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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 24 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the

Beulaville celebrates its hometown queen

BRIEF this week

Miss North Carolina 2026 Brittany Boltinhouse, a Beulaville native, holds a proclamation presented by the town of Beulaville during Monday night’s town hall meeting recognizing her accomplishments as she prepares to represent North Carolina at the Miss USA competition later this month.

High-speed chase leads to drug charges Duplin County A man accused of leading state troopers on a two-county pursuit that ended in Wallace on July 26, faces 17 charges, including drug trafficking, after authorities said fentanyl and cocaine were recovered from his vehicle. Terrance Hooks is being held at the Pender County Jail on more than $5 million in secured bonds.

Turn to A3 for more.

Free back-to-school haircuts Kenansville The James Sprunt Community College Barber School and Cosmetology Department are offering free back-to-school haircuts for students. Barber School services are available Aug. 2–31 at the Herring building Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday 6-8 p.m., and Cosmetology Department haircuts will be offered Aug. 19 to Sept. 3 at the Hall building Tuesday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Mobile market returns Magnolia The Ripe for Revival Mobile Market will return to Magnolia on Aug. 19, offering fresh food and local products while connecting farmers, nonprofits and residents. The market visits on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Community fitness classes Kenansville James Sprunt Community College is offering two fitness classes this fall. Fitness for Seniors meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:55-8:55 a.m. and focuses on balance, strength, flexibility and mobility, while Physical Conditioning meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for adults looking to improve strength, endurance and overall fitness.

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

UDO changes, staffing crisis dominate county commissioners meeting The board adjusted development rules, approved temporary positions and reviewed infrastructure projects By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Board of Commissioners addressed changes to

agricultural development rules, county staffing shortages and infrastructure projects during its Aug. 3 meeting. The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amend-

ment was a primary focus of the meeting, following a July session where 12 citizens spoke in opposition to the proposal, which was sent back to the Planning Board for further review. Initially, the county established a 1,000-foot setback for new residential divisions near active livestock facilities. Af-

Native plants and pollinators Jacksonville The Onslow County Extension Office will host a free presentation on native plants and pollinators at 6 p.m. on Aug. 19. The first 50 attendees will receive a free native plant.

$2.00

See UDO, page A2

$500K in grant funds remains available for Mount Olive homeowners Officials discussed remaining CDBG funds and infrastructure needs during Monday’s meeting By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — The Mount Olive Board of Commissioners held a required public hearing during its regular board

meeting Monday to close out one of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects used to replace three homes in town. The grant was originally awarded to the town in 2020. In an update provided to the

board, the grant amount increased from $750,000 to $950,000 through the N.C. Department of Commerce. The funds were used to provide modular homes to the three eligible families, conduct a subsurface utility evaluation for the town and create a redevelopment plan for the downtown area. The work on all projects came in un-

Farm Family nominations open Duplin County Applications and nominations are being accepted for the 2026 N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co. The recognition honors North Carolina farm families, and submissions are due by Aug. 21.

ter addressing citizens’ concerns, the Planning Board recommended a total repeal of the setback, which was presented to the board by County Planner Chris Hatcher. During the public hearing portion of the meeting, David Phillips, a local resident, argued

James Kenan High teacher charged with 20 felony counts in student-related case Authorities say the investigation involved allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — A Duplin County school district employee has been arrested after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor prompted an investigation by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. James Wesley Graves, 48, a JROTC teacher at James Ke-

nan High School, was arrested July 30 at 7 p.m. by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation. Graves was committed to the Duplin County Jail with no bond. According to the sheriff’s office, authorities began investigating allegations reported July 17 involving Graves and an alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor. In a joint statement issued July 31, Duplin County Schools and the sheriff’s office said the district employee had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. See TEACHER, page A5

“Duplin County Schools and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office take allegations of this nature very seriously. Duplin County Schools

der budget. About $658,000 of the grant was used to replace the homes. Another CDBG grant awarded in 2023 was used to replace one home in town, but three other homes originally targeted under the grant were not completed because the homeowners did See GRANT, page A2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

THURSDAY

8.6.26 #137

Social Services building briefly DUPLIN happening closed after bed bug report County officials said no additional issues have been reported since the facility reopened

“Join the conversation”

“The building was closed Thursday as soon as we were made aware.”

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

Lisa Hughes

THE DUPLIN County Consolidated Health and Human Services-Social Services Division temporarily closed its building July 16-17 following a report of possible bed bugs inside the facility. According to Interim Coun-

ty Manager Lisa Hughes, Terminix inspected the building after the concern was reported and found that the number of bugs present did not qualify as an infestation. “The building was closed Thursday as soon as we were

made aware,” Hughes told Duplin Journal. “Terminix came Friday morning and the building remained closed that day.” The facility closed at approximately 3 p.m. on July 16 and remained closed July 17 while the inspection was completed. Hughes said employees returned to the building the following Monday and no additional issues had been reported. The Social Services Division has resumed normal operations.

Duplin Journal

Trip Hoffend Publisher

Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers

Ena Sellers News Editor

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor

Patsy Teachey Advertising Representative

Loretta Carey Office Manager

UDO from page A1 that a 1,000-foot circle encompasses more than 72 acres, warning the board that the rule opened the county to “an inverse condemnation lawsuit” by rendering thousands of acres of private land unusable. After public comments closed, the commissioners sought a middle ground to allow agricultural and residential land uses to “coexist.” Commissioner Wayne Branch moved to reduce the setback to 300 feet for minor subdivisions and 500 feet for major subdivisions. The board also approved a family division exemption, allowing property owners to subdivide land for immediate family members, including a spouse, child or sibling, without a setback requirement from agricultural facilities. The change was made retroactive to Aug. 4, 2025. The county is experiencing significant employee shortages. Human Resources Director Semeka Perry stated that Health and Human Services, Public Safety and the sheriff’s office are dealing with va-

GRANT from page A1 not meet the grant requirements. That means about $500,000 remains in that grant and can be used to help other homeowners in town. The board learned the remaining funds can be used to either repair or replace homes, provided the repairs bring the homes up to code and meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements. Eligible homeowners can request to be considered for the grant by contacting Mount Olive Assistant Town Manager Sherry Davis. Mayor Pro Tem Delreese Simmons challenged the amount spent to build the three homes. “Have you ever thought how many houses in this town could have been fixed with $658,000 instead of three?” he said. Once Mount Olive receives requests from other homeown-

