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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 28 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the

BRIEF this week

Ternus, Apple’s new CEO, takes over from Cook after 15 years Apple’s new CEO John Ternus took the helm of the iconic tech giant Tuesday, ending Tim Cook’s 15-year tenure that saw the company’s value skyrocket to $4.6 trillion thanks to the iPhone’s enormous popularity. The transition to a new CEO comes at a pivotal time for Apple. Artificial intelligence has unleashed the greatest upheaval within the industry since Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in 2007. Apple has gotten off to a rough start in AI after stumbling in its efforts to deliver new features built on the technology, as promised nearly two years ago.

Supreme Court lets White House continue construction on $400M ballroom Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court is allowing the White House to continue construction on President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project while his administration appeals a judge’s order halting the work. The justices intervened Monday after lower courts found work must stop because the project doesn’t have congressional approval. The decision replaces a temporary order signed by Chief Justice John Roberts hours before a court-ordered halt was set to go into effect. It allows the construction to continue as the lawsuit plays out, a potentially lengthy process. It’s a win for Trump as he flexes unprecedented executive power and remakes the capital in his image, and he says he is “pleased” with the ruling.

U.S. job openings rise slightly to 7.3M as labor market remains sturdy despite higher costs Employers posted slightly more job openings in July as the American labor market remained sturdy in the face of higher costs. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that U.S. job openings ticked up to 7.27 million in July from a revised 7.18 million in June. The department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey also showed that layoffs fell. But so did the number of people quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects. The American job market is hardly booming but is ambling along despite an energy shock from the Iran war.

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COURTESY HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS

River Landing hosts Hope For The Warriors Invitational The 17th annual Hope For The Warriors Celebrity Invitational brought veterans, service members, celebrities and community supporters together at River Landing in Wallace. Turn to A5 for more photos.

Magnolia man charged with murder after deadly shooting Gerardo Olvera, 53, was arrested in Hoke County By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal A MAGNOLIA man charged with murder in connection with a shooting Sunday evening that

left a 16-year-old dead and two other men seriously injured was taken into custody Monday evening in Hoke County. Magnolia Police Chief Jerry Wood confirmed that Gerardo Emanuel Olvera, 53, of the Magnolia area, was in custody and was being brought back to Duplin County to face a judge. Olvera had been the sub-

ject of an intensive search since Sunday evening following the shooting in the 400 block of E. Sandy Street in Magnolia. According to the Magnolia Police Department, officers responded to the shooting shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday and found three victims who had been shot. A 16-year-old Hispanic

Rockfish columbarium dedication turns into surprise tribute The new 64-niche columbarium expands burial options while recognizing Bobby Salmon’s longtime commitment to Wallace By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal WHEN BOBBY SALMON arrived Sunday afternoon for the dedication of the new

columbarium at Rockfish Presbyterian Cemetery, he knew the ceremony would celebrate a project he had helped bring to life. What he did not know was

that the ceremony would also include a surprise tribute to him. Keeping that secret for the last few days required what Charley Farrior described as a few “little white lies.” Then, near the end of the ceremony, Salmon was invited to step forward and remove the covering from a monu-

Airport board moves forward with apron rehabilitation The board approved an apron rehabilitation contract for $3.9 million and continued discussions about shared utility costs By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal CHAIRMAN JACK ALPHIN opened the August Airport Board meeting with discussion about positioning the airport to serve the future needs of the region, highlighting a pioneering pilot program for autonomous Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the far eastern part of the state to improve EMS response times. “Things are coming that are going to change all of us, and we need to be ready for it,” Alphin said. Hunter Boniface gave an

update concerning the fuel farm. “They are working on submittals for concrete, foundation and shelter,” Boniface said. “It is moving forward but working slow.” The hangar is finished. The newly completed hangar has been removed from the active project list. A ribbon cutting and dedication celebration is scheduled for Sept. 17, timed with the arrival of the hangar’s first aircraft. Airport Director Joshua Raynor said the apron See AIRPORT, page A2

“Things are coming that are going to change all of us, and we need to be ready for it.” Jack Alphin, Airport Board chairman

male was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two victims, both 50-year-old Hispanic men, suffered gunshot wounds and were airlifted to the hospital. Investigators identified Olvera as the suspect. Police said a disagreement occurred primarily between Olvera and the 16-year-old victim. Olvera allegedly left the scene and returned a few minutes later with a gun, shooting the three victims before fleeing. The Magnolia Police Department obtained charges against Olvera for murder, two See SHOOTING, page A2

ment prepared for the occasion. What was revealed was not simply a marker recognizing the new columbarium. It was a surprise tribute to Salmon, dedicating the new granite columbarium in recognition of more than five decades of service to the Rockfish Presbyterian Cemetery Corporation. “I want to tell you, that is a real surprise to me,” Salmon said after the unveiling. “I want to thank you and the committee. I do appreciate being recognized.” See TRIBUTE, page A5

