’s terms, the motion said.

NCAA spokeswoman Saquandra Heath said in a statement that, as a result of the joint motion, it “will not enforce the year in residency requirement for multiple-time transfers and will begin notifying member schools.”

Heath said the proposal “is the best outcome for multiple-time

AP PHOTO

College athletes who were denied the chance to play immediately after transferring a second time can return to competition — for now — after a federal judge issued a 14-day temporary restraining order last Wednesday against the NCAA. transfer student-athletes wishing to compete immediately. This action provides clarity for student-athletes and member schools for the remainder of the academic year — any multiple-time transfer student-athlete who competes this season will be subject to the same eligibility and use of a season of competition rules as all other student-athletes.”

The motion asks that a hearing on the restraining order set for Dec. 27 be canceled and that the case be set for trial no sooner than the last day of competition in the winter and spring sports seasons.

The lawsuit, which alleges the NCAA transfer rule’s waiver process violates federal antitrust law, could have a profound impact on college sports if successful. In court documents, the NCAA has

said the plaintiffs “seek to remake collegiate athletics and replace it with a system of perpetual and unchecked free agency.”

NCAA rules allow underclassmen to transfer once without having to sit out a year. But an additional transfer as an undergraduate generally requires the NCAA to grant a waiver allowing the athlete to compete immediately. Without it, the athlete would have to sit out for a year at the new school.

Last January, the NCAA implemented stricter guidelines for granting those waivers on a caseby-case basis.

The states involved in the restraining order were North Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

11

obituaries

(age 73)

Roger Stuart Brinson

Dennis Lamont Plummer

June 21, 1941 - Dec. 9, 2023

Sept.21, 1961 - Dec. 11, 2023

POTTERS HILL — Rebecca Sue Hall, age 73, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 at home.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Randall Hall of Potters Hill; daughter, April Blizzard and husband Samuel Ashely Blizzard III; grandsons, Brody Garrett Vance and wife Casey Corley Vance of Cincinnati, Ohio, Brandon Chase Vance and wife Marissa Vance of Hampstead; granddaughters, Alecia Cox and husband Andrew, Paxton Blizzard and husband Javari, Alex Britt and husband Jared; grandchildren, Eva, Eliza, Drew, Marsh; and numerous special nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews who she loved as her own; and her loving K-9 and best friend Elvis.

Graveside service was held Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial or Building Funds at the Potters Hill Advent Christian Church, 984 Church Rd. Pink Hill, NC 28572 or to Serenity Funeral Home.

(age 82)

(age 62)

Jan. 12, 1978 — Dec. 11, 2023 (age 45)

Edna Gresham Houston, 82, died on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, NC. Funeral service was held Wednesday, December 13, 2023, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: sons, Ricky Houston (Tracy), Seven Springs, David Houston (Sheila), Beulaville, Joseph Houston (Nikkie), Pink Hill; sister, Brenda Barlow (Jimmy), Southport; grandchildren, Eloise Taylor, John Taylor, K.C. Blackburn, Robbie Stroud, Dereck Modlin, Marilyn Modllin, Bobby Beasley and Matthew Beasley; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Roger Stuart Brinson, 62, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 in Carolina East Medical Center, New Bern.

Funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, with visitation following, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment was at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, Serena Brinson, Kinston; mother, Nancy Elston, Beulaville; sons, Ashton Brinson (Brittany), Kinston and Ian Brinson, Greenville; sister, Lisa Brinson, Beulaville; and grandchildren, Briley Brinson, Noah Brinson, Sage Brinson, Memphis Brinson, Nai Brinson, Skylar Massengill and Mackinlee Massengill.

Rebecca Sue Hall

Dec. 7, 1946 — Dec. 8, 2023

Dec. 21, 1949 - Dec. 10, 2023

(age 77) HARRISBURG — Mr. Curtis Fennell, Jr., age 77, of Harrisburg, NC passed away on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at Lakeside Health & Rehabilitation Center in Huntersville, NC. Visitation was held on Dec. 13 at Rose Hill Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Dec. 14 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Mainor Family Cemetery, Fort Knox Road in Magnolia, NC. Left to cherish his precious memories: wife, Margie Newkirk Fennell of Harrisburg, NC; son, Douglas Allen Rogers of Rose Hill, NC; daughter, Carmen Monet White (Craig) of Garner, NC; three brothers: Carriel Mathis (Marie) of Rose Hill, NC, Douglas Mathis (Kathy) of Wilmington, NC and Steward R. Fennell of Tacoma, Washington; sister, Gwendolyn Grant of Brooklyn, NY; sistersin-law; Leatha Newkirk of Magnolia, NC and Evelyn Barfield of Raleigh, NC; three grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Lorraine Antoinette Lind Dec. 23, 1939 - Dec. 6, 2023

November 23, 1963 - Dec. 14, 2023 (age 60) BEULAVILLE — David Allen Grady, age 60, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

He is survived by his wife, Angela Padrick Grady of Beulaville; daughters, Emily Grady of Beulaville, Kara Parker and husband Layton of Richlands; son, Cody Howard and wife Chelsie of Pink Hill; mother, Faye Coward of Albertson; sisters, Theressa Joyner and husband Kevin of Ahoskie, Frances Anne Wallace and husband Tommy of West Jefferson; and grandson, Samuel Howard.