2 cyclosporiasis cases reported in Duplin County The intestinal illness has sickened more than 700 people across the state since May By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

867

Cases since May

149

Hospitalizations since May

Newly reported cases since July 28

Hospitalizations since July 28

sume food or water contaminated with the parasite. Previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, including lettuce, fruit and fresh herbs. NCDHHS is working with state and local partners to identify the source of the recent increase. Officials said the rise in North Carolina cases does not appear to be connected to an outbreak involving Taco Bell reported in other states. While a specific source has

not been identified, recent North Carolina cases have reported eating parsley and cilantro more often than expected based on population-wide surveys. Most affected individuals are adults ages 19-54, followed by those older than 55. Health officials encourage residents to practice safe food handling and seek medical care if they experience symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or fatigue.

cancies “critical to providing services to citizens within the county” that need to be filled. “It would help shorten the process if the county manager were authorized to create temporary 12 months or less positions, nonbenefit positions to assist in providing services while the positions are being filled,” Perry said. Perry attributed the turnover to higher salaries in surrounding counties and issues with inexperienced leadership, describing some departures as employees “divorcing their supervisor.” According to Perry, the phrase refers to employees leaving a job because of issues with management or direct supervision rather than solely because of pay. “You have leaders in place in these positions in these departments that may be not seasoned supervisors,” Perry said. “They’re learning as well.” While surrounding counties often offer higher salaries, Perry said the decision to leave is “not always money” and can be

influenced by the quality of direct supervision. In response to the staffing concerns, the board approved a general protocol for creating temporary positions to address staffing shortages, though it did not set a specific limit on the total number of positions that could be created under the new authority to assist in providing services while permanent positions are filled. During the July 13 meeting, the board specifically created eight temporary nonbenefited part-time positions for the Social Services Division of Health and Human Services. The board also previously authorized pay rates exceeding the maximum for three temporary positions in the Health Division and two in Environmental Health to help fill some of those roles. In other business, the board terminated a water supply well project after the site was found to have inadequate water quality, requiring the redirection of $500,000 in unspent grant funds to the Duplin County Capital Projects Fund. The redirected funds, along

with interest earned on the original $12 million grant, were reallocated to several other infrastructure priorities:

ers seeking consideration for the grant funds, the board of commissioners will hold a public hearing to approve the list of houses that will be included in the application process. To be eligible, the home must be owned by the applicant, meet income requirements based on the number of residents in the household and be free of liens or judgments. The board honored longtime Mount Olive resident Annie Louise Anderson, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She was presented with a framed copy of a special town proclamation in her honor by Mayor Jerome Newton. Anderson was praised for her work in the community, often cooking for people in need and spending Sundays gathering between 40 and 60 neighborhood children and walking with them to and from church.

In other business, the board authorized Town Manager Octavious Murphy to spend up to $200,000 with EnviroLink to complete sewer line cleaning and video inspection of the remaining lines required to be inspected under the special order of consent (SOC) issued by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The town has been fined in the past for not fulfilling the requirements of the SOC. Public Works Director Glenn Holland addressed the board and emphasized that spending the money now could help the town apply for additional funds related to the town’s sewage system. “The good thing about finishing this up faster is we can go ahead and apply for funding this year,” Holland said. In response to questions from Commissioner Gena Knode, Holland emphasized that the SOC and the moratorium is-

sued by the state, which is limiting any additional load on the town’s sewage treatment system, are two different issues. He said the SOC must be completed as a step toward getting the town out from the moratorium, which has brought new development in town almost to a halt. During the town manager’s report, Murphy gave a detailed explanation of all the improvements and progress made in town since he assumed the position in April. He praised town employees for their work and singled out Police Chief Jason Hughes for successfully staffing the department, pointing out that many other communities in the state are having difficulty hiring officers. Newton reminded those in attendance that the September board of commissioners meeting has been moved to Sept. 14 due to the Labor Day holiday.

TWO CASES of cyclosporiasis have been reported in Duplin County as health officials monitor an increase in the intestinal illness across North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 867 cases statewide since May, including 149 newly reported cases and nine hospitalizations since July 28. Most cases have been reported in Wake County, which has recorded 494 cases. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora and can occur when people con-

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

Aug. 8 InflataFest comes to Duplin 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. InflataFest, an event featuring bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses, is coming to the Duplin Events Center. The event will include inflatable attractions, family activities and concessions. Admission is $20 for children ages 3 and older, while adults are admitted free. Groups of 20 or more children can purchase tickets for $15 each. 195 Fairgrounds Drive Kenansville

Back-to-school supply giveaway 1-3 p.m. Heaven Hill Kidpreneur will host a back-to-school supply giveaway at Wallace Parks and Recreation. Free school supplies will be available while supplies last for students in pre-K through 12th grade. Children must be present. Supplies will include backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, crayons and other classroom essentials. 209 E. Clement St., Wallace

• AirPark improvements: $2,853,450

Aug. 15

• Airport maintenance building: $200,000

Operation Giveback 2026

• Short-term stay project: $1 million • Buildings and sites projects: $9,046,550

The board also approved a service order with Spectrum to extend service to airport hangars, including a one-time construction fee of $26,780 and a monthly fee of $620. The board approved clearing and snagging contracts for sections of the Northeast Cape Fear River, including a $168,607 contract with Snatch-It Clearing and a $154,292 contract with JNJ Environmental Services LLC. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss legal and economic development matters.

