Duplin Journal Vol. 10, Issue 24

Page 1


Duplin Journal

Board of Education appoints new interim superintendent

Daren Tyndall steps into the leadership role following the death of Austin Obasohan

KENANSVILLE — Du-

plin County Schools is turning to a familiar and trusted leader to help guide the district through a time of transition. During a special meeting Monday, the Duplin County Board of Education appointed Daren Tyndall as the interim superintendent of the school system. The decision came 11 days after the death of Austin Obasohan, a deeply respected leader who served the district for 15 years.

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as interim superintendent,” said Tyndall. “Duplin County Schools has always been home to me, and I am deeply committed to supporting our students, sta and families as we continue working together to ensure success for every child while honoring Dr. Obasohan’s memory and building upon the strong foundation he established.”

Tyndall’s long-standing relationships across the district and deep understanding of its culture uniquely position him to lead during this pivotal time. While the board initiates its search for a permanent superintendent, members have voiced their complete trust in Tyndall’s ability to carry forward the district’s mission.

With more than three decades of service within Duplin County Schools, Tyndall is no stranger to the needs, values and strengths of the community. His career has included roles as teacher, assistant principal, principal, central o ce leader and most recently assistant superintendent for Human Resources, a role he has held for the past four years.

Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries celebrates 20 years

On Sunday, Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries (DCOM) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a heartfelt program at its headquarters on South Norwood Street in Wallace. DCOM co-founder Philip Gladden, right, presents a plaque to co-founder James Page, left, during the ministry’s 20th anniversary celebration on Sunday afternoon, naming Page a board member emeritus. Turn to A2 for the story.

Concerns over sta ng, spending drive crowds to commissioners meeting

There was a full house at the County Commissioners meeting on Aug. 4. Attendees stood for a moment of silence in memory of late Duplin County Schools Superintendent Austin Obasohan.

KENANSVILLE — A large crowd attended the Duplin County Commissioners meeting Monday night, with the room lled to capacity and people spilling into the receiving area.

Public interest surged following recent departmental changes, the dissolution of the Tourism Development Authority and the purchase of a corporate golf membership, among other topics. Despite a lengthy statement from county o cials attempting to address the public’s concerns, the public called for more transparency. Jessica Thomas, who leads the group Duplin County Coalition

20-year run, Muscadine Festival hits pause

Organizers cite a breakdown in negotiations with the events center as the reason for the postponement

KENANSVILLE — The NC

Muscadine Festival, a hallmark event for Duplin County for the past two decades, has o cially been postponed until 2026. Traditionally held each fall at the

Duplin Events Center, the festival has showcased the county’s unique charm and Southern hospitality, bringing pride and economic vitality to the area as it celebrates North Carolina’s native muscadine grape and attracts thousands of visitors from across the state.

While some initially suggested that the recent dissolution of the Duplin County Tourism Authority was the reason for the postponement, longtime festival organizer Tom Fife clari ed that the festival is not a county-run event. He noted that a change in nancial terms with the events center was at the heart of the decision.

“The Muscadine Festival Committee puts this event on, and all of the expenses are paid through our 501(c)(3),” said Fife. He said the nonpro t operates on a tight budget, typically breaking even or generating only a modest surplus.

Frustrations over wastewater restrictions continue to grow

“I think it’s time we have a new set of eyes look at the problem and o er solutions.”
Glenn Holland

DEQ explains the town’s ongoing consent order and the path forward, including no new wastewater capacity

MOUNT OLIVE — The issue of Mount Olive’s challenges regarding its wastewater treatment facility and the state-issued moratorium on any additional ow through the facility took center stage once again at the town’s Board of Commissioners meeting Monday evening.

At the invitation of interim town manager Glenn Holland, Caroline Bari from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure

gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining the issues leading to the wastewater moratorium placed on the town, as well as what steps will be needed to bring the system into compliance.

Bari got involved in the town’s wastewater woes about 18 months ago as a result of her duties, which include working with distressed units like the town’s wastewater treatment system.

“The town is under a special order, by consent,” Bari said. “It was issued by the Division of Water Resources because the town is having trouble, especially during heavy rainwater events, with untreated sewage being released.”

According to Bari, the current consent order is not the

In previous years, the committee was responsible for paying for venue rental and labor. However, in 2024, they were unexpectedly asked to cover the cost of tables,

See FESTIVAL,

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Public outrage mounts in Duplin County amid employee concerns and closed-door decisions
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

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 28

• Bertin Mejia Hernandez, 40, was arrested by Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce (DCSO) for delivering a Schedule II controlled substance and possessing with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance.

July 29

Stephen Craig Blanton, 64, was arrested by DCSO for possessing or consuming beer or wine in a public street, littering a beer or wine container and second- degree trespassing.

Markeia R. Herring, 35, was arrested by DCSO for breaking and entering and second- degree trespassing.

Jonathan Kromer, 37, was arrested by DCSO for misdemeanor domestic violence.

• Jonathan Rivera, 36, was arrested by DCSO for driving with a revoked license, possessing or displaying a ctitious or revoked driver’s license and reckless driving.

Matthew Douglas Pender, 44, was arrested by DCSO for communicating threats.

• Kayla Caroline West, 36, was arrested by DCSO for obtaining property by false pretense.

July 30

Brandon Shelton Quinn, 36, was arrested by DCSO for providing false information to an o cer, resisting a public o cer and interfering with an electronic monitoring device.

Aug. 1

• Benjamin Marks, 38, was arrested by Beulaville PD for possessing a Schedule I controlled substance.

Brittani Amanda Oconnell, 28, was arrested by DCSO for possessing methamphetamine, nancial card theft, possessing a Schedule VI controlled substance, possessing drug paraphernalia and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.

Celebrating two decades of service to those in need

What began as a simple lunch between pastors has grown into a lifeline for Duplin County residents in crisis

WALLACE — Duplin

Christian Outreach Ministries celebrated its 20th anniversary Sunday at its headquarters on South Norwood Street in Wallace.

More than two decades ago, two Wallace-area pastors, James Page of Adoram Baptist Church and Philip Gladden of Wallace Presbyterian Church, met for a lunch of burgers and fries at what was then known as Andy’s, now Hwy 55. They were both concerned about the growing number of people reaching out to local churches for help. They were asking for assistance ranging from food to light bills, as well as help paying the rent. Using a napkin, they began to outline the concept of a centralized crisis center to serve people in need in Duplin County.

After months of work from volunteers on a planning team, Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries was born. The nonpro t organization o cially opened on July 5, 2005.

In an interview with Duplin Journal, Gladden said the need for the ministry has continued to grow.

“We have six food pantries that are under our umbrella,” Gladden said. “The need there has increased substantially. We’re anticipating that the needs are going to continue to increase with changes that are being made to government programs.”

Some funding for Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries comes from churches, individuals, organizations and businesses. Also, the ministry operates a thrift store located on Main Street in downtown Wallace, which provides additional support.

“Fifteen years ago, we started Blessings in Store,” Gladden said. “That was our dream to do that. The money that is generated from that ministry supports the crisis ministry.”

Gladden added the store provides needed items at a reasonable cost to families while also supporting Duplin

“We have six food pantries that are under our

Christian Outreach Ministries.

During a program at the anniversary celebration, Gladden thanked and recognized the many volunteers who have worked with all aspects of the ministry. He also thanked local dentist Dr. Warren Sholar, who has provided the building that houses the ministry rent-free since the creation of the nonpro t. Gladden presented a plaque to the ministry co-founder, Page, granting him the honorary title of “board member emeritus.”

The original executive director of Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries, Jeralene Merritt, who served in the role for 18 years, retired at the end of April. In May, Tomme Maier was named the new executive director.

Maier, a native of Duplin County, refers to herself as a “farm girl” raised between Beulaville and Pink Hill.

A graduate of UNC Wilmington, Maier worked in the banking industry until her middle daughter was born two months premature. She decided to leave work to be at home with her daughter. That began a journey that took her into

social service work. Because of her daughter’s disability, she was exposed to Easter Seals and other organizations. That inspired her to accept a position she was sought out for as a part-time case manager for disabled adults.

“I just love helping people,” Maier told Duplin Journal.

“It’s such a blessing.”

Maier said running a ministry like this one was easier in this area because of the people.

“We are truly blessed in Duplin County with people who have compassion,” she said. “Most of the time, you don’t even have to ask for help.”