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 3, 2026

THURSDAY

9.3.26 #141

Duplin County Schools do not require EMS at athletic events The district uses Emergency Action Plans to coordinate EMS coverage when needed

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Duplin Journal

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By Jessica Taylor For Duplin Journal HIGH SCHOOL sports games in Duplin County Schools are not required to have an EMS ambulance or EMS personnel present at athletic events. The district, home to four high schools and eight middle schools, instead uses Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for athletic events. Each plan is reviewed and signed off by a certified athletic trainer. “With the number of middle school and high school athletic events taking place throughout Duplin County each week, it would be extremely difficult

for EMS to provide an ambulance at every athletic event while also continuing to meet the emergency response needs of our communities,” wrote Duplin County Schools Director of Student Support Services Robert Ross. While the district has EAPs in place for sports, the district works with Duplin County EMS to provide ambulance coverage at varsity football games. Varsity football games are covered “because of the physical nature of the sport, the potential for significant injuries, the number of student-athletes participating, and the larger crowds typically in attendance.” The approach of following EAPs and prioritizing EMS coverage at high-risk games aligns with the emergency planning guidelines of the North Carolina High

“It would be extremely difficult for EMS to provide an ambulance at every athletic event while also continuing to meet the emergency response needs of our communities.” Robert Ross, Duplin County Schools Director of Student Support Services School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). The NCHSAA does not require EMS on site for athletic games but encourages procedures (such as EAPs) that ensure EMS can be notified and activated in the event of an emergency.

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

Sept. 4 James Kenan vs. Southern Nash football 7 p.m. Nonconference varsity home game for the Tigers. James Kenan High School 1241 N.C. 24/50 Warsaw

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AIRPORT from page A1 rehabilitation project received six bids, and S.T. Wooten came in as the lowest bid within the $5.3 million project budget. The board voted to award the project to S.T. Wooten for just over $3.85 million. Construction should begin in the spring. The board then went into closed session to discuss business opportunities. When it resumed open session, the board discussed submetering as a potential way to solve its shared utility billing issues. “I have specifically been looking for what our bills look like since we added the dehumidification systems,” Raynor

SHOOTING from page A1

COURTESY NC SBI

Gerardo Olvera

DUPLIN

counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police said Olvera has used several aliases in the past when dealing with law enforcement. One of the assumed names is Alfred Molina, and he is also known by the last names Jimenez and Olera. Before he was taken into custody, authorities said Olvera was believed to have fled in a 2009 Ford Flex. Law enforcement agencies had issued statewide and national alerts for him.

explained as he directed the chart to a set of reports. The board reviewed charts and comparisons, and it discovered that bills have increased an average of $500 a month since the new systems were installed. “These conditioned spaces are expensive, and right now it’s coming out of our pockets,” Raynor said. The board discussed the need to increase rent in a way that would still be fair to the tenants. “We have to come to some middle ground because all we are doing is making our facility cheaper if we keep absorbing the utilities,” Alphin said.

Police said the shooting was targeted at specific victims but cautioned the public not to approach Olvera if he was seen because he was considered armed and extremely dangerous. The Magnolia Police Department, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted the search for Olvera, with assistance from other area law enforcement and emergency agencies. North Carolina court records show Olvera pleaded guilty in 2015 in Wayne County to first-degree kidnapping, a felony, and was sentenced to 58 to 82 months in prison. A charge

Ultimately, the board decided to continue the discussion and postpone decisions and implementation until next year. Raynor shared the August budget and fuel sales report. For the month, airport traffic recorded a total of 300 operations, sold 1,107 gallons of AvGas and 14,755 gallons of jet fuel. Two months into the fiscal year, the airport has collected 21% of its anticipated budgeted fuel sales. Raynor also shared that Jim Angelou had been hired as a new airport technician. The board meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.

of possession of a firearm by a felon from the same case was dismissed that day. He has also been convicted of driving without a license in Lenoir County in 2014 and in Duplin County this year. Magnolia Mayor Dawn Ward posted a message on the town’s Facebook page Monday evening. “Yesterday, the life of a 16-year-old young man was taken way too soon,” Ward wrote, quoting Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. “Today, we weep. A family is grieving, and we grieve with them.”

