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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 30 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

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BRIEF this week

Free Medicare workshop set for Beulaville A free Medicare educational workshop will be held Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. at Duff’s Cafe at 114 E. Main St. in Beulaville. The seminar will cover how Medicare works, coverage options, common parts of Medicare that can be confusing and ways to avoid costly coverage gaps. A complimentary meal will be provided, and attendees can bring questions for a local licensed insurance agent. Seating is limited. For information or assistance, call 919-339-9126.

Farrior Park receives $356K grant Duplin County has received a $356,131 grant to support improvements at Farrior Park in Wallace through North Carolina’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The grant is part of more than $9.8 million awarded for 25 local parks and recreation projects statewide. PARTF, administered by North Carolina State Parks, provides funding for land acquisition, new recreation facilities and improvements to existing parks. Duplin County was one of 24 recipients in the latest grant cycle.

Warsaw police arrest man after reported break-in attempt Warsaw police arrested a man Sept. 4 after responding to a report that he allegedly attempted to force his way into an apartment by repeatedly kicking and damaging the door. According to the Warsaw Police Department, officers reviewed Ring doorbell footage that captured the incident and later located Adrain Jonte Brinson walking away from the area. Brinson allegedly refused repeated commands to stop and fled on foot. Officers pursued Brinson and eventually took him into custody. Police said he continued resisting while being arrested and placed in a patrol vehicle. Brinson was taken to ECU Health Duplin Hospital for medical evaluation because of erratic behavior and injuries sustained during the struggle. Two Warsaw officers suffered minor injuries, and several pieces of department-issued equipment and uniform items were damaged, according to police.

Heart’s Hope to hold inaugural gala Sept. 24 Heart’s Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center will hold its inaugural gala Sept. 24 at River Landing. Visit heartshopecpc.com for more details.

COURTESY DAVID WHITE WALLACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

WCA grows, dedicates new middle school Wallace Christian Academy students are celebrating a new chapter as the school opens its Phase 3A middle school building. The first students enjoying classes in the new building had the special honor of cutting the ribbon to officially open the facility last week. The expansion extends the school’s offerings through sixth grade as the academy continues to grow.

Commissioners table proposed classification, pay plan until October The board wants a clearer picture of the plan’s cost and its impact on current employees and taxpayers By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County commissioners unanimously voted to table a proposed classification and pay

plan until their October meeting as county officials work to determine the full financial impact of implementing the plan. County Manager Lisa Hughes presented the revised plan following an initial base-

Mount Olive board accepts town manager’s resignation The board appointed Glenn Holland as interim town manager and finance officer By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal THE MOUNT OLIVE Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting last Friday to ac-

cept Town Manager Octavius Murphy’s resignation and appoint Glenn Holland as interim town manager and finance officer. “Octavius Murphy stated

that he needed to focus on his health. … The job of town manager is very stressful,” Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode told Duplin Journal. “I thought he was doing a tremendous job, and I begged him to stay. It is a great loss to Mount Olive.” Murphy’s resignation letter

Wallace council backs group home for children with disabilities The new facility will provide residential and behavioral services for up to 10 children By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal

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line classification plan introduced in June. The initiative was developed to address staffing shortages and align Duplin County’s minimum wages with neighboring jurisdictions. The county currently has more than 80 vacant positions across county departments, with vacancies heavily concentrated in critical public services,

FAMILIES OF CHILDREN who have autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities could soon have a new residential option closer to home after the Wallace Town Council last Thursday unanimously approved a permit for a group home on North Teachey Road. The 3,000-square-foot cinder-block building sits on about an acre of land at 800 N. Teachey Road, and it will be operated by Serenity Therapeutic Services, a

Raeford-based company owned by Darrin McNeill. The company provides residential and therapeutic services for children and adults with autism, behavioral and mental health issues, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. McNeill told the council that his organization currently operates 21 facilities with about 130 residents. Approximately 92% of those residents are autistic, he said. The Wallace facility will accommodate up to 10 residents, who will live in the home around the clock and receive behavioral services. McNeill emphasized the goal is not to isolate residents from the community, but to help them become part of it. See HOME, page A5

including the sheriff’s office, Emergency Medical Services and the Department of Social Services. The proposed plan would establish a minimum county wage of $15 per hour across all county positions, raising the lowest-paid job grades to that level. See PAY, page A6

included a request for severance pay and asked the board to waive a 30-day notice requirement contained in his contract. Under the contract, Murphy was required to provide 30 days’ notice to receive severance pay. His effective resignation date, according to the Sept. 9 letter, was the close of business that same day. After a brief meeting, the board discussed severance pay, with one board member arguing that general rules prohibit employees who voluntarily See MANAGER, page A2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

THURSDAY

9.17.26 #143

Sheriff’s office moves forward DUPLIN happening with BLET prehire program The plan is to use the program to recruit deputies while a phased inmate transfer begins for the new jail By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

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MANAGER from page A1 resign from receiving severance. Other board members argued the contract was negotiated, accepted and officially approved by the board, making its terms binding on the town. Legal counsel Carroll Turner said Murphy was entitled to severance under the contract unless he was terminated for cause, such as improper conduct or an irreconcilable conflict. The board voted to approve the resignation and severance terms.

