VOLUME 10 ISSUE 22 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Meth trafficking attempt lands woman in prison Chinquapin Shelby Raven Sholar was sentenced to 2-3 years in state prison for felony attempt to traffic methamphetamine following an investigation by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division.
No four-wheelers on Kenansville roads Kenansville The town of Kenansville has received reports of fourwheelers riding through town streets and residential areas. The town advises that it is against the law to operate four-wheelers on public streets or town rights-of-way and puts kids, pedestrians and nighttime drivers at serious risk.
Increase in vehicle thefts Wallace The Wallace Police Department has reported an increase in motor vehicle thefts in the Wallace area. According to authorities, in nearly every case, the vehicles were left unlocked with keys inside. Wallace PD is encouraging the public to secure their cars, never leave the keys inside the vehicle and report suspicious activity immediately.
Volunteers wanted Kenansville Duplin County Partnership for Children is seeking volunteers for its 2025 Back-to-School Community Day on Aug. 9. For more information, call Karen Pacheco at 910-296-2000.
Kenan Park closes temporarily Kenansville The Kenansville Parks and Recreation Department announced that Kenan Park will be closed starting July 28 to prepare for a new playground. Some trees will be removed to make way for safer, fun-filled play spaces for children.
Water Department’s drive-thru office now open Kenansville The new water department office is located in the former bank building in the Food Lion parking lot. The new office will utilize its drive-thru window for bill payments once technical issues with the intercom system are resolved.
REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Veterans honored, served at Duplin Stand Down Veterans gathered in Rose Hill for a day of support at the Duplin County Stand Down event July 18. From BBQ meals and medical checks to free Bibles and legal aid, the event offered more than just resources — it offered community. Organized by Spiritual Destiny Ministries and hosted at the historic Charity Mission Center, the outreach honored those who served. To read the story, turn to B6.
Duplin dissolves Tourism Development Authority The narrow fiscal window prompts a timely resolution on tax rate and governance
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County is charting a new course for how it manages tourism following a recent decision by the Board of Commissioners to dissolve the Duplin County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and reduce the county’s Room Occupancy Tax rate. During the special called meeting, County Manager Bryan Miller framed the change as part of a broader effort to streamline county services and create a more unified management structure. The move places tourism under direct county oversight. “There have been several discussions in the past about the reorganization of tourism, specifically to bring tourism under the wing of the county,” said Miller.
Bryan Miller, county manager Miller said it would be similar to how Human Services and Health Departments operate. He also pointed out the TDA had never been properly established in its original form. He described a series of past efforts by the board to clarify the structure, including referring to the body as an advisory board rather than a true authority and inconsistencies in how TDA employees were designated as county employees. By dissolving the current entity, Miller said the county can now “hit the reset button” and, if needed, reestablish a tourism See TOURISM, page A6
With no easy fix in sight, Mount Olive faces tough decisions on funding wastewater upgrades
“We understand that on the surface, a golf membership may raise questions, and we welcome that scrutiny.”
Officials defended decisions in a public statement, citing transparency and long-term goals By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — In a rare and unusually candid social media post, Duplin County officials responded directly to growing public scrutiny over several recent decisions — ranging from a corporate golf membership and staffing changes to participation in regional events — saying they welcome the attention and are committed to building trust through greater transparency. Officials said their decisions were part of a broader, long-term strategy to strengthen county services, enhance
“We’re handicapped... We’re standing still.” Glenn Holland
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — When Glenn Holland took on the role of interim town manager for Mount Olive in January, he was immediately confronted with a significant challenge that has lingered for over a decade: the town’s wastewater treatment issues. The handling and discharge of sewage through the town’s wastewater treatment facility have been sources of concern for years, and Holland is determined to tackle the pressing problem head on. Recently, he sat down with Duplin Journal to shed light on the situation’s history and discuss potential solutions. The treatment and discharge of wastewater in towns and cities like Mount Olive are heavily regulated, with many guidelines established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Duplin County responds to public scrutiny via social media
Duplin County
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“There have been several discussions in the past about the reorganization of tourism, specifically to bring tourism under the wing of the county.”
Future on hold over wastewater crisis
partnerships and maintain fiscal discipline. The county’s post comes amid mounting questions and online debate, particularly over how public dollars are being spent during a time of financial constraint. The message? “We hear you — and here’s the full picture.” “We understand that on the surface, a golf membership may raise questions, and we welcome that scrutiny,” the county’s statement read. “But we view this as a targeted, strategic investment…one that opens doors, supports local institutions, and helps bring meaningful returns to Duplin County.” County officials emphasized that the events have resulted in tangible outcomes, including hundreds of thousands in grant funding and strengthened See SCRUTINY, page A3
and enforced by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. This regulatory framework is designed to ensure communities manage wastewater safely and effectively. The nightmare for Mount Olive came to a head when the town received a critical notice from DEQ’s Division of Water Resources. The notice indicated the town was not compliant with its operating permit for the wastewater treatment plant. The issues highlighted were serious: The town’s wastewater system was struggling to treat wastewater adequately, and the reclaimed water system was not functioning at its designed capacity. The notice did not simply inform the town of the issue; it placed a sewer moratorium on See WASTE, page A3