The Wallace pub’s weekend live-music series continues with no cover. Mad Boar Restaurant and Pub 111 River Village Place Wallace

Sept. 5 Opening Day at the Pumpkin Patch 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cinderella Farms opens its fall pumpkin patch for the season with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze and food and drinks. Cinderella Farms 419 Northeast Road Wallace

Sept. 12 50th Annual Grape Stomp Festival 1-8 p.m. Duplin Winery marks the 50th anniversary of its Grape Stomp Festival with live music, wine tastings, food and grape stomping. Duplin Winery 505 North Sycamore St. Rose Hill

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Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 3, 2026

Faison honors native astronaut Thornton with new mural North Carolina’s first astronaut in space honored By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal FAISON — A new mural honoring Faison native Dr. William Edgar Thornton was installed Tuesday. His son Simon and his wife were able to come from out of state for the installation. They proudly took pictures with the mural and other things in town that honored their father. Thornton, who flew on two shuttle missions (both on Challenger, in 1983 and 1985) received a bachelor’s degree in physics from NC State and a doctorate in medicine from UNC after attending both primary and secondary school in Faison. He spent more than 313 hours in space across his missions. The mural, at 205 West Main St. in Faison, was done by Faison native Heather Williams. She invested more than 100 hours in the project. “When William was 12 years old, his father asked him to come into the room and talk to him,” Anne Stroud Taylor, a close friend to Thornton, said in an interview earlier this year. “He told William he knew he was dying, and he told him he wanted him to take care of his mother, the house and the farm that they had in the country. So this 12-year-old boy who had this tremendous knowledge of electricity and fixing things … opened a business. He would go to school and go straight to that store afterwards. “Anyone in Faison could bring their radios, record players, TVs, etc., and he could fix them. My daddy could fix a radio about as good as William,

COURTESY FAISON IMPROVEMENT GROUP

A new mural honors astronaut and Faison native Dr. William Edgar Thornton. but he wouldn’t fix them. He took them to William. Every man I knew well took their broken things to William to support his business.” Later, when Thornton became the first astronaut from North Carolina and was chosen to go to space, Faison residents went to see the launch. In recent

years, Faison has been looking for a way to honor the memory of the man they all loved. According to Faison Improvement Group (FIG) President Andrew Taylor, the idea for the Thornton mural was originally proposed during a monthly FIG meeting in 2023. “At the time, support was also

being raised for the creation of the William Thornton Monument, which now stands in the park,” Andrew Taylor said. “FIG has commissioned several murals and paintings throughout Faison over the past 20 years, and some of our members thought that a mural honoring Dr. Thornton would be a

“I put in around 120 hours, including about 25 hours of design time.” Heather Williams, mural artist natural extension of that work.” Williams, the artist who completed the mural, has been commissioned to complete four murals so far in Faison as well as one in Mount Olive. “FIG asked me to do the first mural in 2006 based on a T-shirt graphic of a farmer on a tractor that I had designed to commemorate Faison Market Day, an annual festival that occurred from approximately 2005-2018,” Williams said. When FIG commissioned the Thornton mural, Williams said she worked with Andrew Taylor on the specifics of the design, including which image of Thornton, which space mission to use, and title wording and colors. Williams studied art in college and has degrees in studio art as well as furniture design and product development. After working in the furniture industry in Hickory and traveling the world as a furniture designer and accessory buyer, she now teaches math at North Duplin Junior Senior High School. “Math is a big part of furniture design, and I want to empower and equip students who are creative to be able to study design and engineering,” Williams said. When FIG commissioned the Thornton mural, Williams said she didn’t start it alone. “I started painting it a few years ago with some help in the beginning from a few students: Lisette Riscajche Tucux, Schuyler Wheeler and Katherine Wolfe,” Williams said. After a break to focus on her teaching, Williams resumed the work, completing it in late May with the assistance of another local artist, Savannah Ivey. “I put in around 120 hours, including about 25 hours of design time,” Williams said.

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Small-town roots. Life-saving impact. More than medicine. A mission to serve. Building a healthier community starts with giving back. We’re committed to supporting Duplin County through essential medical services, local partnerships, community initiatives and dedicated volunteers. Whether it’s funding life-saving equipment, ensuring patients in need receive vital screenings or creating spaces for healing and comfort, we’re here to make a difference. Everything we do is always about you. Become a volunteer today and help us build a healthier Duplin County together.