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KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office is moving forward with a prehire program for Basic Law Enforcement Training candidates as the county also prepares for a phased transition into its new 250-bed detention center. Chuck Weaver, deputy chief of the sheriff’s office, presented the BLET prehire employment model to the Duplin County Board of Commissioners last week, as an effort to address deputy vacancies and improve recruiting. Under the program, selected candidates — including promising interns, existing detention officers and other individuals the sheriff’s office considers strong candidates — would be prehired as paid county employees while attending BLET programs at institutions such as James Sprunt Community College or Lenoir Community College. The trainees would be onboarded as regular county employees and receive standard benefits, although they would not receive law-enforcement benefits until they become sworn deputies. While enrolled in BLET, their salaries would be set at up to 10% below the minimum pay rate for an entry-level deputy. After graduating and becoming sworn deputies, the

“This was another positive aspect to it because a lot of people can’t afford to take off work for eight months and survive.” Chuck Weaver, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office deputy chief trainees would transition to full deputy status. Participants would be required to sign a binding agreement committing them to serve as sworn deputies with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for at least two years following graduation. The program is designed for one to two trainees at a time. Candidates would include high-performing internal employees, such as current detention officers, or vetted university interns. “So this was another positive aspect to it because a lot of people can’t afford to take off work for eight months and survive,” Weaver said. Board members and the county attorney discussed financial recourse if a candidate fails to complete BLET or resigns before fulfilling the service commitment. The board approved the overall program concept and directed the county attorney to adjust the repayment and default clauses so they mirror the county’s existing EMS paramedic training contracts. A finalized contract template will return to the board in October for formal execution.

Detention center transition The transition to the new 250-bed detention center is also moving forward as a phased rollout. The update was presented to the board for information and did not require formal action. The sheriff’s office plans to transfer female inmates to a dedicated pod in the new facility first. A dedicated team of detention officers is already assigned to female inmates, and officials plan to move them first to avoid overwhelming staff during the initial transition. Moving the female inmates to the new facility will create additional capacity in the existing 95-bed jail, which frequently houses between 120 and 130 inmates. The additional space will allow the county to return 10 to 15 male inmates currently housed in neighboring counties, including Sampson, Lenoir and Onslow counties. Returning those inmates will save the county out-of-county housing fees. A public open house, tours and ribbon-cutting ceremony are planned for early October. Phased inmate transfers are expected to begin from mid-October through November, with full occupation of the new facility projected for late December or early January. Under a July 29, 2024, agreement with the Town of Kenansville regarding municipal utility limits, water and sewer services at the old jail will be taken completely offline once the new facility is fully occupied.

USDA announces funding opportunities for area farmers Producers need to apply to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding Duplin Journal staff NORTH CAROLINA farmers and agricultural producers have until Oct. 30 to apply for consideration for fiscal year 2027 conservation funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The funding, supported by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, is part of what USDA describes as a historic investment in conservation on agricultural lands. NRCS State Conservationist Matt Walker encouraged producers to work with their local NRCS offices to identify opportunities that can help protect natural resources while keeping agricultural opera-

tions productive, profitable and sustainable for future generations. Available programs include the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, which helps protect agricultural land from development and restore and enhance wetlands; the Conservation Stewardship Program, which helps producers build on existing conservation practices; and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides technical and financial assistance to address concerns such as water and air quality, soil health and erosion. NRCS is also offering additional financial assistance through the Regenerative Pilot Program. The initiative allows producers to pursue whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application for EQIP and CSP funding.

Oct. 30 Application deadline to be considered for USDA NRCS funding

Although NRCS accepts applications throughout the year, producers interested in being considered for fiscal year 2027 funding should submit applications by Oct. 30. The agency has provided conservation assistance to farmers, ranchers and forestland owners for more than 90 years, using science, technology and voluntary, incentive-based programs to improve natural resources and strengthen agricultural operations. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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

Sept. 17 Magnolia Community Center ribbon cutting 3 p.m. The town dedicates its renovated library building as a community center. Magnolia Community Center 104 W. Main St., Magnolia

Sept. 18-20 Duplin Livestock Showmanship Series Events will take place over three days, highlighting youth and agricultural skills. Goat competitions are set for Sept. 18, followed by sheep and heifer on Sept. 19, and swine on Sept. 20. 275 Fairgrounds Drive, Kenansville

Sept. 19 Duplin County NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet 6-8 p.m. The annual banquet raises scholarship money and honors community members for their contributions to civil rights and public service. K.E.M.B.A. Headquarters 124 Water Tank Road, Warsaw

