VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 | THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF
“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is a great honor, and I am very proud to receive it.”
this week
Duplin County Emergency Services warns of hazardous burning conditions Duplin County Duplin County Emergency Services has issued a warning about hazardous burning conditions following a weekend of intense fires across the region. According to DCES social media, approximately 23 fires broke out in wooded areas, brush, fields and grass, with emergency responders successfully containing all of them. However, the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement indicating increased fire risk due to low humidity, dry vegetation and the heightened potential for fire to spread quickly. As a result, Duplin County Emergency Services strongly advises against any outdoor burning. If burning is absolutely necessary, officials urge people to have fire suppression equipment on hand to prevent fires from escaping control. The conditions are so dry that even a small spark could lead to a devastating wildfire, making it critical to stay prepared and vigilant when dealing with fire in these conditions.
Man arrested at Relax Inn Warsaw Tyrone Watford, 43, was arrested Feb. 28 after a search warrant was executed at the Relax Inn in Warsaw as part of an investigation into drug sales and possession. During the search, officers discovered methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and large amounts of cash, which indicated involvement in illegal drug activity. As a result of the search, Watford was charged with several drug offenses and is on a $80,000 secured bond.
Two arrested in Magnolia, one faces multiple drug charges Magnolia Andrew Major McGlocking and Darius Jamal Houston have been arrested and are at Duplin County Jail. According to law enforcement, Houston was arrested on an outstanding Order for Arrest from New Hanover County and McGlocking was taken into custody after authorities discovered more than 500 grams of marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia during a drug investigation search at their residence on Larry Hooks Lane in Magnolia on Feb. 21. McGlocking was given a secured bond of $50,000 and charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dexter Edwards, county commissioner
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
County Commissioner Dexter Edwards, right, smiles at his daughter Brittainy Kildow, center front. Surrounded by family and friends, Edwards was honored for his induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame on Monday at the County Commissioners meeting.
NC Pork Hall of Fame inducts Edwards The longtime county commissioner’s journey in the industry began on 1962 By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — A tearful Dexter Edwards smiled broadly as he was surprised by family and colleagues with a special recognition at the County Com-
resolution acknowledging his long-standing contributions to the pork industry. “The North Carolina Pork Council Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the organization. It recognizes individuals with long and outstanding service to the North Carolina Pork Industry and to the North Carolina Pork Council,” said Garner as he read the document. The resolution emphasized the North Carolina Pork Coun-
Beulaville awarded $2.7M in grants Construction for the town’s sewer project is expected to begin in two years By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — The Town of Beulaville has been awarded a grant in the amount of $2.7 million for sewer replacement and lift station rehabilitation, Town Manager Lori Williams announced Monday at the town’s monthly Board
of Commissioners meeting. Josh Outlaw with the Adams Company congratulated the town on securing funding but emphasized that the process would take time. “This is the beginning of a long process,” said Outlaw, saying it would be approximately two years before construction begins. “We got a bunch of paperwork between here and there.” As part of the meeting’s new business, the board unanimously approved hiring The Adams Company to provide engineering
services for a Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) project. The $950,000 grant was the last received from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and will support the rehabilitation or replacement of four Beulaville houses. Williams noted that requirements have increased as far as training and paperwork regarding the new grants; town representatives will be required to attend two separate compliance and environmental training sessions.
Magnolia receives $6.9M grant to improve water, wastewater systems “That is going to be a big catapult to really get us headed in the right direction. I’m not gonna lie; I got a little teary‑eyed. It is pheno menal that we got that.” Charles Banks, town manager
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missioners meeting on March 3. The longtime county commissioner and chairman was honored for his recent induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame. During the meeting, Vicechair Elwood Garner welcomed the Edwards family to share in the recognition. After a brief motion to approve the resolution, the commissioners officially presented the honor to Edwards, and Garner read the
The projects will enhancing the town’s systems quality, efficiency, and reliability By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MAGNOLIA — The Magnolia town board reconvened for a special meeting last week in preparation for the board’s budget retreat scheduled for March 17, during which they will discuss the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. One of the highlights of the meeting was an announcement made by Town Manager Charles Banks, who shared that Magnolia was awarded $6.9 million for water and infrastructure projects. “That is going to be a big catapult to really get us headed in the right direction,” said Banks. “I’m not gonna lie; I got
a little teary-eyed. It is phenomenal that we got that.” The five projects awarded grants totaling $6,964,570 include: $1,968,050 for sewer rehabilitation; $999,890 for the Newberry sewer pump station replacement; $980,000 for Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements; $634,855, for the automatic meter infrastructure project; and $2,381,775 for the water supply well replacement project. Each of these projects contributes to enhancing the quality, efficiency, and reliability of the town’s water and wastewater systems. Banks also announced that the town was able to recover a grant they thought was lost for the library, which will provide between $14,000 and $15,000 for improvements. “We can do some flooring, put a new roof, do some things See GRANT, page A6
cil’s significance as the oldest state pork producer organization in the nation. It also outlined the criteria for induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame, which includes lasting contributions to the pork industry, community involvement, recognitions, certification in industry standards and a record of environmental compliance. See HOF, page A2
“This the beginning of a long process.” Josh Outlaw, The Adams Company The board also voted to finalize an agreement with the Department of Transportation to reimburse the town up to $8,700 annually for quarterly street sweeping services along Main and Jackson streets on N.C. 24 and N.C. 41/111, respectively. The funding will enable the town to resume street See BEULAVILLE, page A5