910-296-0941 | ECUHealth.org/Duplin

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 3, 2026

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

COLUMN | MATT MERCER

The Imax camera shortage is a failure of free market fundamentalism IMAX 70mm, is only available in 25 theaters across the country.

I HAVEN’T SEEN “The Odyssey,” the latest theatrical release from Christopher Nolan, which is one of the most expensive movies made of all time. I’m a fan of Nolan’s work and, like many other elder millennials, I believe “The Dark Knight” ranks as one of the greatest movies ever made. “The Odyssey” is the first made exclusively in Imax 70mm, a milestone in an industry that is uniquely American. Unfortunately, most Americans won’t have the chance to see the movie in the format Nolan has championed. Imax is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, films and projectors that increases the aspect ratio and detail of films. Recording or showing movies with Imax required theaters to increase their screen sizes and, in some cases, construct new buildings. The one Nolan prefers, Imax 70mm, is only available in 25 theaters across the country. The closest one to my house in North Carolina is in Buford, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. The enhanced requirements meant Imax would not become widespread but remained profitable for the company. Enter the resurgence that began with Nolan’s use in “The Dark Knight.” When he shot six sequences with Imax cameras, it was the first time they had been used in the production of a film. That created demand for their use from other directors over the next decade. The stress of the heightened demand highlighted an issue: The mechanical parts of the cameras were not being made, and no one knew how to make them anymore. This loss of institutional knowledge in

industries has occurred across our country to our detriment. Making a specialized camera may be a niche specialty, but it illustrates the larger problem. Our economy hasn’t worked well enough for the people who make things. As a result, our political system hollowed out towns and withered American manufacturing. This is the problem Vice President JD Vance has talked about even in years before he ran for U.S. Senate in 2022. He’s been savaged over a supposed hostility to markets, which is laughable considering his business career was built working with Peter Thiel. The latest round of criticism comes from his recent podcast interview with Joe Rogan, where he said both ends — the socialism of the far left and the market-can-do-no-wrong right — are both incorrect. He advocates for a third way that creates jobs families can live on and keeps continuity in communities. Politics, like business, are never static. Consider that two decades ago, many Republicans revolted when former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg sought to tax “Big Gulp” cups at convenience stores because they were unhealthy. Opposition to that policy even became part of Sarah Palin’s stump speeches when she was still part of the national conversation. Today, the MAHA movement has scored wins removing junk food from EBT eligibility, ending harmful food dyes from use in many processed foods and energized pro-health activists who joined Donald Trump’s coalition when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed him and subsequently became HHS secretary. Many conservatives would be well-served by

reevaluating their priors on economic policy. Trump campaigned on reshoring American manufacturing, specifically advanced manufacturing to rebuild our defense industrial base. It also extends to pharmaceuticals, rare earth minerals and computer chips, among other items. It turns out outsourcing everything doesn’t work in a pandemic or when other countries see you as an adversary. Our supply chains weren’t equipped to handle geopolitical risk from countries like China. This is a course correction that will outlive his administration, but too many prominent conservatives would rather return to pre-2016 orthodoxy. It simply did not serve North Carolina families to make something a little bit cheaper at the expense of good jobs here in our state. Outgoing Senate Leader Phil Berger deserves credit for reducing taxes to help families keep more money they earn and attract business investment to the state. More than any other recent state political leader, Berger held the line on fiscal policy and also recognized state policy can play a role in better outcomes for families. It’s not just about the Imax camera used in a summer blockbuster. Market fundamentalists have focused on the wrong inputs about why capitalism is the superior economic system. Adam Smith warned of excesses without moral boundaries or competition. Even our founders didn’t risk everything in service to the free market, they sought to give us a nation. Matt Mercer is a North Carolina-based communications strategist and former editor in chief of North State Journal.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

El-Sayed’s insane circumcision analogy

Most pediatricians believe the health benefits of circumcising boys outweigh the risks of the procedure.