Sept. 26 Camo for a Cause 8 a.m. to midnight The annual fundraiser features a live auction, live music and family activities, with proceeds supporting North Carolina families affected by childhood cancer at Tara Creek. 136 Robert Hobbs Road, Faison

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Wallace Christian Academy opens new $1.3M middle school building The facility adds six classrooms and four administrative offices as the school expands toward 12th grade By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal WALLACE — Wallace Christian Academy celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its new Phase 3A Middle School Building, marking another step toward the school’s long-term goal of serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. Students and staff began using the $1.3 million facility in August. The building adds six classrooms and four administrative offices while expanding the academy’s offerings through sixth grade. The first middle school students to take classes in the new building had the honor of cutting the ribbon during a ceremony attended by parents, community supporters and members of the Wallace Chamber of Commerce. The academy, a ministry of Poston Baptist Church, has grown significantly since opening in 2022 with 30 students. Enrollment reached 215 students this year. “The opening of our Phase 3A Middle School facility is a major step toward WCA’s long-term vision of serving students from pre-K through 12th grade,” said Headmaster Steve Le Roux. “We are currently serving through sixth grade and plan to continue adding one grade each year.” The school anticipates having its high school facilities ready by 2029. The Phase 3A project is the latest in a series of campus expansions since the academy was established in 2022. The first phase, an elementary school building with six classrooms, cost $365,000 and was completed in August 2022. Phase 2 added eight elementary classrooms at a cost of $910,000. It was completed in August 2023. Both projects have been paid in full. With Phase 3A, the school has invested a total of $1.3 million in the latest building project. The school has raised $1 million toward the project and is seeking the remaining $300,000 by December 2026 to pay off the facility. Le Roux said the school’s growth also affects the broader Wallace community. “Wallace Christian Academy’s continued growth is an investment not only in our students but also in the future of the Wallace community,” Le Roux said. “As WCA grows, we are creating additional jobs, bringing families into the area and providing parents with another quality educational option where their children can receive strong academics in a Christ-centered environment.” The school also works with local businesses, contractors and service providers, Le Roux said.

COURTESY FAISON FIRE & RESCUE

Faison honors 9/11 victims, first responders Community members gathered in Faison for a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony honoring those who lost their lives and the first responders who answered the call. The ceremony marked 25 years since the attacks.

Beulaville approves gym demolition, CDBG contracts Town officials also discussed the library roof, a proposed town hall stage and the town’s amplified music policy By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal COURTESY WALLACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Pastor Chris Jarman addresses parents, students and local supporters during a special chapel service ahead of the ribbon cutting for Wallace Christian Academy’s new middle school building.

“The opening of our Phase 3A Middle School facility is a major step toward WCA’s long-term vision of serving students from pre-K through 12th grade.” Steve Le Roux, headmaster “This new facility gives our growing middle school students dedicated classrooms and space designed to meet their needs while providing the foundation for continued expansion,” Le Roux added. The school is seeking additional support through financial donations, gifts-in-kind and prayer. Financial contributions can be made to the “WCA Building Fund,” while gifts-in-kind can include materials, services or equipment for building and campus needs. During a special chapel service before the ribbon cutting, Poston Baptist Church Pastor

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Chris Jarman reflected on the vision that led to the academy’s creation. He recalled sharing that vision with his congregation in 2019 and believing the church’s property could become a place to educate and disciple young people. “From day one, a people stepped out on faith, and faith is an action putting into action what we believe,” Jarman said. “It has been absolutely amazing seeing what God has done here. God showed up, and God provided even when the cost tripled from what we had budgeted that first year. The school has grown and grown, and each phase was fully funded. I don’t know how else to say it but God did it.” Le Roux said there is more to come. “Our goal is to be fully equipped to serve through 12th grade,” Le Roux said. “Phase 3A represents much more than a new building — it is another step of faith toward the future God has placed before Wallace Christian Academy.” Ena Sellers contributed to this story.

THE BEULAVILLE Town Board heard from local write-in candidates Tracey Simmons Kornegay and Chuck Weaver on Monday night and introduced Ransom Smith as its new legal counsel before turning to several town projects and policy decisions. Police Chief Karl Mobley reported a busy August, including numerous arrests and a joint traffic operation with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation that resulted in several arrests. Mobley also provided an update on a 2025 home invasion involving an elderly resident. Richard Akins, the sixth and final suspect, reportedly turned himself in and admitted involvement. Akins was on lifetime parole in Georgia and is expected to be extradited to North Carolina. Code Enforcement reported 30 compliance letters, five personal contacts and four property postings during the month, with 18 issues corrected. The town’s annual DEA Drug Take Back event is scheduled for Oct. 24 at town hall. Officials said the program typically collects about 400 pounds of unwanted medications during each event. Town Manager Lori Williams reported that installation work has begun on the C&D Farms residential development after the project received two state authorization permits. A variance request involving an additional 18 acres will go before the zoning board before a public hearing before the town board. The board voted to authorize Public Works to demolish the town’s old gym after discussing concerns about liability and the building’s deteriorating condition. Contractor estimates for the demolition and removal were approximately $75,000, while Public Works said it could complete the work in-house for significantly less than $60,000 using rented equipment. Public Works Director Ricky Raynor expressed confidence in the department’s ability to handle the project. The park will temporarily close during the work. The town plans to allow controlled access beforehand for resi-

dents interested in salvaging usable pieces of the gym’s wooden flooring. The board also learned the Recreation Center and Park will close temporarily because of construction materials and renovation work. A roof inspection at the town library found worn shingles, failing vents and damaged wood. The estimated cost for a new shingle roof is $18,000. The board requested additional information about insurance coverage before making a final decision on the repairs. Beulaville was awarded $950,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for housing rehabilitation and street paving. The board approved staff’s recommendation to award administrative and engineering services to Adams & McDavid. The grant includes housing rehabilitation projects and paving improvements. Town officials are also seeking DOT pedestrian safety funding for sidewalks connecting Highway 24 to East Park. The board unanimously adopted a tree ordinance developed by the town’s Tree Board, fulfilling a requirement of the town’s Urban Forest Tree Grant. In other town business, the board declined to change the town’s 10 p.m. cutoff for amplified music after discussing a request from a local business owner to extend it to 11 p.m. “We aren’t telling anyone they have to stop and go home, but amplified music has to stop at 10 p.m.,” said Mobley. He recommended keeping the existing policy, noting the department has received virtually no noise complaints since the 10 p.m. cutoff was adopted, compared with frequent complaints previously. The board also discussed a proposal from the Beulaville Chamber of Commerce to partner with the town on a permanent outdoor stage at town hall. The project could allow events such as Hog Wild to return to the town hall grounds. Staff will gather cost estimates for a future discussion. Williams reported approximately $42,000 in September sales tax revenue and reminded residents of several upcoming events, including bulk trash pickup Sept. 23, a document shredding event Oct. 10 and fire hydrant testing Oct. 4-8. The board also asked staff to research credit card processing fees charged by neighboring municipalities before considering whether Beulaville should pass those fees along to customers.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

America’s godly heritage faces new challenges

Yes, America does have a godly heritage, and if we will humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our land.

DOES AMERICA have a godly heritage? I will paraphrase for your consideration, in answer to that question, some thoughts from David Barton’s book “America’s Godly Heritage.” One has only to examine the people and what they did 250 years ago in Independence Hall in Philadelphia to answer that question. In that building, the greatest form of government ever conceived by man was divinely introduced into the minds of our Founding Fathers. In answer to their prayerful petitions for His help, the creator of heaven and earth endowed them with the agency to understand that their inalienable rights come from God, not government. The inscription engraved on the bell they rang to announce their decision for independence is part of a Bible verse. Leviticus 25:10: “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” They used a bell with a God-inspired verse of scripture to declare liberty. It was called the Liberty Bell not because America declared liberty for all but because of that verse of scripture. The first American Congress in 1774, which met in Carpenters Hall, was opened with prayer delivered by the Rev. Jacob Duche, a local minister of Christ Church. His prayer was described as “a profound time of prayer.” Seven of the signers of the Declaration of Independence worshiped as members of Christ Church. In 1910, a famous stained glass window was installed in the church called “Patriot’s Window” to honor Robert

Morris, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Rush, Joseph and Francis Hopkinson, John Penn and Benjamin Franklin. Six of these churchgoing men signed both the Declaration and the Constitution. John Adams said of Jacob’s prayer, “He unexpectedly, to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer which filled the bosom of every man present. … It had an excellent effect upon everybody here. Silas Deane declared that it was ‘a prayer worth riding one hundred miles to hear.’” Adams and Rush became very close friends, and in 1777 when the war was not going well and with very bleak prospects of success, Rush leaned over to Adams and candidly asked if he thought that America could actually win the Revolution. Adams’ answer was clear and confident, “Yes. If we fear God and repent of our sins!” (2 Chron. 7:14) The first Congress read four chapters in the Bible that morning, and Adams reported to his wife, Abigail, “I never saw greater effect on an audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning. … I must beg you to read that Psalm 35 to your friends and your father. Few people today know that of the 56 Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration, more than half received degrees from schools that today would be considered seminaries or bible schools. Though they were far from perfect and flawed as many good men still are today, they were God-respecting men who knew the power of prayer.

