Duplin County Seven individuals were arrested during a targeted saturation patrol operation conducted on July 24 by the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce in the northern part of the county. Deputies stopped 47 vehicles, issuing 27 citations, one written warning, and more than 25 verbal warnings. Saturation patrols are commonly used to address concerns such as impaired driving, drug activity and tra c violations. The operation was part of a proactive strategy to increase law enforcement visibility and deter criminal activity.
Women’s Care open house set for July 31
Kenansville
ECU Health Women’s Care is holding an open house July 31 from 5:30-7 p.m. to celebrate the opening of its new, larger clinic located at 750 S. Kenansville Bypass in Kenansville. Guests can meet the care team, tour the facility and learn about available women’s health services. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 910 -296 -2815.
Teen Court seeks volunteers
Kenansville
Duplin County Teen Court is looking for volunteer ambassadors to support its peer-led justice program while building leadership, communication and critical thinking skills. For more information, call 910-275- 0003 or email teencourt@mceconline.org.
Blood drive at ECU Health Duplin Hospital
Kenansville
ECU Health Duplin Hospital will host its next blood drive on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the hospital grounds at 401 N. Main St. in Kenansville.
Wallace Parks launches Co ee and Community program
Wallace Wallace Parks and Recreation will kick o a new Co ee and Community program Friday, Aug. 8 for adults at the Clement Park Community Center. The initiative is designed to combat loneliness and help build connections among adults who may feel isolated or lack a strong support system. With nearly 45% of Duplin County residents aged 45 and older, the program responds to a growing need for social engagement. Enjoy a cup of co ee or tea, meet your neighbors, and take part in activities like puzzles, card games, adult coloring, arts and crafts, and more. For more information, contact Kate at 910-285-2905.
$2.00
Wallace Police train for real-world threats
A Wallace police o cer confronts an “armed” intruder during active threat training at Wallace Elementary School, last week. Live-action drills teach o cers to act quickly and decisively when lives are on the line. Turn to A6 to read the story.
Dixon announces bid for 9th term in state House
The District 4 representative dismissed speculation about his retirement
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
VETERAN LAWMAKER and Duplin County farmer
Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) has announced his decision to seek reelection to the North Carolina House of Representatives, ending recent speculation about a potential retirement and aiming for a ninth two-year term representing District 4. In an exclusive interview with Duplin Journal, Dixon re ected on his tenure with characteristic humility and humor, acknowledging the personal sacri ces that come with public service, particularly the time spent away from his grandchildren.
“Probably the thing I’m most proud of is that my
See DIXON, page A6
Duplin County Schools superintendent dies
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — Austin
Obasohan, the longtime superintendent of Duplin County Schools (DCS) and a voice for equity and innovation in rural education, died July 24 after serving 15 years at the helm of the district. He was 65.
His leadership reshaped local schools and left a lasting mark on students, educators and the community.
“We are all truly saddened,” said Board of Education Chair Brent Davis, who con rmed the news. “He was such an amazing leader and wonderful person.”
Originally from western Africa, Obasohan brought a global perspective and a strong belief in the power of education to shape lives. During his tenure, DCS underwent several key changes, including the
Duplin Elections Board sworn in
“We want to have fair, true elections that nobody has a question about transparency.”
Ann Henderson
O cials work to verify 900 voter registrations as part of preparations for upcoming elections
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — On July 22, the Duplin County Board of Elections meeting room was a full house for the swearing-in of new and returning board members.
Duplin County Register of Deeds Anita Savage administered the oath of o ce to three returning board members — Ann Henderson of Wallace, Angela Mainor of Warsaw, and Vickie Ezzell of Rose Hill — along with new member Roland Perry of Beulaville. A fourth returning member, Michael Lynch of Wallace, was unable to attend the ceremony and was sworn in later that day by Board of Elections Director Carrie Sullivan.
Henderson was elected as the new chair of the board, replacing Mainor, who will now serve as secretary after many years as chair.
Following the ceremony, board members introduced themselves to those in attendance, with their comments centered on the importance of open and transparent elections.
“We want to have fair, true elections that nobody has a question about transparency,” board chair Henderson said.
“Regardless of who’s in control, quote, unquote, it’s still a bipartisan board,” Ezzell said. “There’s no room in this o ce for partisanship. The voters of the county are our most important priority.” Mainor added, “I look forward to being nonpartisan. I don’t see people as Republicans. I don’t see people as Democrats. I don’t see people
consolidation of schools from 16 to 13. The district adopted the STEAMA framework, which expands the traditional STEM model to include the arts and agriculture.
“This innovative approach not only broadened students’ exposure to diverse career pathways but also connected classroom learning to real-world experiences, especially in a rural, agriculturally rich community like Duplin County,” Duplin County Schools shared in a public statement.
Under Obasohan’s leadership, the district also launched early college high school programs, positioning Duplin County as a national model for expanding access to postsecondary education. Guided by faith and a sense of purpose, he viewed public education
See OBASOHAN, page A2
“As the leader of our school family and a deeply cherished, godly friend, he held a special place in our hearts. His absence will be felt profoundly.” Carol Wimmer
Austin Obasohan guided Duplin County Schools through signi cant growth, challenges and innovation
Austin Obasohan
Rep. Jimmy Dixon
Allison Batts Advertising Representative
Loretta Carey O ce Manager
O ce Phone: 910 463-1240
To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042
CRIME LOG
July 21
• Mark Novak, 44, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce (DCSO) for possession of a rearm by a felon, possession of marijuana up to half an ounce, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
July 22
Gilmo E Lainez-Guevara, 27, was arrested by DCSO for assault on a female, communicating threats, driving while impaired, and no operator’s license.
July 23
• Roberto Garza, 50, was arrested by Wallace PD for driving while license revoked (not impaired revocation).
July 24
Matthew Harris, 21, was arrested by DCSO for crime against nature.
• Jack Hernandez, 36, was arrested by DCSO for possessing methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Micheal Brandon Murphy, 48, was arrested by DCSO for obstructing justice and identity theft.
July 25
• Ezekiel Zechariel Williams, 30, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired, misdemeanor child abuse, no liability insurance, driving with no vehicle registration, reckless driving to endanger, and modi ed utility vehicle helmet violation.
Frankie Maurice Williams, 49, was arrested by Wallace PD for discharging a weapon into occupied property, possession of a rearm by a felon, going armed to the terror of people, assault with a deadly weapon, and discharging a rearm in city limits.
July 26
• Tawanda Jentilla Smith, 36, was arrested by DCSO for being intoxicated and disruptive and resisting a public o cer.
• Candice Caonia Cline, 37, was arrested by Wallace PD for second-degree trespass and possessing drug paraphernalia.
THURSDAY
SUNDAY AUG. 3
Rotary Club honors late Rotarian with donation to youth sports
The club helped fund football safety equipment in memory of Ken Williams
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal
WALLACE — The Wallace Rotary Club presented a check for $1,725 to the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department at its meeting last Wednesday at the Mad Boar. The check was given in memory of a longtime Rotarian, Ken Williams.
“Last year we had a ra e to raise money for equipment for the Wallace Recreation Center,” Wallace Rotary Club president Paul Izzo explained. “It was in honor of one of our former Rotarians who passed away. Ken was an incredible
“It was in honor of one of our former Rotarians who passed away.”
Paul Izzo
Rotarian for over 25 years. We wanted to honor him.”
Izzo said the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department would decide how to spend the money.
Williams’ wife, Joan, was in attendance at the meeting to see the check presented in her husband’s name.
“I’m just so overwhelmed,” she said. “He would be so grateful. He was a wonderful man and loved sports.”
Williams said she and her husband moved to the Wal-
lace area after living in Ohio. Her husband and a longtime friend provided high school football play-by-play in Ohio for 19 years.
David Bizzell, director of the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department, accepted the check.
“It’s great the Rotary shows support for the town and the parks,” Bizzell said, adding the money would go to the football program. “Football is one of the most expensive sports. Helmets and equipment for safety are very expensive. That’s our main concern during football season, keeping everybody safe.”
With football season around the corner, Bizzell said the check presentation was very good timing for the department.
as a calling and a platform to serve children, whom he referred to as “God’s most precious gifts.”
“I believe that God has a master plan for our lives, and I am thankful that He called me to serve in the eld of education,” Obasohan told Duplin Journal in a 2024 special interview.
Throughout his time as superintendent, Obasohan addressed challenges facing the district, including those that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also advocated for strong partnerships between schools and families, and a collaborative approaches to student well-being and achievement.
“His leadership was never one of command but of service, always focused on uplifting and guiding us all,” the Duplin County Board of Education said in a statement. “Through his kindness, wisdom and humility, he touched the lives of each of us, creating an environment where we could all thrive and grow together as ‘One Family.’”
Obasohan consistently advocated for restoring respect to the teaching profession and stressed the importance of recruiting and retaining highly quali ed educators. He pointed
out that teachers often take on multiple roles beyond instruction, including those of mentor, counselor and caregiver.
He began his higher education journey in Nigeria and later continued his studies in England, gaining valuable exposure to international educational systems and philosophies. This experience laid the groundwork for his transition to the United States, where he earned advanced degrees, including a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University.
Over more than 30 years in public education, he held numerous positions across multiple states, ranging from teacher to superintendent. His impact extended beyond Duplin County, where he received national recognition from Education Week in 2013 and 2022. Despite such accolades, he remained focused on local outcomes, centering his work on the needs of students and the community.
“Dr. Obasohan’s unwavering dedication to the students, sta , and families of Duplin County has left a lasting impact on our school system,” Davis said on behalf of the Board of Education. “His commitment to operational e ectiveness, continuous improvement, and unity has helped
shape a brighter future for our community. We have been so fortunate to have him as our leader and friend for over 15 years.”
“As the leader of our school family and a deeply cherished, godly friend, he held a special place in our hearts,” said Carol Wimmer, DCS chief assistant to the superintendent. “His absence will be felt profoundly,” Wimmer also shared a heartfelt message written by Obasohan prior to his death, re ecting on his years of service and the deep love he had for his students and community.
“It has been a profound blessing and a true honor to serve this district and to provide educational guidance to every precious student that God entrusted to my care, students that I have come to love as if they were my own children,” the letter said. “Over the past 15 years, God has surrounded me with committed board members, dedicated educators, compassionate sta , loyal community partners, men and women of faith, and supportive families. Together, as ‘One Family,’ we have strengthened our schools, broadened opportunities for our students, and faced challenges with unity and resilience. I love you. God bless you all.” Obasohan is survived by his wife and three children.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County:
Aug. 1
Paint Party
11 a.m.