The ministry is reaching out for more help, both nancially and from volunteers, because the need is growing rapidly.

“The need is great, but it’s going to be greater yet,” Maier said. “We’ve had several people that are homeless coming to us the past couple of months. Domestic violence is causing struggles in homes that add to the pressure of making ends meet nancially. Kids are caught in the middle. Resources are scarce right now.”

The need for more help at the ministry was echoed by Gladden during the anniversary program.

“We need your continuednancial support from churches, foundations and individuals,” Gladden said. “We also need volunteers at the ministry and at the Blessings store.”

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

Aug. 8

Co ee and Community

9 a.m.

Join Wallace Parks and Recreation for its Co ee and Community event at the Clement Park Community Center. Connect with neighbors, enjoy a beverage and take part in fun activities like puzzles, card games, adult coloring, arts and crafts, and more. For more information, call 910-285-2905.

209 E Clement St., Wallace

Aug. 9

Back-to-School Community Day

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Get ready for Back-to-School Community Day at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville. Duplin County students Pre-K-12 can receive free school supplies while they last — 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

Jalen’s Bless the Block Event

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit Jimmy Jerome Memorial Park for Jalen’s Bless the Block event. Enjoy free school supplies, haircuts, a bounce house, music and free food.

175 Lake Tut Road, Rose Hill

Aug. 14

Back-to-School vaccine clinic

4 to 7 p.m.

It’s time to gear up for the new school year. Join the Annual Back-to-School Vaccine Clinic & Resources at the Duplin County Health Department in Kenansville. Walk-ins are welcome. Vaccines available include meningitis, tetanus (Tdap), HPV and more to start the year strong. For more information, call 910-296-2130. 340 Seminary St., Kenansville

PHOTOS MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
James Page, co-founder of Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries, shows a plaque presented to him at the ministry’s 20th anniversary celebration on Sunday afternoon. He was named board member emeritus.
umbrella.”
Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries co-founder Philip Gladden addresses everyone in attendance at the ministry’s 20th anniversary celebration Sunday afternoon.

$500K playground coming to Kenan Park

The town board will vote on nal plans for the playground in September

KENANSVILLE — Children in Kenansville are one step closer to having a new, agriculture-themed playground as town o cials move forward with plans to replace the former Kenan Park play area that was removed two years ago.

“The theme we’re working on right now is agriculture,” Kenansville town manager Anna West told Duplin Journal. “It will be a farming-themed playground.”

The new playground will be all-inclusive and handicap accessible, West added. It will also be built on what is known as a “poured in place” surface, a rubberized material on the ground that makes it safer and allows for better wheelchair mobility than a mulch playground surface.

Site work is underway at Kenan Park for a new farming-themed playground, which is expected to be completed by next summer. The playground will be all-inclusive and handicap accessible.

The Kenansville Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the nal plans for the playground at its September meeting. In the meantime, work to prepare the site has already begun.

poured-in-place surface. Some additional nancial help is coming from a company building the playground equipment.

“One of the companies we are working with has grants,” West said. “They have a maximum they’ll give back in playground equipment.”

It also featured plaques recognizing individuals who donated or sponsored speci c pieces of equipment, along with a surrounding picket fence that had names engraved on select pickets. All of these meaningful elements will be integrated into the new playground.

The new playground has been a pet project of West, and she is glad to see it nally becoming a reality. Because of her rising workload as town manager, she has placed the remaining part of the new playground project into the hands of the new Kenansville Parks and Recreation director, Courtney Brown.

“We’ve removed some of the trees recently for several reasons,” West said. “It will be easier to maintain without pine straw all over it, and some of the trees were leaning and some were starting to deteriorate. We took out what we thought we needed to for safety and to open up the area a little bit.”

Combining the state grant, current contributions and the grant from the playground equipment company, the town has $500,000 to work with for the new playground, according to West. The town is also open to receiving additional grants or contributions. Any funds raised beyond what is necessary for the playground equipment will be used to add owers and additional landscaping around the site.

Funding for the new playground is coming from a $400,000 grant from the state. In addition, ECU Health Duplin Hospital and the Southern Bank Foundation contributed funds speci cally earmarked for the

Once the new playground is complete, visitors to Kenan Park will notice that some parts of the old playground have been used in the new one.

The old playground included etched bricks, many of which were purchased to honor or memorialize loved ones.

“She’s made our park come back to life,” West said of Brown. “Courtney has really taken it and run with it.”

West said she is proud that the park is a big part of the town and clari ed that a common misconception is that Kenan Park is a county playground.

“It is not. It belongs solely to the town of Kenansville,” she said.

Project setbacks stall progress on $6M shell buildings

O cials questioned repeated change orders as road project delays push completion into October

KENANSVILLE — Members of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission board received updates on major projects underway in the county during their meeting on Aug. 1. Several development projects are currently in progress on the airport property.

In addition to a new road system at the airport, which includes an already-installed tra c circle, there are plans to build two large shell buildings and several short-term rental units.

Matthew Ferguson from Parish and Partners, an engineering rm based in Columbia, South Carolina, attended the meeting remotely. He was questioned by the board regarding various change orders related to the road construction at the airport, which are necessary to access the sites desig-

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Anita Marie Savage, Duplin County Register of Deeds issued 24 marriage licenses for the month ending on July 31, 2025.

• Ethan Oscar Ocasio, Jacksonville, and Emily Rebecca Dickson, Jacksonville;

• Leigha Michelle Byrd, Pink Hill, and Jacob andrew Batchelor, Beulaville; Yoselin Leon Ferral, Magnolia, and Benjamin Flores, Magnolia;

Franck Rebollar, Albertson, and Lorena Alvarez Chavez,

nated for the new projects.

At the July board meeting, the board approved $212,000 worth of change orders to the original contract with the rm responsible for constructing the roads leading into the Air Park area of the airport. During the meeting, another change order was presented for $7,598 to extend a drainage ditch.

“The ditch is parallel to Airport Road,” Ferguson said. “The original ditch was approved in the supplemental (change order) at the last meeting (in July). After that, it was noted that the ditch was not long enough in order to daylight the ditch. It was brought to our attention the ditch needs to be longer, approximately 250 or 260 feet longer, to meet DOT requirements.”

These changes to the ditch are expected to extend the completion date of the entire road project by another 16 days, pushing the expected nish to mid-October — 92 days past the original contract completion date.

Board members expressed frustration with the additional costs and time extension

Albertson;

• Christian Emmanuel Berrones, Clinton, and Yudith Alejandra Maldonado Maldonado, Clinton;

• Christina Lynn Price, Teachey, and Jeffery Shane Evans, Teachey;

• Andres Estuardo Mendez Vasquez, Seven Springs, and Leticia Magaly Lopez Lopez, Seven Springs; Michelle Eliza Kobjack, Chinquapin, and Thomas Anthony Mewborn, Chinquapin;

An aerial view around the

extensive development

attract industrial clients. These buildings are being constructed at a cost of $6 million under a “design-build” contract, meaning there should not be any additional costs associated with them, as the responsibility for any contractor costs lies with the contractor chosen for the project.

that will house two

and several short-term rental

the change orders have created.

“Why do we continue to get burdened with oversights?” asked Assistant County Manager Carrie Shields. “Seems like there’s a lot of oversights. Why do we continue to take responsibility for the oversights?”

“We’re also sitting here frustrated with the number of change orders,” board chairman Charley Farrior added. “We’re also frustrated that we seem to be held hostage by the contractor.”

• Harold Lee Snyder, Mount Olive, and Donna Kornegay Stilley, Mount Olive;

• Larry Donnell Furlow, Warsaw, and Gelen Marleny Izara Gomez, Magnolia;

• Kenneth Ray Lawson, Beulaville, and Alice Marie Isaacs, Beulaville;

• Maribel Venegas Rodarte, Chinquapin, and Luis Alberto Jasso Herrera, Chinquapin; Jose Julian Galindo Hendricks, Magnolia, and Keyni Estefani Hernandez Bojorquez, Magnolia;

The board approved the ditch extension change order but asked Scotty Summerlin, Duplin County Economic Development Commission executive director, to arrange an in-person meeting soon to speak with all parties involved in the road project in hopes of preventing any additional costs.

