VOLUME 10 ISSUE 20 | THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Duplin County road to close for bridge repair Calypso U.S. 117 South near West Trade Road and South Fourth Street in Calypso will be closed until Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. Crews from the N.C. Department of Transportation will conduct work on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to refurbish the deck of the bridge built in 1958. A detour will be available using U.S. 11 to N.C. 50 to N.C. 403.
Veterans stand down slated for July 18 Duplin County Free meals for veterans will be offered at the Duplin County Veterans Stand Down event on July 18 at the Charity Mission Center. Additionally, the Disabled American Veterans mobile unit will be available on-site.
Candidate filing for 2025 municipal elections closes July 18 Duplin County The candidate filing period for the 2025 municipal elections closes at noon on July 18. Those interested in running should contact the Duplin County Board of Elections for details. Candidates wishing to withdraw and receive a refund must do so by 5 p.m. on July 15. The 2025 municipal elections will be on Nov. 4.
Traffic stop leads to drug bust, stolen vehicle recovery Albertson Last week, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office arrested William Jordan Bailey, 38, and Alonza Eric Barton, 45, during a traffic stop on N.C. Highway 111/903 in Albertson. Barton fled but was quickly caught. A search revealed illegal drugs and a stolen vehicle. Bailey was charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanors for driving with a revoked license and altered registration. Barton faces felony possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice and two misdemeanors. Both are in the Duplin County Jail.
Duplin teen wins Miss North Carolina Teen 2025 Duplin County Kate Ward from Duplin County was recently crowned Miss North Carolina Teen 2025 and will compete for Miss America’s Teen 2026 in Orlando this fall. She has earned a $7,500 scholarship, plus $500 for winning preliminary awards in talent and evening gown.
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MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Teachey Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Ronnie Page says Teachey is luckier than many area departments when it comes to volunteers — like Bryan Padilla, right — but they could always use more. Page has been a volunteer for 22 years. Padilla began volunteering four years ago.
Fewer volunteers, higher stakes Fire chiefs warn that the shortage not only increases the burden on the remaining volunteers but also puts homeowner insurance rates at risk By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal THE OFTEN-REPEATED observation, “It ain’t like it used to be,” applies to Duplin County’s many volunteer fire departments. One of the biggest challenges they face today is recruiting enough volunteers to adequately staff their departments.
“People just do not have the extra time anymore to volunteer for such a cause because they’re spending the extra time that they once had to work a second job.” Matthew Barwick, Public Safety director
As recently as 20 years ago, it was not uncommon for local volunteer fire departments to have 30 or more volunteer members. Today, that number has frequently dropped to half that number or lower, not only placing additional burdens on the volunteers they do have, but
also threatening to affect the grade their fire department receives under state insurance rules. When Duplin Journal reached out to local fire chiefs and the Duplin County Fire Marshal, they all agreed there are likely several factors causing the problem.
Duplin County Public Safety Director and Fire Marshal Matthew Barwick believes societal changes are a big factor. “Things seem to be driven more toward personal success. I think that’s a derivative of a tighter economy,” Barwick said in an interview with Duplin Journal. “People just do not have the extra time anymore to volunteer for such a cause because they’re spending the extra time that they once had to work a second job.” Teachey Volunteer Fire Department Chief Richard Williams See VOLUNTEERS, page A5
Water dominates Mount Olive board meeting Officials approved an equipment purchase to help tackle drainage amid sewer struggles By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — The main issue discussed at Monday evening’s board of commissioners meeting in Mount Olive boiled down to one word — water. The cost of water, its treatment and dealing with the large amounts of it falling from the
See WATER, page A6
Veterans gather for patriotic observance at historic lodge “I’ve never let anybody tell me to quit.” Jerry Davis
Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton thanks citizens for attending the board meeting and encourages them to continue to attend meetings in the future.
sky were all addressed during the meeting. An increase in water and sewer bills was raised during the public forum. Resident Kathy Turner of Main Street told commissioners she had been trying to get a resolution to a drastic increase in her water and sewer bill for some time. “My water bill went from $64.72 to $122.50,” Turner said. “That’s a gain of $57.78. I’ve been to the water department
A former Navy SEAL spoke at a local masonic lodge, reflecting on his service By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Members and guests of St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 13 in Kenansville gathered on the eve of the nation’s 249th birthday last week for a patriotic observance dinner featuring former Navy SEAL Jerry Davis. Davis, a Duplin County native, shared powerful stories of service, sacrifice and the untold missions that shaped his military career. Davis inspiration to join the U.S. Navy stemmed from the movie “Top Gun.” The film was credited with increasing interest in joining the Navy
substantially across the country. Davis’ enlistment came quickly after he graduated from Wallace-Rose Hill High School. “I graduated on June 7, 1990,” Davis said. “Two weeks later, I was on a plane to San Diego.” While his hopes were to become a pilot after seeing “Top Gun,” he had only a high school diploma. The recruiter tried to convince him to become a mechanic on F-14s instead of flying them. Davis ended up entering the Navy as a hospitalman, more commonly known as a corpsman. Right after Davis graduated from boot camp, a major event happened. On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, which would result in what became known as the Gulf War when the United States became involved. Shortly See VETERANS, page A6
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL