the BRIEF this week
Body recovered last month belongs to missing Pink Hill woman
Duplin County
The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday that the body recovered on March 26 in the area of Burncoat and Jimmy Lee roads is that of Jamie Brooke Kennedy, 34. The announcement was made after the sheriff’s office received official notification from the North Carolina Medical Examiners’ Office. Kennedy was reported missing from the Pink Hill area on March 9 and was last seen on Maxwell Mill Road near Albertson on March 2. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Jon Green at the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office at 910-296-2150 or the Duplin County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910 -372-9202.
New all-way stops coming to Duplin
Duplin County The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will install two all-way stop signs and add pavement markings in Duplin County to enhance safety. The installations are scheduled for April 21 at the intersection of N.C. 903 and Outlaw Bridge Road, and on April 22 at the intersection of N.C. 50 and Maready Road.
NCDOT advises drivers to exercise caution while traveling through these areas during the safety improvements.
Late Magnolia police chief honored in Senate record
Magnolia Earlier this year, the late Magnolia Police Chief Donald Hall was one of 85 fallen law enforcement officers honored in the U.S. Senate. This recognition included deaths from assaults, gunfire, vehicular pursuits and duty-related illnesses. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) noted that those honored made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities and requested a list of fallen officers to be printed in the Congressional Record.
County offices closed for Good Friday
Duplin County Duplin County offices will be closed April 18 for Good Friday.
$2.00
Duplin Hall of Fame honors Brinson, Routledge
Two eras of service were recognized at the 30th Hall of Fame celebration
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Hall of Fame celebrated its 30th annual awards banquet at the Ed Emory Auditorium last week, adding two inductees to its roster of 59 individuals: living recipient Davis Brinson, former Duplin County
manager and register of deeds, and Col. Thomas Routledge, deceased recipient and veteran of the Revolutionary War. The organization has been honoring the accomplishments of Duplin County residents, both historic and contemporary, since its establishment in 1996.
Brinson, former president of the Duplin County Hall of Fame, was introduced as the living inductee for this year’s honor by Duplin County Library Director Laura Jones, also a member of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors.
“Tonight, the Duplin County Hall of Fame honors an individual who was born and raised in the heart of Duplin County, the same as his father, his grandfather, great-grandfather and several greats back,” Jones began her address, detailing Brinson’s youth, education and accomplishments. Brinson, a Kenansville native who served for over 20 years with the Kenansville Volunteer Fire Department as firefighter, captain, treasurer and chairman of the board of directors, graduat-
“Tonight, the Duplin County Hall of Fame honors an individual who was born and raised in the heart of Duplin County, the same as his father, his grandfather, great-grandfather and several greats back.”
Laura Jones, Duplin County Library director
ed from NC State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following graduation, he returned to Duplin County to
See HALL, page A2
Duplin discusses state-mandated property valuations
Local officials addressed residents concerns and detailed the valuation process during the monthly meeting
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — Last week, the Board of County Commissioners started their monthly meeting with County Manager Bryan Miller, thoroughly explaining the tax revaluation process.
Wallace
Miller explained that under the Machinery Act, North Carolina requires all counties to reassess the value of all real estate for tax purposes at least once every eight years, which includes land, buildings and anything permanently attached to the land, like mineral or timber rights.
“We’re in our eighth year, so we have to do it this year,” Miller explained, adding that the county tax office is legally obligated to review and set property values. He also outlined the three methods used for deter-
mining property values: cost, sales comparison and income approaches. Miller explained that utilizing all three ensures fair and accurate valuations, with appraisals reflecting market value.
A key requirement of the process is that when a county completes a reappraisal, the budget officer must include a revenue-neutral tax rate in the budget for comparison, keeping taxpayers informed about their potential tax obligations.
Miller pointed out that while the rate is revenue-neutral for
addresses expansion at latest town council meeting
“What are you doing to prepare for and promote industrial development?”
Charley Farrior, former mayor of Wallace
A shell building project aims to draw investors to the growing town
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
THE WALLACE TOWN Council convened for their regular meeting at the Wallace Women’s Club last Thursday, where the board discussed the town’s ongoing development and upcoming Strawberry Festival. The meeting also featured an update on a shell building in one of the town’s industrial parks and the introduction of a new interim finance director. Scotty Summerlin, executive director of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission, provided an in-depth update to the board regarding the progress of a
50,000-square-foot shell building being constructed in Southpark, one of the county’s three industrial parks.
Summerlin advised the council that the purpose of the structure is to attract investors. The shell building will be largely incomplete. Summerlin indicated that a Certificate of Occupancy won’t be sought for the location at this time.
Charley Farrior, former mayor of Wallace, provided additional insight into shell buildings for the council’s benefit.
“(The) reason you don’t put a floor in it is because you don’t know who’s going in it. They could need a 6-inch floor, they could need a 4-inch floor, they could need a pit dug,” he explained. “It is a building for a new occupant to come in and
the county overall, it may not be for individual taxpayers due to the unique nature of each property.
“The tax office is happy to discuss details on each individual’s tax parcels,” said Miller. “Commissioners may or may not choose to adopt the revenue-neutral tax rate as calculated by the budget officer, but keep in mind the CPI (Consumer Price Index) has increased approximately 26% since a tax increase was last adopted
THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
PHOTO K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Former Duplin County Manager Davis Brinson stands with wife, Brandi, following his induction into the 2025 Duplin County Hall of Fame. Brinson was honored for his distinguished service to the county on April 8 during the annual awards banquet.
K.D. Beard Reporter Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor Loretta Carey Office Manager CONTACT US
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THURSDAY
April 17
• The 2025 Duplin County Job Fair will be on Thursday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at James Sprunt Community College. This event is open to the public. Whether on the hunt for a dream job or just exploring options, it is a chance to connect with local employers and discover job opportunities. The rain date is April 24.
April 22
• The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Duplin County Center will host a boiling water canning workshop on April 22 at 10 a.m., at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the associated risks, the science behind preventing those risks and terminology related to recipes. The cost is $10. To register, call 910-296-2143.
• The Duplin County Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VAD) Board will have its next
meeting on April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Lois G. Britt Agricultural Center in Kenansville. RSVP is required. Contact the Extension Office at 910-296-2143 to RSVP or for more information.
April 26
• Join the North Carolina Pickle Festival on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Mount Olive. A variety of activities, including the Tour de Pickle, beer and wine garden, pickle-eating contest, recipe contest, live music, car show, costume contest and the crowning of the Pickle Princess. Register for the Tour de Pickle by April 18. The festivities kick off on Friday, April 25 with the Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run at 8 p.m.
• Immerse yourself in the beauty of Southeastern North Carolina’s lush gardens at the Garden Gala and celebrate the kickoff of the Carolina Strawberry Festival on April 26. Dress to impress and enjoy an afternoon filled with live music by the Blackwater Band, drinks, a selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Tickets are $75. The gala will take place from 1-6 p.m. with an afterparty hosted at the Mad Boar. A free shuttle service will be available between the Mad Boar and the Gardens.
• Pet Friends of Duplin County will host a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will take place in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, located at 208 West Main St.
in Wallace. Rabies shots are free for the first five dogs, cats and ferrets. There will be a charge of $5 for each additional pet. Duplin County Animal Services will be administering the vaccinations. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and cats and ferrets should be placed in crates or carriers. For more information, contact 910-271-4709.
April 28
• Join the annual Shred-a-thon event hosted by Duplin County Senior Services on Monday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants can shred old documents to protect themselves against identity theft and reduce clutter in their homes. The Shred-a-thon will be at the side parking lot of the senior services building, located at 156 Duplin Commons Drive in Kenansville. Last year, seniors shredded 1,500 pounds of paper during the first Shred-a-thon. For more information, call 910-296-2140.
April 29
• The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Duplin County Center, will host a pressure canning workshop on April 29 at 10 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension office located at 165 Agriculture Dr. in Kenansville. In this workshop, you’ll learn the science behind creating shelf-stable products and how to use a pressure canner to process jars of vegetables and meats for shelf stability. The cost is $10. To register, call 910-296-2143.
JSCC breaks ground on new Workforce Development Center
The 22,000-square-foot facility will power Duplin County’s skilled workforce
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
LAST WEEK, James Sprunt
Community College broke ground on its Workforce Development Center — a state-of-theart facility designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in essential trades like electrical, plumbing and HVAC.
“We are incredibly excited about the impact this center will have — not only for our students, but for the workforce across Duplin County and beyond,” stat-
ed Jay Carraway, James Sprunt Community College president, in a media announcement.
Spanning 22,000 square feet, the Workforce Development Center will serve as a future-forward space and will offer an innovative learning environment where students will receive expanded opportunities to dive into hands-on training utilizing the latest tools and technologies.
“This facility represents a major step forward in our mission to provide accessible, career-ready education and to help shape the future of our community’s skilled labor force,” said Carraway.
Expected to open its doors by the summer of 2026, the Workforce Development Center promises to be a game-changer for local students, providing them with not only the tools they need but also the critical skills and experience needed to thrive in technical careers that fuel growth.
work with the Department of Social Services as a child protective services investigator, also serving as a deputy sheriff with the Duplin County Police Department in telecommunications and later as an adult probation and parole officer with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections in 1997.
In 2000, at the age of 28, Brinson offered his services to the county in another way by running for the office of Duplin County Register of Deeds, eventually winning the election and attending the Basic School for Registers of Deeds at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Government. Brinson was reelected in 2004, 2008 and 2012, completing the advanced register of deeds school in 2007 and earning a chancellor’s certificate in public administration from the University of Missouri in 2009.
“If you ever visited the courthouse during the time when Davis was Register of Deeds, you just felt like you were right there at home,” recalled Faison attorney Brian Bullard.
During his tenure, Brinson made it his mission to modernize the office of the Register of Deeds, succeeding in implementing an online marriage application, an electronic record and recording of real estate documents, and an integrated office website
that allowed users to learn about the functions of the office and access all vital records online.
Brinson’s accomplishments while in office included the digitization of various documents and records to help preserve the county’s history. All reported property records, maps and plats, as well as real property record book images and indexes dating back to 1750, were converted into a digital format.
Additionally, Brinson oversaw the deacidification and binding of all Duplin County Marriage Records, which had previously been stored in loose metal filing cabinets.
“As a librarian and a genealogy researcher, I can’t say enough about this type of preservation; it’s priceless,” explained Jones.
After serving as Register of Deeds for 17 years and holding positions of ever-increasing responsibility with the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds, Brinson was appointed Duplin County manager. In his first few years as county manager, Brinson contended with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Florence, supervised rebuilding the county’s IT infrastructure following a malware attack in 2020, and coordinated with 29 county department heads to establish a work schedule for departmental employees during the pandemic. In addition to his service in local government and administration, Brinson re-
mained active in numerous community organizations throughout his tenure.
Taylor Brinson, daughter of the recipient, penned a heartfelt personal reflection on her father’s service, which Jones read at the ceremony.
“When I think about my dad, I think about a man who could transition between two worlds with the kind of ease that made you think he had superpowers,” read Jones. “I watched my dad pour countless hours into our family’s turkey farm. But he gave even more of himself to the community. For 30 years, he didn’t just work — he served.”
Brinson addressed the audience upon his official induction into the Duplin County Hall of Fame, “I just want to say thank you. It is an honor. There’s so many of you here tonight who have helped me along my path and my career. I’m honored. I’m humbled. Thank you so much.”
This year’s ceremony had a special focus on Duplin County’s revolutionary past, featuring memorabilia from the late 1700s and guest speakers from Moores Creek National Battlefield — the site of the first decisive patriot victory in the American War of Independence.
Sandi Dunlap, guest speaker and living historian, provided those in attendance with a brief history of the battle from beneath a colonial-style bonnet, noting that Pvt. John Grady was
the only patriot casualty in the skirmish.
Steven Roberts, National Park Service education technician and A250 ranger, emphasized that 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence — and the 275th anniversary of Duplin County’s formation. Roberts advocated for celebrations of history at North Carolina’s First in Freedom Festival to take place in February 2026.
Bullard, also adorned in period-appropriate attire, noted that the county’s founding was far from simple to determine.
“The Colonial period of Duplin County can be challenging to piece together,” he explained. “One reason, perhaps, is that the founders were too busy making history to write it down.”
Bullard thanked those instrumental in nailing down Duplin’s actual date of incorporation: Thomas Byrd, Leon “Sonny” Sikes and Brinson, adding that all were essential in determining the county’s founding as 1750 and not 1749.
Duplin County historian and attorney Charles Ingram introduced the deceased recipient with a powerful excerpt from Thomas Paine’s revolutionary pamphlet “The American Crisis No. 1.”
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the ser-
vice of their country, but he who stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman,’” quoted Ingram. “The honoree was such a man — a true patriot!” Ingram detailed Routledge’s leadership in the military establishment and the civil government during the war, as well as his continued service following North Carolina’s statehood.
“It is men such as he who, over 250 years ago, served and sacrificed and made it possible for us to live in freedom,” said Ingram. “In the times that tried men’s souls, the honoree was neither a summer solider nor a sunshine patriot and did not shrink from the service of his country but stood by it. And for that, he does indeed deserve ‘the love and thanks of men and women.’”
Typically, living relatives are called upon to receive the deceased recipient’s honor in their stead, though no known descendants of Routledge have been located. According to Marilynn Kornegay Hroza, president of the Duplin County Hall of Fame, it is likely, however, that descendants do exist.
“Charles and I have talked about that, and I have no doubt he will be continuing the search,” said Hroza. Nominations for the 2026 Duplin County Hall of Fame should be mailed by Feb. 15, 2026, to Duplin County Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 99, Kenansville, NC 28349.
HALL from page A1
PHOTO BY KYLE TYNDALL / JAMES SPRUNT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Pictured from left to right are A.J. Connors, Wayne Branch, Jay Carraway, Rep. Jimmy Dixon, Anita Powers, and Ed Emory as they break ground for the James Sprunt Community College new Workforce Development Center on April 9.
Kornegay named to NCCF board of directors
The local business leader and community advocate brings decades of leadership experience to new role at NCCF
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
LAST WEEK, the North Carolina Community Foundation announced the appointment of Robert B. Kornegay as one of two newly appointed board members. He currently serves as the manager of member services at Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, a position he has held for over two decades.
finish like they want it finished.”
Construction of the building, a $3 million investment, should commence within the next 90 days, with the first phase expected to finalize by the end of the year.
“I want to talk to you as the former mayor for a minute,” said Farrior, addressing the board on another matter. “I’m going to ask you a question, and I hope this question will kind of stick in your mind: What are you doing to prepare for and promote industrial development?”
Farrior expressed that while residential development in the town is growing rapidly, industrial development shouldn’t fall to the wayside.
“A lot of factors go into industrial recruitment,” said Farrior, noting that attracting industries was an extremely competitive process that required available land, water, sewer, housing, good schools, adequate internet services and, at times, natural gas and railway availability.
“It’s an exciting new chapter, and I’m looking forward
to the opportunity to contribute on a broader scale,” Kornegay told Duplin Journal via email. “I’m eager to see what the future holds with this new opportunity.” Kornegay has an extensive business management and community service background, with leadership roles in agricultural and educational organizations. He currently chairs the Wayne County Development Alliance, a group focused on economic development, and serves as the vice chair of the University of Mount Olive Board of Trustees. Additionally, he is a board member of the Duplin County Community Foundation.
The Mount Olive native is
“It’s an exciting new chapter, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to contribute on a broader scale.”
Robert B. Kornegay
also involved in his family business, Kornegay Brothers Inc., a hog farming operation that partners with Murphy Family Farms. As the company’s co-owner, secretary and treasurer, he plays a significant role in managing the farming operations.
The former mayor praised the town of Beulaville for their recent acquisition of 54 acres of land for industrial development, applauding them for the progressive purchase. He also shared the cautionary tale of another local community currently under a sewer moratorium to illustrate the importance of sewer and water in developing municipalities.
In other business
Kornegay has been actively involved in the community and has a long track record of service on multiple boards and organizations, including the Duplin County Board of Commissioners, the James Sprunt Community College Board of Trustees, the North Carolina Global TransPark Commission, the Duplin County Education Foundation and the Duplin County Partnership for Children. He has also served as the former president of both the North Carolina Plant Food Association and the Duplin County Community Foundation. Kornegay holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mount Olive.
port, Town Manager Robert Taylor announced Carrie Gurganious as interim finance director.
Near the meeting’s end, Rod Fritz, planning director for the town of Wallace, urged the board to reach out to elected officials in response to legislation brought before the North Carolina House and Senate that could hinder the growing town’s development by taking away extraterritorial jurisdictions (the ability for local municipalities to zone areas outside of their corporate limits).
The North Carolina League of Municipalities has opposed the legislation and encouraged its members to send letters to their representatives expressing the concern.
The town granted the contract for the demolition of 14 structures at the Wallace-Pender Airport to Coastline Contracting for $453,405. Airport
Director Ben Jones stated that this would be a straightforward
“It’ll take you four or five years to add on to the plant that you got,” cautioned Farrior. “Don’t let it get in front of you.”
project and should be done by July.
The board unanimously approved the sale of beer and wine for the town’s upcoming Carolina Strawberry Festival from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, May 2 and from 2-10 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. More than 150 vendors will take part in the annual festival.
As part of the financial re -
“It’s important that we get those letters signed,” said Fritz, advising the board that the bills have the potential to largely undo local land-use planning in the town of Wallace. ”We need to reach out to our representative and our senator to make sure that they know that we’re opposed to this new legislation.”
Bob Kornegay
K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Charley Farrior encouraged the Wallace Town Council to be progressive when considering expansion at their monthly meeting last week.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
Beyond the Book
“I am so incredibly proud of our students for their creativity and dedication to bringing books to life in such unique ways.”
Lindsay Skidmore
“READ, READ, READ.” That is the good advice of William Faulkner, who is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. Acclaimed American author Stephen King describes books as “a uniquely portable magic.” Garrison Keillor, longtime host of “A Prairie Home Companion,” calls a book “a gift you can open again and again.” In the 19th century, when slave states passed laws prohibiting the teaching of reading and writing to slaves, abolitionist Frederick Douglass wrote, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
With the goal of encouraging the love of reading among the students in Duplin Schools, the first Beyond the Book competition was held on March 18 at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. The room was full of excited students who were finalists among the 900 readers who competed at the local school level. In welcoming remarks, Lindsay Skidmore, director of 6-8 Curriculum and Digital Innovation, set out the purpose of Beyond the Book as “blending literacy with the arts and technology in alignment with the district’s STEAMA focus.” She said, “I am
COLUMN | REP. ALLEN CHESSER
so incredibly proud of our students for their creativity and dedication to bringing books to life in such unique ways. It’s inspiring to see how reading can spark such innovation and enthusiasm.”
Imagine the creativity our students displayed as they competed in these categories. Elementary school students presented their books in three media: From Page to Stage, in which they dressed as characters from the books; A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, in which the students created infographics to express the main ideas; and Recycled Reads, in which the readers used 2-liter soda bottles to create main characters from the books.
Middle school students shared their love of reading in these imaginative ways: Read & Reel, a video presentation; Diorama Drama, in which a scene was represented with threedimensional figures; and Lyric Lab, through which the students expressed the details of their books through poetry, song and rap.
I had the honor and responsibility of judging a dozen entries in the category “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.” I was impressed by the students’ imagination and enthusiasm. I also learned a lot about Dog Man, Matilda, Simone Biles and Misty Copeland, just to name a few of the subjects presented. The students were judged on the
originality of their projects as well as their knowledge and presentation of their books. I was inspired by the work of all the students and their obvious passion for reading.
Congratulations to the winners in the first Beyond the Book competition:
Elementary school
From Page to Stage: Katherine Wolfe (North Duplin); Recycled Reads: Jack Holley (Chinquapin); A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Aubree McKoy (Wallace)
Middle school
Diorama Drama: Bella Cavenaugh (Wallace); Lyric Lab: Tyler Hall (Chinquapin); Read & Reel: J.T. Wolfe (North Duplin Jr./Sr. High)
In the words of the beloved Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things. you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Philip Gladden lives in Wallace and writes on behalf of Duplin County Schools.
House Bill 612 — Fostering Care in NC Act
We’ve lost over 1,000 foster families in the last 5 years.
THE CHILD WELFARE system in the United States was created to protect children from abuse and neglect.
In the 1800s, “child-saving” efforts were voluntary and consisted mainly of orphanages and almshouses, also known as poor houses, that housed children and impoverished adults.
The North Carolina Constitution of 1868 established, for the first time, a role for state government with respect to social services that the “beneficent provision for the poor, the unfortunate and orphan[s] being one of the first duties of a civilized and a Christian state, the General Assembly shall, at its first session, appoint and define the duties of a Board of Public Charities, to whom shall be entrusted the supervision of all charitable and penal State institutions…”
The federal government established and funded Child Protective Services in 1962, and North Carolina began participating in the provision of state foster care in 1969. The primary goal was to ensure children’s safety and well-being by protecting children from abuse and neglect, intervening when necessary to remove children from dangerous situations and working with families to address problems contributing to abuse or neglect.
As legislators, we are responsible to our youngest North Carolinians, who are the future of our great state. We have a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure that the 16,245 children and youth in foster care receive care and support so that they can have a bright future.
We have entrusted the child welfare work in North Carolina to the 100 counties who each operate local Departments of
Social Services (DSS). These departments are supervised by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and follow a policy directive to strengthen and preserve families whenever possible; but when a child can no longer safely remain with their family, the state must assure that the quality of substitute care is as close as possible to the care and nurturing that society expects of a family.
We recognize that many hard-working individuals serve in our county DSS agencies, and they do extraordinary work every day to support children and families. But we also have concerns about the consistency in how care is provided, impacting the overall effectiveness of the N.C. child welfare system.
There have been numerous news reports of egregious examples of children being harmed or killed by their parents; we’ve lost over 1,000 foster families in the last five years; children are sleeping in DSS offices or are stuck in hospital emergency rooms waiting for mental health treatment, and children are languishing in foster care for years waiting for a place to call home.
Recently a class action lawsuit was filed in federal court alleging a series of issues within N.C.’s foster care system. The lawsuit alleges that the child welfare system has been operating in a state of crisis for years and includes allegations that:
• Workload standards aren’t being enforced, resulting in child welfare workers unable to provide the support that vulnerable children and parents need.
• Children in foster care do not have
access to adequate and timely mental health services
• Children are institutionalized at twice the national average
• N.C. has failed to protect children and youth in foster care from physical, psychological, and emotional harm.
• N.C. fails to meet permanency standards, leaving children in foster care too long.
We must recognize that a failure to protect the safety and well-being of children is a failure of the state. We must continue to improve and strengthen the child welfare system and the people who are working on the ground supporting children every day. Our children and youth in foster care have already suffered from abuse or neglect that led to their entry into the system, and we must do everything possible to ensure that no other harm comes to them under our protection. The buck stops here.
In an effort to move forward solutions to strengthen N.C.’s child welfare system, we have worked with experts, both inside and outside the foster care system, to write House Bill 612, the “Fostering Care in NC Act.”
We realize this singular bill will not fix all the problems, but it is an important step in what should be only the beginning of a commitment to change N.C.’s child welfare system into a shining example of how a legislative body can take action to support the well-being and success of our most precious assets, our children.
Rep. Allen Chesser represents N.C. House District 25 in the General Assembly.
COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN
Community invited to share input at Faison’s May budget hearing
The town also moved forward with tech upgrades using remaining budget funds
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
FAISON — The Town of Faison will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, May 7 for the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, the board decided at its monthly meeting. The public hearing will give members of the community an opportunity to speak on the budget and learn more about the board’s priorities in the coming year.
As the town looks forward to a potential celebration of its 250th anniversary next year, renovations such as signs denoting historic sites have risen as budget considerations.
“I think we need more time to look over them,” said Mayor Billy Ward in reference to the signs suggested by Faison native Ron Oates at the board’s previous meeting, indicating that sign elements such as design, verbiage and placement needed further consideration before moving
in Duplin County in 2018 and 2019.”
Miller also explained that residents who disagree with their tax valuations can go to the county’s Board of Equalization and Review (BoER), which is responsible for reviewing property tax assessments and hearing taxpayer appeals. Its main purpose is to give taxpayers a fair chance to challenge their property assessments through a formal hearing.
This board meets every year between the first Monday in April and the first Monday in May. In years when a county conducts a property revaluation, the board must finish accepting new appeals by Dec. 1; however, even after the deadline, the board can continue working on appeals that were submitted on time or resulted from recent changes they made to property values.
“If you disagree with your valuation, the first step is to simply contact the tax office. They can walk you through a written appeal,” Miller explained.
He noted that people could also attend a board meeting and present an appeal.
“Most successful appeals I have seen have been accompanied by an independent appraisal or comparable sales data compiled by an appraiser,” he said.
The county manager emphasized that the property value is just one part of how taxes are calculated — the tax rate is the other. He also noted that the
forward. “It’s a lot of signs, and some of them are right on top of each other. I think it might need to be tweaked a little bit.”
The mayor acknowledged that while the town doesn’t have money in the budget for the proposed signage right now, they would be budgeted for in the coming fiscal year. George Carr from the Faison Improvement Group added that the town would only supply the posts, hardware and installation, as Oates had volunteered to pay for the signs. The meeting also included
goal of the Board of Commissioners is to set a fair and stable tax rate for fiscal year 2026.
Chairman Dexter Edwards invited people in the audience who had questions about the revaluation to come to the podium. Various residents came forward with concerns.
One resident expressed that the rise in property values felt overwhelming. She provided specific examples of how the increased valuations had directly impacted her land, noting tax increases of up to $460 in some cases. She highlighted the startling fact that even a small tract of land, now underwater, still saw a significant increase in value.
A resident from Warsaw questioned whether their property was appraised on par with homes in more affluent areas like Riverlanding. She felt that the valuation did not reflect her property’s true value. In response, Miller clarified that property values are determined based on recent sales of comparable homes in the same area. He advised residents who suspect their properties have been overvalued to contact the tax office for assistance, as mistakes can happen and the staff is committed to helping.
“If you can, have an appraisal done of your property, and if it comes in less, by all means, take that to the tax office, take it to the BoER; they can work with you,” Miller said.
A resident on Holland Road expressed concern about the rise in property valuations and
a vote for the town to upgrade its firewall in addition to two computers.
Sharon Lee, Faison’s town clerk and finance officer, received notification from IPM Computers in January that the municipality’s firewall needed replacement, as well as the payment terminal and an additional computer. Though the company told her the upgrades could wait until after the new budget had taken effect in July, Lee thought it prudent to act now.
“Since we have some money left in this year in comput-
“I’m not going to tell you we’re not going to increase taxes, but not double it — It’s not going to happen.”
Dexter Edwards, chairman
the resulting strain on taxes and insurance. Living in an area classified as protection class 10 — due to the absence of a nearby fire department — the resident has seen their homeowner’s insurance surge, more than doubling from last year, with expectations of further increases looming. As taxes and insurance costs continue to climb, the resident finds it increasingly challenging to maintain their home coverage, creating frustration and uncertainty about the future. In addressing these concerns, Miller acknowledged the situation, confirming that the resident’s area is outside the six-mile emergency response zone, which directly impacts insurance rates. He offered to consult with the emergency services director to explore possible solutions, such as establishing a new fire station or extending services from a nearby department. Edwards addressed the group, reassuring residents that while property values have increased, that doesn’t necessarily translate to a corresponding hike in taxes. He emphasized that, while some increases are anticipated, they
“It’s something new. It wasn’t really planned, but there was a lot of interest.”
Matthew Scott, Faison Recreation and Wellness Center director
ers, I thought we’d go ahead and get it done this year and we won’t have to do it next year,” explained Lee. A motion was brought and approved to upgrade the firewall for $1,765 and both computers for $3,841.
Three budgetary amendments were approved by the board to reallocate funds for various purposes.
“We’ll probably have several of these between now and the end of June until we get everything straight for this budget year,” said Ward. In other business, Faison Recreation and Wellness Center Director Matthew Scott advised the board that eight teams had signed up to play adult volleyball, a new undertaking for Faison Recreation.
“It’s something new. It wasn’t really planned, but there was a lot of interest,” said Scott, adding that teams will play on Sunday evenings to accommodate the adult players’ busy schedules.
won’t be as drastic as many residents fear, and the board is committed to keeping the rate as fair as possible. “We do not know what the tax rate is going to be yet,” said Edwards. “We’ve got to consolidate everything and come back to the budget, but you will not pay that kind of increase, and I can promise you that from the board. I’m not going to tell you we’re not going to increase taxes, but not double it — it’s not going to happen.”
In other business
• Ronald Lewis with Foundation Forward, a nonprofit educational organization, made a presentation about the Charters of Freedom, emphasizing its importance as living documents that represent the liberties and freedoms of the United States, and discussed its goal to establish one charter in each North Carolina county by 2026 at no cost to the counties. The nonprofit seeks to bring a historical charter to Duplin County. The county commissioners were receptive and promised to review the request.
• Frankie Roberts, the executive director of LINC, and his assistant delivered a presentation about the organization’s efforts to help individuals returning from prison rebuild their lives by addressing the critical barriers
Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue seeks volunteers
Chinquapin
The Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad (CVFRS) is looking for volunteers to join the 22 firefighters currently on the roster. A recent social media announcement by CVFRS indicated the department faces a critical shortage of volunteer firefighters, a problem affecting departments nationwide. According to the announcement, the North Carolina Department of Insurance requires departments such as CVFRS to maintain a roster of 15 volunteer firefighters to remain open; closure could result in increased emergency response times leading to greater risk of injury, loss, and higher insurance rates or taxes to fund paid departments. Chief Matthew Casey encourages anyone interested in volunteering to attend the organization’s weekly meetings held Monday nights at 7 p.m.
they face when reentering society, with a primary focus on housing. LINC is expanding its services to Duplin, Brunswick, and Pender counties as part of a state initiative to support reentry across all 100 counties.
• Roberts provided a snapshot of Duplin County’s current incarceration and probation data, revealing that there were 148 prison entries from Duplin County in the past year and 247 individuals currently incarcerated. Additionally, there are 560 individuals on probation or parole in the county. He emphasized the importance of local support networks in ensuring a smooth transition for these individuals. The local reentry council aims to reduce recidivism by creating a resource hub to address the needs of those returning from prison, including housing, employment, education, transportation and substance abuse treatment.
The meeting concluded with updates from Miller. He reported that Duplin County is now ranked fourth in the state for sales tax growth, based on a seven-month year-over-year increase in gross tax sales collections. Additionally, he noted that Focus Broadband expects to complete construction by the end of April. Since 2020, Focus Broadband has invested over $9 million in Duplin County.
K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Faison’s Town Board discussed budget amendments ahead of the coming fiscal year at their monthly meeting last Wednesday.
CAROLINA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
First weekend in May In Historic Downtown Wallace
DUPLIN SPORTS
BREAKING THROUGH
The scrappy Panthers scratched out enough runs to push past the Bulldogs
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
BEULAVILLE — Through the better part of five innings, neither East Duplin nor Wallace-Rose Hill could successfully drop a bunt to move a runner to his next destination.
Part of that came because hitters were facing the top-two strikeout pitchers in the state.
Execution was everything when southpaw-swinging Calvin Harper choked up and lashed out at a pitch from Kaiden Liu and dropped it 3 feet in front of the plate.
With teammate Gavin Holmes sprinting from third base, Liu made a scoop and push of the ball to home only to see catcher Will Brooks miss the tag. It was the second of three runs the Panthers would score that inning after breaking a 1-1 deadlock en route to a 4-1 win on their home field.
Holmes reached base via a miscue by the WRH infield and was plated by a single off the bat of Jack Tuck.
Lui whiffed Sawyer Marshburn, but another Bulldogs error kept the inning alive, and JP Murphy pushed one into centerfield for another run.
It was way more than Kyle Kern needed to pick up the win. The senior right-hander, who has the most strikeouts — 88 — in North Carolina and who no -hit the Bulldogs on March 21, gave up two hits and four walks while fanning 14 before running to the 105-pitch limit in six innings.
Cain Graham gave up a double down the right field line to Khilil Mathis to open the seventh but whiffed Davis Barnette and Caden Gavin for the save. Strikeouts of Davis Barnette and Caden Gavin ended a night of great baseball for fans.
Lui, whose 80 strikeouts are second to Kern, had 13 whiffs,
See BASEBALL, page B4
DUPLIN MAY NOT have a team that will advance into the third round of the state baseball playoffs, yet the largely-famous-for-football county has two of the best pitchers in the state.
East Duplin’s Kyle Kern and Wallace -Rose Hill’s Kaiden Liu are first and second in strikeouts, respectively, among hurlers from more than 440 schools.
Both are senior right handers with intense focus. Lui’s eyes never seem to be anywhere but peering at the plate or on a base runner.
Nothing else exists, even when the dugouts and crowd roar, there is a quiet fire inside of him that burns.
Kern appears to be in an even deeper concentration state,
See PITCHERS, page B4
Panthers’ sticks do big damage in 4th to stump Bulldogs
East Duplin scored seven times in one inning to turn a close game into a romp
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
BEULAVILLE — The difference between the upper echelon and the rest of the field climbing the mountain is often revealed in small measures.
One inning separated East Duplin, the top team in the ECC, from Wallace-Rose Hill last Thursday night.
The Bulldogs’ flat-tired fourth paved the way for seven runs as the Panthers stayed on course to win a title with an 8-1 win.
WRH’s Jansley Page nearly singlehandedly tied it at 1-1 in the previous inning.
Karsyn Parker, Rebecca Beach, Callie Mewborn and Leighton Davis had run-scoring hits off freshman hurler Payton Tyndall,
The Panthers (9-5, 8-1) also got two runs when a ball hit by Emory Raynor was misplayed.
The middle and bottom of the order started the uprising that saw East Duplin send 11 hitters to the plate. ED would get just one more hit off Tyndall, who, like her team, has shown a vast improvement since the start of the season.
“Cory (Lovelace) did the right thing by leaving her in,” said
Panthers coach Greg Jenkins, who knows young hurler must not flinch from the pain of working through struggling innings — and games. “She did a good job of keeping us off balance, going inside and outside, but we also did a good job of adjusting to that.”
East Duplin pounded Tyndall in the first inning on March 21 in Teachey en route to a 16-1 win that was ended after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
WRH (4-10, 2-6) came in with two wins in three games, and its two previous games made solid teams from South
See SOFTBALL, page B3
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
WRH’s Khalil Mathis slides into second base to avoid the tag of ED’s Colton Holmes during the Panthers’ 4-1 win.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Wallace-Rose Hill’s pitcher Payton Tyndall tags East Duplin’s Kennedy Jones.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Kyle Kern has an 0.95 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 44 innings of work.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Kaiden Liu has struck out 80 in 36 innings and is hitting .432.
COLULMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE
Wesley Holmes
North Duplin, baseball
Wesley Holmes has quietly had a superb career on the diamond for North Duplin.
The senior leads the Rebels in hitting at .378 and has three doubles, a triple, a home run and nine RBIs.
The four-year starter hit .322 as a junior with four doubles and 19 RBIs and .322 and .265 his first two seasons, respectively.
The Rebels are 7-6 this season and in second place in the Carolina 1A Conference during a rebuilding season. North Duplin is 58-23 the past four seasons, with two league titles.
Rebels suffer costly Carolina Conference road loss
North Duplin’s loss almost assures Rosewood of a league title
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
ROSEBORO — North Duplin’s chance of winning the Carolina 1A Conference may have all went up in smoke last Wednesday with a 7-2 loss to Lakewood in Roseboro.
The Rebels got only four hits off two Leopard pitchers, who sent 10 to the bench after striking out.
James Graham and Kayden Bowden scored in the fourth inning to trim the deficit to 4-2.
But Lakewood tacked up three runs in the bottom half of the frame to take control.
Hit-makers included Bowden, Graham, Wesley Holmes and Noa Quintanilla, who got on base two other times by forcing the defense to make a play.
It was a bitter loss that puts North Duplin (7-6, 3-2) two games behind league-leader Rosewood (13-6, 8-0). And even though the Rebels travel to the Eagles on Monday, the best North Duplin can hope for is a tie with Rosewood, who must also fall to Lakewood (7-9, 4-4) for any of that to come to fruition. In addition, ND would have to conquer Hobbton, which would be the easiest challenge for first-year head coach Cody Langston and his club.
That’s a longshot at best.
Lakewood’s Johnson Rouse and Reed Ammonds doubled and singled two and three runs, respectively.
Ryan Godbold and Landon Neal were both 2 of 3 with an RBI.
ND’s Noah Price and counterpart Ammons each went four innings as freshmen pitchers at the “show.”
Price gave up seven hits, two walks and struck out three
during a 79-pitch outing. Ammons allowed four hits, a walk and whiffed three with 53 pitches.
The aces of both pitching staffs were dominant.
Rebel Garris Warren didn’t allow a hit and struck out four in a two-inning stint. Neal was likewise unhittable and fanned seven during his stint of the same length.
North Duplin returned to its winning way by throttling Union 21-0 last Thursday in Calypso.
The Rebels will face 2A schools South Lenoir (11-2), North Lenoir (11-3) and Midway (10-6) at the Kinston Easter Tournament next week when Duplin schools are on spring break.
All games will be played a Grainger Stadium.
East Duplin, Rosewood, Charles B. Aycock and Southern Wayne are also in the three-day event that runs April 19, April 21 to April 22.
The Panthers, who beat Wallace-Rose Hill last Thursday, square off against Southern Wayne, Rosewood and CBA.
The Rebels and Eagles are the lone 1A schools in the field.
Grainger Stadium is a minor league home of the Kinston Down East Bird Ducks, who play in the Frontier League, which is a partnership with Major League Baseball.
Tigers rap 16 hits in setback to Stallions
James Kenan scored eight runs in the final two innings last week but fell 12-8 to Southwest Onslow.
The Tigers outhit the Stallions 16-9 in a game that featured the two schools combining for nine unearned runs.
Tripp Phipps drove in three runs and Hunter Whitman two. Eli Avent singled, doubled and scored twice.
Cal Avent sliced three hits
in five trips to the plate, and Paxton Smith, Hansley McGee and Brody Batchelor each had a pair of base knocks.
Avent entered this week hitting .500 and twin brother Cal (.313) has a team-high five doubles. Smith, a sophomore, is at .379.
JK (4-7, 2-6) has four ECC games to play, two against South Lenoir and a second matchup with North Lenoir and Wallace-Rose Hill.
Crusaders break loose to bomb Falcons
Jesse Smith, Reid Strickland, Dawson Smith and Coley Sasser combined to knock in 11 runs with nine hits as Harrells Christian Academy beat Epiphany 18-5 last Thursday in New Bern. Dawson Smith rapped two singles and two doubles, while Jesse Smith, Sasser and Strickland each drove in three teammates.
Jaiden Stallings threw two innings and Luke Weeks and Dawson Smith going one frame apiece.
The win broke a four-game skid for the Crusaders (2-8, 1-6).
Wildcats drop fourth straight Coastal game
Five hits, one walk and a single run in the fourth inning was all Croatan’s Harrison Thomas allowed as the Cougars beat Richlands 11-1 last Thursday in Newport.
The Wildcats (6-9, 1-5) lost to a Coastal 3A Conference opponent for the fourth time in a row.
Jaden Goins drove in two runs and Miguel Medina added a run-scoring double during a 16-3 setback on Tuesday to loop leader Swansboro (8-4, 6-0).
Marcus Branthoover and Tanner Brison each had a base hit and scored.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
North Duplin junior Kayden Bowden is hitting .321 in his first season as a starter.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Rebels’ new conference will feature improved competition in softball
North Duplin will face challenges from East Columbus and East Bladen in the new Carolina Conference
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
CALYPSO — A small 1A school has become a power broker in softball and will be “rescued” next season with better competition in its conference.
North Duplin has been a top team since a season falling to Princeton in the East Region final in 2014, which was followed by a 1A title the following season.
Yet Princeton took a nosedive and moved out of the Carolina 1A Conference four years ago as it grew to 2A status.
That left little competition for the Rebels, who have currently won 28 straight league games and are 40-2 against Rosewood, Hobbton, Lakewood and Union since 2021.
That’s a big concern for Rebels head coach Jaime Higginbotham, who lost a game against 2A East Duplin because of rain.
Though the Rebels faced vastly improved Rosewood (12-2, 5-10) on Monday of this week, North Duplin has outscored its league foes 70-4 and non-league schools 50-16.
Next season Rosewood exits, and East Columbus, East Bladen and West Columbus enter as the NCHSAA changed conference after its realignment from four to eight classifications.
East Columbus (13-2) has a top-notch program and in took North Duplin to three games in the East Region finals in 2023.
Trask (11-4) likewise has a solid softball reputation with four-straight 20-win seasons from 2013 to 2016.
West Columbus (2-9) is a throw-in team that will still likely outperform Hobbton (4-12), Union (0-9) and Lakewood (5-9-1).
Last week, the Rebels battered Lakewood 18-0 and Union 15-0.
“I hated losing the East Duplin game,” said Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham, who has been the Rebels’ head coach for the past four season, including a school-record 23-5 -1 campaign in 2023.
“I would have gladly not played a conference game to get a chance to play a more competitive game against East Duplin,” she said. “I’m just very concerned about if we are keeping the best interest of our students in mind by playing so far away. But I do feel it will give us better games.”
Kylis-Higginbotham’s biggest worry now is keeping her team razor sharp. ND plays 4A Topsail during its spring break, but no one with significant power the rest of the way, which could mean into the second or third round.
“It is hard, but to our
kids’ credit they’ve stuck to our game plan,” she said. “They’re not swinging at everything and keeping their focus on our strategies of attack. Our pitching and defensive approach does not change.”
Kylis-Higginbotham said North Duplin’s success is in large part due to the players’ involvement in the Duplin County Strong youth program. And according to the former University of Mount Olive coach, the talent is backed up to the fifth grade.
“When I look at the future, it’s stacked, and I’m super excited,” said Kylis-Higginbotham, whose program always seems to have replacements when losing all-star, all-district and even all-state players.
Yet the lack of competition has many schools above the Rebels in the 1A East RPI rating, North Duplin (9-1) in No. 6.
Though Kylis-Higginbotham knows her Rebels are at least a contender, and the bigger surprise would be if North Duplin didn’t make a long run in the postseason, since basically the same team, minus Reece Outlaw (who is playing at UNC) went to the fourth round last season before falling to Northside-Pinetown.
Tigers bats come alive to swat Stallions
James Kenan had its best offensive day of the season last Wednesday during a 15-3 win against Southwest Onslow in Jacksonville.
The Tigers lashed 16 hits and needed four innings to take a 14-0 lead.
Kenadi Gideons, Shylah Sloan and Jourdan Joe each ripped three hits and combined for eight RBIs. Joe homered and doubled and singled twice.
Scarlett Deluca, Brinda Serrano and Carmen Mahoney also knocked in runs.
Sloan scattered five hits in the circle. Her lone mistake was a ball Whitney Grissett hit for a two-run homer in the fourth.
James Kenan (5-7, 4-4) has a tough stretch to end the regular season, facing the top two ECC teams — North Lenoir and South Lenoir — three times and finishing off with rival Wallace-Rose Hill, which beat the Tigers 9-3 on April 4 in Teachey.
Wildcats take key steps to Coastal title
Richlands captured its ninth straight win last Thursday with a 5-2 triumph over Croatan in Newport as Makenzie Goin rapped three hits
and held the Cougars (7-6, 3-4) to one hit, while whiffing 12 and not allowing a walk.
Rachael Fleming, Cami Teal and LeNayah Jackson drove in runs to build a 4-0 lead in the fifth for the Wildcats (15-4, 7-0).
Senior Jordan Meece scored twice during the Coastal 3A Conference matchup.
Two days earlier, Richlands avoided an upset bid by Swansboro (8-8, 1-5) in the competitive league by logging a 2-1 win on the Wildcats’ diamond.
Goin allowed three hits and an earned run while whiffing 18 and not walking a hitter.
Addi Andrews drove in a run, while Teal and Jackson scored as Addison McMillan limited the Wildcats to five hits.
The winning streak has Richlands with a game lead over West Carteret (15-1, 6-1).
After the Easter break, the schools collide in Morehead City. The Wildcats beat the Patriots 3-2 in 10 innings on April 3 in Richlands.
The ’Cats host Dixon and White Oak in their final two league games.
Richlands is five wins from topping the 2023 club’s 19-4 mark, which is the best season in school history.
Lenoir (8-4, 6-1) and Trask (11-4) score runs late before falling, 4-1 and 5-1, respectively.
It was a moral victory for the Bulldogs, who have lost the last 11 outings with their bigger rival. WRH’s last win came with a 5-4 decision in 2019. The average margin of victory during that span is nearly 11 runs. The Panthers are 26-4 against the Bulldogs since 2011.
Brown scattered four hits, two of which came in the seventh, though she whiffed her final two hitters with runners at second and third to up her strikeout total to 10.
Page reached base via an infield single to open the game and was erased on a double play by the Panthers infield. She struck out Mattie Gavin and then four of the next five hitters to get the fourth.
ED was in front 1-0 via when Parker singled in the second and scored on a passed ball.
Page doubled down the third-base line to start the WRH fourth and took two bases via an error and made it look easy scoring on a groundout.
“I told our girls in the dugout that we were in a dogfight and need to respond,” said Jenkins, who last season won his 300th game at East Duplin.
The Panthers laid their bats into the ball for seven hits in the fourth inning.
Page ran the base paths again in the sixth in an inning Brown struggled with her control. She walked three but managed to get out untouched by inducing two pop fly outs.’
Isabella Parker and Maggie Boone singled with one out in the seventh, but Brown struck out Keyonna Thomas on four pitches and then won a battle against Page with a rising fastball.
Tyndall, clearly a pitcher on the rise, got out of a jam in the second with a groundout and in the sixth with a double play pop fly that caught Parker wondering too far off first base after she had singled to left.
She also stopped the Panthers in the third, whiffing Mewborn with Beach on second base. She got the second out of the inning by reacting to a laser line drive by Kinsey Cave. Dugout chatter
WRH used its own big inning to throttle Hobbton 12-1 the previous day as nine of the first 10 hitters in the seven-run third scored. Page had a two-RBI double and Gavin and Thoams added run-scoring hits.
Ta’Nayia Powell, Chloe Straughn and Gavin had consecutive hits in the second when WRH went in front 2-1.
Tyndall whiffed nine and gave up two hits and two walks.
The Panthers play for first place in the ECC early this week with a pair of games against North Lenoir (8-4, 6-1). The Hawks face cross-county rival South Lenoir on May 1 in the other game that could affect which of the three schools claim an outright title, though a shared crown is still possible.
Two wins over the Hawks is the key to the Panthers’ first outright title since going 12-0 in the ECC in 2023. They were second to South Lenior in 2022 and tied Midway for the top spot the previous season. They won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016 without powers Midway or the two Lenoir schools in the ECC.
ED plays twice today in Beulaville, facing White Oak and then either Rosewood or Dixon, which square off in the second of four games at the tournament.
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL
JK’s Brenda Serrano was one of seven Tigers to drive in a run during a 15-3 win over Southwest Onslow.
25SP001013-300
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NORTH CAROLINA, DUPLIN COUNTY
Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Berry Jeffrey Mobley and Moema J Mobley to Wells Fargo Financial National Bank, Trustee(s), which was dated July 10, 2013 and recorded on July 30, 2013 in Book 1755 at Page 0971, Duplin County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Duplin County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP, DUPLIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT AN EXISTING IRON PIPE AT THE RIGHT OF WAY INTERSECTION OF NC HIGHWAY NO. 24 AND KENNEDY ROAD, THENCE WITH THE EASTERN RIGHT OF WAY OF KENNEDY ROAD S 16 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 00 SECONDS W 106.62 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE, THE POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE S 73 DEGREES 45 MINUTES E 106.00 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE; THENCE S 16 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 00 SECONDS W 75.13 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE; THENCE N 73 DEGREES 45 MINUTES W 106.00 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE ON SAID RIGHT OF WAY; THENCE WITH SAID RIGHT OF WAY N 16 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 00 SECONDS E 75.13 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 7,964 SQUARE FEET, AS SURVEYED BY RAY & ASSOC., P.A., ON DECEMBER 9, 1988. BEING THE SAME LOT CONVEYED BY DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 548, PAGE 365, BOOK 1010, PAGE 526, AND BOOK 1010, PAGE 528. BEING THE SAME LAND DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED DECEMBER 30, 1988 RECORDED IN BOOK 1012, PAGE 38 OF THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTRY. FURTHER DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 1994, RECORDED IN BOOK 1136, PAGE 694, AND ALSO BEING THE SAME LAND AS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 1236, PAGE 121 OF THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTRY.
Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 109 S Kennedy Road, Beulaville, NC 28518.
A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.
Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Berry Jeffrey Mobley.
An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.
Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.
Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.
If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.
Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-01118-FC01
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#25E001058-300 The undersigned, WILMA L. COLE, having qualified on the 14TH DAY of FEBRUARY, 2025, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of WILMA FAYE LANIER, deceased, of DUPLIN County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 10TH Day of JULY 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 10th Day of APRIL 2025 WILMA L. COLE, ADMINISTRATOR 184 WILLIE HATCHER RD. CHINQUAPIN, NC 28521 Run dates: A10,17,24,M1p
PITCHERS from page B1
which he carried last Thursday night until breaking out of it when approached by a reporter.
He’s developed into a pitcher that does not need verbal encouragement from teammates or his coaches. Bulldogs.
Kern and Liu are both supremely confident. In their inner-baseball mindset, they’re supposed to strike out nearly every hitter — or at the very least win the battle to keep him off base.
After winning a 4-1 decision over WRH last Thursday, Kern had 88 strikeouts, including 12 in seven innings against the Bulldogs.
Liu checked in with 80 after also whiffing 12 and exiting with the 105-pitch maximum in six frames.
Third-place Matt Gardner of Covenant Day School is about a game behind state leader Kern with 78.
For pure baseball fans, and not those concerned about wearing out a shoulder or elbow, the pitch limit puts a sour face on a good, old-fashioned duels between aces.
Real aces who would get innings on any team in the state.
“It’s a little too low,” said
BASEBALL from page B1
while getting touched for seven hits and being charged for three earned runs.
“The kind of game you want to see but not the right outcome for us,” said WRH head coach Logan Kissner, whose club lost its second heartbreaker in as many weeks. A 4-3 setback to ECC leader South Lenoir (11-2, 7-1) was nearly a league-shaking upset.
“We’re young and playing better,” Kissner said. “We played well, missing out on a couple of chances to score with runners on base, and you can’t do that against a pitcher like Kern. I felt we competed.
“We weren’t able to play small-ball well in key moments. When you have two pitchers with the stuff of Kaiden and Kerr it’s the only way to play the game.”
East Duplin head coach Brandon Thigpen saw catcher Marshburn cut down a would-be base steal at second to end the Bulldogs’ fourth after Reese Buckner’s infield single score Mathis, who had walked.
“It all starts with getting base runners and getting as many to third base as possible with less than two outs, especially against a pitcher like Lui,” Thigpen said. “We have team speed, and we’re all learning (to manufacture runs), me included.”
Thigpen also tossed out praise for Graham, who came on in relief late against South Lenoir a week ago with the game tied and gave up the winning run.
“We talked about our choices, and I told Cain we made a decision to give the ball to our senior starter,” he said. “This was a good program and team win.
”We have several good pitchers I put my confidence in going to. I think that’s been the best and most consistent aspect of the game we’ve had all season.”
NOTICE
WRH coach Logan Kissner. “You have a lot of arms at the college level, so that’s not a concern. In my opinion, it should be at 120 (pitches) in high school. It’s frustrating when your guy gets to 105 in the fifth inning. Going to the bullpen then is hard. I’m a big fan of a pitching duel. It’s as baseball as an all-star game, especially in the age of swing-for-the-fences with every pitch.
“Kaiden and Kyle throw strikes, keep you off balance, and you can’t get them off their gameplans,” said ED coach Brandon Thigpen. “We had to try to get Kaiden’s pitch count up and get to their bullpen.”
And when both are on the hill, the biggest question mark is if their respective defenses can make routine plays.
Kern is just 3-1, though carrying a 0.95 ERA, giving up 27 walks and 17 hits in 44 innings. The opposition is hitting a paltry .111 against him. Liu is 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA, yielding 22 walks and 36 hits in 35 frames.
“Kaiden gives them a chance to win any time he is on the mound,” Thigpen said. “Kyle’s playing out his dream this season. With pitchers like
them, it’s more about how you play defense and how you manufacture runs, and you have to make the most of base runners.”
Unlike Kern, Liu — Mr. Baseball in Duplin County last season — adds value as an everyday player. He’s hitting a team-high .438, with six doubles, a triple, three home runs and has 14 RBIs. Liu will be playing at NC Wesleyan, a Division 2 school, next fall.
Kern is undecided on his next choice.
Kern and ED won 2-0 over Liu and WRH on March 21 in Teachey as Kern had 14 strikeouts and Liu 11.
But Liu was the winning pitcher last season when the Bulldogs nipped Kern and ED 5-4 to snap a long losing streak to the Panthers.
In the end, deciding whether Kern or Liu is the better pitcher is akin to comparing MLB greats Greg Maddux to Pedro Martinez or Justin Verlander to Max Scherzer.
Last Thursday, the pitching showcase put on by Kern and Liu was as classic as can be found at the prep level and as intense as the two senior hurlers on the hill.