9 a.m. to noon The event, held at Beulaville Town Hall, will feature school supplies, activities and additional community resources. 508 E. Main St., Beulaville

Back-to-School Community Day 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Duplin County Partnership for Children will host its annual Back-to-School Community Day. The event is open to Duplin County students in pre-K through 12th grade. Children must be present to receive supplies. Families also can enjoy games, bounce houses, entertainment and opportunities to learn more about the organization’s programs. 408 N. Main St., Kenansville

Jalen’s Bless the Block 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event will provide school supplies and free haircuts. It will feature special guests and family activities. Wallace Urgent Care is serving as an official school supply drop-off location. 683 E. Southerland St., Wallace

Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

Beulaville native brings hometown pride to Miss USA journey The Miss North Carolina USA winner reflects on family, confidence and the community that helped her along the way By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — From Duplin County to the Miss USA stage, Brittany Boltinhouse is carrying with her the lessons, support and values she gained from the community where she was born and raised. Boltinhouse, who was recently crowned Miss North Carolina USA, will represent North Carolina at the Miss USA competition Aug. 27 in Florida. The Beulaville native made history as the 75th Miss North Carolina USA, becoming the third Latina to earn the title and the first woman of Honduran descent to wear the crown. A graduate of East Duplin High School and James Sprunt Community College, Boltinhouse said the lessons she learned growing up in Duplin County continue to influence how she approaches challenges. “Growing up in Duplin County taught me that the little things in life truly matter,” Boltinhouse told Duplin Journal. “Some of the greatest wisdom I’ve ever re-

ceived has come from the older generations in my community. They taught me the importance of hard work, humility, kindness and treating people with respect.” Those lessons, she said, remind her that success is not only measured by accomplishments but also by how people serve others and impact those around them. “To have my hometown and the Hispanic community embrace this journey has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I hope every young person from Duplin County knows that no dream is too big for someone from a small town,” Boltinhouse said. After winning the Miss North Carolina USA title, Boltinhouse returned to Duplin County to visit the people who supported her and her family throughout her journey. One of those stops was with Sherry Kennedy, who altered Boltinhouse’s competition gowns. “While she was helping me with my dresses, she shared a story I’ll never forget,” Boltinhouse told Duplin Journal. “When my family first came from Mexico, she rallied the community to help my grandparents find food and work as they were starting over in a new country. I had never heard that story before, and it reminded

“It reminded me that my family’s American dream was possible because of the kindness and generosity of people in Duplin County.” Brittany Boltinhouse me that my family’s American dream was possible because of the kindness and generosity of people in Duplin County.” For Boltinhouse, the story added a deeper meaning to returning home with the crown. “I get to return to the very community that helped my family build a future here,” she said. “Their belief in my grandparents made it possible for me to chase my own dreams, and now I have the opportunity to give back to the same community that gave us so much.” Before stepping onto the pageant stage, Boltinhouse built a career as an entrepreneur. She owns FloorMasters and TurfMasters in Leland alongside her husband, a journey that included five failed business ventures before finding success in the flooring industry. Those experiences, Boltinhouse said, helped shape her re-

silience and willingness to take on new challenges, including competing in her first pageant. “I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to be the most experienced person in the room to succeed,” Boltinhouse said. “This was my very first pageant. … I competed alongside incredible women who had been pursuing this title for six or seven years, and I have so much respect for their dedication and perseverance.” Boltinhouse also received four of the five competition awards: Best Gown, Best Fitness, Miss Congeniality and People’s Choice. “To me, those awards reflected the months of preparation, the relationships I built and the support of the people who believed in me. My journey proves that you don’t have to have the most experience or come from a big city to accomplish something extraordinary. Duplin County itself is proof of that. Companies like Mt. Olive Pickles, Butterball and Duplin Winery have become nationally recognized while staying true to their small-town roots. I believe people from communities like ours can dream just as big. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to take the first step.” After six months of preparation, Boltinhouse said she reached a moment during the

A3 competition when she embraced the opportunity and felt confident in the work she had put in. “The moment I realized I truly belonged on that stage was during the swimsuit competition,” Boltinhouse said. “As soon as I stepped onto the runway, everything just clicked. I felt at home. “It reminded me that confidence comes from the work you put in long before the spotlight ever finds you.” Boltinhouse hopes to use her platform to encourage women to pursue leadership opportunities, build confidence and follow their goals. She also wants young people to understand that their futures are not limited by where they come from. “If I could go back and talk to my high school self at East Duplin, I would tell her that education doesn’t only come from classrooms or textbooks,” Boltinhouse said. “Some of life’s greatest lessons come from experience, failure, taking risks and learning as you go.” She said she hopes young people understand that challenges can prepare them for future opportunities. “I want young people to know that your past doesn’t define your future, and your GPA or a college degree doesn’t define your worth,” Boltinhouse said. “Keep learning, stay curious, work hard and never stop believing in what’s possible.” Boltinhouse said her journey shows that people from small communities can achieve big goals. “Sometimes all it takes is the courage to take the first step,” she said.

Hometown celebration opens Beulaville board meeting Town leaders recognized Brittany Boltinhouse before addressing grants, infrastructure and public safety By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE welcomed one of its own home Monday night as 2026 Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse returned to receive a town proclamation honoring her accomplishments before setting her sights on the Miss USA stage later this month. “I am a Beulaville native and the first married woman and the first of Honduran descent to step on the Miss North Carolina stage,” Boltinhouse said. “I am 27 years old — not 22 — and this is my first pageant ever. ... The Miss USA stage will be the second stage I step on, and I am committed to bringing the crown back to North Carolina. I am hoping to be an example to the locals of this town that you are capable of accomplishing your dreams no matter who you are or where you come from.” Boltinhouse also encouraged residents to vote in the free People’s Choice portion of the Miss USA competition, which is currently underway. She said her costume for the national competition will pay tribute to her hometown by featuring the “red cardinal of North Carolina,” a

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Beulaville Mayor Hutch Jones, left, presents a proclamation to Miss North Carolina Brittany Boltinhouse during the Aug. 3 Beulaville Board of Commissioners meeting recognizing her achievements before she competes in the Miss USA pageant later this month. nod to Duplin County’s agricultural heritage. Mayor Hutch Jones presented Boltinhouse with a proclamation recognizing her for representing Beulaville and North Carolina “with dignity and purpose.” Following the presentation, Boltinhouse greeted the Greater Pink Hill Tiny Miss, who had come to meet the state’s titleholder, before the board resumed its regular meeting. Town Manager Lori Williams reported that town officials recently met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to

continue developing an infrastructure package for upgrades and repairs to the wastewater treatment plant. Public Works also reported the town averaged 112,000 gallons of water usage per day during July and recorded 5 inches of rainfall. Commissioners also discussed the demolition of the old gym, which has become a safety hazard. Board members acknowledged there had once been sentimental and historical interest in preserving the building but agreed it is no longer salvageable and now presents a liability for the town.

