VOLUME 10 ISSUE 10 | THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Smoke expected to linger after blaze Mount Olive Authorities warned residents to expect smoke in the area for several days due to a fire that broke out Monday night at Potter’s Wheel Ministries in Mount Olive, affecting the pallet shop. The blaze, which involved a large quantity of wooden materials, prompted an extensive response with personnel from 19 fire departments and support agencies. Firefighters brought the fire under control by early Tuesday morning, but smoke may linger because of the combustibles involved.
NC Pork Council recognizes female farmer Duplin County Tammy Peterson of Hubbs Farm recently received the NC Pork Council Award for Excellence in Innovation for her significant contributions to agritourism. At Hubbs Farm, Peterson created a unique destination that allows kids and families to experience agriculture firsthand. According to the NC Pork Council announcement Peterson’s interactive activities and immersive farm tours, promote a greater understanding and appreciation of food production, emphasizing the vital role of farming. Peterson was one of six outstanding industry leaders recognized by the NC Pork Council at their annual conference in Raleigh.
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Thousands gather for annual NC Pickle Festival Haley Yu emerged as the ultimate pickle-eating champion, devouring a jaw-dropping 12 pickles at the 2025 NC Pickle Festival last Saturday. The streets of downtown Mount Olive came alive with cheerful energy as thousands gathered for the yearly celebration. Turn to A6 for more photos.
Family of 2023 hit-and-run victim offer $10K reward for answers “She would pray for whoever did this to her — that’s the kind of person she was” Misty Brammer
I-40 crash prompts large-scale response Sampson County A major accident on I-40 East near mile marker 355 prompted a large‑scale emergency response Tuesday morning from fire departments and EMS units from Duplin, Sampson and Wayne counties. According to authorities, a tractor‑trailer carrying fuel crashed into a passenger vehicle, overturned and caught fire after being hit by a pickup truck. The accident halted traffic for hours and involved at least five other vehicles. One person sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. More than 18 agencies responded to the incident.
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — Mary Ella Bunn loved to talk and tell stories nearly as much as she loved tending her garden. Self-educated and fiercely independent, the 96-year-old Mount Olive native affectionately known to neighbors as “Ma Bunn” grew crops year-round, often sharing them with the community she cherished. Her winter garden was flourishing when her son reported her missing in February of 2023. Officials discovered her body a few hours later in a ditch by her driveway on Summerlin Crossroads Road. The fatal hit-and-run that robbed Bunn’s family of their beloved matriarch over two years ago remains unsolved, leaving her grieving granddaughters seeking answers and much-needed closure. Michelle Bunn and Misty Brammer are offering $10,000 for any information leading to the conviction of the party or parties responsi-
ble for their grandmother’s tragic death. Although investigators have been able to determine that Bunn was hit by a large black or dark-colored GMC truck or SUV that suffered substantial damage to its right side in the collision, the vehicle’s specific model remains a mystery. “Any help the community could offer in terms of finding the vehicle, whether it’s been repaired or sold, that would help tremendously,” Michelle Bunn told Duplin Journal. “Someone or everyone needs to come out and do the right thing.” According to First Sergeant Jason Casteen with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the case is one of six unsolved pedestrian hit-and-run deaths being actively investigated in Duplin County, with some dating back to 2008. He indicated that while authorities have received leads in these cases — and specifically, in Bunn’s — they have been unable to substantiate or corroborate the information provided. “I’m sure there’s somebody out there that knows what happened. Whether they want to See REWARD, page A2
Bob Johnson inducted into NC Poultry Science Hall of Fame “Today, we gather to celebrate the incredible contributions of two outstanding individuals” Cowan Johnson
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Granddaughters Michelle Bunn and Misty Brammer traveled from Colorado to speak with the community
J. Walter “Gator” Pelletier III joins Johnson in accepting the honor Duplin Journal staff ROSE HILL — Last week, House of Raeford Farms announced the induction of CEO Robert C. “Bob” Johnson into The North Carolina Poultry Science Hall of Fame. The North Carolina Poultry Federation (NCPF) recognized Johnson for his significant contributions to the state’s poultry industry on April 25, highlighting the multigenerational leadership of the Johnson family within the industry. “As I look at this list of Hall of Fame inductees, I see so many that I have admired over the years. Especially my grandfather Nash and my fa-
COURTESY HOUSE OF RAEFORD FARMS
Robert C. “Bob” Johnson was inducted into The North Carolina Poultry Science Hall of Fame on April 25. Johnson is the CEO and owner of House of Raeford Farms. ther,” said Johnson. “I learned so much from them, including to always do the right thing. See HOF, page A2
Magnolia man acquitted in murder trial The jury deliberated less than an hour before clearing the man of charges in the fatal shooting of Tammy James, citing self-defense claims By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal Victor Thomas Parker Jr., a resident of Magnolia, was found not guilty by a jury in Duplin County Superior Court following a brief deliberation of less than an hour. This verdict came after an intense four-day murder trial that concluded on April 17. According to a media release from the office of attorney Kennedy L. Thompson, the events leading to the trial stemmed from a tragic incident that occurred on July 14, 2021. During this incident, Parker shot and killed 53-year-old Tammy James on his front porch, claiming that he acted in self-defense. Evidence presented by the defense attorneys during the trial indicated that James had previously made threats against Parker, contributing to his fear for his safety. Furthermore, the defense argued that Parker was justified in his actions because he believed he was protecting his home from unlawful entry after having previously asked James to leave the property, driven by concerns about her suspected drug use.