The delays in the road project will also impact the construction of two new 50,000-square -foot shell buildings in the Air Park that aim to

• Robert Brian Sykes, Magnolia, and Sharon Star Matthews Williams, Magnolia;

• Colby Chase Mobley, Pink Hill, and Hannah Denise Mcgee, Pink Hill;

• Martha Yanoy Pineda Cantarero, Honduras, and Robins Bautista Castellanos, Wallace;

• Jennifer Scherrilla Whitfield, Warsaw, and Charles Thomas Whitfield Jr, Beulaville; Nahum Asehel Enamorado Funez, Wallace, Gaby Paola Pineda Guzman, Wallace;

Additionally, the road delays will a ect the construction of approximately nine short-term rental houses in the Air Park. In an interview with Duplin Journal, Summerlin said the original concept for the units was to provide accommodations for pilots who needed to stay in the area while their corporate representatives were conducting business. This idea has now been extended to allow representatives of potential industrial or business executives to use the homes while exploring economic opportunities in the county.

In other project updates, the construction of the new shell building in the SouthPark Industrial Park near Wallace is on schedule. Summerlin made note of the rapid growth around the Wallace area.

• Armando Bladimir Vazquez, Willard, and Sharony Zunem Mendez Velasquez, Willard;

• Zoe Mechele Austin, Wallace, and Montico Rashon Miller, Warsaw;

• Roberto Serrano Luviano, Ivanhoe, and Carlota Torres Diaz, Warsaw;

• Taylor Ann Cloninger, Wallace, and Ivey Dylan Norris, Wallace;

• Emelie Marie andersson, Pink Hill, and Alex Wayne Henderson, Wallace; Tyler Wade Still, Georgia, and Venessa Vazquez, Georgia.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
COURTESY OF DUPLIN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Duplin County Airport shows the
around the property to create an Air Park
large shell buildings
homes.

THE CONVERSATION

COLUMN | STEVE GOLD

Record trucking-related carnage is no accident

American truck drivers move more than 70% of all freight across the country.

AFTER A FATAL ACCIDENT caused by a non-English-speaking trucker with a commercial drivers’ license (CDL), President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Transportation to review the nondomiciled CDLs issued by each state over the past four years. This is a massive victory for highway safety — preventing further loss of American lives.

Just ve years ago, new truckers had to produce a birth certi cate, speak English and con rm state residency to even qualify for a CDL. If the driver couldn’t speak English, he couldn’t get a driver’s test. Today, any evidence of a work permit or foreign visa is enough to qualify for a nondomiciled CDL.

In 2022, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) set high, federal standard training requirements through the Entry Level Driver Training rules. The goal was to make highways safer, in conjunction with state commercial driver training laws that have been in place for decades. But these new rules have more exemptions than the federal tax code. Employers, municipalities and online video providers, posing as educators, now provide commercial driver training through unchecked “self-certi cation.”

Consider for a minute that almost every state requires 16-year-olds to attend a state licensed driver training program before they can get behind the wheel of an automobile. But, as Teamsters President Sean O’Brien just testi ed in the Senate Commerce Committee hearing, if you want to drive an 80,000-pound truck on our nation’s highways, there is no oversight or enforcement of the new FMCSA rules. Because of the lack of enforcement, the fraud and abuse are profound as the FMCSA has allowed unquali ed “CDL training providers” to recruit and train unquali ed truck drivers, who ultimately degrade the American truck driving workforce and put the unsuspecting general public at risk every day.

The results have been catastrophic.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 153,472 highway truck accidents resulted in 5,472 highway fatalities in 2023, a 40% increase from 2014. The 2024 data show similar fatality rates. The odds of getting killed by a truck driver is 20 times greater than dying while ying on a U.S. airline.

More than 30,000 commercial driving schools are now approved by the FMCSA, but only 2,100 are state licensed. As founder and CEO of one of the nation’s largest commercial truck driving schools, I know rsthand that the largest employers or truckers make up only 10% of the trucking industry. These employers are rumored to be rejecting nearly half of truck driver applicants as they have strict safety guidelines and driver evaluation criteria.

But the $1 trillion U.S. trucking industry is 90% comprised of companies with 10 drivers or less with thin margins. These employers lack compliance and safety departments, and are hiring individuals trained at unquali ed schools. These are the trucking companies you’ve never heard of that are in the news every day causing another fatality. Everyone wants cheaper prices, and no one wants burdensome regulations, but at what cost?

In a letter to the FMCSA, the American Trucking Association outlined the problem and lambasted the agency for being too “insu ciently robust to shield prospective drivers and the motoring public from fraudulent and non-compliant training entities that fast-track CDL applicants with minimal, if any, training.”

Some states aren’t waiting for the FMCSA to take action and are taking matters into their own hands. California, which was second in the nation in the most highway fatalities in 2023, unanimously passed a bill to eliminate

nefarious commercial-driving schools in the state. Florida and Colorado, among others, are sending cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed commercial training schools that assert they are exempt because of “new federal rules” and ignoring state laws.

Trump’s requested study, coupled with his executive order requiring commercial truck drivers to be pro cient in English, should disqualify many recently minted unquali ed commercial drivers, if properly enforced.

Substandard training providers who falsely attested in the Federal Training Provider Registry, should not only be removed from the program but also face the same explicit penalties as those who abused the Paycheck Protection Program after the pandemic. That alone would prevent unquali ed drivers from getting behind the wheel and putting us all at risk.

American truck drivers move more than 70% of all freight across the country. They keep supply chains running — from delivering food and medicine to stocking shelves and fueling factories. Their hard work, often behind the scenes, keeps America moving, and they deserve to be well-compensated.

The trucking industry applauds Trump and Secretary of Transportation Sean Du y for already doing so much to protect America’s truck drivers and our highways. We look forward to working alongside them to go a step farther and enforce the FMCSA rules and protect the American public by eliminating nefarious CDL training schools.

With approximately 3,000 accidents and 100 fatalities each week caused by heavy trucks, the trucking industry and general driving public can’t wait much longer.

Steve Gold is the founder and chief executive o cer of 160 Driving Academy and the Truckers Network Association. This article was originally published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Heading toward midterm elections, Democrats not up o the floor

It looks like the Democrats’ baggage, especially from the Biden years, is heavier than the loads Trump Republicans must juggle.

HERE’S A CLUE that the o -year elections in November 2026 may not go the way conventional wisdom suggests. That conventional wisdom is that the president’s party almost always loses the House and, slightly less often, Senate seats.

There are two structural reasons for this. One is that parties in power tend to do things or produce results that some voters dislike. The second reason is that out-party candidates can adapt to local terrain, focusing on issues on which the president’s party’s stands are unpopular. But that depends on the out party being an acceptable alternative.

Which leads to the clue referred to above.

Politico’s Andrew Howard reports that former Democrats Brian Bengs in South Dakota (Trump +29 in 2024) and Todd Achilles in Idaho (Trump +36) are joining former Democrat Dan Osborn of Nebraska (Trump +20) to run for senator as self-declared independents, with no credible Democrat in the race.

Osborn did so in 2024, scaring incumbent Republican Rep. Deb Fischer while losing by only six points. This was an improvement on Greg Orman’s 2014 independent candidacy in Kansas, where he lost by 11 points in a state that was +22 Republican for president two years before.

Why are these Democrats, some in states such as South Dakota and Nebraska that have reelected Democratic senators in recent years, shunning the Democratic label? Most likely because, in a country of increased straight-ticket voting, they believe the Democratic label is political poison.

After four years of the Biden administration, the Pew Research Center said the presidential electorate moved favoring Democrats by six points in 2020 to favoring Republicans by one point in 2024, with Republicans close to equal among under-30 voters. “For months now,” Republican pollster Patrick Ru ni notes, “we’ve observed a new trend in polling: The Democratic Party’s favorability ratings have fallen below the GOP’s. That’s hardly ever happened before.”

The Wall Street Journal’s July 16-20 poll shows that 63% of voters have negative feelings about the Democrats, the highest

since 1990. That poll also showed Republicans maintaining their 2024 lead in party identi cation, in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s rst term. And it showed pluralities of voters favored Republicans even on issues on which majorities disapproved of Trump’s most recent actions, including the economy, tari s, immigration, foreign policy and Ukraine.

It looks like the Democrats’ baggage, especially from the Biden years, is heavier than the loads Trump Republicans must juggle. Democrats’ credibility has been damaged as their arguments, one after another, have proven to be based on lies: the Russia collusion hoax, COVID-19 school closings, “transitory” in ation, the Hunter Biden laptop and open-borders immigration.