Board members discussed the logistics of having Public Works perform the demolition and requested formal estimates for equipment and disposal expenses before authorizing the project. The item is expected to return for consideration at the September meeting. Police Chief Karl Mobley gave a positive report on the police department. “We’ve had a really good month,” Mobley said. “This is a couple of months in a row now that we haven’t had to investigate any big cases.” Mobley said drug- and gun-related arrests have declined while officer visibility has increased throughout town. Mobley attributed the success to the town’s support of a fully staffed department and the teamwork between the board and his department to keep the town safe. Mobley also announced the department will participate in Operation Give Back 2026 on Aug. 15 and is pursuing grant funding through the U.S. Department of Justice and the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission for equipment purchases. In other business, commissioners selected a design for the town’s new Christmas banners, citing the need for continuity and uniformity throughout Beulaville. The town plans to purchase 40 banners, including replacement banners. Because of the Labor Day

holiday, commissioners voted to move the September board meeting to Sept. 14. The board also tabled a long-standing request regarding the potential sale of property on Lyman Road. Town attorney Justin Hunter said the matter will remain on hold until the board decides whether it wishes to revisit the issue. Commissioners approved a budget amendment creating a separate fund to account for $122,500 received by the police department through a task force grant. The board also adopted a resolution accepting a $950,000 Community Development Block Grant for housing and authorized Jones to execute the required agreements. During her report, Williams said sales tax revenue totaled $42,287 for the latest reporting period, exceeding budget expectations. She also reminded residents that the next bulk trash collection is scheduled for Sept. 23 and that a community paper shredding event is tentatively planned for October. Williams also discussed the town’s elevated water tank, which has developed staining from chemical sprays. Following a recent inspection, town officials plan to explore cleaning options. The meeting adjourned following the town manager’s report and brief comments from commissioners.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

The inadequacy of opposing socialism

It’s like someone who takes $20 from your wallet and then claims he’ll make you better off by giving you $10 back.

DON’T ASSUME socialism’s inevitable failures will stop it from spreading. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently announced that his government-run grocery stores will offer products at a 30% discount. The appeal of this plan is obvious. Everyone would like to pay less for milk, eggs and meat. That this plan won’t work is equally obvious to anyone who understands basic economics. Unfortunately, that excludes many New Yorkers and college graduates. Take a look at the details of Mamdani’s plan. He doesn’t want the city to run these stores. He’s seeking proposals from “qualified grocers or firms to serve as operators” of the stores. “The City sets the mission, the standards and the store design; experienced third-party operators run the stores day to day under those requirements,” a release from Mamdani’s office states. Further, “operators will be required to provide family-sustaining wages and benefits and commit to a Labor Peace Agreement so that workers who want to organize can do so without interference.” That Mamdani doesn’t trust NYC’s bureaucracy to run his grocery stores is smart, but it also shows why the government shouldn’t run grocery stores. Mamdani may want to seize the means of production, but he appears to recognize that government doesn’t do a great job of producing. His premise is also absurd. Most

grocery stores have profit margins of 1% to 3%. Mamdani wants an operator to run his stores with 30% discounts on major items and to allow a union to inflate worker pay. Maybe Mamdani can hire fairies to stock the shelves with products delivered by unicorns. But Mamdani doesn’t expect these operators to lower prices by 30%. The city’s request for proposals states the city “will provide financial support to the Operator(s) to mitigate operating deficits attributable to discounted Core Basket sales and enable cost-effective program delivery.” This subsidy would be in addition to NYC taxpayers paying $70 million to build five stores and then cover their rent and property taxes. Mamdani’s grocery store scheme won’t prove the superiority of socialism because he’s not even trying to lower costs. He’s content to disguise them with crony capitalism. It’s like someone who takes $20 from your wallet and then claims he’ll make you better off by giving you $10 back. If the grocery stores are “successful,” they’ll drive nearby privately run stores out of business, which will erode the tax base. That will require more government-subsidized grocery stores, driving more grocery stores out of business and further reducing tax revenues. This spiral will continue until New Yorkers come to their electoral senses or run out of toilet paper — proof a

country has fully implemented socialism. These are important arguments to make. But they aren’t enough. Mamdani gives his followers specifics that create a clear narrative. According to him, the problem is high prices — the villains are rich people, and the solution is government-run grocery stores. Now, Mamdani is wrong — very wrong — on the details. But conservatives need to imitate his model. For instance, electricity prices are too high — the villain is the left’s push for expensive and unreliable green energy, and the solution is ending federal subsidies for wind and solar. States also need to repeal their renewable portfolio standards. Car prices are too high — the villain is anti-fossil fuel regulations pushed by Democrats, and the solution is requiring Congress to authorize any restrictions on gas-powered vehicles. Now one challenge for conservatives is that real solutions can take years to work, while socialists promise quick fixes and gimmicks. But by identifying the root cause of a problem, conservatives make a much stronger argument. It isn’t enough to point out the many problems with socialist proposals. Conservatives also need to provide villains and solutions. Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Fauci’s cowardly Fifth Amendment evasion

The long-term consequences of blanket pardons are exceptionally corrosive.

THERE’S NOTHING inherently wrong with invoking the Fifth Amendment. The perception that anyone who pleads the Fifth to protect themselves from self-incrimination is only hiding guilt is wrong. Innocent people are often intimidated or tricked by those in power into implicating themselves. Others might get nervous under oath and worry about misspeaking under pressure. Former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci, who appeared before the Senate committee investigating the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is not one of those people. There is some legal question as to whether a person who has received a pardon loses his ability to plead the Fifth since the assertion is predicated on shielding them from future crimes, like lying to Congress. Fauci, after all, could admit to personally creating COVID-19 in a lab and then spreading it himself, and there is still nothing the government could do to him. Former President Joe Biden gave him an unprecedented pardon for any federal offenses related to any pandemic-era actions between Jan. 1, 2014, and Jan. 19, 2025. The long-term consequences of blanket pardons are exceptionally corrosive. It’s difficult to imagine anything that could incentivize criminality and abuse of power with the government more than knowing a president will give you a get-out-of-jail-free card at the end of a term. The entire point of the hearings, Fauci

contends, is to trap him. Fauci says Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who released a cache of diary entries and emails earlier this week, is obsessed with prosecuting him, evident by his “repeated slanderous comments” and release of unredacted personal documents, which were aimed at “embarrassing and intimidation.” Perhaps. But Fauci, who was employed by the federal government for 54 years, director of the NIAID for 38, has likely delivered thousands of speeches and appeared in front of Congress somewhere around 250 times. If he can’t offer clear and honest testimony under oath, who can? The fact is that being truthful under oath would mean explaining several things: Why, though Fauci knew COVID19’s fatality rate was likely at 0.2%-0.3% and “acting like a bad influenza,” he told Congress that it was “10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.” Why, after privately expressing frustration regarding the efficacy of lockdowns in flattening the curve, Fauci not only advocated closing businesses and schools nationally but framed anyone who was skeptical as villains. Why Fauci publicly contended that he had absolutely nothing to do with school closings yet privately took credit for frightening the mayor of New York, the governor of California and others into shutting down their states. Why Fauci privately acknowledged that the wet market in Wuhan “was not the source” of the virus but the “amplifier”

and yet continued contending, with great scientific certitude, that the virus jumping from bats to humans was “absolutely totally compatible” with the available evidence, but the theory of the virus being created in the Wuhan Institute of Virology was a “very, very, very, very remote possibility.” Committee Democrats, incidentally, declined to rebut any Republican criticisms aimed at Fauci or speak on any of the problems of the pandemic response. Many of these Democrats had not treated Fauci’s word as indisputable truth and smeared anyone who questioned his authoritarian remedies as if they were members of a death cult. Instead, Democrats used their time to highlight the spread of measles cases under anti-vaccine activist and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It’s an important topic. The problem, though, is that Fauci and other public health officials who lied and manipulated the public under the banner of “science” have a lot to do with the collapse of trust in the institutions that help fight measles outbreaks. Failing to get any accountability or full transparency from those who botched the COVID pandemic response only fuels more suspicion and skepticism about vaccines. And, make no mistake, avoiding accountability and transparency are the real reasons Fauci took the Fifth. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

Backpack ministry receives boost to fight childhood hunger The program helps provide food assistance for students when school meals are not available By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal A $1,700 GRANT from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation will help Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries continue providing weekend food backpacks for children facing food insecurity in Duplin County. “It will provide approximately 250 weekend backpacks of child-friendly, nutritious food for students from food-insecure homes in five area schools during the fall,” said Connie Perkins, Duplin

Christian Outreach Ministries co-director. The grant, awarded through the foundation’s Nourishing Our Neighbors program, will support the Feed Our Hungry Children Backpack Ministry as it prepares to serve students during the 2026-27 school year. The program provides backpacks filled with food for children to take home on weekends when school meals are unavailable. During the last school year, volunteers distributed more than 7,100 backpacks and another 850 during the summer, according to Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries co-director Jim Perry. Perkins said the need remains significant in Duplin County, where 13% of house-

holds are food insecure compared with 11% statewide. She said 20% of children live in food-insecure households, compared with 15% statewide. “The weekend backpacks provide peace of mind for struggling families, stability for the children and youth, and support for educators who strive daily to meet multiple needs, including nutrition, of the students they serve,” Perkins told Duplin Journal. Perkins said the Backpack Ministry relies on support from individuals, local churches, businesses, civic groups and grants to continue providing weekend food assistance to students in the community. Donations to the Backpack Ministry are accepted year-round.

TEACHER from page A1 “Duplin County Schools and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office take allegations of this nature very seriously,” the statement said. “The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority.” Court records obtained by Duplin Journal state the exploitation charges involve allegations related to the possession and facilitation of visual materials, including videos and photographs of a sexual nature, featuring a 17-year-old student. Graves faces 20 felony counts across three separate criminal cases, according to court records. The charges include 14 counts of “sex act with a student” for alleged incidents occurring between November 2023 and December 2024. Additionally, Graves is charged with three counts of “first-degree sex exploitation of a minor” and three counts of “third-de-

COURTESY

James Wesley Graves gree sex exploitation of a minor.” The investigation remains ongoing. Graves’ first appearance hearing was Monday. No additional information has been released. Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office at 910-296-2150 or Duplin County Crime Stoppers at 910-372-9202. Information may be provided anonymously.

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COURTESY DUPLIN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH MINISTRIES

From left to right, Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries volunteers Chuck Curry, Tom Perkins, Jerry Teachey, Jim Perry, Mike Stone, Herman Sykes, Harry Bradshaw and John Montford unload food for the Backpack Ministry during the 2025-26 school year.

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REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Backstreet Music Festival celebrates community legacy Families gathered along historic Boney Street in downtown Wallace on Saturday for the Backstreet Music Festival, enjoying live music, food trucks, local vendors, show cars and motorcycles, and family-friendly activities. The event celebrated the history of Backstreet as a place of community, entrepreneurship and connection, honoring the legacy of a neighborhood that served as a gathering place for residents during the segregation era.

••• Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@ duplinjournal.com.

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Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

Realistic training prepares officers for active threats The annual exercise used realistic scenarios to prepare officers for high-stress emergencies

“We expanded the curriculum by adding hands-on training in the treatment of traumatic wounds in the field, and for many officers that proved to be one of the most valuable parts of the program.”

