VOLUME 9 ISSUE 48 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Duplin experiences severe drought conditions Duplin County The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council announced last week that Duplin is one of 11 counties in eastern N.C. experiencing severe drought conditions. The mid-to-longterm forecast suggests that these dry winter conditions will persist, largely due to the La Niña weather pattern. For the latest drought updates, which are released every Thursday, visit ncdrought.org. ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Nominations for NCCEAPA scholarships being sought Kenansville The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association is accepting nominations for a $750 scholarship through March 20. The annual scholarship is available to people pursuing a college degree or a diploma program that results in a college degree in business or a business‑related field of study. Applicants must be enrolled to attend classes during the 2025‑2026 school year. Contact the Duplin County Cooperative Extension Center at 910‑296-2143 or at 165C Agriculture Drive in Kenansville for information.
Free income tax assistance offered through UMO Mount Olive The University of Mount Olive Tillman School of Business will host a complimentary income tax service available to all eligible taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. From Feb. 12 to April 9, taxpayers can drop off their tax documents to be processed for free by student volunteers. After the tax return is completed and reviewed, the site coordinator will contact taxpayers to review and approve the tax return before electronic submission to the IRS. For general questions, call 843-446-6547.
Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue offers help with EMT certification Chinquapin The Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad is searching for dedicated individuals who live in the region to join their team and is offering assistance to qualified candidates interested in getting their N.C. Emergency Medical Technician certification. For more information, visit Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Monday nights at 7 p.m.
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Board of Education honored for School Board Appreciation Month B.F. Grady student Emma Wallace presented the members of the Duplin County Board of Education with orchids and handprint artwork in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month at the Jan. 14 meeting.
School board addresses needs for aging high schools “We’ve not done anything significant at any of the high schools in my tenure on the board and that’s been 12 years.” Brent Davis, Board of Education
Some schools haven’t had significant renovations in 50 years By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Some of Duplin County’s high schools haven’t been renovated since the 1970s, and the Board of Education is hoping to rectify that situation. During the regular monthly meeting on Jan. 14, Assistant Superintendent Kevin Smith and Roger Jones, special adviser for facilities, transportation and operations, made a presentation on facility needs at the four high schools. “Our high schools serve almost 3,200 students in total and utilize 49 total modular classrooms,” Smith said, adding that there is a need for more permanent classrooms at all four high schools, as well as needed renovations to gymnasiums, cafeterias, computer labs and fine arts buildings. “If we address our facility capital needs at our high
schools, that will also allow us to expand curriculum needs.” Jones shared the specific needs, which include LED lighting, ceiling replacement, electrical upgrades, painting of the buildings inside and out, flooring replacement, rekeying of interior doors and gymnasium upgrades. In the past few years, all the high school roofs have been replaced, and bathrooms have been updated, he pointed out. Board vice chair Reginald Kenan said the board needs to get the ball rolling quickly. “We’d love everything new, but realistically that doesn’t happen in our county for many reasons,” he said. “There’s a lot on that list, and I guess we need to just start to tackle things. Let’s be progressive with that and see where we go.” Board member Pam Edwards agreed and said most importantly, the high school districts need to stay the same as they are now. See SCHOOLS, page A6
Plans in motion for new agricultural education facility at HCA “We’re very excited about the project and the expansion of our program. It’s really exciting to be able to see the possibility of offering so many more hands-on skills to our students.” Lindsay Matthews, HCA agriculture teacher
While the project is in the early stages of planning, the school is excited about the possibilities By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal HARRELLS CHRISTIAN Academy is making significant strides with plans for a new agricultural education facility aimed at expanding the school’s agricultural program. The initiative is led by Lindsay Matthews, HCA agriculture teacher and FFA adviser, who credits her former students for advocating for this idea. Since starting her role in 2019, Matthews has seen the FFA program more than tripled. Matthews told Duplin Journal that the school’s FFA program for middle and high school had 40 students when
she started. Today the club has 100 students and a fully outfitted 2,700-square-foot greenhouse. “We have also recently added a second instructor, so that’s allowed us to offer more classes to our middle school and high school students,” said Matthews. “We try to really incorporate opportunities for all of our students. We’ll interact with our lower school students, our K-5 students, whether we’re doing activities or projects or bringing our ag students to their classroom.“ Matthews emphasized the need for the new facility to support the continued growth of the program. “Right now, we’re not able to offer classes like ag mechanics where they’re studying small engines, welding, woodworking. See HCA, page A5
Mount Olive fires town manager Glenn Holland was appointed interim town manager By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — Mount Olive Town Manager Jammie Royall was dismissed after a special closed session meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13. The vote, which was held after the closed session, was 3-2, with Commissioners Delreese Simmons and Vicky Darden opposed. The board also voted 3-2 to appoint Glenn Holland, currently the utilities superintendent, as interim town manager. The move has been anticipated for several months, with several commissioners mentioning during the December and January regular See DISMISSED, page A3
“There was nothing racial behind it. It was strictly performancebased reasons.” Thomas Brown, Mount Olive commissioner