All of which suggests that Democrats’ hopes of overturning the Republicans’ 53-47 Senate majority may rest more on independents running in Trump-heavy states than on purple-state Democrats. And, despite conventional wisdom, there’s a cognizable chance that Republicans will not lose the narrow 220-215 majority they won in the House of Representatives in 2020.

Once upon a time, in the split-ticket voting era, Democrats maintained their large House majority in 1972 despite Richard Nixon’s 61% landslide by winning fully half the seats in House districts Nixon carried. Those days are gone. In 2024, voters in only 16 House districts split their ticket between president and congressman.

The Democrats’ problem is that Republicans are defending only three districts carried by former Vice President Kamala Harris, while Democrats are defending 13 seats won by Trump. That’s one of the reasons Steve Kornacki, to the dismay of his MSNBC audience, says Republicans could hold onto the House.

Meanwhile, Harry Enten dismays his CNN audience by pointing out that the narrow leads Democrats enjoy in House generic ballot polling leave them not nearly as well positioned for 2026 as they were at this point in 2005 and 2017 for their big gains in 2006 and 2018.

Core Democratic hatred of and obsession with Trump will certainly have them stomping

to the o -year polls, and Trump Republicans’ newly biracial and young male coalition may not be similarly motivated. But Republican gains are widespread, while Democratic gains are scarcely visible. As Bloomberg columnist Conor Sen writes, “It’s currently not possible to identify any cohort of potential rst-time Dem voters.”

As The New York Times’ brilliant graphics point out, Trump has gained a percentage over three elections in 1,433 counties with 42 million people, while his Democratic opponents gained three times in only 57 counties with 8 million people. “For years, the belief was Democrats have had demographic destiny on our side,” pollster Ben Tulchin said.

“Now, the inverse is true.”

Veteran liberal reporter Thomas Edsall portrays in his Times online column a “realignment (with) staying power” and fears. There is a “real possibility that discontent with the Democratic Party — its perceived failure to value work, its political correctness, the extremity of its social and cultural liberalism — might have become deeply embedded in the electorate.”

Meanwhile, the economic numbers are coming in more positively than those who predicted doom in April from Trump’s tari s (I called them “lunatic”), and as analyst Nate Silver writes, “There remains a strong case that voters are concerned about the economy and the cost of living, but that everything else is priced in.” As for the fuss over the Epstein tapes, Silver writes, “It looks like we’re back to the usual pattern: The overwhelming majority of voters either already hate Trump, or are happy to shrug o his scandals.”

“The country is moving toward Trump,” says Chris Matthews, onetime sta er for Jimmy Carter and Tip O’Neill. “They want a president who is a strong gure. And he’s got it. And half the country buys it.” Nothing’s inevitable in politics, but so far, the Democrats have not gotten up o the oor.

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

JORDAN GOLSON / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Volvo trucks lined up outside the company’s assembly plant in Dublin, Virginia.

Grant opportunities take spotlight in Beulaville

The board moved forward on water, sewer and waste services contracts

BEULAVILLE — The town board’s Monday meeting opened with a moment of silence to honor the late Austin Obasohan, former Duplin County Public Schools superintendent.

“He was a true friend of Duplin County and the citizens and students of Duplin County Schools,” Mayor Hutch Jones said.

The board conducted a public hearing concerning the 2025 Community Development Block Grant Funding (CDBG). Interim Town Manager Lori Williams informed the board that the town quali ed as having 51.7% of its population in low- and moderate-income areas, making it eligible for more grant funding, including aid for nonhousing renovations.

The board discussed the possibility of using the $950,000 max grant and $12 million state funding for eligible repairs and revitalization projects such as sidewalks, driveways, streets, paving, shelters, community buildings and houses. CDBG funding is subject to the Build America, Buy America Act requiring the materials used for infrastructure projects to be produced or manufactured in the United States. Board members were encouraged to come up with a list of suggested locations for repairs by the September board meeting, being mind-

for Accountability & Transparency, has emerged as a leading voice for several county employees and local residents. Thomas launched an anonymous survey to give county employees a safe space to share their experiences. Her grassroot e orts have galvanized public engagement, driving people in droves to the county commissioner’s meeting.

Thomas was among a group of people who spoke during public comment. However, their concerns were not addressed by the board, which went directly into closed session after the regular meeting. At the end of the meeting, several participants approached Thomas, expressing gratitude for her e orts in giving them a voice.

“The county employees dedicate their lives to this place, and they deserve to be seen,” Thomas told Duplin Journal. “They deserve to be heard. They deserve to be believed. And it’s my understanding and also my impression, given what has transpired in the past three weeks, that that’s not happening to the level that it should be happening.”

Also at the meeting

Marzella Morrisey, a longtime public servant and current advisory board member for the Duplin County Department of Social Services (DSS), voiced concerns about the agency’s ongoing sta ng issues. Drawing on her professional background, Morrisey emphasized that the current hiring process

denied.

ful that this type of eligibility does not often come around.

Williams suggested the planning engineer would be able to help guide the board toward the best areas to spend available funding once a prioritized list of considerations was developed. A second public hearing on the issue will take place at the October board meeting. Paperwork for the grants will be due by the end of October.

The public hearing closed and public comments opened. Karl Wilson, a local constituent, addressed the board concerning work on water lines at his property. According to Wilson, the work left track marks, uneven dirt, unearthed trash and exposed pipes that were causing further problems. Public Works Director Ricky Raynor said the work wasn’t nished, and the exposed pipes were marking where engineers

have to still go down and do mapping.

“It’s not easy cutting lines,” Raynor said. “What we are doing now is the hard part; then we will come around and do the clean up.” While Raynor could not give a de nite time when the work would be done, he did a rm that it should be done well before December.

Police Chief Karl Mobley reported that a smoke shop was broken into, and a juvenile has been arrested in the case. Furthermore, he reported that several vape products have now been banned, and police will undergo special training concerning them.

“If a business has any of the banned substances, we can now pursue them for criminal charges,” Mobley said.

Douglas Clark of 112 N. Grant St. then made his fth attempt to repurchase family property now owned by the town. The

0.113 acre land is important to Clark because it is part of an 1800s family plot believed to be where some of his ancestors are buried. He passed out images of a degraded cemetery within 50 yards of the town of Beulaville’s Sewer Plant gate.

“This is not our cemetery, but we are trying to keep ours from getting to this,” Clark said.

The 81-year-old has spent three years trying to secure the land “so some Sandlin and Whaley descendants can rest with no public cost.”

He was denied again for no other reason than the board “doesn’t know what other issues (they) may have to deal with for the land.”

Clark has paid surveyors to mark out proposed boundaries, made donations to the town and o ered to pay any amount for the land, yet he is continually denied.

“I’m not sure what I need to do to get this done,” Clark said. “People care about where their parents and grandparents are buried, but no one cares about where their great-grandparents are.”

The board moved on to discuss a property o Gresham Street where they have not been able to move forward with ditch repair because of disagreements with a property owner. The owner refused to allow trees to be removed because of what lives in them. The board voted to condemn the property in order to take control and clear it as they see t.

A series of contract agreements were then approved to move forward with projects and

is ine ective. She explained that sta ng shortages at DSS are leading to overwhelming workloads, contributing to employee burnout and a deteriorating work environment.

“Each month we have over 15 vacancies, if not more,” said Morrisey, emphasizing the importance of a supportive and respectful workplace. She noted that when employees feel valued, retention improves. To address the sta ng issue, she suggested forming a committee to review and revise the hiring procedures in collaboration with the county manager.

Dawn Strickland, director of Duplin County Transportation, presented a public hearing for three upcoming transportation grants. They include funds for administrative costs, new vehi-

cles, and support for elderly and disabled transit services.

The rst, in the amount of just over $267,000, will help with the cost of administrative expenses. The local share is 15%, or just over $40,000. The second grant will be used to purchase a raised roof van for lettering for that van.

“We intend on getting 16 new tablets for each of our vans in our eet. That amount is $114,915 with a 10% local share which is $11,491,” she said.

The third grant will help provide transportation for the elderly and disabled. It is a 50-50 grant of $40,000 with a local share of $20,000. The local matches for these grants will come from the department’s enterprise fund balance, and all were approved unanimously by the board.

County Planner Chris Hatcher introduced a Uni ed Development Ordinance (UDO) amendment that establishes a 1,000-foot setback from any operational agricultural facilities.

This change aims to balance residential and agricultural development and establish clarity for future planning.

The board held a public hearing and passed the amendment unanimously.

Also at the meeting, Samantha Lane, Duplin County Animal Services facility director, was honored by the Maysville Police Department for her life-saving e orts in a critical animal cruelty case. Maysville Police Chief Carl Baugus and Captain Kristy Kooper presented Lane with a plaque.

“We had ve puppies and a

town services. The Adams Company was approved to provide administrative and engineering services for CDBG-I sewer improvement projects. DPH General Contractors was approved for the ood mitigation project. Triple S. Farms and Cleaning was approved to continue handling sludge for the town. Mark Houston was approved to take on yard debris and bulk trash removal for the town.

“The rst Wednesday of the month will continue to be the day for collection of yard waste, and we will schedule a quarterly date for pickup of bulk waste,” Williams said.

An appointee for the Duplin County Transportation Committee was then discussed.

Jones acknowledged the importance of the committee for making long-range plans for the county. The problem with meeting attendance, however, is the fact that meeting times (often 9 a.m.) can be di cult.

“The committee wants a representative from each town to serve, and it’s supposed to be the highest government o cial with an alternate,” Williams said.

The board voted to appoint Jones as the representative with Williams as his alternate for the committee. The board also voted to appoint Brandon Lanier to the zoning board. According to Williams, the town’s concerns about setting allowed areas for food trucks will be part of what is discussed through the zoning board.

The board approved moving the Sept. 1 meeting to Sept. 8 because of Labor Day.

mama dog that if we didn’t act on the search warrant that night, they would not have survived,” said Kooper. “She got them dogs out of there and got them medical care that day. We couldn’t have done it without her. ... You’ve got good people working for you.” Airport Director Josh Raynor, on behalf of the Airport Commission, presented two infrastructure-related requests: a $2.6 million hangar construction change order and a $10,000 change order for the Taxiway A3 project. Both projects had been preapproved by the Airport Commission and were unanimously approved by the board.

Lastly, County Manager Bryan Miller presented an Employee Development and Educational Incentives Policy aimed at boosting employee growth and retention through funding for job-related education.

“Through this policy, we may cover tuition, textbooks, registration fees and lodging associated with approved educational activities. There are eligibility requirements associated with education and training. I believe the key to the requirements is that the course be necessary for continued performance and growth in the employee’s current role. These trainings have to be approved by both the department leader and the county manager,” said Miller, explaining that the tuition must not be paid with ad valorem tax collections or departmental fees, and there is a repayment policy for employees who choose to leave within two years of completing the training. This, too, was approved.

COURTESY DOUG CLARK
Douglas Clark has tried to repurchase a parcel of land near the Beulaville Sewer Plant, where some of his ancestors may be buried. Five separate requests have been
COUNTY from page A1
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Maysville Police Chief Carl Baugus, left, and Capt. Kristy Kooper, right, presented Samantha Lane, Duplin County Animal Services facility director, with a plaque of appreciation for her life-saving e orts in a critical animal cruelty case.

rst the town has entered into with the state.

“The rst consent order was signed by the town and issued in October 2021,” she said. “In the original consent order, among other things, was a list of items that needed to be completed and dates. The town got behind and was starting to get ned. The state and the town renegotiated the consent order and it was reissued in April 2025.”

Bari said both consent orders have restricted how much wastewater the town can treat at its facility.

“In both of these consent orders, one very important issue is that the town of Mount Olive is not allowed to add wastewater capacity to the wastewater system,” she said.

It is that moratorium that is causing signi cant issues in issuing building permits for new construction or changes to existing homes and businesses. Those permits can only be issued if it can be shown that there will be no additional wastewater ow into the system. Until the overall problem is resolved, it leaves the town with limited options, such

chairs, and “in addition to that, we would have to pay them 10% of the gate,” said Fife, explaining that the charges would have turned the event from a breakeven scenario into a nancial loss.

“This was the rst time I had heard this. And this is after the event is over,” Fife said. “This is what led ultimately to postponing the festival until 2026.”

According to Fife, the festival’s expenses in 2024 were approximately $74,000, with only a narrow $2,000 pro t.

“If we had paid the additional things they wanted us to pay, that would have been an additional $5,000. So, right there is a $3,000 loss,” he told Duplin Journal.

When Fife was informed that

U.S. Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.), center, accepts a certi cate of appreciation from Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton, left, and Town Commissioner Vicky Darden during the board of commissioners meeting Monday evening.

as agreements with property owners of abandoned buildings agreeing to be disconnected from the town’s sewage system in order for another structure to be added.

Bari complimented Holland, telling the board he was engaged

these new charges would become standard going forward and that there was no room for negotiation, the committee decided it could not proceed with the event this year.

“You can’t do an event year after year where you’re going to lose money,” he said, noting that the festival relies on sponsorships, merchandise, and ticket sales rather than large pro t margins. Planning for the festival typically begins in January, with early commitments needed for tents and band bookings. However, due to rising costs and the lack of a willingness to negotiate, the committee was unable to move forward with plans for 2025. The cancellation was communicated to vendors in the spring.

Fife expressed hope that

in nding workable, long-term solutions. Bari agreed to return to Mount Olive in the coming months for a public hearing on the wastewater challenges.

During the report from the interim town manager, Holland

the additional year would allow the committee to either reach a new agreement with the events center or explore alternative locations. Fife also noted that he plans to step back from festival leadership. While future leadership has not been determined, the current committee intends to keep the festival going.

“My hope is that it will all be worked out because the events center is something we want to support. It’s the obvious place to have it,” Fife said. “Hopefully, the county would negotiate, and we could have things worked out in time to plan for doing the event there in 2026.”

Fife said he was surprised by the sudden dissolution of the Duplin Tourism Development Authority, especially after tourism had asked him to participate in

advised that he had a meeting scheduled with a new engineering rm to discuss the wastewater treatment issue and received board approval to engage the new rm.

“I think it’s time we have a

a meeting June 26 with county representatives to discuss the possibility of tourism taking over the festival.

“That’s an awfully short time to make a decision following that and dissolve tourism if the purpose of the meeting was to talk about how tourism could operate the Muscadine Festival,” said Fife.

“I think it’s unfortunate that tourism has been dissolved because we were hoping that tourism would be able to take over (the festival). I think that would have been a natural t, but obviously that’s not going to be able to happen now.”

When asked if the county might take over the festival, there was some hesitation.

“That’s not going to be my decision. For now, I know that the committee does not want to

new set of eyes look at the problem and o er solutions,” Holland said.

In other business, the board of commissioners agreed to inspection fees for the town after the town began its own inspections, no longer depending on Wayne County inspectors to issue permits. Holland added that the change will also help the town better investigate and determine how permits may a ect the ow restrictions at the wastewater treatment facility.

Town commissioner Vicky Darden presented certi cates of appreciation from the town to U.S. Rep. Don Davis, Pastor Andrew Price, and Apostle Norbert Simmons and members of the Bridge Church for their contributions to the community.

“You don’t know how refreshing it is, coming from D.C., to sit and hear residents come to the mic and just share their concerns. This is the spirit of our democracy,” Davis said in receiving the certi cate after hearing public comments at the meeting. “Mount Olive is a very special place to me, in my heart. I’ve represented Mount Olive for a long time. It’s a charming community with amazing individuals.”

do that,” Fife said, adding that the committee’s intent remains to retain control of the festival in alignment with its original purpose. Whether this position will change in the future remains uncertain, but currently, there is no indication that county involvement is being actively pursued.

As for collaboration with the county, no new discussions have occurred.

“As far as I’m aware, the only discussions about it have been those that tourism was having with the county before tourism was dissolved,” Fife said. “Now what has happened since then, I don’t know because I’ve not been a part of it.”

Although disappointed by the interruption, Fife remains hopeful about the festival’s return in 2026.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

DUPLIN SPORTS

FULL SPEED AHEAD

CALYPSO — Sleeping in is not an option for football players and coaches at ve of Duplin Journal’s six schools.

And even though James Kenan practices in the late afternoon, its mission is the same: getting physically and mentally prepared for its Aug. 22 opener.