Yes, America does have a godly heritage, and if we will humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our land. However, there are bold new challenges from contemporary groups of secular-socialists which have found refuge by imbedding themselves within the structure of the Democratic Party. The old socialist movement started anew in the United States of America in 1973 as the Democratic Socialists Organizing Committee and then morphed into the Democratic Socialists of America. Also in the 1970s, Michael Harrington led a group of older socialists in a more subtle direction to “a realignment strategy aiming to push the Democratic Party toward labor rights and social democracy, from within.” In the 1980s, they joined with the New American Movement consisting of the “New Left Veterans.” In 2016, they experienced increased visibility and public awareness during Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. They have chosen a brilliant course of action; cause decay from within. Infiltrate and indoctrinate. Destroy foundational truths like family, marriage and gender. They want to destroy America’s godly heritage. We the people should realize that Satan is the father of all lies, including those lies told by the Democratic Socialists of America. Rep. Jimmy Dixon represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

COLUMN | REP. RICH MCCORMICK

Birth tourism is a loophole; it is time to close it This is not a gray area. It is fraud, and it is organized.

AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP should never be for sale. Right now, it is. Foreign nationals are paying thousands of dollars to predatory businesses that arrange travel, housing, hospital care and coaching on how to mislead immigration officers, all to secure American citizenship for their unborn children. The process is straightforward: travel to the United States shortly before giving birth, deliver the child on American soil and return home. The child is now a citizen. This is birth tourism. And it is a deliberate exploitation of our laws. To be American is more than a piece of paper. It is a bond between an individual and a nation built on a promise. It carries constitutional rights, civic responsibilities and the full protection of the United States government. When foreign nationals pay a business to manufacture that bond for their child, they are not participating in the American story. They are purchasing it. Some birth tourism operations openly target wealthy clients from adversarial nations, including China and Russia. They help obtain visas, secure housing, coordinate hospital stays and complete government paperwork. Some go further, coaching clients on how to conceal the true purpose of their trip from immigration officials. This is not a gray area. It is fraud, and it is organized. Congress has looked the other way for too long. That is why I introduced the Ban Birth Tourism Act in the House, with Sen. Marsha

Blackburn leading companion legislation in the Senate. The bill is targeted. It makes foreign nationals inadmissible when they seek to enter the United States primarily to give birth and obtain citizenship for their child. It makes birth tourism a deportable offense under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Critically, it does not go further than that. The legislation preserves protections for legitimate travelers seeking medical care. It does not affect lawful immigrants building lives in this country. It draws a clear line between people who respect our system and those who exploit it, and that distinction matters. Georgia’s 7th Congressional District is home to people from every corner of the world. Many followed our laws, waited their turn, raised families and earned their place in the American story. I am proud to represent them. Enforcing our immigration laws is not an attack on legal immigrants. It protects the integrity of the system they chose to respect. We maintain a legal immigration system and a naturalization process because citizenship is serious. It should require more than a plane ticket and a hospital package. I flew missions along the southern border as a Marine in the early 1990s. I spent years as an emergency room physician, watching how failures in government policy eventually reach real people and real communities. Both experiences taught me the same thing: Ignoring a problem does not make it disappear. It allows the problem to grow. Every nation must decide who may enter,

who may remain and who belongs to its political community. Without that authority, there is no sovereignty, and without sovereignty, there is no nation. The Ban Birth Tourism Act does not attempt to resolve every debate surrounding birthright citizenship. It closes a specific, documented loophole that allows foreign nationals and the businesses coaching them to manipulate our laws for profit. It is a focused response to a real problem. This should not be a partisan issue. Temporary visas must not be obtained through deception. Businesses must not profit by teaching clients how to evade our laws. American citizenship must never become a commodity. I served in uniform to defend this country. I practiced medicine in rooms where problems could not be ignored. Now I serve in Congress, where the same standard applies. It is time to close this loophole. Pass the Ban Birth Tourism Act. Dr. Rich McCormick is an emergency physician, decorated veteran and the U.S. representative for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Historic Social Services building could see $3.3M in upgrades The proposed work includes critical repairs and a $2.6 million interior upfit By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County is considering approximately $3.3 million in capital improvements for its historic Department of Social Services building, including critical infrastructure repairs and a $2.6 million interior upfit. Last week, Interim County Manager Lisa Hughes presented a capital maintenance report on the building, which was originally constructed in 1919. The report outlined several repairs and updates intended to protect the county’s assets and keep the facility operational.

Replacement of the building’s aging air conditioning control systems is estimated at $153,800. Complete replacement of the elevator is estimated at $390,000. Parking lot repairs and resurfacing for the lot between the DSS building and the old gym are estimated at $150,000. Structural repairs to the front addition of the building are estimated at $50,000. The largest proposed expense is a $2.6 million interior upfit that would include carpet replacement, wallpaper removal and repainting. Hughes noted that the interior upfit is an optional aesthetic improvement rather than an immediate physical necessity. Together, the listed capital improvements total approximately $3.3 million. The figure does

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not include potential costs associated with asbestos inspection or abatement. “The AC control and the elevator replacement are needs, parking lot repairs are a need,” Hughes told commissioners at the September county commissioners meeting. “If you look at the parking lot between the DSS building and the old gym … there are issues with that front part that was added on years ago. … I do want that to be on your radar.” Hughes highlighted the cost of renovating the existing historic building compared with constructing a new facility, noting that renovating and updating the existing building remains significantly less expensive than constructing a new building. “There are some costly needs that we need to do to that building to protect our investments,” she explained.