“SEX CHANGES for minors. Do you support that?” Fox News host Jesse Watters recently asked Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. “So you think it’s OK for a parent to slash his kid’s ding-a-ling off?” Watters finally interjected. “Are you circumcised?” El-Sayed asked. “Circumcision’s different than castration,” Watters shot back. “It’s a problem that you think you get to decide what happens between a parent, a doctor and a patient,” El-Sayed argued. “I’m just saying that, yes, circumcision is surgery on a kid’s ding-a-ling.” Circumcision is a minor, low-risk procedure that’s been practiced by humans going back 5,000 years or more. Around 80% of American men are circumcised. Their lives are not irreparably altered. Their natural maturation is not impeded. Most pediatricians believe the health benefits of circumcising boys outweigh the risks of the procedure. No one compels parents to circumcise their children. And if a 13-year-old boy suddenly demanded to be circumcised for cosmetic reasons, no responsible parent or doctor would needlessly subject them to a scalpel. Castration has also been around for thousands of years, though chiefly as a tool of torture and subjugation. The children of impoverished parents, slaves or the abducted young might be turned into eunuchs. Today, affluent parents voluntarily hand their children over to quacks to be forever damaged. The notion that El-Sayed, champion of a socialized healthcare system that would

empower the federal government to dictate all our medical decisions, doesn’t believe the state should have a say in your choices is risible. “Gender-affirming care,” however, isn’t medical care; it is elective mutilation. So, of course, society has a responsibility to intervene in the relationship between parent, doctor and patient if that “patient” happens to be a healthy minor and the actions of the doctor and parent constitute child abuse. That’s the debate. And that’s the conversation El-Sayed and other progressives would like to avoid. Because the unvarnished truth would disgust any well-adjusted adult. Even the anesthetized description of the process, “gender-affirming care,” is an insidious euphemism that inverts reality to conceal a truth about a process that uses puberty blockers, hormones and surgery to “affirm” a child’s fleeting self-conception, not their gender. Many people have been coaxed into believing that supporting gender-change cruelty is an act of love, compassion and acceptance. One of the duties — the most vital duty — of any parent is protecting their children from harm, including self-harm. Indeed, one of the most vital duties of all civilized people is protecting children from violence. We do not give in to the fantastical, fleeting whims of children. Because, despite some modern conceptions of parenthood, children do not possess any deep existential knowledge about gender or anything else. Your job is to protect them from their worst inclinations and social contagions, not follow them into madness.

If a parent rejects biological truths, that’s their business. If a child wants to dress up as the opposite sex, that’s their business as well. But the state has a duty to step in and protect a child who isn’t old enough to vote, rent a hotel room, order a drink, open a bank account, buy spray paint or play lotto from destroying their anatomy. Compassion means giving children with gender dysphoria the psychiatric or spiritual help they need, and perhaps an education. Your “authentic” gender is the one you’re born with, as any normie understands, which is no more “assigned” to you than your height or skin color. Yet a smarmy Democrat running for major political office goes on the country’s top cable news network and glibly compares circumcision to procedures that cause irreparable damage to healthy reproductive systems, not to mention infertility, impaired sexual function, chronic pain, blood clots and forever seeping wounds, so as not to offend his activist base. Now, El-Sayed might be an extremist, but he earned a medical degree on top of a doctorate, so he is uniquely positioned to have an educated discussion on this issue. At the very least, it’s mystifying that any progressive candidate running for a seat that may well decide Senate control doesn’t have a prefabricated answer ready to go when he’s asked why it’s OK to alter permanently the lives of children as young as 5. Then again, maybe El-Sayed doesn’t have a good answer because there is no good answer. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 3, 2026

Hope For The Warriors Celebrity Invitational returns The 17th annual Hope For The Warriors Celebrity Invitational brought veterans, service members, celebrities and community supporters together at River Landing in Wallace for a weekend of camaraderie, community and support for military families. The annual event raises funds for Hope For The Warriors, which provides resources and support to post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families. This year’s celebrity participants included former MLB players Nelson Figueroa and Pete Schourek, former NFL players Chris Mohr and Jim Thornton, former NBA players M.L. Carr and Jack Marin, HGTV host Kelly Edge, TV host John Daly, singer-songwriters Rudy Gatlin and Teresa Wade, and actors AJ Buckley, Judd Lormand, Antwon Tanner and others.

PHOTOS COURTESY HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS

TRIBUTE from page A1 But Salmon turned the attention toward the people who have supported the cemetery over the years. “More especially, I want to really thank all of you that have contributed so much over the years,” he said. “You have really been a blessing to not only me but other families that have loved ones buried out here.” The ceremony brought together family members, friends and members of the community to dedicate the new columbarium garden, which will provide another option for families choosing cremation. The Rockfish Presbyterian Cemetery Corporation was formed in 1947 to provide for the maintenance and care of the cemetery and other area burial grounds. Salmon joined the board in 1973 and has played a major role in the cemetery’s care and development for more than five decades. The Rev. Philip Siebbeles of Rockfish Presbyterian Church opened the ceremony with an invocation. During Sunday’s ceremony, Farrior described Salmon as, in many ways, “Mr. Rockfish Presbyterian Church Cemetery.”

“All of you that have contributed so much over the years. You have really been a blessing to not only me, but other families that have loved ones buried out here.” Bobby Salmon

CURT SIMPSON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Bobby Salmon, left, and Charley Farrior unveil the granite marker honoring Salmon’s more than five decades of service to Rockfish Presbyterian Church Cemetery just outside Wallace Sunday afternoon. Over the years, Salmon has helped oversee maintenance, kept cemetery records and maintained an extensive knowledge of where families are buried throughout the cemetery. He helped design the newer section of the cemetery and has been involved in the sale of plots and the cemetery corporation’s annual fundraising efforts. Salmon also played a central

role in the development of the new columbarium. The cemetery board had discussed the need for a columbarium for years as cremation has become an increasingly common choice for families. “We felt like that this was just something that Rockfish Presbyterian Cemetery needed to provide,” Farrior said. The columbarium will provide a permanent place for cre-

mated remains while also helping conserve traditional burial space for future generations. The new structure features 64 niches, each capable of holding the remains of two people. Construction was made possible in part through a generous gift received last year from Janie Burnside of Portsmouth, Virginia. Burnside has family members buried at Rockfish and has supported the cemetery over the years. After receiving the gift, the cemetery board decided to use a portion of the funds to build the columbarium. As the project moved forward, Salmon went to work researching possible designs. He ultimately presented the board with a design inspired by a

columbarium owned by the City of Fairfax, Virginia. The project involved the work of several contractors and local businesses, including Jeremy Egerton and NC Marble and Granite, Jeff Hatcher, A.C. Hall and Chris Herring. Salmon’s service to the cemetery is part of his much longer connection to Rockfish Presbyterian Church and the Wallace community. He began attending Rockfish at age 10 and has served as a member of the church session and on numerous church committees. A graduate of Wallace High School and Wilmington College, Salmon has also been active in the Wallace Rotary Club, Wallace Masonic Lodge and other community organizations. His professional career has included work as a land surveyor, real estate agent and auctioneer. Following the surprise recognition, the Rev. Joe Washburn of Wallace Presbyterian Church offered the prayer of dedication for the new columbarium. Washburn prayed that the area would become “a quiet sanctuary” and a place of “hope, peace and sacred remembrance” for those who visit in the years ahead.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 3, 2026

A lasting tribute JSCC dedicates its bell tower in honor of David Jordan

“This is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.”

Duplin Journal staff

Commissioner Wayne Branch

FOR YEARS, the bell tower has stood at the heart of the James Sprunt Community College campus. On Saturday, it took on a new significance as the college dedicated it in honor of longtime educator, public servant and former trustee David Jordan. The bell tower now carries Jordan’s name as a lasting tribute to his decades of service to the college and Duplin County. Jordan spent more than 30 years in the Duplin County Public School System, where he worked as a teacher and assistant principal at Wallace-Rose Hill High School before retiring as principal of Charity Middle School in Rose Hill. He also served as president of the Duplin County Principals and Assistant Principals Association. His service extended beyond education. Jordan served 36 years as a member of the Wallace Town Council, including time as mayor pro tem. He was also a dedicated

member of Adoram Baptist Church and was a member of the Four Oaks Bank Advisory Board. He died in 2021. During Saturday’s ceremony, speakers reflected on Jordan’s character and the impact he had on those around him. “I am honored to be here to celebrate the legacy of Mr. Jordan,” said JSCC Acting President Jeff Taylor. “Mr. Jordan was someone who treated all people the same. As a new employee, he was always willing to come up and talk to you and make you feel welcome. He had that effect on all of us here today.” For Jordan’s daughter, Tanya Jordan, the ceremony was also an opportunity to remember her father on a more personal level. She shared remarks about him and reflected on a portrait displayed during the event. “This picture is so my dad,” she said. “He was always smiling, and he is certainly smiling down on us today.”