That’s 15 days from Thursday. Most players will have participated in enough noncontact practices since July 31 to be able to be play in scrimmages on Friday and Saturday.

However, others are likewise working diligently in anticipation of the rst crowd-arousing hit.

Duplin Journal will be ahead of the gridiron information curve. Preview stories for Richlands and Harrells Christian Academy will be in the Aug. 14 edition. East Duplin, North Duplin, James Kenan and Wallace-Rose Hill will be featured 24 hours before the regular season starts.

ED-WRH opener: Doesn’t get any better

Bulldogs reported at 7:30 a.m. last week as head coach Kevin Motsinger begins his ninth season at WRH. He’s missing two coaches, though, as his o ensive Adam Scronce is now the top coach at Hobbton and Gra-

ham Walker, another o ensive coach, has joined the sta at East Duplin. WRH nabbed two new coaches over the summer, Tyler Pugh and Doug Skipper.

Pugh played on a state championship team at James Kenan, where he coached the previous three seasons. Skipper is the former head coach at East Columbus.

Pugh is the defensive coordinator, taking over for Motsinger, who will replace Scronce in calling plays.

Ironically, WRH and ED face o at Legion Stadium in Wallace in the opener for both schools.

Yet remember, the Bulldogs and the Tigers are in the Swine Valley 3A/2A (with Rosewood as its only 2A school), while the Panthers remain in the ECC, which has three 4A schools (ED, Clinton, Southwest Onslow and three 3A schools (Trask, Pender, South Lenoir).

According to longtime writer Bill Rollins, ED and WRH have played 11 straight games decided by 10 or fewer points, with the Panthers having a 6-5 edge. WRH leads the all-time series 35-21-1 since ED became the last of four Duplin County high schools to consolidate in 1962. This encounter will feature a war between OC’s Motsinger and Battle Holley, who is also

See FOOTBALL, page B3

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Senior Cal Avent hopes to roll the Tigers back into the fourth round of the playo s after his team beat WRH for the rst time in 13 games.
Duplin Journal-area gridiron teams start scrimmages in anticipation of the regular season kicko s on Aug. 22
Top, Isiah Bennerman re lls and refreshes quickly before returning to practice at ED. Bottom, head coach Kevin Motsinger will be the o ensive coordinator for WRH. He’s entering his ninth season as the Bulldogs’ top grid man.
MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Top, ND defensive coordinator Brad Rhodes and defensive end and UNC signee Trashawn Ru n show some love as their favorite season starts. Bottom, Harrells Christian Academy’s Dashaun McKoy and Jeremiah Davis ght for a pass during Tuesday’s practice in Harrells.
HEATHER BEST FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Gridiron grind

Above, Tyler Pugh will be the defensive coordinator at WRH after shifting over from rival James Kenan. Right, the eyes of coaches are everywhere in preseason training camp, including longtime ND o ensive coordinator Brad Rhodes.
Left, WRH assistant coach Bubba James works with players on presnap positioning and movement. Right, JK lost some valuable players on its o ensive and defensive line, but expect head coach Tim Grady — a former Tigers lineman — to have replacements in place.
Above, ED defensive coordinator Seth Sandler is preparing his group for rival Wallace-Rose Hill. Top right, the rst ve days of preseason camp is all about instruction for all coaches, including ND’s Hugh Martin. who is entering his 25th season as the Rebels’ head coach. Bottom right, former JK and Catawba quarterback Ken Avent III, left, is working to get his cousin and current JK quarterback Eli Avent game-ready for the Tigers’ Aug. 22 opener against Southern Wayne.
MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL
MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

FOOTBALL from page B1

ED’s head coach. Holley has a 6-4 edge over Motsinger since he arrived at WRH in 2017.

Indeed, it doesn’t get any better than this, and an advance on the game will be in next week’s newspaper.

Yet the Bulldogs will face Clinton and Kinston after they tangle with the Panthers.

Reports from the Vikings’ camp say schools best beware of Kinton’s passing attack, which is led by NC State recruit Tyreek Cooper. Senior quarterback Tyler Jones threw for more than 3,000 yards and had 32 touchdown strikes.

WRH likely won’t have as easy a time with Clinton, which went 2-8 last season after head coach Cory Johnson bolted to Marlboro County following a trip to the 2A nal in 2023. Expect the Dark Horses to be vastly improved.

Panthers enter the season healthy, as ECC favorite

East Duplin appears to be a favorite in both this matchup and in the ECC.

And for good reason, even though the Panthers are far from a nished product, particularly on their o ensive and defensive lines.

Holley, who is entering his 15th season in Beulaville, is ready to move into new territory after last season’s uncharacteristic 6-6 mark.

He has a solid back eld, and a few of his best players will not have injuries to start the season. The injury bug hurt the Panthers big time last season.

ED has to very winnable nonconference games (Princeton and Richlands) and two without-a-doubt testers (James Kenan and Jacksonville).

Holley will go against Cardinals OC Pat Byrd when it faces the 5A Cardinals. Byrd beat Holley and the Panthers last season as head coach of Richlands.

Tigers upgrade nonconference schedule

The ED-JK encounter is likewise an interesting and classic Duplin rivalry. Tigers head coach Tim Grady prevailed last season in the rst sign for a team that went 12-2 and advanced to the fourth round of the 2A playo s. JK got there by breaking a 13-game losing streak to WRH.

The Tigers will likely have two romps during its nonconference slate (Southern Wayne) with JK also being a favorite for a late-season encounter with 5A Charles B. Aycock, a school that has historically had hit-or-miss success yet were 19-4 the previous two seasons. While quarterback Sidney Lancaster (69-150 for 1,190 and 16 TDs) returns, the Falcons top three running

backs and top three receivers have graduated.

A more interesting matchup will be when the Tigers travel to Bailey to face Southern Nash, who were 9-3 last season and play in a tough Big East 5A/6A Conference that has only one 6A school (Northern Nash).

Yet the biggest game for the Tigers will be when they host WRH on Oct. 31. The oddity in JK’s schedule is an open date in Week 2.

Rebels to continue its unprecedent success?

A veteran North Duplin team still with concerns on its lines could be charting its way into the history books.

Head coach Hugh Martin guided the team to 19 wins the past two seasons, and if the Rebels win 12 games, they will match the school’s most wins during a three-season stretch. Martin won 31 from 2006- 08 as did Richard Kaleel from 1970-72.

Ken Avent Sr. won 28 from 1977-79 and 27 from 1990 -92.

And in Calypso fans are aiming for the 13 wins, which includes a possibility of six postseason games. The Rebels remain a member of the newly formed Carolina 3A/2A Conference, which includes old foes Lakewood, Hobbton, Union joining three new schools — East Bladen, East Colombus and West Bladen.

Expect a thriller in Roseboro on Sept. 19 when the Rebels collide with the Leopards, the two clear favorites in the CC.

ND likely won’t be tested much early in nonconference a airs against Southside-Chocowinity, Spring Creek and Jones Senior. Yet the 53rd matchup against longtime CC member Rosewood on Aug. 28, has intrigue.

ATHLETE OF

WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Lilly Fulghum

North Duplin, volleyball

Lilly Fulghum has nished playing travel softball — for the present moment.

ND is on the road for four of its rst ve games and has only four games at H.E. Grubbs Field.

Wildcats start anew under Good

Richlands rst-year head coach Bill Good said he has a sta of 11 assistants.

Head softball coach Matt Lovely has returned to the eld to become the o ensive coordinator.

Richlands graduated 23 players from its 9-2 team that was coached by Byrd.

So there are a lot of changes in the Wildcats’ camp, and their o ensive approach and the defense will be an all-new unit, sans a few returnees.

And there won’t be any easy wins on their nonconference schedule or in the Coastal 5A/6A, which only has weakling in Swansboro (2-19 the past two seasons) as its lone 6A school.

Returnees could return Crusaders to postseason

Harrells Christian Academy, an NCISAA school, started practices July 28 under second-year coach Clayton Hall, the Crusaders’ longtime o ensive coordinator, who has the hogs up front and the running backs to run his Wing-T o ense.

His club missed the state playo s last season after losing its last three games following a 6-2 start.

Big games include a Sept. 26 trip to Matthews to face Covenant Day, the team that kept HCA out the postseason, and an Oct. 3 trip to faced North Raleigh Christian. Longtime rivals Ravenscroft (Oct. 24) and Trinity (Oct. 31) are two other circled dates.