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal WITH CLASSROOMS empty before the start of the school year, Wallace police officers and school resource officers from the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office participated in realistic active threat training last Thursday at Wallace Elementary School. This year’s training offered more realistic scenarios than in the past, including blank shotgun rounds from the “intruder,” bleeding from the victims using special prosthetics and sound effects of people screaming amid the mayhem. The scenario the officers were training for involved a call from dispatch that a man with a gun had entered the school. Officers had to respond with that being the only information provided, meaning they were entering a situation where they had no idea where the intruder was or what was currently happening. This year’s training marks the sixth year the Wallace Police has participated in active threat training. Wallace Police Chief James Crayton said they are always trying to improve the experience. “This year was no exception,” Crayton said. “We expanded the curriculum by adding hands-on training in the treatment of traumatic wounds in the field, and for many officers, that proved to be one of the most valuable parts of the program.” Chief J.G. Whitley of Youngsville Police Department returned as an instructor this year and agreed with Crayton on the value of the medical side of the training. Whitley told Duplin Journal that law enforcement officers responding to a situation like an active shooter in a

James Crayton, Wallace police chief

PHOTOS BY MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Wallace Police Chief James Crayton, left, explains the scenario to members of the Wallace Police Department and school resource officers from the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office will be responding to during active threat training at Wallace Elementary School last week.

Law enforcement officers practice applying a tourniquet to “victim” Glenn Price during realistic active threat training conducted by the Wallace Police Department at Wallace Elementary School last week. school can find themselves having to make split-second decisions about helping victims while, at the same time, trying to locate and stop the intruder.

“What we typically focus on is to stop further injury,” Whitley said. “As the officers make their way down these hallways, they are, as best they can, triag-

ing victims and trying to make a mental note of the severity of the injuries. Whitley added that once the shooter is stopped, the officers can then return to the victims and begin to help them in order of the severity of their injuries until EMS can arrive. He also noted the use of more technology in this year’s training. “Today is really going to be as real as it gets,” Whitley said. “We have simulated live fire exercises where we’ll be using 12-gauge blanks. As you can imagine, that can shock the conscience in the confines of a classroom. Also, our tech officers actually have created simulated wounds that show profuse bleeding.” One of the tech officers involved in the training this year was Elizabeth McAdams, a colleague of Whitley’s at the Youngsville Police Department. McAdams is not only a sworn police officer but also has a ba-

sic Emergency Medical Technician certification and a Tactical Medical Practitioner certificate. “That means I can provide some emergency care under a combat or an active shooter type situation,” McAdams told Duplin Journal. She used her training and background to pass along skills to the officers involved in this year’s course. “A lot of these situations require emergency medical skills, which a lot of officers don’t really have,” McAdams said. “This isn’t a certification class, but it does give just enough tools in your tool belt to be able to save yourself or somebody else.” Crayton said another valuable asset of the training is the volunteers who fulfilled roles as students and injured victims during the training, adding another realistic dimension to the scenario. One of the volunteers who played the role of a victim was Glenn Price, who serves on the Wallace Town Council. “Every community where this has happened has said, ‘It won’t happen here,’” Price said. “It can happen anywhere, so being able to practice and run through their procedures and make it as realistic as possible for the police officers I think is very important.”

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DUPLIN SPORTS Updates needed in transfer rules for prep athletes

COLUMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE

Answering the call “When I die, my God will judge me on how I played the game. That’s how I feel about both football and life. Kevin Motsinger

AFTER TEACHING and being a head football coach for two decades, Kevin Motsinger found his calling in life, many times by guiding teenagers about real-life issues. Countless times he’s asked players to “man up” on the field and take care of their responsibilities in school and on the home front. Wallace-Rose Hill’s discipline and love-preaching gridiron coach didn’t have to be told it was his time to step up to be tested as a man, husband and father three years ago, when Perry, his wife of three decades, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023. Three months later, she had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. A month later, she couldn’t lift her right arm because the surgery affected

the fibers in her shoulder. Perry, who recently had to sell her long-running optometrist practice in Burgaw, couldn’t dress, eat, drink or wash her hair with her arm of preference and, most importantly, had trouble holding onto equipment and couldn’t hold a pen to transcribe her notes. As it turns out, she was about to go through a series of medical nightmares. One problem after another followed. It’s the story of breast cancer people don’t see when they wear pink for a few days. Before you hear the rest of Perry’s journey, let’s stop to examine the actions and behavior of her husband. It was his time to walk the walk, and in the process, keep his end of the marriage vows.

Pressure to excel has players seeking greener pigskin pastures

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Perry Motsinger was forced to give up her optometry practice after more than 20 years because of cancer, though she gets help and love from sons Deacon and Ruger. Commitment to youth, his sons and wife Sons Ruger, 15, and Deacon, 13, were and remain much like his students and players at WRH in that they need guidance, discipline and an See MOTSINGER, page B3

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Kevin Motsinger, who is entering his ninth season at WRH, is nearing the coveted 200-win mark. Yet he’s more proud of the many players he sent to the Division I ranks.

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — Even those people living under a seashell at the beach heard the news about DJ Davis transferring from East Duplin to Harrells Christian Academy. Unlike professional sports, these Panthers did not gain by the transaction by having a dip in their salary cap. HCA did what it could and played within the rules. But the timing of it all — the first official week of practice — is a bit of a mind-bender. Battle Holley had no doubt been working with Davis throughout the summer. It hurts because after losing Shawn Davis, the team’s leading rusher the past three seasons (3,830 yards, 58 TDs), and Aaron Hall (919 yards, 10 TDs), ED was without a doubt counting on Dewayne “DJ” Davis to be a key contributor this fall. He rushed for 383 yards and seven touchdowns with 92 tackles and four interceptions on defense. The rising senior was slated to be the starting quarterback in Beulaville before his change of heart. And perhaps it’s a good move for him since he will still be working in the Wing-T offense, though both teams throw the ball equally, as ED’s Branson Norris was 40 of 88 for 628 yards and 12 touchdowns, while HCA grad Reid Strickland had very comparable statistics — 43-86 for 823 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, Davis is a top athlete who could help any program. DJ Davis will join running back Jeremiah Davis (103-1,143 yards, 14 TDs) in the Crusaders backfield. While NCHSAA schools frequently lose players to NCISAA schools, player movement has started to mirror what is going on in the NCAA. Transferring is now easier than it has ever been. It’s almost as if anything flies. Forget about the NCHSAA’s transfer policy of sitting out. Every offseason is now a free-for-all. It’s not about a family moving to another town or city anymore. Yet local school districts are allowed to create their own criteria to override state guidelines. “I have no issue with a kid if it helps him develop,” said Hobbton head coach Adam Scronce, a longtime offensive coordinator at WRH who learned under the late Jack Holley. “What bothers me is we are not teaching kids to be resilient and handle situations. Kids don’t want to work for See FOOTBALL, page B2

VOLLEYBALL

Maggie Brown led ND last season with 172 kills.