Kern said off-season work in the weight room and instruction from pitching coach Rookie Davis has been the biggest reasons his ERA has shrunk to 0.95.
“I don’t think much about the mechanics when I’m on the mound,” Kern said. “And honestly, not don’t give enough attention to base runners.”
East Duplin scored the first run of the game in the second when Tuck’s sacrifice to right brought in leadoff hitter Holmes.
Extra-base hits
ED (8-6, 6-2) has a chance to send the ECC into a scramble with a pair of games early this week against North Lenoir (11-3, 7-0), who also has a second encounter with rival South Lenoir before the regular season concludes.
Gavin Holmes (.417) and Tuck (.333) have the top batting averages for the Panthers, who will face Southern Wayne, Rosewood and
Charles B. Aycock in the Kinston Easter Tournament at Grainger Stadium. Midway, North Lenoir and North Duplin are also in the three-day events. Games will be played on April 19-20 and April 22.
Lui (.438), Gavin (.360) and Mathis (.360), who assistant coach Bubba James calls “hands down the most improved hitter,” paced WRH, which should pick up a pair of wins early this week against Kinston (0-12).
Home games against Pender and South Lenoir lead the Bulldogs to a season finale in Warsaw against James Kenan (4-7, 2-6) on May 1.
WRH and East Duplin made first round exits in the 2A playoffs last season. The Bulldogs lost 3-2 to Seaforth, and the Panthers were beaten 7-1 by North Lenoir after suffering 2-0 and 5-1 setbacks to the Hawks in ECC play.
The Bulldogs split the season series with the Panthers.
Notice is hereby given that the Duplin County Board of Equalization and Review will hold its first meeting on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Commissioner’s Room, Duplin County Administrative Building, 224 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC. This meeting is held for the purpose of review and hearing appeals of listings and valuations. The following is a schedule for all meetings of the Board of Equalization and Review to be held at the above stated location: 2nd meeting – Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 2:00 pm. The Board expects to adjourn on May 29, 2025. In the event of earlier or later adjournment, notice to that effect will be published in this newspaper.
Gary M. Rose, Clerk to the Board of E&R
EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL WRH junior Devon Sloan went to the wall to track down a ball hit by ED’s Gavin Holmes.
obituaries
Jerry Allen Carter
April 18, 1948 – April 7, 2025
Jerry Allen Carter was born to Henry and Dora Mae Carter on April 18, 1948 in Bowden where they raised him and his 7 siblings working on the family farm.
At the age of 18, Jerry enlisted in the US Army where he was assigned to Army Artillery 5th Battalion 83rd Division and did his basic training at Ft. Dixon New Jersey as a Field Wireman. He served in St. Louis, Missouri as well as foreign soil in Germany for 1 1/2 years until his Honorable Discharge where he was transferred to Army Reserves until August 1968.
Shortly after discharge, Jerry met Brenda Eaves and they on May 7, 1976 were married and raised 2 sons, Joey and Ryan, in their family home in Warsaw where Jerry often volunteered with the Warsaw Recreation Department as a coach.
During his 31 years of marriage to Brenda, he was a tobacco farmer and later a carpenter along side 2 of his brothers. They were known as the Carter Brothers and if anyone needed any work done in the Warsaw area, they knew to call Jerry and his brothers. Although Jerry loved farming and carpentry, he still had another passion and that was still to serve his country in some capacity.
Jerry decided to join the Charles R Gavin Post 127 American Legion where he eventually became the Commander of the post until it closed its doors. Jerry was there every time the doors opened to do whatever needed to be done whether it was his job or not. He loved the American Legion and what it stood for but his real legacy came with The Warsaw Veteran’s Day Parade. The Warsaw Veteran’s Day Parade is the longest continuous running Veteran’s Day Parade in the nation. The parade started in 1921 and they celebrated their 104th parade in 2024. Each year, Jerry had quietly but efficiently been the Parade Committee’s Chairman for 30+ years which was 1/3 of the years the parade has been in existence. In his time as Chairman, the NC General Assembly not only adopted the parade as the longest consecutive Veteran’s Day Parade in the nation, they also named it as the “official” State Veteran’s Day Parade. As Chairman, Jerry’s responsibilities consisted of finding and lining up volunteers; leading and conducting scheduled
Sept. 5, 1940 – April 5, 2025
Betty
service at Middleton Cemetery in Kenansville.
meetings throughout each year; contacting civilian and military participants; scheduling the US Air Force flyovers to kick off each parade; vetting, contacting and organizing Grand Marshals to lead parades, organizing the 100+ participants which largely consisted of the military because that’s what the Veteran’s Day Parade was all about….. honoring our current AND retired servicemen and their service to our country. Jerry worked tirelessly to make sure this parade accurately represented all branches of the military service and was something the community could come together to enjoy and be proud of. He could be seen every Veteran’s Day wearing his red, white and blue button up with white stars zooming his golf cart up and down the parade route to be sure everyone and everything was in order and flowing smoothly. When Jerry wasn’t working on his parade responsibilities, he could be found 1 of 2 places. If it was morning, he could be found coffee in hand, sitting at his booth at Warsaw Friendly Mart laughing and sharing any local happenings with his favorite “coffee buddies”.
This group of men became more than just friends with this morning routine through the years….they became family that looked after each other. These men knew if Jerry wasn’t sitting in the booth when they got there, then something was wrong. If he wasn’t found at the Friendly Mart, you could usually find him warming “his” personal chair at Napa Parts store in Kenansville where he worked as a parts delivery man for approximately 7 years.
Throughout Jerry’s life, he was called by many names but one of his favorite was Pa and Pa Jerry by grandchildren, David, Payton, and Carly and his great grandchildren, Brody and Julia. He was a proud Pa who loved bragging on his family.
Jerry Allen Carter was definitely one of kind who was loved by many and will truly be missed. He had a heart to serve his community and country, and worked tirelessly to improve his community and country and for this, we are thankful for his love and lifetime of service.
A funeral service was Thursday, April 10 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, with burial to follow in Devotional Gardens. Visitation was held at the home.
Jerry is survived by sons, Joey Burgette and wife Melissa of Four Oaks, Ryan Carter of Warsaw; grandchildren, David Wayne Burgette and wife Christa, Payton Burgette and fiancé Blake McMillan, and Carly Burgette; great-grandchildren, Brody Burgette and Julia Burgette; sisters, Margaret Ann Bohn of New York and Dianne Blackburn of Goldsboro.
Jerry was preceded in death by wife, Brenda Eaves Carter; granddaughter, Lauren Grace Burgette; great grandson, Colton Burgette; brothers, Henry Ellis Carter, William “Dick” Carter, Ervin Carter, Danny Ray Carter; and sister, Betty Jane Holloman.
Annie Gail Young
June 30, 1958 – April 7, 2025
Annie Gail Young, 66, of Rose Hill answered the Master’s call April 7 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. Funeral service was Sunday April 13 at New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rose Hill. Public viewing was one hour prior to service. Interment followed the service at Maxwell Cemetery in Rose Hill.
Arthur “AC” Rivenbark Jr.
Aug. 17, 1946 – April 9, 2025
Arthur ”AC” Caroll Rivenbark Jr., age 78, of Wallace, North Carolina, passed from this life to his eternal rest on Wednesday, April 9.
He was born on Aug. 17, 1946. He is the son of the late Aurthur Carroll Rivenbark Sr., and Magdeline Grice Rivenbark. Also preceding him in death is his sister, Betty Jo Rivenbark Smith.
Left to cherish AC’s memory is his wife of 59 years, LuAnn Rivenbark; their oldest son, Bryan Whitman Rivenbark Sr., and Bryan’s children; Meredith Todd Roy (Taylor), and Bryan Whitman Rivenbark Jr. (Spencer). AC’s daughter, Allison “Allie” Rivenbark (Amy) and their youngest son, Bradley “Brad” MacMillan Rivenbark (Mandy); and Brad and Mandy’s children, William “Will” Bradley Rivenbark; and London Kate Rivenbark; sister, Tonya Rivenbark Prescott (Steve). Also fondly remembered is his niece, Britta Cavenaugh Shephard (Evan); and Britta and Evan’s children, Layne, Ridge, and Banks; along with numerous cousins, extended family and friends who loved AC dearly.
AC wore many hats and wore them well. He worked hard as a rural mail carrier for US Postal Service. He was a Wallace volunteer fireman for over 20 years and was a faithful member of Wallace Presbyterian Church. AC was involved in many school, civic, and charitable organizations in his younger years, including being an active member of Wallace Boy Scout Pack 35 for many years. Most recently, he dedicated his time and money to Backpack Buddies and the Helping Hands Food Pantry.
AC appreciated the value of hard work and the rewards it brought whether it was cleaning his favorite car or helping a neighbor. Also, his greatest joys were spending time with the Grands and working in his yard.
All that knew AC knew he truly had a green thumb. AC was loved by his family and will be missed by all those who knew him.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Wallace Presbyterian Church on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 1:00PM with the Rev. Robert Lapp conducting the service. A reception and time of remembrance will follow immediately after the service in the church fellowship hall.