North Duplin’s three-sport star will play softball in college, but she is enjoying digging, spiking and smashing cross-court winners as the Rebels prep for Tuesday’s season opener against James Kenan.

Fulghum is coming o a season in which she had 412 assists, 129 digs and 96 aces

She was a second-team all-Duplin selection in basketball.

The senior was an all-state 1A player in softball after hitting .630 with eight doubles, three triples and seven home runs while driving in 18 runs and scoring 30 times.

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL
MICHAEL JAENICKE/ DUPLIN JOURNAL
ED assistant coach Graham Walker, who coached at WRH last season, works with quarterback Branson Norris. The two rival schools open the season against each other.
HEATHER BEST FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
ND head coach Hugh Martin gives his approval when plays are executed properly, as projected fullback Noa Quintanilla, left, knows.

‘Head’-strong in the box

East Duplin’s Osiris Mendoza, left, battles for the ball at Spring Creek as the Panthers scrimmaged the host schools, North Lenoir and Southern Wayne.

WRH’s Chris Zeleya clears the ball during a recent scrimmage. The Bulldogs will scrimmage Charles B. Aycock, Pine Forest and Triton on Saturday before opening the season Monday with a road trip to Greene Central.

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

Cowboys owner dismisses Parsons’ trade request as negotiation talk

Dallas Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones does not intend to trade Micah Parsons after the star defensive end said he wants to leave the team amid a breakdown in negotiating a contract extension. Parsons remains at training camp after writing on social media to request a trade. He has yet to practice because of a back injury. No stranger to public and prolonged disputes with standout players, Jones insisted the stando with Parsons is no di erent than past situations.

MLB

Wrigley Field chosen to host 2027 All-Star Game

Chicago The Friendly Con nes are set to host The Midsummer Classic. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the 2027 AllStar Game will be held at Wrigley Field. The announcement came during a news conference at home plate with Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. Baseball’s second- oldest ballpark hasn’t hosted an All-Star Game since 1990. Manfred cited the “amazing transformation” of the ballpark and surrounding streets in the past decade as part of a massive renovation by the Ricketts family.

NFL’s kicko rule here to stay with tweak

Overtime, onside kicks and replay were also changed

THE NFL’S one-year experiment with the new kicko rule becomes permanent this season with a new tweak that the league hopes will lead to a bigger increase in the rate of returns.

The league also approved changes to the overtime rule, expanded replay assist and made a few other technical changes for this season. The NFL’s Hawk-Eye virtual measuring also replaces the chains to determine rst downs.

There was no change in the tush push play that Philadelphia used so successfully on the way to winning the Super Bowl last season.

Here’s an explanation of

some of the new rules that will be in place.

What’s new with the kicko ?

The league was mostly pleased with the experimental kicko put in place for 2024 that led to the rate of kicko returns increasing from a record-low 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% last season, while reducing the rate of injuries on what had been the game’s most dangerous play.

The rule made kicko s more like scrimmage plays by placing the coverage players and blockers close together to eliminate the high-speed collisions that had contributed to so many injuries on the play. The league said the rate of concussions dropped 43% on returns, with a signi cant reduction as well in lower-body injuries.

By moving the touchback

to the 35, the league projects that the return rate will rise to somewhere between 60% and 70%, with a similar increase in long returns, adding more excitement to the game.

How about onside kicks?

Teams will still need to declare their intention to try an onside kick because of the different formation. But a new change will allow trailing teams to try one before the start of the fourth quarter. Coverage players will also be allowed to line up one yard closer in hopes of increasing the rate of recovery from about 6% over the past three seasons to at least 10%.

How will overtime change?

The league approved a proposal to make the regular season overtime more like the post-

season, with both teams getting a chance at a possession, even if the team that gets the ball rst scores a touchdown.

According to Sportradar, six of the 16 overtime games last season ended on an opening-drive touchdown for the most overtime games ended on the rst drive since the rule change went into e ect in 2010.

In all, teams that won the overtime toss won 75% of the time last season, according to Sportradar, and have a .606 winning percentage in overtime since it was cut to 10 minutes.

The league kept the 10-minute overtime period instead of expanding it back to 15 minutes.

Replay assist

The NFL expanded its replay assist system to overturn objective calls if there was “clear and obvious” evidence that

a foul didn’t occur. The calls could include facemask penalties, whether there was forcible contact to the head or neck area, horse-collar tackles and tripping. Replay also would be able to overturn a roughing-the-kicker or running-into-the-kicker penalty if video showed the defender made contact with the ball.

The Competition Committee says there’s no interest in allowing replay assists to call penalties on plays missed by o cials on the eld.

Other changes

Referees will no longer use the chains to determine rst downs, opting instead for a virtual measuring system.

There were some procedural rules changed in regards to injured reserve. Teams can place two players on injured reserve with the designation to return when rosters are reduced to 53 players instead of after. Playo teams also will be granted twoadditional return from IR designations.

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jessie Newmons

April 22, 1952 – Aug. 1, 2025

Jessie Ray Newmons of Wallace, NC, passed away at home on Friday, August 1, 2025, after a period of declining health. Born on April 22, 1952, he is the son of the late Nathan Paul and Christine Wiley Newmons. Also preceding him in death are his wife of ftytwo years—Willa Jean Knowles Newmons; brothers—William Paul Newmons, Kenneth Wayne Newmons, and Edward Earl Newmons; and sister—Emma Isabell Newmons.

Left to cherish his memory are his children—Jessica Newmons of Wallace and Nathan of Wallace and wife Wendy Newmons of Kinston; grandchildren—Kayla Adams of Willard, Kimmie Batson of Wallace, Katie Batson of Wallace, Kayla Fitzgerald of Kinston, Mason Fitzgerald of Kinston, and Jaxon Newmons of Wallace; and brothers— Ernest Edgar Newmons and wife Deborah of Willard, and Michael Lynn Newmons of Wallace; sisterin-law—Toni Newmons of Willard; and many nieces, nephews, and family friends.

Mr. Newmons was a gentle man who was ‘set in his ways, which was usually right—if you asked him’. He was “strong willed” but was also loving, kind, and caring. He was known in the community of Wallace as “Mr. Fix It” because he was very versed in a multitude of areas such as carpentry, roo ng and other small jobs. He was one of those rare individuals who were truly considered a ‘jack of all trades’. He loved and treasured his family more than anything else on earth. Many very happy days in his life were spent while hunting or shing. A service to celebrate his life is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the chapel of Padgett Funeral Home. O ciating in the ceremony will be Reverend Kelvin Gurley. Padgett Funeral Home is assisting the Newmons family.

Baby boy Queon Nai

White Jennings

March 14, 2023 – July 28, 2025

Dudley- Baby boy Queon Nai White Jennings, two years old, completed his brief earthly journey and transitioned to his heavenly home on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville, NC. The Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at J.B. Rhodes Jr. Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m.

Bobby Samuel Harts Sr.

April 4, 1938 – July 28, 2025

Bobby Samuel Harts Sr., 87, passed from his earthly life with lots of love and family at his bedside on Monday, July 28, 2025.

He was born April 4, 1938, in Pender County, the son of Richard Henry Harts and Edna Atkinson Harts. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by two grandsons and brothers, Richard, Jimmy and Jacky Harts.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 45 years Carmel Hope Tart Harts; nine children, Bobby Samuel Harts Jr., Je ery Lane Harts, Derek Lee Harts (Susan), Shanan Harts Stephenson (Ashley), Debbie Ritchlin (Mike), Mark Glenn Daughtry, Jonathan Dean Daughtry, Samuel Grant Daughtry (Whitney), and Paul Edison Daughtry ( Samantha); 17 grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren; sisters, Benida Langston (Ernie) and Wanda Kosh (Jimmy); brother, Larry Harts (Neva); many nieces, nephews, and extended family all who dearly loved Bobby. Bobby was a strong patient soul who approached life with a calm demeanor and a smile. His strength was not just in his words but in his character and kindness. He loved his children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. A BIG fan of NASCAR, golf, and net shing, he found joy in both the thrill of the race and the tranquility of nature. As we remember him, we celebrate the profound impact he had on our lives. He will be greatly missed but forever cherished in our hearts.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel with the Rev. William Hill Pearsall conducting the service. Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends at the funeral home.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.