Rebels rebuilding, reloading with new offensive scheme North Duplin won 19 matches in 2025 but lost three key players to graduation By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal CALYPSO — Heather Best had question marks about her volleyball team before the start of the 2025 season. How will her Rebels navi-

gate the loss of two long-time starters? How would the competition be in the new seven-team 1A/2A Carolina Conference? Could a couple of veterans raise the level of their individual game? Would travel to East Bladen, West Columbus and East Columbus affect the play of the Rebels? It all worked out, as Lilly Fulghum and Marissa Bernal became monster players

to offset the loss of Tatewayna Faison, who notched 127 kills, as ND went 12-9 and captured a first-round home playoff win for the first time in what seems like ages. Best will need a handful of players to be efficient and productive during primetime this fall. “It’s a different team, and it’s kind of a rebuilding and See REBELS, page B4

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EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

B2 JAMES KENAN TIGERS Head coach: Tim Grady

Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

Countdown to opening kickoff starts

Aug. 21 vs Southern Wayne Aug. 28 OPEN Sept. 4 vs. Southern Nash Sept. 11 at East Duplin Sept. 18 at Spring Creek Sept. 25 vs. Rosewood Oct. 2 at Midway Oct. 9 vs. Goldsboro Oct. 16 at C.B. Aycock Oct. 23 vs. Princeton Oct. 30 at Wallace-RH

WALLACE-ROSE HILL BULLDOGS Head coach: Kevin Motsinger Aug. 21 at East Duplin

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Getting into football shape is an important part of preseason practices for JK and all area schools.

Aug. 28 vs. Kinston Sept. 4 vs. Clinton Sept. 11 vs. Pender Sept. 18 OPEN Sept. 25 at Goldsboro Oct. 2 vs. Princeton Oct. 9 vs. Midway Oct. 16 at Spring Creek Oct. 23 at Rosewood Oct. 30 vs. James Kenan

NORTH DUPLIN REBELS Head coach: Hugh Martin MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Aug. 21 vs. SouthsideChocowinity Aug. 28 vs. Rosewood

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Sept. 4 at Spring Creek

Left, former JK quarterback and current assistant Ken Avent III helps OC Tim Grady with the Tigers’ attack plans. Right, WRH will work out of the Wing-T and the Single-Wing attacks this fall.

Sept. 11 vs. Jones

Left, JK’s Lee McRae tests his speed and agility during a drill. Right, JK head coach Tim Grady says his team’s pad level and push is key to opening holes for running backs. Bottom, Coaches Hugh Martin, right, and Brad Rhodes show ND players techniques and movement needed for a play.

Sept. 18 vs. Lakewood Sept. 25 OPEN Oct. 2 at East Bladen Oct. 9 at West Columbus Oct. 16 vs. Union Oct. 23 at East Columbus Oct. 30 vs. Hobbton

EAST DUPLIN PANTHERS Head coach: Battle Holley Aug. 21 vs. Wallace-Rose Hill Aug. 28 at Princeton Sept. 4 vs. Richlands Sept. 11 vs. James Kenan Sept. 18 at Jacksonville Sept. 25 BYE Oct. 2 at Southwest Onslow Oct. 9 at Trask Oct. 16 vs. Clinton Oct. 23 vs. Pender Oct. 30 at South Lenoir

HARRELLS CHRISTIAN CRUSADERS Head coach: Clayton Hall

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Aug. 21 at Parrott Aug. 28 at Wayne Christian Sept. 4 vs. Christ School Sept. 11 vs. South Wake Academy Sept. 18 vs. Ambassador Christian Sept. 25 vs. Covenant Day Oct. 2 vs. North Raleigh Christian Oct. 9 vs. Asheville Christian Oct. 16 at High Point Christian Oct. 23 at Ravenscroft Oct. 30 vs Trinity Christian

RICHLANDS WILDCATS Head coach: William Good Aug. 21 vs. Southwest Onslow Aug. 28 vs. White Oak Sept. 4 vs. East Duplin Sept. 11 at South Brunswick Sept. 18 at Havelock Sept. 25 at NorthsideJacksonville Oct. 2 OPEN Oct. 9 vs. Croatan Oct. 16 at West Carteret Oct. 23 vs. Dixon Oct. 30 at Swansboro

FOOTBALL from page B1 it anymore. They don’t want to fight through, they want to run to where it’s easier.” Transfers are everywhere. Of the eight football teams in the state finals in 2024, only two did not have a transfer player. In basketball, half the teams that played in the Final Four had a transfer player. Clearly, the entire state should have open enrollment or it should be prohibited everywhere. Some states have open enrollment. Others have a sit-out year. Some allow one transfer with immediate eligibility. It’s also been suggested that transfers sit out a number of days or weeks before getting playing time at their new school. Yet forcing a player to sit out will drive athletes to NCISAA schools. Coaches are in a predicament. Should they apologize for having a winning program? What comes next is players flocking to a super power school. But is that wrong on the part of the athlete or his parents? Coaches also feel robbed of a player they might have developed. Yet there are far too many players who “run,” and their

parents can be the cause. Parents want the best for their children and often feel they are better than what the coach says when he watches tapes of a game on Saturdays and Sundays. Players and parents, who act like all-knowing general managers, are more empowered than ever. Think LaVar Ball and double his insanity. Prep players can also switch from NCISAA to NCHSAA when the parent signs a document. For instance, fullback/ linebacker Jarrod Miller (694 yards, 11 TDs) left HCA for Wallace-Rose Hill this summer. Transfers can also be thought of in the same manner as classifications. They exist because it’s not fair for North Duplin, a school 10 students shy of being a 1A, to compete with a 3A such as Whiteville. Perhaps in a scrimmage, but not in a game — and that’s not dishing on the Rebels. Clinton’s quarterback in 2025 bolted for Southview after transferring in for one season with the Dark Horses. So, “go where it’s best for you” is the lesson. New NCHSAA Commissioner Brad Alford will have to deal with this issue after taking

6 of 8 Schools in the 2024 football finals that had a transfer player

over for Que Tucker a month ago. Another hot topic is the battle cry for all private and charter schools to have their own state championships, independent of what the bulk of the 400 or so NCHSAA schools do. Coaches screaming the loudest are in 1A and 2A. Former North Duplin football coach Ken Avent had a reasonable solution to classification fairness when he said charter and private schools should take the classification of the largest school in their county. Yet transfers abound and will likely only multiply until new rules are adopted. This alone would stop school administrators from investigating the home of a potential transfer to prove residency. While it’s an interesting and touchy topic, expect to hear more about transfers in the next few years.