Ed Emory, the vice chair of the JSCC Board of Trustees who served as master of ceremonies, recalled traveling and serving alongside Jordan on the board. Duplin County Commissioner Wayne Branch also shared reflections about his relationship with Jordan. The two attended church together for many years and became close friends. “This is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man,” Branch said. “Mr. Jordan was a man’s man. He was a fair man who believed in doing things the right way and by the book. He treated people the way he wanted to be treated. If there was anything he could do for a person, he would not withhold it. He was a man of great faith and a dedicated teacher and administrator for over 30 years.” Bob Kornegay, who served alongside Jordan on the JSCC Board of Trustees, also spoke about Jordan. “David had a love for this college and the people of this region,” Kornegay said. “He mentored me when I first served on the JSCC Board. He was always kind and willing to have a conversation.” As part of the dedication, the Jordan family received a painting of the Memorial Bell Tower. Guests later gathered in the Monk Auditorium for refreshments.

PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF ROSE HILL ZONING MAP AMENDMENT REQUEST FOR A ± 0.851 ACRE PORTION OF TAX PARCEL 11-1955 FROM I-1 TO R-1 Day: Tuesday Date: September 8, 2026 Time: 6:00 pm Place: Rose Hill Town Hall: Main Meeting Room, 103 SE Railroad Street, Rose Hill, NC 28458 Purpose: To hear and record public comments regarding the Zoning Map Amendment Request for a ± 0.851 acre portion of tax parcel 11-1955 from I-1 to R-1. This map amendment may be adopted after the public hearing at this regular meeting of the Town Board, held for legislative purposes. The Zoning Map Amendment Request is available for public inspection in the office of the Rose Hill Town Clerk, located in the Town Hall during normal business hours, Monday-Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Written comments on this request will be accepted two (2) business days prior to September 8, 2026 to the Town Clerk, Mrs. Keren Parker. Any person needing special accommodations, please contact 910-289-3159 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Angela Smith, Town Administrator

SILENT AUCTION 2003 FORD F-150

Top, acting President Jeff Taylor unveils the plaque honoring David Jordan at the newly dedicated David Jordan Memorial Bell Tower. Bottom left, Board of Trustees members Debra Morrisey, left, and Anita Powers present the Jordan family with a commemorative gift during the bell tower dedication ceremony. Bottom right, the David Jordan Memorial Bell Tower stands on the James Sprunt Community College campus following its dedication in honor of longtime educator, public servant and former trustee David Jordan.

VEHICLE DETAILS

Mileage: 167,000 miles | Condition: Used — sold as-is AUCTION RULES

• Submit sealed bids in an envelope to the Clerk at Town Hall. • All bids will be opened after the closing deadline. • The highest bid will be the winning bid. • There is a $500 minimum reserve on the auction. • If more than one bidder submits the same highest bid, all tied bidders will be contacted and given an opportunity to submit their highest and best bid. INSPECTION & BID DEADLINE

The truck is available for inspection Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Bids must be received by September 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CONTACT INFORMATION

Morgan Jacobs, Clerk Email: morgan@teacheytown.com Phone: 910-285-7564

TOWN OF TEACHEY - JOB ANNOUNCMENT NOW HIRING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR THE TOWN OF TEACHEY NC is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to serve as Public Works Associate. This position provides leadership and oversight for the Town’s public works operations and is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of essential municipal services. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The Public Works Associate will plan, organize, direct, and supervise the activities of the Public Works Department, including but not limited to:

• Emergency and disaster response activities • Compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and safety requirements • Public Works Projects to include but not limited to zoning and zoning permits

• Knowledge of municipal public works practices, including streets, drainage/stormwater, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure maintenance • Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Stormwater and drainage systems

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license

• Solid waste and sanitation services

• Pass background check

• Equipment maintenance

• Operate heavy equipment and heavy equipment knowledge

• Capital improvement projects

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Personnel management, scheduling, training, and safety

• Preference may be given to candidates with:

• Coordination with contractors, engineers, utility providers, and other governmental agencies

• Five or more years of municipal public works management experience

• Responding to citizen concerns and service requests

• Experience supervising a public works department or multiple operational divisions

• Advising the Mayor, and Town Commissioner on public works matters

• Public works or infrastructure management certifications SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Ability to work effectively with elected officials, employees, contractors, and the general public

• Public works construction and maintenance projects

• ORC license or other relevant professional certification

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Street and right-of-way maintenance

• Buildings, grounds, and municipal facilities

procurement, and regulatory requirements

• Experience with North Carolina municipal operations,

Negotiable based upon experience and qualifications. The Town offers a competitive benefits package, which may include health insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacation and sick leave, holidays, and other employee benefits. HOW TO APPLY Interested applicants should submit a completed application and résumé in person or by mail : Town of Teachey 116 E Second St. P.O. Box 145 Teachey NC 28464 Application Deadline: 9/11/26 @ 5:00 pm The Town of Teachey is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legally protected status. THE TOWN OF TOWN OF TEACHEY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DUPLIN SPORTS LeBlanc, Mckinnie help Panthers slip past Princeton The tandem combined for 304 yards and six touchdowns as ED edged the Bulldogs 40-34 By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Adrian Glover had several electrifying runs and was stellar as a defensive back as WRH beat Kinston at the Jack Holley Football Complex.