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HOME from page A1 Residents will go out with staff and family members to restaurants, churches, parks, football games, shopping and other community activities. Family involvement also will be encouraged, he said. “We want them to be citizens of the community,” McNeill said. The facility is intended in part to give families another option when a child’s needs become too much of a challenge to manage at home. McNeill said many residents are placed in facilities far from their families, sometimes more than an hour away. Having a facility in Wallace could allow residents from the area to remain closer to their families and make regular visits easier. Many residents, he said, would likely come from the surrounding area, although referrals could come from throughout the region. Before anyone moves in, the home will undergo extensive renovations. McNeill estimated the work will cost about $250,000 and take two to two and a half months. Plans call for the building to be completely repurposed, with durable interior finishes, a new commercial kitchen, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and a fire-suppression sprinkler system. The property is zoned R-6 and has previously been used for residential-care purposes, including as a veterans home and a home for young people. The property, which was built in 1962, has been vacant for some time. Wallace Planning Director Rod Fritz addressed questions from the council concerning the proposed use and the property. Councilman Glenn Price also questioned McNeill about aspects of the operation, including the facility’s outdoor space and how residents would be supervised. McNeill said staffing levels would depend on the needs of the individual residents. The home will have staff on site around the clock, including an overnight employee, and some residents may require one-on-one supervision during the day. A home manager and a qualified professional will oversee treatment plans for the residents. McNeill said direct-care employees generally earn about $15 to $16 an hour, while qualified professionals earn about $30 an hour. He said the company looks for employees who have a genuine interest in working with people with developmental disabilities and has experienced relatively low staff turnover. The company also provides specialized training for em-

ployees working with autistic and developmentally disabled residents. Price asked if any of the residents may have criminal records, but McNeill explained the home is not intended for people coming out of the criminal justice system. Most residents will be between 6 and 15 years old and will be placed through families, schools and other referral sources based on their needs. If a resident threatens to harm themselves or someone else, staff are required to contact authorities and have the person evaluated at a hospital, he said. The proposed group home received support from Darlene Leysath, a mental-health professional who worked for 45 years with troubled youth in residential placement. Leysath said the property has a long history of providing a home for people who needed one. As a child, she remembered the home being used for young people who did not have another place to go. She said some residents came from Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, and the facility also provided services for youth involved with the juvenile justice system. Leysath said her family has been connected to the property for seven generations and expressed her support for McNeill bringing his services to Wallace. She said she was even considering coming out of retirement to volunteer at the facility. McNeill said he has already begun looking at local contractors and service providers, including a Wallace landscaper for improvements to the property’s exterior. In other business, the council approved the rezoning of 7.5 acres of land at the intersection of High School Road and N.C. 11, near Interstate 40. The land was zoned for residential and mobile home use previously, but now it has been approved for Highway Business. The request to rezone the land came from the owners, KBROS Properties, LLP. Fritz said he is not currently aware of any plan for the land by the owners, but that changing the zoning was appropriate because neighboring properties are also zoned for highway business. Proclamations were also presented by Mayor Jason Wells for the 100th anniversary of the Wallace Fire Department and for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Before getting into the night’s agenda, Wells surprised Town Clerk Jackie Nicholson with a crystal trophy recognizing her retirement after 30 years with the town. She received a standing ovation from the crowd gathered at the Wallace Women’s Club.

CURT SIMPSON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

The property at 800 N. Teachey Road was approved last Thursday by the Wallace Town Council for use as a behavioral health group home for youth ages 6 to 15.

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Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

remembering Troop 35 honors 9/11 through military and veteran workday Scouts from Wallace’s Troop 35 held a military and veteran merit badge workday in memory of 9/11 and in preparation for their November trip to Washington, D.C. Nine North Carolina veterans joined the Scouts to share their experiences and lessons on military service and leadership. The Scouts also welcomed Osborne “Chuck” Hester, North Carolina’s oldest World War II veteran. Members of the Nam Knights, a motorcycle organization supporting veterans and police officers wounded or killed in service, also participated. The group will escort Troop 35 to Washington, D.C., where the Scouts will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

PHOTOS COURTESY EMILY LUDLUM

PAY from page A1 The classification study also found that positions with different technical requirements were sometimes grouped into the same pay grade. Hughes cited water technician 1, water technician 2 and water technician 3 as an example. The positions currently are assigned to the same pay grade despite differences in specialized state certifications. The proposed plan would establish separate pay grade tiers to recognize advanced certifications. “Our employees are our greatest asset,” said Hughes. “We are a public service agency. And how do we provide those services? It’s through the employees. And it’s not the management level. It’s not the department head level. It is the frontline employees who are out there doing the work. And we recognize that there are some disparities within our salaries. There are some people who are underpaid and there are some who are overpaid.” The plan also addresses pay grade anomalies involving employees who move from supervisory positions to lower-level positions. For example, employees transitioning from a pay grade 65 su-

pervisory position to a frontline pay grade 60 position have, in some cases, retained their higher supervisory salaries rather than having their pay adjusted to reflect their reduced responsibilities. The plan also addresses retirees who return to work part time in lower-grade positions while continuing to receive their previous higher-level rate of pay. “It is again something that isn’t going to solve itself overnight and is going to be something that takes a little bit of time. You know, one of the things that I will reiterate, there’s a precedent in a few cases… where people have transitioned from a supervisory position and gone to a frontline position. Their salary was not reduced accordingly. Hence, that’s one of the problems with somebody currently being in a position that they’re overpaid,” said Hughes. “Some of our folks who may retire at a higher level are coming back working part-time at a lower level, but they’re still expecting, and in some instances, still being paid this higher level rate of pay that is not appropriate for the work that they are doing once they come back.” Under the proposed plan, the county’s human resources department would conduct an an-

nual review tied directly to the county’s cost-of-living adjustment. The plan also recommends conducting a third-party compensation study every five to seven years. The county’s last formal external study was conducted by Baker Tilly in 2022. To benchmark minimum salaries, Hughes gathered fiscal year 2026-27 pay plans from surrounding counties to compare entry-level minimums. Duplin County frequently loses trained employees to neighboring counties that offer higher compensation, according to information presented to commissioners. In one cited instance, two employees were offered positions in Onslow County paying $20,000 more than their Duplin County salaries. “It’s not a light switch moment. It’s just an active and intentional act from the board to move forward with an idea that will make things better for the staff and get things more in line with where they need to be in terms of being competitive,” said Hughes. “We can compete with $20,000, but we can compete or be a little bit more competitive with Jones, Greene, Lenoir, and Sampson counties and occasionally Pender.” Adjusting current employees who are below the proposed

minimum pay grades would add an estimated $900,000 to $950,000 annually in base payroll. When mandatory employee benefits, including retirement and taxes, are included at an estimated 25%, the total recurring annual cost would rise to approximately $1.2 million. Fully funding the $1.2 million recurring compensation increase through property taxes would be equivalent to an estimated 2.5- to 3-cent tax rate increase. “We have to know that we are putting ourselves in a position for a 2.5 to 3 cent tax increase next year just to cover salaries,” said Chairman Dexter Edwards. “But, you know, again, that’s making assumptions.” If the board approves the pay plan in October, the county would fund the current fiscal year’s cost primarily through salary savings from vacant positions, with fund balance covering any shortfall. Hughes cautioned commissioners against using nonrecurring fund balance reserves to pay for recurring salary increases, saying doing so would steadily deplete county reserves. Commissioners Elwood Garner and Jesse Dowe raised concerns about approving higher

entry rates for new hires without simultaneously adjusting current employee salaries. They expressed concern that new hires could earn as much as or more than employees who have worked for the county for several years, creating wage compression. Employees whose salaries already exceed the new minimum for their pay grade would not receive an automatic adjustment under the proposed plan. Commissioners moved to table adoption of the pay plan until the October meeting. County management was instructed to complete a comprehensive financial audit and present a single, unified implementation plan in October. The plan will detail the financial requirements to bring existing employees up to the new minimums concurrently with establishing new hiring rates. Later in the meeting, commissioners discussed their participation in the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners annual conference and related committee appointments before scheduling a public hearing for Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. regarding the proposed sale of county-owned property at West Park Industrial Center for economic development purposes.

DUPLIN SPORTS Act of revenge: Glover, WRH ‘D’ roll over Patriots The Bulldogs’ Adrian Glover scored four times during a 28-6 win, avenging last season’s overtime loss to the Pats By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

plays in the second half,” said ED head coach Battle Holley. “We made adjustments, and the boys played hard. Our guys fought when nobody gave us a shot going into Week 1. “We wanted to get the ballgame into the fourth quarter with a chance to win it, and yes, we did milk the ball early.” Tied at 14-14 at halftime, LeBlanc’s 1-yard score on the third play of the fourth quarter was the difference. Mckinnie set up the score via a 24- and 9-yard runs as ED scored in nine plays on its 52-yard march. LeBlanc also converted for a chain-moving run on fourth-and-1

WALLACE — Everyone has heard of AC and DC currents. Bulldogs foes know about the newest form of speed electricity on the gridiron as WRH uses “AG” as its code name to power its offense. While Adrian Glover was running past defenders for four scores Sept. 10, the ’Dawgs’ defense was crushing the Patriots’ offense during a 28-6 win at the Jack Holley Football Complex at Legion Stadium. Glover ran for a whopping 303 yards, and WRH’s defense dismantled Pender’s highly explosive offense, which had scored 50 points in its previous two games. It is the most by a WRH back since Jamarae Lamb sprung for 278 yards last season against Clinton. Kayne Roberts nabbed the school record in ’21 with a 355-yard effort in a 34-25 win over Princeton. He went on to set a state record of 3,511 yards that season. Glover’s 646 yards leads Duplin County, and he is 20th in the state among all classifications. Patriots do-it-all quarterback Austin Deal (11-76) fumbled on the first snap and was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after WRH went in front 14-0. The win eased the pain of Pender’s 50-45 overtime win in ’25. Yet the Pats should have prepared better for the speed of 200-meter state champ Glover and the power of WRH’s massive defensive line, though the linebackers and defensive backs were likewise heat-seeking tacklers. WRH (1-1) scored a touchdown in every quarter and won’t play again until a Sept. 25 trip to Goldsboro (0-4). Pender (2-1) is likely to see Deal return to the field as the Pats look to give East Duplin (4-0) and Clinton (3-1) a run for the ECC title. WRH head coach Kevin Motsinger praised his defense by saying the scout team got the ’Dawgs ready for whatever Deal and the Pats tried. Defensive tackle Adrian “Miami” Allen (forced fumble) and Daniel Wagner (sack) each had eight tackles. Jonathan Robinson (sack) and Tyreque Williams (fumble recovery) evenly split 14 takedowns, while Raquan McCrimmon had six and

See ED, page B3

See WRH, page B4

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

A key to East Dublin’s win over James Kenan was the Panthers slowing down the running of Taulil Pearsall, who was limited to 29 yards.

Panthers win, reign in Duplin “Our guys fought when nobody gave us a shot going into Week 1.” Battle Holley, ED coach

East Duplin turns back James Kenan after slipping past WRH for mythical county championship

The win was the first over their rival since 2022. “It had been a while, and everyone doubted us,” said the senior, who has been a four-year starter. “Noah did his thing, and a lot of young players stepped up, and that’s what it’s all about.” LeBlanc (20-115), who transferred from Richlands two years ago, scored in the second quarter and had the game-winning run in the fourth as the Panthers improved to 4-0. ED was playing with seven injured players yet held the Tigers to 161 yards of offense, holding JK on third down seven of eight times and showing dominance in the second half. “We did not give up any big

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — Keeshon Mckinnie felt the football world wasn’t respecting his Panthers. So he did something about it. Mckinnie made 13 tackles, ran for 75 yards and scored East Duplin’s first touchdown as the Panthers beat James Kenan 21-14 last Friday on Brian Aldridge Field.

COLUMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE

Memories, gifts of gratitude endure after the death of Quinn “He was a selfless, hard worker who was positive with everybody.” Taylor Jones, JK coach, assistant AD

I’M MAD because Mitchell Quinn died last week. I’ll find a way to get over that. I’m happy because I know what he stood for and his character. That endures in the lives of others he touched. When I told Quinn he was seven soccer wins shy of 200 in his career last November, he replied, “Huh” and treated it as a totally forgettable moment. His face then said “uh-huh” as he began praising two players on his James Kenan soccer team. Quinn, a physical education teacher and founding father of boys’ soccer at JK, was a staple in Warsaw and eastern North Carolina. He led the Tigers to a 193-64-11 (.724) mark since 2013 and never posted a losing season. Quinn is the winningest Duplin County coach, passing WRH’s

Michael Graybar (160-35) three years ago. JK was 113-27-7 (.793) during a stretch from ’19 to ’24. They won 12 times in his first two seasons and the wins progressively increased. The ’22 squad’s 23-1-1 record is the Tigers’ high-water mark. JK also won three consecutive ECC titles when Clinton and Wallace-Rose Hill were high-powered programs in the league. Mitchell and his twin brother, Michael, were three-sport athletes at JK. Mitchell played quarterback and Michael was a wide receiver. They also played baseball, golf and basketball, and any other sport was fair game for the sons of Dottie and Colon Quinn, who you might recall, was a pulling guard at ECU and even played in a bowl game. More about that later; what’s important now is shining a light on the legacy his son left. I

50 Years combined experience serving Duplin County! Cyndi Hatcher: 910-289-1291 Dora Jernigan: 910-271-1382

Katie Jernigan: 919-222-3150 Curt Simpson: 910-290-2194

have many memories and so does anyone who attended or worked at the school, the soccer community, coaches, friends and countless other family members. His wife, Darlene, recently retired as a food and nutrition teacher at JK, and his youngest daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, graduated from the school in June. Seeing her walk was one of Quinn’s final trips, said longtime friend Scotty Smith. “It was very hard on him and took all he had,” said Smith, who graduated with Quinn in 1983. “Mitch and Michael were natural athletes who could play any sport.” Quinn took a job at the Circle Q Hog Farm after graduating from ECU, but “coaching was in his heart,” Smith said. “He became a “shining star, a magnet that drew people to him from all over the state,” Smith said. “And he had never played soccer in his life. But he studied the game, and he let guys who knew it teach him.” Quinn started his coaching career helping defensive coordinator John Bert Avent. See QUINN, page B3

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

MVP OF THE WEEK Keeshon Mckinnie