VOLUME 10 ISSUE 15 | THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Woman arrested on multiple drug charges Teachey A Teachey woman was arrested May 30 following a traffic stop conducted on Cornwallis Road. According to authorities, narcotics investigators with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division seized illegal drugs and cash from the vehicle Desiree L. Anderson was driving. Anderson faces multiple charges, including three counts of possession of Schedule II controlled substances (cocaine and crack cocaine), one felony count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule II substance, and two misdemeanor counts for possession of drug and marijuana paraphernalia. She was taken into custody at the Duplin County Jail under a $25,000 secured bond.
Driver arrested after striking a light pole Wallace A Pender County man was recently arrested after admitting to driving the pickup truck that struck a light pole and two road signs on N.C. 41/W. Main Street in Wallace. According to the Wallace Police Department, Steven Christopher Hewitte faces multiple charges, including failure to remain at the scene, failure to report an accident involving property damage over $1,000, driving while license revoked and failure to maintain lane control.
Support for lung health: Monthly meetings at ECU Health Duplin Kenansville Join the Better Breathers Club, a monthly support group for individuals living with chronic lung disease. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-5 p.m. at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in the hospital’s extended dining room. The group is led by the hospital’s manager of respiratory care. The Better Breathers Club offers a welcoming environment where members can learn about managing their conditions and share their experiences with others.
K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
A sign dedicating the bridge over the Northeast Cape Fear River along N.C. 24 to Master Trooper Ben D. Wallace was unveiled by loved ones following a special ceremony at the Ed Emory Auditorium on last Tuesday.
NCDOT dedicates bridge to fallen trooper “Our hope is that the bridge sign will be a constant reminder of Ben and help keep his memory alive.” Master Trooper Paul Howard Jr.
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The North Carolina Department of Trans‑ portation dedicated a bridge along N.C. 24 in Duplin County to Mas‑ ter Trooper Benjamin “Ben” Der‑ ek Wallace last Tuesday following a special ceremony at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. Friends
and family joined members of the North Carolina State Highway Pa‑ trol in remembering and celebrat‑ ing his life. The Northeast Cape Fear Riv‑ er bridge along N.C. 24 will now be known as the Trooper Ben D. Wal‑ lace Bridge in recognition of the fallen Duplin County trooper’s ser‑ vice and sacrifice. According to Col. Freddy John‑ son Jr. with the NCSHP, the bridge now represents more than just con‑ crete and steel. “His sacrifice reminds us that freedom and safety come at a cost
often accepted by the brave few who wear the badge,” Johnson said. Wallace served his community as a trooper for more than a decade. On Nov. 2, 2018, he suffered a fatal heart attack after assisting fellow officers at the scene of an accident with injuries. He was 45 years old. “I had the distinct privilege of knowing and serving alongside Trooper Ben Wallace. … When our patrol family lost him, we grieved not as colleagues, but as family,” shared Lt. Bryan Wilson. He See NCDOT, page A2
Beulaville infrastructure project moves ahead “They can do them with the gate valves, which would save a lot of money.” Ricky Raynor, Public Works director
Gate valves could stretch the project budget further, the public works director said By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — At the Beu‑ laville town board meeting on Mon‑ day night, officials shared updates on the town’s infrastructure efforts. Public Works Director Ricky Raynor informed the board that the infrastructure project is pro‑ gressing smoothly and remains ahead of schedule. Pressure test‑ ing is complete, with sampling and floor preparation expected to wrap up this week. “The contractors say there are places where they don’t really think
they need to do the line stops,” said Raynor. “They can do them with the gate valves, which would save a lot of money.” Raynor shared that by the end of June, patching of asphalt and con‑ crete, as well as door repairs, will be nearly finished. Contractors have also begun installing taps. Ray‑ nor explained that the engineering team is reviewing whether costly line stops can be replaced with gate valves, which may free up funds to install additional lines if approved. Currently, this phase of the project remains ahead of schedule. “If they add to it, the only area that will be affected is where (the engineers decide) to put the lines at. So everything else should be mostly done by the end of this month,” said Raynor. He noted that contractors
Magnolia police arrest key suspect in series of break-ins “It takes a community coming together with one voice to deny crime a foothold on the communities and freedoms we hold dear.” Magnolia Police Department
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The special tribute honors the legacy of Master Trooper Wallace
The suspect’s secured bond totals $84,500 following multiple felony charges as probe continues By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MAGNOLIA — Last week, the Magnolia Police Depart‑ ment announced the ar‑ rest of Ronnie Lenel Devane, 43, a suspect in a series of break‑ins. According to authorities, between April 7 and May 10, the town of Magnolia ex‑ perienced a wave of breakins, which included theft and property damage. Among the affected were a motor vehi‑ cle at Magnolia Court Apart‑ ments, Casa Guerrero Restau‑ rant on Railroad Street and
Ronnie Lenel Devane Taqueria Mi Lupita on Main Street, which experienced three separate incidents. Magnolia Police stated the
See BREAK-IN, page A2
prefer gate valves over line stops due to quicker installation. The board also revisited a coun‑ ty-led grant project involving site work on Lama Road. The county is handling the project incrementally, paying for each stage as it progress‑ es, without committing the town to ongoing costs. The motion to ac‑ cept the proposal from the Tim‑ mons’ Group/Duplin County was approved unanimously. In other business Town Manager Lori Williams re‑ ported that the wastewater treat‑ ment plant operated steadily throughout May, handling an aver‑ age daily flow of 209,000 gallons. See BEULAVILLE, page A2