“It’s hard to compete with power programs getting transfers because the playing field isn’t level,” Scronce said. In the past, every school has used transfer players. Today, schools are recruiting, and players are on the hunt to move to the best possible school for their athletic skills. It’s time to enforce the rules and make new ones that don’t make schools look like thieves in the night. In fact, many schools have joined the Transfer Bowl, perhaps out of necessity. When a neighboring school or rival does it, the balance of power shifts. And in many cases, the so-called “cheaters or rule-breakers” benefit enough to continue their ways, almost forcing others to follow. Something has to change. New Jersey, for example, has a one-time transfer portal. Alford and other state associations have a lot of work to do. Yet the rules need to be the same for one and all states. While there is more to this story than meets the eye of the public, here’s a quick solution: Make transfers sit out three games and have open enrollment among all schools. Yet even that is so far removed from the way it has always been done.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, August 6, 2026

MOTSINGER from page B1 example of a man who quietly takes the bull by the horns, prays for strength and the wherewithal to be both tender and tough. “You work disciplining teenagers all day and then go home to cook, clean, be present in all things, and that’s extremely challenging,” said longtime WRH offensive coordinator Adam Scronce, who took over as head football coach at Hobbton last fall. “You would have never really known what he was going through at home.” “The coaches and players knew,” said longtime assistant Will Jeffers, “but the balancing act he does is incredible. It’s like a company commander who has to do so much for others on all fronts.” Motsinger said he’s committed, even though it feels like he’s going through different doorways in hell. “I praise God she’s still here through sickness and health and better and worse,” Motsinger said. “For more than 30 years I’ve taught kids in a weight room, gym or on a field that if you want to get to heaven, you must be willing to go through hell. “God does give us more than we can handle. That’s a misconception. I’ve learned that over the years that it’s never more than He can handle. Here’s what I also know: I have a God who can conquer death and trumps hell.” Deadly foe fires all-out assault on Perry The medical hits to Perry kept coming in 2024 as treatments to heal her right shoulder were in vain as she was screaming and crying in pain when she came home from her office. Doctors couldn’t break up the scar tissue, and by February her left shoulder froze. She developed a herniated disc in her back and in September had spinal surgery with fusion to fix her neck. She had two metal plates, four screws and a cadaver bone placed in her neck. Thirteen months later, more agony surfaced when scans found cancer spots on her

uterus, which could have been caused by the breast cancer medication. Doctors performed an emergency surgery and the radical hysterectomy to remove her ovaries and cervix. She returned to her home but then had to have bladder surgery. Her mobility came through a walker and wheelchair by January 2026. Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which often happens with thin, post-mastectomy patients. And if you happened to miss it, she was in what most people would describe as unbearable pain with plenty of sleepless nights. “I have no idea how she does it other than I know we serve a big God,” said the coach. “She has been able to teach the boys and still be a phenomenal mother. The boys have continued to make straight A’s, excel on the soccer and football fields, and be great in all their competitions. It’s been a blessing to see them grow as young men and be there for their family while continuing to handle their responsibilities. Life lessons, indeed, even for the 53-year-old ball coach. “That’s what I’ve tried to do as well,” he said. “I have a job to do. I have a responsibility to the kids that are placed in my care. They are entrusting me to love them, care for them and lead them. To truly help them be the best they can be. To steward them into being a man and not a full-grown little boy. By day and on Friday nights, he’s present for students and athletes. “The WRH community is entrusting me to keep our football program relevant and vital,” he said. “I’ve tried to teach that when you have a job, you get it done.” Football as a teaching tool At WRH, he teaches both discipline and love and shows how. Despite what some people might think, they work in conjunction with one another. “You can’t fake love,” he often says. “When I die, my God will judge me on how I played the game. That’s how

I feel about both football and life. “And again, I thank God Perry is still here. It’s what I focus on. She gives us all a lot of love, and I believe the closest thing to Jesus’ love is the love a mother has for her child.” Motsinger is an incredible coach by any standard, and not because he has a 180-85 career record with stops at New Hanover (nine years) and James Kenan (three). I said in 2017 that if his teams were only .500 he was making a significant impact at WRH. Indeed he has, going 83-34 as he heads into his ninth campaign in Teachey. Yet much more importantly, he’s been a guide for countless athletes — and anyone in the school’s hallways. Given a chance to practice what he preaches may have just been his God’s game-of-life test. Motsinger also gives kudos to two of his guides: his parents, Hugh and Betty Jo Motsinger, and Perry’s parents, Jim and Sue Culpepper. “Great guidance,” he said. “I give all the power to God for strength to do what I have ahead of me each day.” Folks in Warsaw have an appreciation for how Motsinger rebuilt the JK program into that 24-24 record after it went 9-25 in the three previous seasons. In Wilmington, they admire him as if he were a guru in developing and getting the most out of athletes — and young men. So if Motsinger isn’t the best football coach or WRH doesn’t advance to the region final in a given season, he’s still perhaps “the best man for the job.” He’s had plenty of opportunities to go elsewhere. Bigger places with more staff. He’s staying home with Perry and the boys, and he could never coach at another school. He’s definitely still in love with his wife, more than ever these days. “She’s my best friend,” he said. “She’s my wife. She’s my queen. I will have her back as long as I draw breath.” For Motsinger, love and loyalty are, without a doubt, action words.

WRH’s Kevin Motsinger has a way of getting players to reach their maximum potential, which he did at James Kenan for years and at New Hanover for nine.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK