VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Duplin County Memorial Day Observance Set for May 26 Kenansville The Duplin County Historical Society will hold its third annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. in Kenansville. The event will take place at the monuments honoring Duplin County’s War Dead, which are located at the southeast corner of the courthouse grounds. This year, the ceremony will pay tribute to longtime Warsaw patriot Jerry Carter, who died recently. The observance will include reading the names of all 165 war dead and laying wreaths. The ceremony is expected to last no longer than one hour. Participants are encouraged to bring their chairs. No seating will be provided.
New K-9 teams hit the streets Duplin County The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office recently welcomed two new K-9 handlers: Corp. Darrin Sherrick and Corp. Cody Brown. According to the announcement, both corporals, along with K-9 Cortez and K-9 Gery, graduated from Ventosa K9 Kennel Academy on May 16. Sherrick and Cortez will serve in the Special Operations Division, while Brown and Gery will join the Uniform Patrol Division.
COURTESY JAMES SPRUNT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
JSCC celebrates record-breaking milestone The air was filled with joy, pride and anticipation as more than 280 proud James Sprunt Community College graduates stepped boldly into the next chapter of their lives. The graduation marked a record-breaking moment, showcasing the largest graduating class in the institution’s history. Turn to page A6 for the story.
Rose Hill appoints new Warsaw, town commissioner Tetra Tech “Keep the citizens of this town in mind at all cost.” Davy “Fuzzy” Buckner, mayor of Rose Hill
Community Resource Day rescheduled to June 21 Magnolia Magnolia’s Community Resource Day has been rescheduled to June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Magnolia Park on Highway 117. This free event aims to connect local residents with a variety of services and support available throughout Duplin County. Food trucks will be onsite, and food distribution will also be provided. Organizers are still welcoming additional vendors. Everyone is encouraged to attend and take advantage of the many helpful resources being showcased. For more information, call 910-289-3205.
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal ROSE HILL — Tasha Mathis was appointed to the Rose Hill Board of Commissioners at the town’s regular meeting last Tuesday, filling Ross Powell’s unexpired term following his resignation in April. The meeting also included public hearings on the proposed 2025-26 budget and the closure of Avalon Drive in addition to various other business. “I wanted to be a part of seeing our community move forward, serving with this town and being a part of that comradery,” said Mathis, a 12-year resident of Rose Hill. Two individuals had expressed interest in filling the seat left by Powell, who resigned following a move out of the city. Though Mathis was the only interested party present for Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioner Adam Quinn
expressed his appreciation to both residents for their willingness to serve. “When that seat comes back open and there’s a time to run again in November, I hope to see that same willingness to serve then,” said Quinn. “It’s good to be in a town where there’s people that want to serve the town.” A motion was brought to appoint Mathis to fill Powell’s unexpired term and was unanimously approved by the board. Keren Parker, town clerk, administered the oath of office, after which Mathis took her seat at the council’s table. Though the term expires in November, she will continue to serve until a new commissioner is sworn-in next January. The town held a public hearing regarding the proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year as well as a public hearing on the permanent street closure of Avalon Drive, neither of which saw comment. “Avalon Drive has never See ROSE HILL, page A5
Magnolia shares proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26 “We are trying to invest in our Recreation Department and doing things for our parks and our community.” Charles Banks, town manager
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Tasha Mathis will fill Ross Powell’s unexpired term
Garbage collection fee set to increase by $2 in Magnolia’s new budget By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MAGNOLIA — Last week, Town Manager Charles Banks presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget for the town of Magnolia. He shared that the Water and Sewer Fund is balanced at $665,000, with no changes to water or sewer rates. The only increase is a $2 monthly rise in the in-town garbage collection fee, rising from $23 to $25 per month. This increase helps cover the rising costs of trash collection services, which jumped from $72,000 to an estimated $90,000. Water and sewer hook-up fees will remain at $1,250,
with no increases in actual usage rates. Nevertheless, penalties such as the $50 late fee and $40 reconnection fee will still apply. “We’ve heard a lot of comments from citizens, from the county, and from other counties about reevaluations going on in the town. So we have tried to be fair, trying to still do what we need to do for the town itself, but also keeping ultimately our citizens and our customers in our thoughts,” said Banks. “I know that the valuation has stunned a lot of people; it’s hit a lot of people hard. And hopefully it will not come to that in the town again.” Banks shared that county leadership is considering moving to 4-year valuation cycles instead of eight, as this would provide a more gradual See MAGNOLIA, page A3
team up on wastewater
“It will capture the existing conditions and be able to provide somewhat of a dashboard to trigger different scenarios of impact.” Lea Turner, town manager
The company’s environmental modeling will guide WWTP expansion to meet increasing demand and environmental standards By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — The Town of Warsaw is beginning a project to expand its wastewater treatment plant, which will require an updated NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit. To secure this permit, the town is collaborating with Tetra Tech, an environmental consulting firm, to monitor and model the stream where treated wastewater is discharged. See WARSAW, page A2