Join the Duplin County Library for a colorful morning at Paint Party with Erica Maready happening at the Ed Emory Auditorium. Call 910-296-2117 for more details. 165 Agriculture Drive, Kenansville
Aug. 1
4H EGG-cellent Egg Contest
Don’t miss the 4H EGGcellent Egg Contest. Open to active 4-H members with laying hens, the contest challenges participants to submit up to two sets of eggs judged on uniformity and quality — inside and out. The registration deadline is Aug. 1. To sign up, visit go.ncsu. edu/2025eggcontest. Winners will be announced Sept. 30.
Aug. 2
Backstreet Music Festival 10 a.m.
Get ready to groove at the BackStreet Street Music. The event aims to bring the community together, promote local history and conservation, and raise funds for Tri-County Youth Services. The event will feature live music from the 919 GoGo Band. The event will also feature an Elvis Presley impersonator, dance groups, arts and crafts, vendors and the Queen City Baggers bike show.
208 SW Railroad St., Wallace
Aug. 9
Back-to-School
Community Day
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get ready for Back-to-School
Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville. Duplin County students Pre-K-12 can receive free school supplies while they last. The child must be present. Come rain or shine, enjoy a day packed with free food, games, rides, bouncy houses, crafts and more.
195 Fairgrounds Drive, Kenansville
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
The Wallace Rotary Club presents a check for $1,725 to the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department in honor of the late Ken Williams. Left to Right: Paul Izzo, Joan Williams, David Bizzell and Paul Espag.
OBASOHAN from page A1
New hangar plans take ight
The Airport Commission approved a $2 million change order for the spec hangar project
By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Airport Commission meeting last Tuesday night included discussions of a multimillion-dollar project.
After Gage King was welcomed to his rst o cial meeting, Airport Director Joshua Raynor presented a new $2 million change order to the board for approval for the new spec hangar and rehab project. Justin Wright of Daniels and Daniels was present to explain the project.
“These design-to-build projects are built to have transparency,” Wright said. “We are in this business to build a quality product and hopefully move on to do more projects with you knowing you can trust us.”
King probed Wright to clarify the larger line items of the budget, including electrical, plumbing and metal building. The board discussed whether or not lightning protection should be added to the project for $40,000. Lightning is a considerable problem at airports, but protection does not necessarily prevent all damage.
Wright and the board discussed that systems could be retro tted at a later date but will never be cheaper than they are during initial construction. Wright also conrmed that every part of the building will have grounding as part of the already planned construction.
The choice between polished and epoxy ooring was also discussed for the project. Some expressed concern about the longevity of maintenance on epoxy oors, but others praised how it contributed to the all white, clean and bright interiors in the hangars. The board decided to leave the plan as is with epoxy ooring but with a contingency to change to polished oors at a later date if they want to change it.
The location of air conditioning units was also discussed. Once all concerns were addressed, the board voted to approve the change order to release the rest of the construction funding for the spec hangar and rehab project.
Wright clari ed that geo checking is not part of the
Airport Director Joshua Raynor, sitting at the head of the table presented a $2 million change order for the new spec hangar and rehab project, to the board during the July 22 meeting.
budget. Raynor suggested that the best way to use the rehab budget is to replace roofs and insulate all existing hangars to become weatherproof. He suggested letting Daniels and Daniels handle the larger portion of the work will allow them to purchase in bulk, take advantage of discounts and maximize the use of available funding. The board plans to continue discussing how to best use the rehab portion of the project’s funding.
The board then discussed an update on the Connector Taxiway A3 construction. A few lights remain, as well as new larger taxiway designations with updated aviation standard call signage. A change order was needed to allow for $10,000 in additional funding for soil-related changes and updated LED lighting voltage. It was clari ed that the funding was available within the existing grant, so the board approved the change order for the additional taxiway costs.
Raynor gave an update on the Fuel Farm. He said he received an award letter from the Department of Transportation for part of the funding, and he is still waiting on the rest. An update was also given on the apron rehab project. The scope of the work — set to include updating the approach — has been presented to the Department of Aviation. It will then come to the board for approval. Funding for the Apron Rehab project has already been secured.
An update on the runway rejuvenation project was also given. Raynor said the airport still plans to close from Aug. 4-10 but may reopen sooner depending on surface drying time.
Raynor then discussed capital improvement funding.
“The next ve years of projects using federal dollars have to be secured to allocate funding,” Raynor said.
Preapplication forms have to be submitted for each project by Aug. 15. Two of the projects include the taxiway design and a fencing update. State funding will still be pursued for available projects in addition to the federal funding. The board discussed the fact that the Strategic Planning Committee has not met yet. They plan to wait until after the rst of the year to have clarity on what funds are available.
The airport operations dudget was discussed, including $132,000 needed to meet the 10% required match on all the current projects and $41,000 for a new passenger golf cart and leased vehicles.
“The county and a lot of towns are going to leasing vehicles instead of owning them. That’s what we do in Warsaw,” Mayor A.J. Connors explained.
Fuel sales reportedly collected 81% of what was budgeted and overall operations for the month were 319 activities requiring airport services.
Raynor presented an idea to change the entry roundabout. Instead of grass, he suggested a agpole surrounded by commemorative bricks. The board liked the idea of a ag pole but asked for more thought to be given to the design.
Raynor then presented a sta ng issue. Full-time and substitute airport technicians are needed, but open positions have not been lled. Therefore, the airport has to adjust its scheduled hours to open at 8 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. every other Monday.
The Water Department’s new o ce will o er drive-thru services
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — With a unanimous vote, Duplin County o cially put its nancial playbook in writing, establishing guidelines for how it budgets, borrows and saves for the future. The new policy, adopted last week, aims to enhance transparency, protect reserves and ensure that taxpayers understand how their money is managed.
Presented by Ty Wellford from Davenport and Company, the policy outlines long-term scal guidelines, including best practices for budgeting, cash management, reserve levels and debt limits.
“I think the timing is great for you all because you’re in a tremendous nancial position right now, and that’s something that we did look at in greater detail,” said Wellford. He emphasized that the policy formalizes existing management practices, providing stability during transitions or economic changes.
“It just ensures the county is operating on sound nancial footing,” Miller told Duplin Journal. “And the decisions that are made are made with, at rst, our residents in mind, but the nancial position of the county as well.”
Key elements of the nancial policy include prohibiting one-time revenues from funding ongoing expenses, requiring board approval for budget amendments and mandating quarterly nancial reporting.
The policy sets a minimum reserve level of 25% of annual expenditures and outlines a balanced debt management approach, with metrics ensuring debt does not exceed 2.5% of the tax base and annual debt service remains below 15% of the operating budget. It also addresses compliance with state laws and liquidity for cash and investments.
“This is just cementing some of the things that you’re already doing very well,” said Wellford.
The commissioners asked questions to clarify the exibility of the new policies, par-
“This is just cementing some of the things that you’re already doing very well.”
Ty Wellford
ticularly concerning fund balance thresholds and the process for making amendments. Wellford explained that while there is no rigid recovery roadmap, the policy requires that a plan be developed, ideally within a three-year window or a time frame deemed reasonable.
He also emphasized that the policy’s exibility allows future boards to amend it if needed.
In other business
Commissioners addressed ooding and drainage complaints from residents, particularly in Cedar Fork Church Road and Tram Road. County Manager Bryan Miller said he will follow up about those issues with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. After a public hearing, the board approved a request from Louis Costello to name a private lane DC Heights Drive in Warsaw.
The board appointed Commissioner Jesse Dowe as Duplin County’s voting delegate for the upcoming North Carolina Association of County Commissioners conference, with Commissioner Wayne Branch serving as the alternate voting delegate.
Miller provided an update on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization program, which is entering a new cycle. He encouraged the commissioners to contact Chris Hatcher in the planning department if they knew someone who was in need of their services.
The CDBG program awards funds to local governments for projects that enhance housing, infrastructure and economic development, with a focus on bene ting low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The program often assists homeowners in addressing health and safety hazards.
The grant will help students stay in school and prepare for meaningful careers
Duplin Journal sta
KENANSVILLE — For many students in Duplin County, achieving a college degree can be challenging. Some are the rst in their families to attend college, while others balance work, caregiving responsibilities or manage life with a disability. Thanks to a renewed federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant of more than $416,000 awarded to James Sprunt Community College,their journeys have just become a bit easier.
Candice Faison, director of TRIO SSS Programs at JSCC, said the grant will enhance the college’s ability to support underrepresented students by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to graduate.
“Student Support Services helps level the playing eld and equips our students with the tools and con dence to graduate and lead,” Faison said.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program was designed to help low-income, rst-generation and disabled students stay on track, graduate and achieve their goals. Through TRIO SSS, students receive one-on-one guidance on various topics, in-
cluding nancial aid, scholarships, academic coaching, career planning and personal support. The resources can make a signi cant di erence — potentially deciding whether a student drops out or earns their degree.
“This vital program makes all the di erence for nearly a million students each year across the country,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education in a news release.
According to the announcement, TRIO SSS programs at JSCC have supported more than 4,000 students since
1990. For more than three decades, the program has served as more than just an academic resource; it has been a lifeline for students who might otherwise struggle to succeed.
The announcement also highlighted national data demonstrating the e ectiveness of TRIO SSS programs.
A 2019 federal study found that participants in these programs at two-year colleges were 48% more likely to earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year institution, underscoring the signi cant impact that TRIO SSS can have on student outcomes.
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@duplinjournal.com
Weekly deadline is Monday at noon
REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
COURTESY JAMES SPRUNT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Left to right: Marsha Hicks, Candice Faison, Ananda Farland and Caroline Czarkowska, all with James Sprunt Community College, pose for a photo at the college.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Trump’s attack on President Obama
Treason, the only crime de ned by the Constitution, requires that one give “aid and comfort” to our enemies.
IT’S NOT JUST Trump being Trump. We — and by “we,” I mean both the public and the media — have gotten so used to President Donald Trump repeating outrageous lies that we tend to dismiss them out of hand. But this is much, much worse. For Trump and his top o cials to accuse former President Barack Obama of treason, much less to call for an investigation by the Justice Department (his puppet, Attorney General Pam Bondi, has already announced the formation of a “strike force,” whatever that is) is a plain abuse of power.
Trump’s most recent attack on Obama came after last weekend, when he posted an AI-generated video of Obama supposedly being arrested by the FBI. Not funny. Then Tulsi Gabbard, struggling to get back on Trump’s good list after annoying the president with a self-serving video she made on her trip to Asia (after which she was excluded from some critical meetings) took to the podium at a White House brie ng to call on the Justice Department to investigate what she called the “treasonous conspiracy” relating to the investigation of Russian e orts to in uence the 2016 election in Trump’s favor. It worked. Referring to Gabbard, Trump said: “She’s, like, hotter than everybody. She’s the hottest one in the room right now.”
As for who should be the target of the Justice Department and what should be the focus, Trump left no doubt: “It would be President Obama. He started it. ... This was treason. This was every word you can think of. They tried to steal the election. They tried to obfuscate the election. They did things that nobody’s ever even imagined, even in other countries.”
That’s just another lie. The investigation of Russian involvement in the 2016 election focused on the Russian hacking and dissemination of Hillary Clinton’s campaign emails — something Trump well knows, since he referred to those emails on the campaign trail. The only thing Obama did was to encourage his intelligence o cers to complete their investigation before he left o ce, understanding — rightly — that Trump,
once he took o ce, could not be trusted not to interfere or block it. Telling a federal agency to nish its work is not a crime. Indeed, every investigation of the 2016 election found exactly what the Obama investigation did. In 2018, the Senate Intelligence Committee “found irrefutable evidence of Russian meddling,” according to then-senator and now Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which is precisely what the Obama team found. Treason, the only crime de ned by the Constitution, requires that one give “aid and comfort” to our enemies. It is punishable by execution. Of course, because of the Trump Supreme Court decision a ording the president near-absolute immunity for “o cial acts” (which Trump desperately needed to hide behind to escape responsibility for inciting a riot on Jan. 6), the Justice Department investigation of Obama is a useless task and a waste of time and money. But Obama, unlike Trump, doesn’t need the shield of immunity. There are no facts supporting Gabbard’s charges and nothing for the Justice Department’s strike force to investigate. This isn’t about real wrongdoing. It certainly isn’t about treason. Gabbard made these charges to earn her way back into Trump’s good graces. And what better way to do it than to play to Trump’s worst instincts — his desire for vengeance and his willingness to weaponize the entire federal government to get even with his enemies. Obama is smarter, more popular and more respected than Trump will ever be. And Trump, desperate to bury his ties to Je rey Epstein, desperate to change the subject after playing ridiculous, self-serving games attacking his other predecessor, Joe Biden, for failing to release the Epstein les, was only too willing to applaud Gabbard, to put pressure on his attorney general and to suggest that Obama should be subject to execution. He has no shame and no limits.
Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.
Four big questions about Joe Biden’s health cover-up
The fact that the president of the United States was not the president for years, in the face of the blaring light of public attention, shows that our checks and balances have utterly failed.
JOE BIDEN was both senile and cancer-ridden during the last years of his presidency. That much is absolutely clear.
According to “Original Sin,” the new book from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, Biden was exhibiting signs of senility for years; his sta worked to cover it up, and a compliant media did its least to investigate. This week, we found out that Biden also has stage four prostate cancer, which has already metastasized to his bones. There is virtually no way that nobody knew about the cancer until this week; prostate cancer is a slow-moving cancer that is easily detected by routine PSA tests.
This is, to put it mildly, one of the biggest scandals in American history.
The scandal raises a series of serious questions.
The rst is obvious: Who the hell was running the White House while Biden’s brain wasn’t working? The obvious suspects include Jill Biden, who must have known about Biden’s senility and yet continued to press him to run for president; Mike Donilon, former Biden adviser; Je rey Zients, Biden’s chief of sta ; and even Hunter Biden, President Biden’s closest con dante. In fact, according to “Original Sin,” the answer appears to be the convicted felon and former crack addict: Tapper explained this week, “He was almost like a chief of sta . ... It’s bizarre because I think he is provably, demonstrably unethical, sleazy, and prone to horrible decisions.” Well, yes.
The second question is similarly obvious: How long did the Biden family know about Biden’s in rmity? Where the hell was Jill? Where was Hunter? Or were they all so focused on grifting o the family name that they couldn’t be bothered to truly care for their ailing patriarch? That question turns extraordinarily dark when we consider the question of Biden’s cancer. Was Biden deprived of necessary treatment? Did he go undiagnosed because the family didn’t want to know the answer? We do know that the Biden family has covered up cancer before: When Beau Biden, then the attorney general of Delaware, was su ering from brain cancer, the family worked to lie about it.
Then there’s a third question: Where the hell was the legacy media while all of this was happening? The job of the media is
to investigate signs and symptoms of corruption or misconduct. It was perfectly obvious to everyone with a prefrontal cortex and working retinas that Biden was in dire mental condition by 2022. Why weren’t the media demanding answers? Were they so committed to the defeat of Donald Trump and the Republicans that they decided to simply look the other way ... until precisely the moment Biden’s condition became undeniable, the rst debate with Trump?
Finally, there’s a fourth question: Who can be trusted at this point? It’s easy to point to the Democrats’ cover-up of Biden’s ailments as proof of their unique dishonesty. But the reality is less comforting: Self-interest and malfeasance are human universals — and if the American public are entitled to know the truth about any of their elected o cials, they require systems that demand answers. This means, at the very least, that Congress ought to immediately pass a bill demanding yearly complete and transparent physical and mental tests on the president. Our government was not built on trust; it was built on checks and balances. And the fact that the president of the United States was not the president for years, in the face of the blaring light of public attention, shows that our checks and balances have utterly failed. The greatest sign of an imperial presidency is that the president is so unanswerable that he can be nearly clinically dead in public without serious repercussion. Enough is enough. Americans’ trust has been abused over and over and over again over the course of the last decade. And it’s not enough simply to blame those who abused that trust. It’s time to rebuild systems that verify. And that requires actual forethought, honesty and realism about the aws in human nature — and the willingness of the politically motivated to justify just about anything in the name of desired ends.
Ben Shapiro’s new collection, “Facts and Furious: The Facts About America and Why They Make Leftists Furious,” is available now. Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author.
COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH
COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO
‘Retired, but not nished’
Harvey Knowles nears 95 with a harmonica, a mission and a legacy
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal
HARVEY KNOWLES reached into his pocket and retrieved his simple ip phone. After punching in a number, he activated the speaker phone and waited. When someone answered, Knowles didn’t say anything. Instead, he began playing “Happy Birthday” on his harmonica.
As he approaches his 95th birthday on Aug. 3, it is impossible to guess just how many times he has played the song for everyone from family and friends to friends of friends on their birthdays. It’s just one of many ways he stays active in serving the community.
Knowles grew up in Wallace and did not have an easy childhood. His father was very hard on him, especially after drinking. When his older brother turned 18, he signed up for the military. That meant he would be on his own with his dad at 15 years old. His mother had moved to Richlands to live with Harvey’s half-brother.
During those days, a recruiter would come to Wallace once a week. Knowles tried to sign up like his brother did, only to be told he was not old enough. Not deterred by the rejection, he went on a mission.
“I traveled all the way to the courthouse in Kenansville and went to the clerk of court’s ofce,” Knowles said. “I told them the doctor in Wallace had delivered a bunch of babies over the weekend and asked me to come get him some blank birth certi cates.”
In those simpler days, there was no reason to doubt the word of a young boy who claimed to be running an errand for a doctor. With blank certi cates in hand, he snuck into school to access a typewriter and created a new birth certi cate for himself, messing up a few before creating one saying he was 17 years old, the minimum age in those days to sign up.
There was just one problem: There was a section on the form for a notary signature. When Knowles found out what that was and that the father of a friend was a notary, he went to visit. He distracted his friend so he could use his dad’s stamp on his certi cate. He also forged his mother’s name on the birth certi cate.
The next time a recruiter came to Wallace, Knowles told Duplin Journal he was
from page A1
as Libertarian. I see people as people.” Henderson said the board will be very busy.
“We have a long list of things that have to be accomplished between now and November,” she said. “This team will keep us on track. We answer to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.”
One item on that list is conrming the identity of some voter registrations. Prior to the
Health Center last November.
there with his new birth certi cate in hand. The next day, he was on a bus to Fort Bragg for basic training. After basic training and paratrooper school, he found himself being deployed on a ship to Japan. He was, in reality, still 15 years old.
Knowles shared that shortly before he turned 17, while serving in Japan, when an o cer began questioning him about his age and discovered the story about his enlistment at 15. The questioning began after Harvey’s mother was speaking to someone in Wallace and said she had not heard from Harvey in a while. That led to a search for Harvey, and word eventually made its way to Japan.
The Army sent him home, saying his enlistment had been fraudulent. Knowles explained that because of his reputation, he was given an honorable discharge and sent back to North Carolina. He was only home for a few weeks before he o cially turned 17 and he simply reenlisted. This time, he eventually became a member of Special Forces.
With tensions rising in Vietnam, Knowles was trained to speak Vietnamese and Laotian. He was deployed to Southeast Asia. Once he was there, he embarked on an undercover mission. Knowles told Duplin Journal he was issued a new I.D., with a new name, along with civilian clothes, and sent into Laos, pretending to be a businessman. While in Laos, he was shot. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Retiring from the Army as a major, Knowles said he had no intention of remaining inactive. He went to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture
ceremony, Sullivan told Duplin Journal that her o ce is currently working to verify approximately 900 voter registrations with missing identi cation information. If the Duplin County Board of Elections ofce is unsuccessful in reaching the voters a ected, those names will be forwarded to the North Carolina Board of Elections, which will send letters to the voters to give them the opportunity to bring their registrations into compliance with state law.
as an investigator, primarily going undercover to nd those engaged in food stamp fraud.
During one investigation, Knowles told Duplin Journal he wanted to be deliberately arrested by a small police force in a town west of Wilmington so he could have the chance to talk with a jail inmate he knew had inside information about a big-time fraudster. To maintain his cover, he could not reveal his true identity to local law enforcement.
“I found an o cer sitting in his car on the edge of the road,” Knowles said. “I sped past him and he did nothing. I turned around and drove even faster and he still ignored me. The third time by him, I slowed down and made a gesture to him most people nd objectionable. That time, he arrested me.”
He was taken to the county jail and placed in the same cell with the guy he wanted to talk to. Mission accomplished. That work eventually led to the arrest of the man they wanted for food stamp fraud.
Knowles returned to Wallace, where he still serves people through his volunteer efforts with the WoodmenLife chapter he is president of and with the Masons.
He and his wife, Candace, can be found on independent missions as well, like serving pizza to local police o cers during active threat training and helping at various church events.
While Knowles will soon turn 95, those who know him see no sign of him slowing down. As his business cards say, identifying him as “Happy Harve,” the line below that reads, “Retired, but not nished.”
In other business, the board voted to change the time the board meets on the rst Thursday of each month. Lots of discussion regarding the meeting time centered on giving more opportunity for citizens to work during the day to attend the meetings. After a discussion about making meetings more accessible to working citizens, the board agreed to hold meetings at 5:30 p.m. for the next six months on a trial basis.
The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Inside Kenansville’s oldest Masonic lodge
St. John’s Lodge No. 13 holds centuries of tradition and one man’s lifelong connection
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — It’s only natural that Charles Ingram of Kenansville would take an interest in the long history of the town’s Masonic lodge.