Linell Roosevelt Craft
March 18, 1941 – April 9, 2025
Linell Roosevelt Craft, age 84, died Wednesday, April 9 at Woodbury Wellness Center in Hampstead. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Leslie and Geneva Craft; and three sisters, Frances Craft Smith, Myrtle Craft Shubert, Mary Craft Casteen.
Craft is survived by his brother, Haywood Junior Craft of Rocky Point; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside service was held Sunday, April 13 at Craft Cemetery in Chinquapin.
Alan Verl Andre
Jan. 25, 1938 – April 8, 2025
Alan Verl Andre, 87, passed away on Tuesday, April 8.
He is survived by his spouse, Char Andre of Jacksonville; son, Jeffrey Alan Andre (Frannie Jo) of Beulaville; daughter, Tammy Bourdo (Ken) of Arizona; brothers, Bernard Andre (Sharon) of Nebraska and Duane Andre (Joan) of Florida; grandchildren, Jeffrey Tyler Andre, Joey Andre, Bryson Craven and Jason Bourdo; great-grandchildren, Aspen Andre, Axle Andre and Ridley Andre. Preceding him in death is a daughter, Tina Marie Andre. Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Jacksonville.
Joseph Scott Pittman
Feb. 24, 1959 – April 10, 2025
Joseph Scott Pittman, 66, passed away on Thursday, April 10. Funeral service was held Monday, April 14, followed by visitation at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was held Tuesday, April 15 at Onslow Memorial Park in Jacksonville.
He is survived by his son, Ryan Pittman of Richalnds; daughter, Aram Pittam of California; and sister, Theresa Lowe (Mike) of Beulaville and Lori Bright (Sammy) of Jacksonville.
Suzanne Allynn Humphrey
Feb. 9, 1992 – April 9, 2025
Suzanne Allynn Humphrey, 33, passed away on Wednesday, April 9 in Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. She is survived by her mother, Dina Jarman (Michael); father, Wayne Humphrey; sons, Nicholi Mitchell, Chicago Gilmore, Mateo Humphrey, Elijah Higgins, Michael Bradley Delacerda; daughters, Penelope Spriggs and Makayla Delacerda; sisters, Megan Campbell, Karly Jarman, Jayden Norris, Kinsley Foy, Lillyanna Delacerda; brothers, Cade Futral (Taylor), Jordan Futral; grandparents, Melba Humphrey, Tom and Frances Penny, Danny and Debbie Kennedy, Jerry M. and Elaine Jarman; and future inlaws, Michael Bryan and Jennifer Delacerda.
Tracy Carr Johnson
Feb. 7, 1958 – April 11, 2025
Tracy Carr Johnson, 67, of Warsaw, passed away Friday, April 11 at ECU Medical Center in Greenville. Tracy was born on Feb. 7, 1958, the son of the late John Anderson and Helen Brown Johnson of Warsaw.
Tracy recently retired after a career as an IT/Computer Specialist with Carolina Turkey/ Butterball in Mount Olive. In his free time Tracy enjoyed making music, taking care of his cats, rocking on the front porch, and spending time with those he loved.
Tracy is survived by his brothers, John A. Johnson Jr, William Clark (Bill) Johnson and wife Lisa; sister, Mary Best Reichard and husband Don; nieces, Carmen Ellis and husband Ryan, and Danielle Johnson; nephew, John-Daniel Johnson; and great-nephew, Archer Ellis. He is also survived by his girlfriend, Debra Miller. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Clinton.
Anita Lois Burton
Aug. 13, 1963 – April 7, 2025
Anita Lois Burton, age 61, of Beulaville passed away on Monday, April 7 at her home. A funeral service washeld on Saturday, April 12 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia Left to cherish her precious memories are her daughter, Sommer Wilson of Beulaville; mother, Carrie Burton of Burgaw; brother, Hayes Burton, of New Jersey; sisters Barbara Burton of Burgaw and Darlene Spann of New Jersey; aunts Edna Hunter and Lucille Keith; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
Gabriel Michael Wagner
April 9, 2003 – April 7, 2025
Gabriel Michael Wagner, age 21, died Monday, April 7 at home. He is survived by his Parents Michael and Kristy Wagner of Pink Hill; Fiancé, Taylor Price of Southport; Daughter, Dawn Wagner-Price of Southport; sister, Lily Wagner of Pink Hill; and grandmother, Judy Gail Wagner of Beulaville. Memorial service was held Friday, April 11 at Pathway Church in Beualville, preceded by an informal vistation in the fellowship hall one hour prior to service.
More obituaries on page B6
Betty Jean Johnson
Jean Johnson, 84, of Warsaw entered eternal rest
5. Funeral service were Thursday April 10 at St. Peter’s AME Church in Warsaw with a public viewing one hour prior to service. Interment to follow
Pauline Joyce (Rowe) Tooley
Dec. 27, 1942 – April 6, 2025
Pauline Joyce Rowe Tooley of Wallace passed from her earthly life on Sunday, April 6 while a resident of Wallace Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois on Dec. 27, 1942, she is the daughter of the late Herbert and Eva Merelina Rowe. Also preceding her in death is an infant son—Kenneth Valentina.
Left to cherish her memory are husband, John Edward Tooley; children, Scott Tooley and wife Amal of Florida, Dinah Hoffman of Rose Hill, Wendy Allen and husband Paul of Folida, Jodi Aikens of Michigan, Mark Tooley of California, and Sue Hunt and husband Tracy of Illinois; fifteen grandchildren and eighteen greatgrandchildren.
Tooley was the owner-operator of her own daycare for many years prior to moving to North Carolina in 1993. Her husband’s trucking business brought the couple to Wallace and they later retired here.
Family recieved friends at a visitation on Saturday, April 12 in the chapel of Padgett Funeral Home, followed by funeral service. Interment followed at Rockfish Presbyterian Church cemetery.
Janice Buckholts James
March 17, 1959 –April 12, 2025
Janice James, 66, passed away on Saturday, April 12. Janice was born March 17, 1959. She was preceded in death by her mother, Evaline Smith, and granddaughter, Jacey Newkirk.
Janice is survived by her spouse Homer (Buddy) James; daughters April Bizzell and Crystal James; brother-in-law Edwin James; sister-in-law Jane James; grandchildren Desmond (Maggie), Xzavier, Dashawn, Mariah (Dustyn) and Halei; and great-grandchildren Aubree, Drake, and Willow. She also leaves behind extended family members Heather (Jessie), Brittany (Mark), Kimberly, Amanda, Justin, Jamey, Weston, and Wyatt. Funeral Service will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM at the Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment to follow at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.
Janice was known to enjoy spending time with family and friends, shopping for flowers, gardening, fishing and vacationing in the mountains. Her presence will be missed by those who knew her.
From garden glitz to carnival hits: It’s strawberry time in Wallace
The Carolina Strawberry Festival kicks off festivities with the Garden Gala
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
GET READY for a “berry” good time at the Garden Gala on April 26 and let the good times blossom as Wallace kicks off the festivities leading up to one of the most anticipated events in Duplin County — the Carolina Strawberry Festival. Held in the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Garden Gala promises an afternoon of lively entertainment, vibrant blooms and delightful surprises, all celebrating the town’s rich agricultural history.
Bring your dancing shoes and enjoy live music performances by the Blackwater Band. The event will also include a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and an after-party hosted at the Mad Boar, complete with a complimentary shuttle service running between the two venues, ensuring a worry-free experience.
On April 27, participants can enter the Strawberry Recipe Contest by dropping off their creations at the Wallace Depot at 3 p.m. Contestants will compete for cash prizes in both youth and adult categories, as well as the coveted Best in Show award.
Then, gear up for the main event — the Carolina Strawberry Festival on May 2-3 in Historic Downtown Wallace. Friday evening will be alive with carnival rides and music
as Carl Newton’s Review and the Band of Oz take the main stage. Early risers can kick off Saturday with the Strawberry Festival 5K Run and the Strawberry Jam Fun Run at 8 a.m., both starting and finishing at the Campbell Center. Compete for overall male and female honors, as well as top spots in age categories: 10 and under, 11 to 18, 19-39, and 40-plus. Rally your friends, family and neighbors to vie for the largest team prize. The Strawberry Jam is a nontimed 1-mile event. All proceeds from the 5K sign-ups will help fund the new Inclusive Playground at Clement Park. The two-day festival will feature Ed’s Dinosaurs, a vari-
ety of local craft and food vendors, and a beer and wine garden. The annual pageant will be at 10:30 a.m. on the main stage. Categories include Baby Miss Strawberry, Mini Miss Strawberry and Little Miss Strawberry. Get ready to dance with live music by Chocolate Chip & Company, followed by The Embers. Exclusive VIP concert seating for Friday and Saturday is available for purchase and includes a catered dinner. Savannah Kennedy, a senior at East Duplin High School, created this year’s artwork, which will be featured on T-shirts and festival posters. For more details, visit carolinastrawberryfestival.com.
COURTESY PHOTO
The 2025 Carolina Strawberry Festival artwork that will be featured on t-shirts and festival posters was created by Savannah Kennedy, a senior at East Duplin High School.