Physical ’Dawgs batter Vikings “Our physicality was off the charts.” Kevin Motsinger, WRH head coach

WRH hit Kinston hard and often during a 35-27 revenge win over the East Region champs

PRINCETON – For at least one game, Noah LeBlanc is everything that was expecting from him following a transfer from Richlands at the end of his sophomore season. He will be facing his old team Sept. 5, and chances are his old ‘Cats club will know all about the senior RB/LB. Everyone was put on notice following a 202-yard night when he scored from 63, 16 and 49 yards in the third quarter, took a pass from Brayden Jones for a 25-yard score in the opening quarter, made 17 tackles at linebacker and, finally,

“We made stops defensively in clutch situations.” Battle Holley, ED head coach

See ‘DAWGS, page B4

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal WALLACE — If ever there were a game in which Wallace-Rose Hill put it all together, it was during a 35-27 win over defending East Region champs Kinston. While the Vikings lost a flock of players from that team, they still have offensive firepower with quarterback Michael Eaton (17-26 for 191 yards, TD) and a core of quality receivers. Yet when push came to shove, it was the Bulldogs’ defense that cracked the case. See WRH, page B4

THURMAN PARKER FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Defensive end Adrian Allen (99), linebacker Logan Marks (8) and the WRH defense put the squeeze on Kinston’s offense enough to allow the Bulldogs to score five times.

Rebels’ defense thwart conversion attempt to topple Eagles North Duplin took an early lead and never trailed By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

The ND faithful feel sophomore Messiah Cooper can make significant contributions to the Rebels.

CALYPSO — Three yards was roughly the difference between winning and losing when North Duplin beat Rosewood 13-12 at H.E. Grubbs Field on Aug. 28. And in the final three minutes, both teams had a chance to win a game that was largely dominated by the Rebels. ND needed to gain five yards on fourth down to plunge into the end zone and clinch a win over Rosewood. The Rebels got four and turned the pig over to the Eagles at the 1 with a 13-6 lead and 3:35 to play.

Noah LeBlanc (2), Zachary Cruz (7), Blake Shuddekopf (75) and Roman Byrd (56) converge to stop Princeton’s Teo McPhatter on a key down during ED’s 40-34 win.

A long pass forwarded it to the ND 31, and two plays later quarterback Conner Smith hit a wide-open Zamarion Richardson over the middle for a touchdown that put ND in jeopardy. But the Rebels’ pressure on both Eagles forced a hard-to-catch ball on the 2-point conversion that would have given Rosewood a 14-13 lead with 2:56 to play. Jayden Pope took care of the rest by getting a first down that forced the clock to beat the Eagles for the fourth consecutive season. It was somewhat of an insult to Rosewood since Pope ran for 109 yards and scored a touchdown. Yet it took the senior 25 totes as a sign the game was tight from beginning to end. His late first-quarter score put ND in the driver’s seat after fullback Noah Quintanilla (8-47) hit pay dirt from the 1 on the game’s fifth snap. The real battle started in the second quarter when the Eagles went 58 yards in 12 plays. They flubbed the PAT

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after Smith scored from the 4. ND, though, opened the door for the score on fourth-and-goal from the 4 via an offsides call. The Rebels had just one second-quarter possession after the clock-consuming drive by Rosewood. That’s when the Eagles defense started figuring out how to slow down ND. Continuing pattern in the second half The Rebels got three first downs during its two third-quarter possessions. The first was unexpected as a hard kickoff bounced off an Eagles player on the front line and was recovered by Ben Kelly. But a fumble at the Rosewood 23 was sour grapes for a packed house. Rosewood returned the favor when star running back Aldinio Previl (28-110) dropped the ball on the ground for Damarion Smith at the ND 21. ND would then control the See REBELS, page B2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 3, 2026

MVP OF THE WEEK Noah LeBlanc East Duplin High School