“As long as I can remember, I was brought to this lodge,” Ingram said during an interview with Duplin Journal inside the historic building. “My father was the master of the lodge in 1948, the year I was born.”
Ingram’s exposure to Freemasonry began early. As a boy, he regularly attended public events hosted at the lodge.
“Every year, the lodge has had an open installation of o cers. That happens the rst Thursday in January, even if it’s New Year’s Day,” said Ingram, a retired attorney. “My mother and father would attend those installations. There is a lot of tradition in Freemasonry, but especially with this lodge.”
The Masonic Lodge in Kenansville, o cially known as St. John’s Lodge No. 13, has deep historical roots. It was o cially chartered on Nov. 20, 1788 — ve months before George Washington’s inauguration as the rst president of the United States. In fact, the charter was approved while North Carolina was still an independent state as it had not yet rati ed the U.S. Constitution, a decision it would make in November 1789.
In 1941, the lodge held what it believed to be its sesquicentennial celebration, based on the mistaken belief that the lodge was chartered in 1791. That assumption later proved incorrect when historical research uncovered the accurate charter date of 1788 — meaning the true 150th anniversary would have occurred in 1938.
The members and leadership of the lodge read like a “who’s who” in Kenansville’s rich history, beginning with the rst grand master, Gen. James Kenan. Born in 1740 in Turkey in Sampson County, Kenan went on to be elected sheri of Duplin County in 1762 and later commanded the Duplin Regiment during the Revolutionary War. He played a key role leading a group of volunteers against Scottish loyalists during the Battle of Moore’s Creek in 1776.
While the 1941 program offered a brief historical overview
of the lodge, Ingram took the initiative to compile a more complete record. In 2003, he created an updated history record which included past masters of the lodge. Ingram appears on that list and would later serve in higher positions statewide.
“In 1991, I was appointed junior grand steward of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina,” Ingram said. “That set me on a path so that in 1999, I was elected grand master of North Carolina.”
Other prominent local leaders who have served as masters of St. John’s Lodge No. 13 include Dr. Guy Gooding, who was director of the Duplin County Health Department in the early 1930s, and Faison McGowan, who was the Duplin County accountant in the 1930s. Ingram said during those days, there was not a county manager, so the county accountant served in that role.
In 1945, Duplin County School Superintendent Owen Johnson was elected master of the lodge. He was a graduate of Trinity College, which would eventually be renamed Duke University.
The lodge met in various locations over the years until the current lodge building was completed in 1860. The prominent two-story white structure has been a xture in downtown Kenansville ever since. However, its position on the property has changed. Originally built on the side of the lot, the lodge voted in the 1970s to move the building to the center. The structure was carefully jacked up and relocated to its present spot, where it now holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building has served multiple community purposes. Its bottom oor was once used by the local Women’s Club and, at one point, even functioned as a classroom. Today, the walls of that lower level are adorned with photographs of past grand masters with the exception of some photos that were lost to damage caused by Hurricane Florence.
The Masons of Kenansville have had active roles in the community and have also supported various groups and organizations.
“Freemasons are not a charity, but we are charitable,” Ingram said describing their help in the community.
Ingram continues to be a member of the lodge and is always on the lookout for new tidbits about the history surrounding the Masons of Duplin County and the contributions they have made to the community.
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Maj. Harvey Knowles, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.), prepares the American ag for raising at a Veterans Day program at the Wallace Rehabilitation and
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Charles Ingram shows a 1941 program that commemorated the history of the lodge.
BOARD
Wallace police train for the worst case
Police undergo realistic, scenario-based drills to respond swiftly
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal
WALLACE — A law enforce-
ment o cer receives a call to respond to a public location, such as a school, where someone is making threats to others. Often, calls to 911 regarding these situations are quick and without details.
That means the o cer is walking into a situation blind, not knowing what or who they are about to encounter.
It’s that kind of call Wallace police o cers were preparing for last week at Wallace Elementary School. The training is commonly known as active shooter training, but today it is more frequently referred to as “active threat” training, according to Wallace Police Chief James Crayton.
“What we see across the country, and across the world, is that it’s not always a gun,” Crayton told Duplin Journal. “It could be a knife. It could be a baseball bat. We train at the school because this is where our most vulnerable population is, Monday through Friday. We want to familiarize our guys with this building.”
While the training took place at a school, Crayton emphasized that the training is for anywhere there is an active threat.
“It could be at a home or a business o ce,” he said. “The tactics and training are applicable across an array of locations.”
Specialized instructors were brought in for the training from
family still loves me,” he joked before discussing what he considers to be his most signi cant accomplishments.
“But seriously, there are two special accomplishments that stand out,” Dixon said.
The rst, he explained, was restoring a ve-district format for two county governing boards, a change he believes will bring lasting electoral stability to local government.
Equally important, Dixon noted, is that District 4 has a strong, sustained presence in Raleigh, which ensures that the needs of his constituents are addressed in critical decisions related to agriculture, education, energy and the state budget.
The Duplin County Republican currently serves as senior chair of the House Agriculture and Environment Committee and the Agriculture and Cultural Resources Appropriations Committee, and vice chair of the Full Appropriations Committee. His in uence extends across many of the legislature’s most consequential bodies, in-
the Knightdale and Youngsville police departments. One of the instructors, J.G. Whitley, also serves as chief of police in Youngsville. He told Duplin Journal this type of training evolved out of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, when two seniors at the school killed 12 fellow students and a teacher.
“There were a lot of mistakes made during Columbine,” Whitley said. “The training at that time was that we contained and controlled the environment, meaning the perimeter of the building. Then we called in a specialized tactical unit, a SWAT team.”
Whitley said that the Columbine tragedy proved that waiting for a SWAT team could be too late.
“What we found out was much of the damage had already taken place before law enforcement got into the building,” Whitley
cluding the Rules and Operations of the House, Elections, Redistricting, Energy and Regulatory Reform committees. He also serves as co-chair of the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Agriculture and Natural Economic Resources Oversight Committee, and the Agriculture and Forestry Oversight Commission.
Dixon has championed
stronger Right to Farm protections and played a central role in updating North Carolina’s Right to Farm statutes to help protect rural landowners and agricultural operations as the state’s population continues to shift outward from urban areas.
“This is very important as we continue to experience outow from urban to nonurban areas,” Dixon said. “Fifty years ago, people tried their best to get out of the country and into the towns. They messed up the cities, and now they want to get back to the country.
“We have to manage that movement with strong Right to Farm messages to those who don’t know where food comes from.”
said. “Now o cers are learning to make an initial assessment when they arrive on the scene. If it’s determined a threat exists in the building, they immediately enter.”
Whitley said that in smaller police departments, such as Wallace and Youngsville, this could mean a single o cer may have to quickly assess the situation on their own, emphasizing the need for this reality-based training.
Duplin Journal was granted access to observe one of the realistic training scenarios. The ocers participating in the training were not informed about the events occurring in a classroom, requiring them to arrive, assess the situation and determine the best response. In this particular scenario, an armed intruder was threatening a teacher, both portrayed by actors. The intruder was wielding a knife. After the scene played out,
“It is hard to control how the government spends money, so let’s limit how much of our money we letthe government take from us.”
Rep. Jimmy Dixon
Dixon has also been vocal about the importance of improving workforce participation, particularly in encouraging individuals to reenter the labor force.
“Getting the younger, single males who can work to actually go back to work has been my desire,” Dixon said. “It is hard to control how the government spends money, so let’s limit how much of our money we let the government take from us. No tax on tips and overtime will incentivize people who want to work to work.”
He has expressed skepticism about current renewable energy development in eastern North Carolina, suggesting that it is
Whitley and Crayton provided feedback to the o cers on their responses. They stressed the criteria for justifying the use of deadly force, explaining that such force is warranted only when a person’s life is threatened with serious bodily harm or death.
Whitley said there was also training on when crisis negotiation or deescalation tactics may be the preferred solution to a threat.
“The goal here is to deescalate without them having to use force,” Whitley said. “They will be in scenarios (during training) where they will not have to use their weapons and crisis negotiation will save the day.”
Crayton noted that this type of training cannot be e ectively conducted in a traditional classroom setting, making scenario-based or reality-based training the most e ective approach.
in uenced more by political interests than practical needs.
“Renewable energy under the current models is a hoax of grand proportions that one day will be exposed as greed for money, not workable plans to solve our increased energy needs,” he said. “Natural gas, nuclear and clean coal will rule the day when some of the crazies run out of other people’s money to spend.”
Earlier this year, Dixon sponsored H.B. 729, the Farmland Protection Act, aimed at changing how large-scale solar energy projects are handled, particularly in rural areas. The legislation would reduce the property tax break that solar companies receive, eventually phasing it out entirely, redirecting the extra revenue to support local counties.
“If it weren’t for that exclusion (in property taxes on solar facilities), the revenue for Duplin County would have been $1.3 million more than what it is, which would not be bad news for building schools or other things,” he noted during a Duplin County Commissioners meeting earlier this year.
“You can’t do this verbally,” Crayton said. “The skills learned and the skills put to use are invaluable when you do them live-action as opposed to just talking about it. People learn best by doing.”
One of the Wallace police ofcers in training, Christopher Braswell, emphasized the importance of this type of preparation.
“I think the scenarios are great because it puts you in the mindset as if you are in a real scenario,” Braswell said. “It allows the o cer to immerse himself into a real event he may eventually deal with. I think this training is very, very important.”
While everyone hopes the community will never face tragedies like a school shooting or stabbing, being prepared is essential.
“You train for the worst day and hope it never comes,” Crayton said.
The bill also includes provisions for preserving farmland by allowing solar installations only on brown elds, nonagricultural land or cleared timberland.
The pending legislation would also require decommissioning plans and nancial guarantees for new and expanded solar projects to ensure that landowners and taxpayers are not burdened with the responsibility.
In recent weeks, speculation has swirled in local circles about whether Dixon would seek another term in o ce. In response, he stated he will continue to serve as long as he is able and as long as he has the community’s support.
“Recently, some of the current Duplin County Republican so-called leaders have speculated about my intentions to run again,” Dixon said. “When folks with real interest and concern ask me how long I plan to serve, I quickly point to Heavenward and say, ‘As long as He blesses me with the strength to do so and the people of District 4 give me their con dence with their vote.”
TOWN OF TEACHEY – JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Assistant Town Clerk/Utility Clerk Job Description
General Statement of Duties:
• The Assistant Town Clerk/Utility . Candidate will be responsible for overseeing. Utility Clerk to input correct and timely billing information for all utility services water, sewer, and sanitation services for the Town of Teachey, to produce monthly invoices and accurate revenue reports, and to use approved methods to prevent delinquent accounts. This includes but is not limited to:
• Establishing and maintaining a cooperative communication system with all co-workers within a professional environment to initiate and generate the required duties of the Assistant Town Clerk/Utility Clerk.
• Collects a variety of fees and municipal payments, post taxes and utility bill payments.
• Has overall responsibility for the utility billing system to include actual performance in the review of consumption reports for high/low variation and recommends appropriate action; requests for utility bill adjustments and posts change as appropriate; posting utility nonrefundable application fees and payments; preparing and entering customer account changes in the computer and posting same; enrolls new customers; prepares service orders and forwards same to eld personnel; prepares the cut-o list.
• Prepare daily bank deposits.
• Helps and works with Town Clerk in generating, securing, and protecting all reports and records for conducting annual independent audit.
• Helps maintain Town of Teachey website, Facebook page, and any advertisement need for the local newspaper.
• Become familiar with Town of Teachey’s ordinances and assist the Zoning & Public Works personnel with administrative task.
• Maintaining con dentiality of all records and information.
• Make trips to the bank and post o ce as needed.
• Answering telephone, ling, mail distribution, customer service, cross training when necessary and various other duties as directed by Town Clerk.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to communicate e ectively with council, town attorney, accountant, and sta .
• Knowledge of the operation and use of common o ce-based equipment including personal computers, printers, and audio-video recording devices.
• Ability to establish and maintain e ective working relationships with public o cials, employees, and the public; ability to exhibit a professional demeanor when interacting with citizens, public o cials, and the news media.
• Ability to make math calculations, proof-read, and create rough drafts of memos and reports.
Physical Requirements:
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible
amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Employee is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned and to make general observations of facilities or structures and to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and gures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
Working Conditions:
• Employee is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
Special Requirements:
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s license.
• Pass reference veri cation.
• Pass background check.
• Pass drug screening.
Pay
• $16-$18 Depending on experience
Disclaimer: This classi cation speci cation has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classi cation. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and quali cations required of employees to perform the job. The Council reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classi cation.
PHOTOS
Left, active threat training instructor Greg Whitley briefs Wallace police o cers prior to beginning reality-based training at Wallace Elementary School last week. Right, a Wallace police o cer participating in
threat training confronts an armed intruder as part of the training.
DIXON from page A1
DUPLIN SPORTS
Wallace’s Diamond Youth World Series title quest
The run by the 8U team left players, coaches and fans with lifelong memories
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
DUNN — Duplin County embraced the run of a youth baseball team much the same as it would if a football team surged into the statenals in the second week of December.
Wallace’s 8U Diamond Youth Coach Pitch team’s push to the World Series had folks cheering each time the “little boys of summer” stroked a hit, made a defensive play or scored.
To quote a country grandma, many fans yelled just because they were just “so darn cute. They had the look of mini-MLB players with sunglasses and …
“Swag is what they call it,” said Cory Lovelace, an uno cial coach who is Wallace-Rose Hill’s athletic director, assistant football coach and head softball coach. His son Carter is one of many stars that fans gawked over.
Yet everyone fell for the Wallace squad.
Grandmothers and grandfathers.
Moms, dads and “step” versions of both.
Uncles, aunts and cousins caught the fever as well.
Townies of all types in Wallace and throughout the county joined in.
Wallace nished second in its Diamond Youth Association district yet made it to the World Series last week at Clarence Lee Tart Memorial Park in Dunn on a mission to continue to play baseball in front of an excited backing crowd.
It was simply too hard not to pull for this bunch, some of which have played together for more than two years.
“That’s been helpful,” said head coach Bubba James, also an assistant coach in two sports at WRH and whose son Baylor is on the team. “And many played fall ball together in Burgaw. That familiarity makes for better team play. And all these players are Wallace kids.”
Wallace fell to Riegelwood 13-9 in extra innings in its World Series opener last Friday but rebounded with an 8-1 win over Mississippi on Saturday before getting eliminated from the double-elimination tournament following a 14-2 setback to Florida on Sunday.
COLUMN MICHAEL JAENICKE
Former Clinton coach Johnson chokes away wins from two schools
KENANSVILLE — A prep football coach can inspire his players and engage a community en route to making a trip to the state nals.
After he’s accomplished that, he can also rip the foundation o a proud football school by leaving and taking players and coaches with him to another state, where he makes a playo run and then sees it all go down the drain because of his brash and illegal moves.
Ask former Clinton and current Marlboro County (Bennettsville, South Carolina) coach Cory Johnson, and he’ll likely de ect and when asked again he’s likely to say it was “just a small paperwork oversight incident.”
It all played out last year after Johnson guided Clinton to a 15-1 mark, calling his team the 910 All-Stars early in the summer of 2024. That’s when football fans began to say, “What?”
After going 15-1, Cory Johnson stormed out of state with Dark Horse players and coaches from across N.C. only to get sanctioned by S.C. for use of transfer players.
Indeed, Johnson, who got his rst head coaching job at Clinton in 2018 at the age of 27, was actually red by Clinton before taking the head coaching position at Marlboro. Johnson bolted with Dark Horse transfer players that included quarterback Nydarion Blackwell, Josiah Robinson and Jakarrion Kenan and eight coaches from his ties with Scotland County, Lumberton and Ryan Hunt from his Clinton sta . Yes, Clinton lost more than 20 seniors, but the disruption caused by Johnson bled to the program and new coach Johnny Boykin, a former Dark Horses player.
Here’s a quick how-it-went-down summary.
• Johnson wins fth straight conference title and interviews for the Marlboro County position • Clinton nds out about it and res him • Johnson starts earlier than expected (March 3)
JAENICKE, page B4
The Beulaville gang topped ve-time state champ Wilmington to win Area 2 and then puts up a strong showing at N.C.’s elite eight in Cherryville
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
CHERRYVILLE — Brandon
Thipgen believed it was possible to eld a team that could compete with the strong American Legion teams in the state.
“I’m not sure they could see it, but they felt it in Cherryville,” said Thigpen after his Beulaville Post 511 beat power Wilmington Post 10 to became the No. 1 seed in Area 2.
“We put together a quality team and felt we could take baby steps to be a consistent force,
and one way to do that is to keep winning.”
Last Wednesday came the biggest victory in forever for a Duplin-connected Legion team. Five Post 511 hurlers Jaxson Smith, Cole Jarman, Christian Wooten, Kyle Kern and Austin Clements combined to limit Post 10 to two hits in the 1-0 upset. The lone run came when Christian Couples reached rst base via a dropped third strike. He stole second base, went to third on an in eld single to short
See POST 511, page B3
Belleville Post 511 was one of eight teams to play at the American Legion State Tournament in Cherryville.
CLINT COOPER FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Grayson Donnelley isn’t worried about getting his uniform dirty.
Eli Avent
Post 511, baseball
Eli Avent was the leado hitter for Beulaville Post 511, which won the Area 2 title to advance to the American Legion State Tournament last week in Cherryville.
Avent hit .353 and had an on-base-percentage of .669. He stroked 17 hits with three doubles.
He paced James Kenan’s baseball team by hitting .500 with 31 stolen bases to become an all-ECC and rst-team pick for the All-Duplin team.
He’s taking snaps under center this week after combining for more than 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns with his passing and running the football when the Tigers went 12-2, grabbed a share of the ECC title and lasted until a 46-28 fourth-round loss to East Region winner Northeastern.
from page B1
Lovelace’s spirit echoed the county’s reaction to the team.
“I was an uno cial coach, so I had to stay behind the dugout and coach kids up since we were only allowed to have four coaches,” he said.
The smaller Lovelace and James models were not the only players that made Wallace roar.
Walker Rivenbark became a power hitter in the postseason by going 13 for 13 at the plate.
Johnny Cooper went from a center elder to a catcher and was “really good at the end,” according to his head coach.
Xander Peterson showed he could short-hop balls at rst base, while across the diamond, William Blackwell was
a slick elder at the hot corner.
Axton Pickett’s best moments came with his bat in the state tournament.
Bryson Powell and Nathaniel Paylor could both have another season at the Coach Pitch level after showing promise.
And it’s hard to forget Tate Bradshaw, one of the smallest players on the team but with one of the biggest hearts that “makes him play as though he were the biggest guy out there,” James said.
Grayson Donnelly also had his share of moments as well.
Assistant coaches Steven Paylor, Blake Peterson and Cory Blackwell also had sons on the team. Blackwell was the team’s designated pitcher.
The Coach Pitch diamond
Let the Big Sweat begin: Fall sports practices start
Football, volleyball and soccer teams started practicing for their upcoming seasons
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
WALLACE – “Summer is over.”
Well, almost anyway, despite the slightly misleading protest yell from a parent exiting her nal youth baseball game of the summer.
Prep soccer and volleyball matches start in 10 days.
Football scrimmages in eight, and Wednesday was the rst o cial day to conduct practices.
It’s a new season, in part due to changes made via the realignment process that increases the classi cations from four (1A to 4A) to eight (1A to 8A).
OK, but there’s more.
New playo format allows more schools in postseason
The playo system was changed and approved by the NCHSAA Board of Directors.
Forty-eight schools in 1A to 7A will make the playo s, with the top 16 teams earning a rst-round bye. There will still be six playo rounds, yet seeds will be rewarded slightly di erent. First, conference champs won’t earn automatic bids and second-place teams in conferences won’t necessarily be seeded below the conference champs.
The RPI system will determine seeds. The RPI formula bases its nal number on a team’s winning percentage (40%), the winning percentage of its opponents (40%) and the winning percentage of its opponents’ opponents (20%).
Fans will be asked to fork out more money to see the playo s as tickets for the rst two
has 60-foot basepaths, and the distance from the pitching rubber to home plate is 46 feet.
Players get a maximum of ve pitches and must swing at the nal pitch. There are no walks, but a hitter can strike out.
“Eight of our players may move up to kid pitch this year,” James said. “They have a love for baseball, and this group found ways to build upon one another. So while ve of us had sons on the team, it was about 12 kids working for common goals.
“We were good. We got better. It happened in part because of this (unity).”
And the Wallace 12 did their best to unite a community and county, likely not knowing just how much they would be supported.
rounds and increases thereafter up to $20 for a ticket for the state nals in football and basketball.
It also held its line not allowing cheaper tickets for students through presale programs.
Schools must also allow older adults and others without bank cards and computer skills to purchase tickets with cash.
Fans might also be leaving games earlier. The state reduced the numbers on its mercy rule.
In football, the clock can now run continuously after halftime when a team is ahead by 35 or more points. It was 42 last season.
In basketball, the mercy-rule lead went from 40 to 35, which many feel is still too lenient for the eventual losing team.
Board votes down several talked-about proposals
Yet not everything on the
board’s drawing board passed through to become new policy.
There was discussion about having the realignment process every two years instead of every four, which was sent back to the subcommittee level.
The N.C. Basketball Coaches’ suggestion to allow a pilot program for the shot clock was likewise voted down.
Flag football talks are o the table until at least December.
A nal gridiron note
Additionally, the white-hot subject of what is a legal hit and what is targeting remains a subject the NCHSAA and others consider a hot-button issue, though it’s clearly not well de ned.
And nally, the NFHS, prep sports’ organizing and sanctioning body, has changed a longstanding rule. In 2025, a ball fumbled out of bounds will return to the line of scrimmage. See ya at the yardsticks.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Adoption of the Town of Rose Hill Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Rose Hill, North Carolina, will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM or shortly thereafter, to consider adoption of the Town of Rose Hill Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The meeting will be held at
the Rose Hill Town Hall, 103 SE Railroad Street, Rose Hill, North Carolina. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
Copies of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan are available for review by the public at Town Hall during normal o ce hours. The public is encouraged to review the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and to attend the public hearing. For additional information, please contact the Town at 910-289-3159.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Schools cannot have full contact in football until the sixth full day of practice, but there’s plenty of drills to keep players busy at James Kenan and Duplin Journal’s other ve schools.
WALLACE
CLINT COOPER FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL Johnny Cooper originally played in the out eld but became at starting catcher.
Eli Avent and Jake Howard were the only other Post 511 players to crack a hit as eight players had a strikeout. Smith earned a spot on rst base via the lone walk given up by Post 10 pitchers.
“It was a big win, no doubt,” Thipgen said. “They are a well established team.”
And year in and year out, Post 10 contends for titles. As of Monday, the club was one of two teams left in the winner’s bracket.
Keeping up with western N.C. in the state tournament
From there it was on to Cherryville and a rst-round matchup against Pitt County Post 39, which rallied for a 9-6 win by scoring three times in the eight and once in the ninth.
Avent singled and scored via a hit by Clements in the opening frame. An Avent hit in the second drove home Blayden Priden the following inning for a 2-0 lead.
Down 5-2 in the fth, William Bass knocked in Gage Howard and Jarman, who had singled and walked, respectively.
Post 511 knotted the game at 5-5 in the sixth on hits by Jake Howard and Avent, while Couples drove in a run in the sixth to give Beulaville its rst lead at 6-5.
“It was a game we should have won, and we had nothing left when we played Rowan County (Post 342),” Thig-
WRH’s Alex Zepeda, Duplin County’s lone representative, left the game with an injury
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
GREENSBORO — Two squads played for more nearly 45 minutes without a celebration of scoring a goal.
Each more than made up for its lack of o ense as fans were treated to a urry of late goals as the East rallied to tie the West 2-2 at the North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West boys’ game last Tuesday at Grimsley High School.
Wallace-Rose Hill’s Alex Zepeda played the bulk of the rst half before leaving with an injury. Yet the two-time Mr. Soccer in Duplin County got to cheer on his mates from the sidelines during a epic battle.
The East has lost just once (4-1-2) in the series since 2018 and avoided a setback when JH Rose’s Landon Lucas’ free kick from about 20 yards out nestled into the right corner of the cage at the 78:18 mark of the match.
The remaining clock ran o faster than NASCAR mile.
Croatan’s Jaden Hilliard broke the deadlock early in the second half by chasing down a ball and slipping it into the back of the cage at the 44:52 mark.
But the West came ght-
pen said. “We lost this game, and I’ve told our kids all summer that most games are lost and not won.”
Rowan scored 13 times in the rst two innings en route to a 17-1 win in ve innings. Avent lashed three hits and Jake Howard two in a Sunday loss that didn’t faze Thigpen, who said the state tournament experience was exciting and about more than just what happens between the lines.
“American Legion baseball in western North Carolina is huge, and we need it that way in eastern North Carolina,” he said. “Additionally, travel baseball teams have watered down many Legion teams. It’s just a fact. I’m not trying to make anyone upset.
“But this entire thing for us was about showing ourselves and others we can compete and beat quality teams. I couldn’t be prouder of our players and coaches. It’s a hot, grueling time, and we go against some of the best players and teams.”
Beulaville got a late start to nish 12-6. All but one other team in the elite eight had 20 or more wins during the regular season.
Post 511 had several players from South Lenoir, the ECC champs that advanced to the 2A nals, and thus the late beginning.
Thigpen led the Panthers to a 13-9 overall mark playing a competitive schedule. ED was 9-3 in the league and tied with North Lenoir for second place in a quality baseball conference. It helped Thigpen and the Panthers recover from its rst los -
ing back behind Angel Ortiz-Osorno, the all-star game’s MVP who was also named the top player in the 1A nals for Mount Airy.
His shot de ected o the East goalie before tying the match at 1-1 with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Two minutes later, Ortiz-Osorno headed in a goal to put the West in control. It came o a corner kick by Charlotte Catholic’s Keane LoCascio that was rst headed by AC Reynolds’ Logan Grasso.
That left the nal blow to Lucas, who stopped and gaged himself before kicking the nal equalizer that left two all-star teams with positive vibes, even though ties are viewed at by competitive players as “unsatisfactory outcomes.”
Jacksonville’s Joey Mahouchick was the head coach for the East squad.
Other regional players WRH, James Kenan, East Duplin and North Duplin might recognize included Hobbton’s Henry Jorge-Garcia, White Oak’s Tanner Farner, Jacksonville’s Haydon Huddleston and Swansboro’s Chase Grogg.
The all-star match was thenal prep soccer game for players who graduated in June.
MVP Grier scores two late goals to forge 3-3 draw
The girls’ all-star game at the same venue was equally thrilling.
The East led 3-1 with eight minutes to play before a pair of goals by South Mecklenburg’s Julia Grier forged a 3-3 draw and allowed her to walk o with MVP honors.
The Wo ord recruit came through with two cage ringers in less than a minute.
There were no Duplin players in the match.
It’s the second time the teams have tied, with the East winning ve of the other six matches in the series.
JK grad Byrd named grid coach for E-W football game
James Kenan graduate Pat Byrd was named to replace Westover coach Ernest King as a football coach at the EastWest All-Star game in December classic. Byrd is currently the o ensive coordinator at Jacksonville. Last season, he guided Richlands to a 9-2 mark.
Byrd played for his father Billy Byrd (119 - 68), the Tigers’ second all-time winningest coach, and has learned the game from other respected coaches, such as Wallace-Rose Hill’s Kevin Motsinger (174-85) and Jacksonville’s Beau Williams (113 - 69).
ing season since he took over in 2016.
He didn’t have time to compose a roster until he nished being a coach for the Region 2 team at the Bodyarmor State Games in Charlotte.
“We started (at East Duplin) the rst week of January, so it’s been a long yet rewarding stretch,” said Thigpen, who played for the Panthers and at Methodist University for four years.
“The past two months, our kids learned American Legion is about playing for something other than yourself. It’s about the team, though it develops young players. Our players felt and saw what goes on at that level of baseball, from how it’s played to the other attractions and important things associated with that brand of baseball.”
Thigpen’s assistant coaches included Roy Jarman (SWO head coach, who like Thigpen has more than 100 career wins), South Lenoir’s Camden Noble (who played on Thigpen’s Duplin-Sampson Legion team), former Panthers star Travis Aldridge and Jake Brinkley, East Duplin’s junior varsity coach.
by Reed Davis and scored on a wild pitch.
POST 511 from page B1
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Alex Zepeda scored 48 goals his senior season and led WRH to a 22-win season.
Players enjoy the view during a parade in Cherryville, site of the American Legion State Tournament.
Byrd
5 new coaches readying for rst time leading NFL team in 2025 season
Each longtime assistant faces distinct challenges
By Dennis Waszak Jr.
The Associated Press
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. —
Aaron Glenn has been mapping out exactly how he wants to lead an NFL team for a few years.
Before he was hired as the New York Jets’ head coach in January, Glenn spent four seasons as the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator and was empowered by coach Dan Campbell to make some crucial calls for the team o the eld.
“He allowed me to make those decisions to get me ready to be in this position,” Glenn said.
Glenn is one of ve rst-time head coaches in the league. All ve are longtime assistants who now each face distinct challenges and must balance the responsibilities of managing an entire roster and sta .
Aaron Glenn, Jets
Background: Jets’ rstround pick (No. 12 overall) in 1994 out of Texas A&M. Played 15 seasons in the NFL, then served as the general manager of the Houston Stallions of the indoor Texas Lone Star Football League in 2012. He had stints as an assistant with Cleveland, New Orleans and Detroit.
Task: He and new GM Darren Mougey focused on making the Jets’ roster younger. Glenn, who considers his former coach Bill Parcells a mentor, spoke often during the oseason about changing the Jets’ culture. Ending their long post-
“He allowed me to make those decisions to get me ready to be in this position.”
Jets coach Aaron Glenn
season drought will help and there’s key foundational talent, but the youth movement could temper some rst-year expectations.
Liam Coen, Jaguars
Background: Played quarterback at UMass. Spent last season as Tampa Bay’s o ensive coordinator before being hired by Jacksonville in January to replace the red Doug Pederson. Coen had two stints with the Los Angeles Rams, including serving as Sean McVay’s offensive coordinator in 2022.
Task: Coen was hired for his o ensive prowess after he helped Baker May eld to the best season of his career with the Buccaneers. Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, has not yet fully lived up to expectations, and that will be the focus for Coen.
Ben Johnson, Bears
Background: A former backup QB at UNC, Johnson was Detroit’s o ensive coordinator the past three years and helped Jared Go and the Lions lead the league in scoring.
Task: The Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick last year, and Chicago is hoping Johnson will be
able to develop the quarterback into a playmaking star. Getting Williams to get rid of the ball faster and improve on his accuracy should help.
Kellen Moore, Saints
Background: A former backup quarterback with Detroit and Dallas over six NFL seasons, Moore was long considered a head coaching candidate during his stops as an offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Chargers and Eagles. In his only season in Philadelphia, he guided a high-scoring o ense that powered the Eagles to the Super Bowl.
Task: Moore doesn’t have the talent-rich roster he had last season. He also isn’t quite sure who his quarterback will be. The o ense has some talent, but the defense needs to improve after allowing the second-most rushing yards.
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys
Background: The son of the late Marty Schottenheimer was a surprise pick by Jerry Jones. But the younger Schottenheimer has a lengthy resume in both the pros and at the college level, with stints as an o ensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams and Jets among them.
Task: Schottenheimer will need to build a rapport with quarterback Dak Prescott. The coach made some headlines during the o season when he said Prescott is still “in the developmental phase” of his career and the team is tweaking some things with him.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks to the media before practice during training camp.
NCAA BASKETBALL
Kansas basketball coach Self released from hospital after heart procedure
Lawrence, Kan.
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital, two days after having two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries. “I feel strong and am excited to be home,” Self said. The 62-year-old felt ill after having run Kansas’ nal practice of its summer session. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries. Self led Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022, and he is the school’s career victory leader.
MLS
MLS suspension of Messi, Alba “draconian,” Inter Miami owner says Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. Owner Jorge Mas said Messi and Alba don’t understand the one-game suspensions. They did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi wanted to rest amid a packed schedule, and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Mas said the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All- Star Game.
and Marlboro also hires Matt Quinn as its athletics director at the same time.
• But in June, Quinn accepts the head football position at Chester eld and Johnson takes over his AD duties.
• Marlboro wins its rst three games, the last of which is against Scotland County, but there were rumblings from fans and the media about Johnson’s use of transfers and how he operated outside the lines.
• They would only become louder after a bye week and wins over Conway, Aynor and Georgetown. Even a loss to Dillion on Oct. 18 wasn’t a big concern since the Bulldogs were 3-8 the previous season and 15-35 the past four years. They were winning, and the parents, school and fans were thrilled.
• Sitting at 6-1, Marlboro County was to square o against Loris in Bennettsville in a game that would determine the AAA Region 5 title. But the game was canceled suspiciously for what the school said was problems with the “lights at the stadium.”
• When the South Carolina High School League, the state’s governing body, and the Marlboro County School District collided, all hell broke loose, and there were no winners, though Johnson — and others, too — were not held fully accountable for his actions.
The charges were reduced from eight ineligible athletes to two, though the public nds it hard to believe there is Canadian wild re-like smoke and only a small camp re.
The Marlboro School District lost its appeal against the SCHL, and the Bulldogs were o cially 0-11 because of the sanctions.
The Bulldogs, who have not had a banner season since 2013’s 12-3 run, were miles away from their state crowns in ’98 and ’01 when Johnson took over.
No one is saying he can’t coach the X’s and O’s of the game. Yet questions over his integrity remain in the clouds that are 97 miles from his rst
NOTICES
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Executors of the Estate of Glenda Kay Davis Brown, of Pink Hill, NC, Duplin County, deceased, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before October 31st, 2025. This the 31st day of July, 2025. Je rey Lynn Davis {Co-Executor} 281 Burncoat Rd Pink Hill NC 28572 Wayland Thomas Davis Jr. {CoExecutor} 249 Burncoat Rd Pink Hill NC 28572
Clinton went 2-8 after Cory Johnson left for Marlboro County, which had to forfeit all of its games after being a win away from a AAA Region 5 title in Bennettsville, South Carolina.
head coaching assignment and the Bulldogs practice eld.
Clinton had disastrous and mind-boggling 2-8 campaign in 2024, which tarnished a program that has captured ve state titles.
The Dark Horses opened the season by losing to Northside-Jacksonville, Wallace-Rose Hill, Lumberton and Whiteville by a combined total of 146-7. Their only victories came against winless West Bladen and two-win Fairmont.
And it was at this point every team that Clinton “ran the score up on” felt warm and fuzzy feelings, knowing the Dark Horses were the embarrassed foe on Friday nights in ’24.
Part of that is jealousy, of course, yet the other part is clearly about Johnson and how others view him as a coach and leader of young men.
He was 61-12 in six years at Clinton, but that is not his complete “record” in a place where Bob Lewis (three state titles, two runner-up nishes) set the standard. He was 157-27 at Clinton and 334-153 overall.
For those unaware, South Carolina pays its coaches well, especially in comparison to North Carolina, and schools in the Palmetto State will cherry pick Tar Heel prep coaches hoping to turn around struggling programs.
Former national champion and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton is the Bulldogs’ most famous alumni.
Clinton will no doubt rebound after getting smacked in the mouth by Johnson as he was cleaning out his locker. The less it says about Johnson the better and school o cials have rmly stood behind the policy: “We don’t discuss personnel decisions.”
Yet the things he did were wrong in the eyes of so many coaches and fans.
And what he did to the Dark Horses was disrespectful to a school that gave him a chance to coach at a football power.
He repaid them by essentially throwing the program under the bus and driving over the costume of the mascot on his way out of town.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#25E001266-300 The undersigned, ANGELA N. GLASPIE, having quali ed on the 7TH DAY of JULY, 2025, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of EMMA MOORE GLASPIE, deceased, of DUPLIN County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17TH Day of OCTOBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 17TH Day of
JAENICKE from page B1
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
DAVID BANKS / AP PHOTO
obituaries
Evelene Hatcher Cavenaugh
March 25, 1940 – July 25, 2025
Evelene Hatcher Cavenaugh, 85, of Wallace, North Carolina, left this earthly life on Friday, July 25, 2025, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, forevermore.
She was born on March 25, 1940, in Duplin County and was the daughter of the late Lee and Magaline Brown Hatcher. Mrs. Cavenaugh was also preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Billy Holmes Cavenaugh; her son, Billy Warren Cavenaugh, and a sister, Marsha Mercer.
She was a life-long and devoted member of Northeast Pentecostal Free Will Church.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her two daughters Tammy C. Parker and husband C.E. of Beulaville and Paula C. Lee of Clinton; grandchildren Josh Cavenaugh, Will Cavenaugh and ancé Sarah Pearl Farrior, Amanda Jones, Riley Pate and husband Stephen, Ellis Parker and wife MaKayla, Kyle Lee and special friend Cassie Bradshaw and Megan Crespo and husband Manuel “Sparky”; great grandchildren Corbin, Bennett, Oakley, Eli, Axel, Brantley, Cooper, Wyatt, Stetson and Charlie; siblings Durwood Hatcher and wife Peggy of
Wade Francis Barker
Oct. 15, 1959 – July 21, 2025
Wade Francis Barker, age 65, died Saturday, June 21, 2025, at home. He is survived by his daughter, Kalene Barker of Chinquapin; son, Brett Barker of OK; mother, Patricia Barker of OK; sisters, Janie Barker of OK, Joann Barker of OK; brothers, John Mathis of FL, and Shane Barker of OK.
Wyoma Quinn Thomas
Oct. 4, 1928 – July 24, 2025
Wyoma Quinn Thomas, age 96, died Thursday, July 24, 2025, at her home. She is preceded in death by her husband, Rolin James Thomas; parents, Leon and Dolly Susan Edwards Quinn; sisters, Susan Iris Quinn Thigpen, Lorraine Quinn Gri n, Betty Gould Quinn Rhodes; and brothers, James Elwood Quinn, Clifton Lee Quinn, Maurice Quinn and Cecil Durwood Quinn.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her sons, Michael Quinn Thomas and wife Sherri Anderson Thomas, Morris Jerome Thomas and wife Marie Thomas, and three grandchildren.
In lieu of owers, donations may be made to the Beulaville Baptist Church for the Memorial Fund, PO Box 394, Beulaville, NC 28518.
Clayton, Charles Hatcher and wife Ruth of Penderlea, Marie Davis of Wallace and Debbie Usher of Teachey; daughter-in-law Allison Cavenaugh of Wallace; her feline furry friends “Pete” and “Sue”; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Evelene dearly.
Evelene was a loving mother and caring grandmother and sister. She was a simple woman who enjoyed the simple things in life but her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. She was always a hard worker who made sure that her family was taken care of. . She was a diligent homemaker and with a joyful spirit she lled her home with love and welcomed all who entered. With a love for the Lord, Evelene was very active in her church over the years. She served in various ministries such as Sunday school teacher, worked in the nursery Women’s Ministries, Senior Citizen group. She was also active in serving in her community. Evelene truly had a servant’s heart. All in all, Evelene was a Proverb 31 woman who love her Lord Jesus, her family and her fellowman. She will surely be missed but never forgotten.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Northeast PFWB Church with Pastor Kevin Peterson o ciating.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m., one hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will follow the service at Cavenaugh Cemetery, NC Hwy 41, Wallace, NC 28466.
The family gives special thanks to Deanne and Shanda and the sta of ECU Hospice for the love and great care you gave to Evelene during her illness. In lieu of owers, memorial donations may be given in memory of Evelene Cavenaugh to Northeast PFWB Church, 4910 NC-41, Wallace, NC 28466.
Niasia Shanae Allen
May 20, 1993 – July 19, 2025
Niasia Shanae Allen, 32, of Warsaw, NC, passed away on July 19, 2025. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at First Missionary Baptist Church of Warsaw. Public viewing will be from noon to 1 p.m. (one hour prior to service).
Interment following the service at Blackmore Family Cemetery in Warsaw, NC. In lieu of owers, the family is requesting donations to cover funeral expenses.
Molly Jo Williams Jarman
Aug. 26, 1938 – July 24, 2025
Molly Jo Williams Jarman, 86, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at her home.
All services are private. She is preceded in death by a grandchild.
Survivors: Daughters: Judy Barber, Kenansville, NC; Sue Sanders, Jacksonville, NC; Donna Whaley, Beulaville, NC
Grandchildren: 4
Great-Grandchildren: 6
Great-Great-Grandchildren: 4
Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Jarman family.
Austin Nosakhare Obasohan
Aug. 18, 1959 - July 24, 2025
Austin Nosakhare Obasohan (a ectionately known as “Dr. O”), 65, of Wallace, passed away in Durham on July 24, 2025. To honor Dr. Obasohan’s life and legacy, the following services have been scheduled:
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 at New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2283 NC-11 Rose Hill. The funeral service will be on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 1 p.m. at the Wallace-Rose Hill High School Fine Arts Center, located at 602 High School Rd., Teachey. Interment following the service will be at Rock sh Cemetery in Wallace.
Peggy Irene Henderson
June 27, 1937 – July 22, 2025
Peggy Irene Henderson, born June 27, 1937, died on July 22, 2025, at Autumn Village in Beulaville, NC.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Vera Henderson, brothers Bobby, Jerry and Tommy Henderson of Beulaville, and Sisters Janice Jones and Sue Sheppard of Pink Hill. Survived by sisters, Betty Jarman (Henry), Kay Evans and Cindy Henderson of Beulaville. Graveside Service: Thursday, July 24, 2025 11 a.m. East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville, NC Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Henderson family.
Daniel “Pap Pap” Eugene Ramsey
Feb. 9, 1951 – July 25, 2025
Daniel “Pap Pap” Eugene Ramsey, 74, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, in ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville, NC. Arrangements will be held at a later date.
Great-Grandchildren: Paisley and Raelee Pittman Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Ramsey family.
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QUINN MCGOWEN FUNERAL HOME
Amy Marie Hall Quinn
May 20, 1979 – July 26, 2025
Amy Marie Hall Quinn, 46, passed away Saturday, July
Evelyn Whaley
Oct. 20, 1947 – July 24, 2025
Faye Whaley, age 77, of Kenansville, having fought valiantly since being diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer, which had already metastasized to her liver, spleen, lungs, and lymph nodes in April of 2024, is now whole and completely healed and completely at peace with her Lord and Savior, Jesus!
Faye was born on October 20, 1947, in Magnolia, North Carolina, the second daughter of Clarence and Louise Whaley who, no doubt, along with her sister, Helen, who also preceded her in death, welcomed her home with arms wide open!
Faye worked loyally for many years as a paralegal – rst, for Graham Philips in Wallace, NC, then, Bruce Robinson, also in Wallace, NC, then, for Brock, Scott, & Engleson, and Calder and Calder – both in Wilmington, NC. Finally, she worked for Anita Powers in Wallace, NC before retiring from paralegal work in 2018. She then began caring for Billy Stephens (“Mr. Billy” as she so fondly called him), of Kenansville, NC, until his passing in November 2023. She then worked part-time brie y for Pearl West in Warsaw, NC, until she learned of her diagnosis on April 23, 2024. Surviving are sisters, Betty Murray (Joe) of Wallace, NC, Barbara Weaver (Andy) of Raleigh, NC, Karen Sholar (David “Butch”) of Rose Hill, NC, and Sharon Seagle (Donnie) of Beverly Hills, FL, nieces Angela Boone (Gene) of Warsaw, NC, Christen Weaver (Zach) of Wilmington, NC, Chelsea Dowling (Thomas) of Hernando, FL, and nephews, Craig Usher of Rocky Point, NC and Brady Weaver (Brittany) of Cibolo, TX. Faye is also survived by grandnieces Mary Allison Sigmund (Justin), Faith Weaver, Anna Dowling, and Serena Weaver, as well as grandnephews Benjamin Boone, Carsten Dowling, Joseph Weaver, Laken Dowling, and David Weaver. She also leaves behind a great-grandniece, June Sigmund and a greatgrandnephew, Robert Sigmund –all of whom she enjoyed spoiling immensely and loved deeply as she would her very own! Faye was a very loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt and was “mother” to many she adopted along the way. She was also a true friend to many. She enjoyed traveling and was “game” for almost any “adventure.” More than anything, Faye loved her family! She especially loved shopping with her mom and sister, Betty. Though Faye loved all her sisters deeply, she and Betty enjoyed a very close and special bond and were the truest of “partners in crime.”
“Lucy and Ethel” nor “Thelma and Louise” nor “Frick and Frack” had anything on the two of them! They enjoyed many adventures and many misadventures together and made more happy memories than could ever be recounted!
26, 2025, at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, NC. Amy was born May 20, 1979, in Duplin County, NC, to Lee Roy Hall III and Julia Marie Garvey Hinnant. Amy is survived by parents, Lee Roy Hall, III and wife, Ginger of Magnolia and Julia Hinnant and husband, Carlton “Bud” of Hampstead; son, Ethan Robert Quinn of Rose Hill, daughter, Emily Caroline Quinn of Warsaw, step brother, Dean Chestnutt of Asheville, and sisters, Amanda Bradshaw and husband, Jona DeVone of Clayton and Karen Renee Hinnant of Hampstead. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in the Watson Family Cemetery, Waycross, NC.
Faye loved everyone and was a truly generous soul. She literally gave the shirt o her back several times! Just admiring anything she had made you the new owner! She thoroughly enjoyed giving to others. She funded many of her parents’ home projects including replacing windows, having their carport made into a garage, and having a storage building constructed. Having no children of her own, she bought elaborate gifts for her parents and all her sisters, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She rented a place at the lake or the beach each summer for many years for the entire family –complete with oats and anything that might make the experience more memorable including tickets to local attractions – often having to work during the day herself and only joining the family in the evenings. She never missed a family event – except one oneyear-old birthday party. She started but snow and ice made the roads impassable. She called crying to share that she wasn’t going to make it. She was a huge support through many emotional and nancial crises. She was always “there” ready and willing to help in any way she could and not only for immediate family, but for extended family and many, many friends and acquaintances. Probably more tting than all that could be said of Faye is that she was truly “all heart!” She gave BIG of her time and resources – whatever she had -- without thought of herself – sacri cing so incredibly much! Faye would tell you that, though not without its pain and hardships, she had a really great life and felt incredibly blessed by the many people who enriched her life. More than anything, Faye would want you to know that she was most grateful for Jesus and her salvation and redemption through His death and resurrection. Faye’s faith made it possible for her to trust God through all the trials of her life including the rape and murder of her oldest sister, Helen, when Helen was 20 and Faye was just 17. I’m sure only Faye knew the full extent of the impact that traumatic event had on her. Faith helped her through a broken engagement soon after the loss of her sister, Helen, and then, when she married and her new husband joined the Air Force and took her 1,500 miles from home, God saw her through living so far from family. Faith brought her through the disappointment of learning that her husband couldn’t have children, and then, through losing the opportunity to adopt a little two-year-old girl they had fostered for just shy of a year. Faith brought her through in delity and a painful divorce, and it carried her as she cared for ailing parents and through the loss of rst, her dad to Alzheimer’s, and then, her mom to a stroke. Faye’s faith gave her strength to battle cancer courageously and without fear, and nally, faith carried Faye straight into the arms of her Savior and Friend, Jesus. We grieve our loss – and it’s a great, great loss, but our dear Faye is wearing that beautiful, wide grin that warmed the hearts and lifted the spirits of countless souls throughout her life, and she is reveling BIG at hearing the words she’s longed all her life to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter though into the joy of thy Lord.”
Robert Allen Wells
Aug. 5, 1959 – July 24, 2025
Mr. Robert Allen Wells, aka “Pony”, age 65, of Teachey, NC, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at ECU Medical Center in Greenville.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at noon at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will be on Monday, August 4, 2025, at noon at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC.
Left to cherish his precious memories are his children: Rahshad K. Wells and Rasheeda Sampson, both of Trenton, NJ; three brothers: George Bobby Davis (Toni) of Brooklyn, NY, George Keith of Wallace, NC and King S. Davis (Geraldine) of Teachey, NC; three sisters: Marilyn R. James of Teachey, NC, Emilee West of Wallace, NC and Sharon Wells of Teachey, NC; three grandchildren: Aniyah, Nazire and AHmir; one aunt, Annie R. Hayes of Willard, NC; one brother-in-law; Willie D. Horne of Teachey, NC; special friends: Barbara Jean Cauthen of Pennsylvania and Stevie Carr of Teachey, NC; Special Nephew: Chris James(Tammi); Special Niece: Yaiko Keith; Special Friend: Rodney Twitty; many special nieces, special nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.
Please send potted owers or make monetary donations in lieu of standing sprays.
*THE VETERAN CEMETERY WILL NOT ACCEPT THEM*
Mildred Batts Brinson
Dec. 26, 1935 – July 22, 2025
Mrs. Mildred Batts Brinson, age 89, of Warsaw, NC, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.A visitation of family and friends will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 5-6 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill, NC. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 3 p.m. at New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 2283 S NC 11 Hwy., in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Left to cherish her precious memories are her husband, Roman Lee Brinson of Warsaw, NC; three sons: Alfred Batts and Larry Farrior (Laura), both of Leland, NC and Johnnie W. Herring (Angelia) of Durham, NC; step-children, Addie Brinson and Sheila Johnson (Leroy) and Roman Brinson, Jr. adopted daughter, Edell Blakney; sister, Lucille Hill (Robert); four grandchildren: Marcus Batts, Tocarra Barnes, Byron Farrior and Brandon Farrior; three greatgrandchildren: Ryon Batts, Maxwell Barnes and Gisella Barnes; ve step-grandchildren; eight step, great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Edna Batts and Ethel Batts; a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
Sowing seeds of opportunity
Real-world experience fuels passion for policy change in food systems
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
FOR MANY VISITORS, the North Carolina State Farmers Market is simply a place to pick up fresh produce and enjoy local avors.
For Alexis Sanchez, it’s a launchpad for something far greater — a career in agricultural policy and a mission to connect people with the systems that feed them.
As a summer intern with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Mount Olive (UMO) junior is leveraging communications and outreach to make agriculture more accessible and community-driven.
Sanchez didn’t follow the traditional path into agriculture. His earliest exposure came from his mother’s backyard garden.
“Over time, I realized I wanted to be involved in agriculture, not just the farming side, but also in the politics that inuence food systems and pricing,” said Sanchez.
At the market, Sanchez’s role blends strategy and storytelling. He’s responsible for crafting social media content, designing promotional materials and assisting vendors.
“It’s been eye-opening to see how much time and planning go into every aspect of the market, from vendor setups to operations at the on-site restaurants and garden shop,” Sanchez said. “And meeting professionals in downtown Raleigh has given me a clearer picture of what a career in ag policy might look like.”
But what sets Sanchez apart is how he approaches the work — with the mindset of a listener and bridge-builder. He walks the market daily, talks with vendors and learns their stories.
“My mission is to earn the trust and respect of the vendors,” Sanchez said. “It’s
“My goal is to create programs that support farmers while reducing costs for consumers, especially in rural areas.”
Alexis Sanchez
about building relationships.”
That relationship-driven approach not only strengthens market operations but also reects his broader goal: to bring the public closer to the people behind their food.
“The eld experience and leadership skills I gained through clubs and class projects gave me the con dence to collaborate e ectively and work on time-sensitive projects,” Sanchez noted, adding that courses in agricultural economics and graphic design have prepared him to contribute meaningfully. Still, it’s his leadership and adaptability that have impressed his supervisors most.
“He’s come in ready to dive in head rst with any project we’ve put in front of him,” said Monica Wood, market manager at the State Farmers Market and
Sanchez’s internship supervisor. “We’ve been so impressed.”
Sanchez’s internship has been extended due to his outstanding contributions, including a collaboration with the market’s art department that brought a concept from idea to printed reality.
Looking ahead, Sanchez hopes to tackle challenges like food insecurity and rural resource gaps. Whether through a future role at the USDA or continued work at the state level, he envisions developing programs that support both ends of the food chain — empowering farmers while ensuring affordable access for consumers.
“Too often, healthy food is priced higher than unhealthy options,” he said. “My goal is to create programs that support farmers while reducing costs for consumers, especially in rural areas.”
In the meantime, he’s also building a presence online, documenting his journey.
“My videos help others like me see that you don’t need a farm background to thrive in ag,” he explained. “I want to make agriculture relatable and exciting for everyone.”
For Sanchez, it’s about growing opportunity, connection and change.