Larry Ward

March 20, 1949 –Aug. 3, 2025

Goldsboro- We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Larry Ward, who departed this life peacefully at the age of 76. Mr. Ward passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories. The arrangements are incomplete at this time. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, and please keep the family in your prayers during their time of bereavement.

Steven Matthew Wood

Aug. 13, 1945 – July 31, 2025

Steven Mathew Wood, age 79, of Rose Hill, North Carolina, passed from this earthly life to his eternal life to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

He was born on August 13, 1945, in New Hanover County, the son of the late Gorman and Adell Tucker Wood. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Shannon Wood.

Steve, as he was a ectionately known, proudly served in the North Carolina National Guard. He also served as an o cer at a North Carolina Correctional Institution until retirement.

Surviving is his wife of 24 years Jackie Sholar of the home; daughter Tammy Quinn and husband Bobby of Rose Hill; son Matt Teachey of Rose Hill; grandchildren Elijah Teachey, Stephen Teachey, Dylan Sessoms and Sara Sessoms; sisters Reba Wood of Wallace and Charlotte Whiteford and husband Mac of Spokane, Washington; step children Anthony Guy of Magnolia, Ashely Guy and wife Kelly of Rose Hill, Brandon Guy and wife Julie of Durham, Amber Guy Bostic of Warsaw, Miranda Matthews and husband Jeremy of Rose Hill and Alicia Waters of Alexandria, Virginia; step grandchildren Logan Matthews, Kyle Matthews, Tyson Matthews, Greyson Waters, Reagan Waters, Bellamy Arms, and Monroe Arms; his special ‘music boys ; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends that loved Steve dearly.

Steve was a loving husband and caring father, grandfather, and brother. He was a simple man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a caring, generous and giving man to all he knew. He was humble and totally sel ess. To Steve, no one was a stranger. He loved people and was loved in return. He enjoyed playing the guitar, building and woodworking. With his kindness and love for young people, it seemed that youth gravitated to him. Steve touched many lives during his life. He loved his family and the Lord with all his heart. The life he lived was a great example to his family and friends. Steve will surely be missed but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon, one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Burial will follow the service at Riverview Memorial Park in Watha.

Dennis James Brinson

March 19, 1962 – July 29, 2025

Dennis James Brinson, 63, of Rose Hill, NC passed away July 29, 2025 at his residence. Funeral service will be 1:00pm Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Hawes Funeral Home - Warsaw. Interment following the service at Brinson Cemetery in Rose Hill, NC.

Christopher Scott Elliott

Nov. 30, 1965 – July 29, 2025

Christopher Scott Elliott, a ectionately known to all as Chris, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness that will be cherished by all who knew him.

Born on November 30, 1965, in Gadsden, Alabama, Chris lived a life lled with compassion for others and unwavering faith.

Chris is survived by his wife and soulmate of 27 years, Sherlon Elliott; sons, Braden Elliott and Adam Elliott; father, Zennie Conway; sister, Lisa Caison and her husband, Joe; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends.

Chris was predeceased by his parents, Tracy Elliott and Barbara Haire Davis; his stepdad, Ronald Davis; and a sister, Jan Stoudenmire.

Chris celebrated his life to the fullest. He was continuously living life with kindness and strength beyond measure. He saw life, each day as a gift, seeing the good in every bad situation, grateful for everything and expecting nothing in return. Chris was quite a sherman, enjoying the sport, catching sh big, little and in between. Chris served 13 years in the US Marine Corps, serving honorably and proudly. Many remember Chris as their UPS man, where he worked for a number of years. Chris was the BEST husband, dad, brother, uncle and friend that anyone could ask for. His shining, guiding light in our lives will surely be missed.

Funeral service will be 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Burgaw Chapel. The family will receive friends at 2 p.m., one hour prior to the funeral service.

Lenora Mainor Morris

Dec. 15, 1947 – July 31, 2025

Mrs. Lenora Mainor Morris, aka “Duche”, age 77, of Navassa, NC, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Mainor Family Cemetery, Fort Knox Road in Magnolia, NC. Left to cherish her precious memories are her husband, Robert Morris of Navassa, NC; two sons: Ronald Gresham (Regina) of Atlanta, GA and Teerin Gresham of Wilmington, NC; one daughter, Sheria Lofton of Leland, NC; four brothers: Leonard Gresham (Mae) of Whitsett, NC, Robert Gresham of Nashville, TN, Matthew McKinney of Charlotte, NC and Parrish McKinney (Charlotte) of Nashville, TN; four sisters: Leona Howard and Phyllis Blanks, both of Macon, GA, Deborah Owens of Conyers, GA and Anna M. McKinney of Wilmington, NC; twelve grandchildren, seven greatgrandchildren; ve step-children a host of step-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Cli ord Owen Jones

Nov. 28, 1942 – July 31, 2025

Cli ord Owen Jones, 82, of Winnabow, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at SECU Hospice house of Brunswick, after a long ve-year battle with cancer. He was born on November 28, 1942, in Providence, Rhode Island, to the late Herbert Leslie Jones and the late Florence Monahan Jones.

Cli ord, a proud Coast Guard Veteran, was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. He was a member of St. Mary’s Basilica. Cli ord found joy in golf, shing, reading, and playing cards with his family. He was an honorable man with a gentle spirit. He shared a lot of laughs with his family and always put them rst.

Cli ord is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Judith A. Jones; his son, Stephen Jones and wife, Lisa; his daughters, Kimberley A. Jones, Kristin Leslie Jones and husband, Alexander Maresca, Lindsay J. Adams; and husband, Brian; his sisters, Kathleen A. Gregson and husband, David, Sharon L. Jones; his grandchildren, Lauren Marchand and husband, Kyle, Courtney Jones, Matthew Jones, Julian Maresca, Mila Maresca, Harrison Adams, Owen Adams, Sylvie Adams; great grandchild, Millie Marchand; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Instead of owers, the family would encourage donations to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare Foundation.

A celebration of Cli ord’s Life will be at a later date.

Quinn McGowen Funeral Home of Wilmington is serving the family.

Nov. 28, 1969 – July 31, 2025

Je ery Lynn Kennedy, 55, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at his home.

Funeral Service: Saturday, August 2, 2025, 6 p.m.

Followed by a visitation

Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, NC

Graveside Service: Sunday, August 3, 2025, 2 p.m., East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville, NC

Survivors:

Spouse: Lisa Kennedy, Pink Hill, NC; Daughter: Jessica Kennedy, Pink Hill, NC

Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Kennedy family.

Mary Barbara Ward

Oct. 7, 1944 – July 31, 2025

Mary Barbara Chadwick Ward, 80, ew on the wings of an angel to her home in Glory on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by love and family.

She was born on October 7, 1944, at home in Pender County, the daughter of Elbert and Mary Harris Chadwick. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lennis Ward; a son, Michael Ward; a sister, Betty Rivenbark; and a brother, Gene Chadwick.

Barbara worked for the Pender County School System for 19 years. In later years, she did home care for senior citizens, which she enjoyed very much.

She has two daughters, Donna Ward Tyson (Emery Farmer) and JoAnn Ward Schettig-Young (Allen); grandchildren, Brandon Tyson, Chris Tyson, Erik Schettig (Sidney), Mason Schettig, Amelia Little (Paul), and Maggie Jo Ward; great grandchildren, Morgan, Molly, Addie, Shadow, Ingrid, Henry, Paige, and Ian; brother, Ray Chadwick (Patsy); sisters, Mamie Rivenbark and Gracie Atkinson; brother-in-law, Jerry Rivenbark; and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara loved to work in her garden and cook; baking delicious cakes was her specialty. Her grandchildren were all very special in her life. She attended Gateway Community Church, where she often worked in the food bank.

The memorial service will be 1 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Howard Harrell and Rev. Merrell McKoy conducting the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the memorial service.

Backstreet Music Festival brings Wallace together for a day of celebration

Community spirit lled downtown Wallace last Saturday as locals gathered for the Backstreet Music Festival along historic Boney Street. The event featured live music, food trucks, local vendors and family-friendly activities, all in celebration of a legacy of unity that dates back to the segregation era. Backstreet was once the vibrant heart of the community, home to thriving businesses and a place where residents found pride and belonging. During segregation, it served as a safe cultural gathering spot, o ering a space to eat,

socialize and connect. The festival continues to honor this rich history of community, entrepreneurship and togetherness.

PHOTOS BY REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN

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