The funeral service was Dec. 17 at Maranatha PFWB Church in Beulaville, with visitation one hour before service. Interment followed in East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Lillian H. Roberts Oct. 30, 1944 - Dec. 15, 2023 (age 79) Lillian Hall Roberts, 79. died Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in the Lower Cape Fear Life Center, Bolivia Visitation was Dec. 19, at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, also at Community Funeral Home.

Interment will be in East Duplin Memorial Gardens in Beulaville.

Survivors include: sons, David Roberts, Beulaville and Brent Roberts, (Michell), Wilmington; grandchildren, William Robert, II, Hudson Roberts and Tyler Roberts.

QUINN MCGOWEN FUNERAL HOME

Edna Gresham Houston

Curtis Fennell, Jr.

David Allen Grady

SPONSORED BY

(age 83)

Timothy Beddingfield Nov. 26, 1967 - Dec. 5, 2023 (age 56) KENANSVILLE - Timothy Beddingfield, 56, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 at Wayne UNC Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro, NC. Timothy was born Nov. 26, 1967 in Wayne County, NC to the late Mose David Beddingfield and Eloise Pate Beddingfield.

Visitation was held on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. The funeral service began at 1 p.m., in Community Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Beddingfield Family Cemetery at 371 Sand Ridge Road, Beulaville, NC. Timothy is survived by his wife, Felicia Beddingfield of the home; sons, Jason Beddingfield and wife, Jennifer of Pink Hill, Korey Beddingfield and wife, April (special daughter) of Beulaville; Nick Beddingfield of Kenansville, Eddie Lindsay and Yolande of Charlotte, Dalton Beddingfield of Kenansville; daughters, Felicia Beddingfield of Kenansville, Elizabeth Beddingfield of Kenansville, Brittany Baker and husband, Donnie of Charlotte, Melissa Bell of Magnolia; grandchildren, Braxton Beddingfield, Paisley Beddingfield, Elliot Beddingfield, Elijah Beddingfield, Emma Lindsay, James Bell, Haley Bell, Blake Bell, Hunter Bell, Billy Usher, Ollie Usher, Walker Usher, Gunner Usher. He is also survived by brothers, Mitchell Beddingfield and wife, Nikki of Fountaintown, Larry Beddingfield and wife, Patricia of Mount Olive; sister, Kay Brock and husband, Victor of Raeford.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Ray Beddingfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made toward the funeral expenses to Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, P. O. Box 336, Warsaw, NC 28398.

CHINQUAPIN — Lorraine Smith Lind, 83, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 at her home.

Memorial service was held on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, followed by visitation at Sharon Baptist Church, Chinquapin.

Survivors include: sisters, Penny Staples, Chinquapin, Darlene Hatcher, Chinquapin, and Dee Bickford, West Virginia; brother, Dennis Smith, Fallon, Nev.; and two grandchildren.

Sandra Thomas Jones May 9, 1950 - Dec. 14, 2023 (age 73) Sandra Thomas Jones, 73, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at her home.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Ruby Thomas, a sister, Marie Smith and a brother, Sam Thomas.

Funeral service and visitation were Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment followed in East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, James A. Jones, Beulaville; daughters, Jamey Little (Eddie), Deep Run, Kelly Kornegay (Timothy), Albertson; and grandchildren, Ansleigh Kornegay, Emily Little, Bella Kornegay, Brayden Jones and Ellie Kornegay.

KENANSVILLE — Mr. Dennis L. Plummer, age 45, of Kenansville, NC passed away on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 at Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial followed at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia, NC. Left to cherish his precious memories: son, Kayden Plummer of Raleigh, NC; daughters; Kasidy and Khyllie Plummer of Raleigh, NC; mother, Elizabeth Plummer Hall of Rose Hill, NC; brothers: Timothy and David Plummer of Wallace, NC and Dennis Williams of Raleigh, NC; sisters: Tashanda Scarborough of Wallace, NC, Jackie Plummer Smith of Fayetteville, NC and Tasha Williams of Raleigh, NC; three aunts, four uncles; Special Friend, KaiTerra Pridgen of Raleigh, NC; god-mother, Patricia Keith of Magnolia, NC; special friends: William Murphy “Toot”, Lamar Brown and Terrell Keith “Pun”; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Esther Juanita Taylor Dec. 25, 1929 - Dec. 12, 2023 (age 93) Esther Juanita Taylor, 93, formerly of Warsaw, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 in WinstonSalem, NC. Juanita was born Dec. 25, 1929 in Duplin County, NC to the late William Waitus Woodcock and wife, Glista Howard Woodcock.

Juanita and her husband James were longtime residents of Warsaw and were faithful members of Warsaw Baptist Church prior to relocating to Stanley, NC to be closer to her sister and her family.

During her time in Warsaw, Juanita enjoyed numerous pursuits outside the home including the family business, Taylor’s Shoes, and later owning and running her own fabric shop on Front St. Her fondest working memories were of her time with dear friend Wilma Herring, helping to create beautiful draperies. Her primary focus was always providing a loving home for her family.

Mrs. Taylor is survived by her son, James Randall Taylor and wife, Melanie, and grandchildren Ryan and Rylie Taylor, all of Winston-Salem.

She is also survived by siblings William W. (Sonny) Woodcock, Jr. of Roy, Wash., Daniel E. Woodcock and wife, Mary of Wilmington, NC, and her cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

Loved ones preceding her in death include her parents, her husband James E. Taylor, son Ronald K. Taylor, and sister Grace Powell Grigg.

Her life will be remembered in a graveside service to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at Devotional Gardens cemetery in Warsaw, NC. The family will remain at the cemetery immediately following the service to receive friends.

Community Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Flowers are welcome, but for those who wish to remember Mrs. Taylor with memorial gifts, the family suggests Warsaw Baptist Church, 209 E College St, Warsaw, NC 28398, in memory of James and Juanita Taylor.

Virginia Wells Byrd Todd April 21, 1932 - Dec. 13, 2023 (age 91) WARSAW — Virginia Wells Byrd Todd, 91, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 at her home. Mrs. Todd was born April 21, 1932 in Duplin County, NC to the late John Henry Byrd and Martha Hare Byrd.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 in Devotional Gardens.

Mrs. Todd is survived by daughters, Ruth Brandt and husband, Eric of Lake Waccamaw; Barbara Moss and husband, Vernon of Wilson; son William Earl Rouse of Warsaw; grandchildren, Jessica Andrews, Zachary Millican, and Clinton Ross Todd; and great-grandchildren, Cade Andrews, Caitlyn Andrews, Lukas Millican, and Hayden Brandt. She is also survived by sister, Margie Fields of Warsaw and brother, Dr. Luther Byrd of Texas.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Todd was preceded in death by husband, Charles Rei Todd, son, Charles Rei Todd, Jr., two grandchildren, Jennifer Millican and Henry Chase Brandt, brother, Henry, and sisters, Beatrice, Gertrude, Betty, Lillian and Annie.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

12

Scam Jam brings fellowship, education Seniors celebrate the holidays, learn how to avoid scams

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Christmas came early at the Duplin Events Center as 247 seniors celebrated the holidays with music and dancing during the Senior Scam Jam held on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

“This is an annual event that represents the elderly people in our county, and they are very important to us,” said Commissioner Jesse Dowe. “We try to celebrate them – this is their day.”

Participants enjoyed fellowship, health screenings and learned about available community resources and how to prevent scams. The celebration featured a performance by the Duplin Sparklers, and various speakers who provided valuable information on current scams and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Sheriff Stratton Stokes, who was one of the event speakers, told the Duplin Journal that pre-

venting senior citizens from becoming victims of scams “is one thing the Sheriff’s Office and this event is all about.”

“The Sheriff’s Office is here for them, so is senior services, and the county. If they have any type of suspicious activity or they don’t feel sure about something, call, because we are here to help them,” said Sheriff Stokes adding that when in doubt to hang up the phone and call the person or company directly.

“If there is a company or somebody saying they are a family member and you are not sure, hang up the phone, call that family member. If you have any questions whatsoever about suspicious activity, call the business or the entity that services you. If they are saying it is your bank and you are not sure about it, hang up the phone. Call them directly.”

Melisa Brown, Senior Services director shared she was thankful for everyone who assisted with the event. She also thanked Duplin County Community Foundation for the grant funds provided to host the special event.

“The Sheriff’s Office is here for them, so is senior services, and the county.

If they have any type of suspicious activity or they don’t feel sure about something, call, because we are here to help them.”

Sheriff Stratton Stokes

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERSH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Subscribe today Duplin Journal

SUBSCRIBE TO DUPLIN JOURNAL TODAY

919-663-3232 | duplinjournal.com