VOLUME 10 ISSUE 27 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
REBECCA J. WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Duplin celebrates excellence in education The Duplin County Education Foundation and Duplin County Schools came together to honor outstanding teachers and support staff across the county at a formal banquet held at the River Landing Clubhouse on Aug. 21. From left to right: Olivia Tate, Amanda Jenkins, Patrick Williams, Melsheena Wilson, Katrina Whitehead, Lindsay McLamb, Karen Rouse, Beth Rose, Kari Roberts, Hannah Bell, Laterri Underwood, Lamanda Flowers and Melanie Powell hold their plaques. Turn to A3 for the story and more photos.
the
Building boom reshapes property BRIEF this week values, taxes across Duplin County Revaluation sparks outrage over soaring assessments
Board of County Commissioners to meet next Monday Kenansville Due to the Labor Day holiday, the Board of County Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Building located at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.
Duplin County Cattlemen’s Association resumes monthly meetings Kenansville The Duplin County Cattlemen’s Association meetings will resume on Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Membership includes access to the association’s portable corral, guest speakers, food and fellowship with others in the local cattle industry. The group meets the first Thursday of each month at 165-C Agriculture Drive in Kenansville.
Area Small Grains meeting 9 a.m. Don’t miss the Area Small Grains meeting at the N.C. Cooperative Extension – Duplin County Center on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville. Register by calling 910-296-2143.
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — A rainy Monday morning brought more than just bad weather for Duplin County residents; it also delivered higher-than-ex-
Some residents have appealed their assessments, calling for accountability, and others are concerned about the abilty to afford their homes. “I paid $280,000 and now $410,000,” shared Leroy Chasten from Magnolia in a survey conducted by Duplin Journal See REVALUATION, page A5
Magnolia PD addresses stray dog concerns Chief Jerry Wood set the record straight in a message to residents By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MAGNOLIA — In a recent public statement, Magnolia Police Department Chief Jerry Wood addressed a negative
comment made on social media regarding the town’s handling of stray dogs. The comment, shared by a third party on a repost of a department update about a recently found dog, claimed the town “never does anything” about dogs running at large. To provide clarity and transparency about the town’s efforts, Wood decided to issue an official state-
ment explaining the situation. Wood highlighted that the Town of Magnolia, through coordination between the police department and public works, actively enforces laws concerning loose dogs. That includes issuing warnings or fines to dog owners who fail to control their pets and setting humane traps on public land or with the permission
600-plus Duplin voters to receive letters requesting missing ID information “They now have the chance to respond to the letter to provide us with the information or fill out a new voter registration.” Carrie Sullivan
$2.00
pected property tax bills following a county-wide revaluation. This revaluation has resulted in dramatic increases in assessed property values, with some values more than doubling. Despite months of assur-
ance from county officials that the revaluation wouldn’t necessarily mean tax increases, and even dropping its tax rate to $0.58 per $100 of assessed value — a 15.5-cent decrease — citizens are reporting tax increases ranging from $500 to $3,000. Many are grappling with inflated home valuations and inaccurate property data.
The effort follows a federal push to bring all voter records into compliance with longstanding law By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — When the Duplin County Board of Elections met on Aug. 19, they took care of important business necessary for the upcoming Nov. 4 municipal elections. The meeting was originally scheduled for Aug. 7 but was moved. North Carolina statutes require a chief judge and two additional judges be select-
ed for each precinct. Duplin County completed that task at the meeting. Most citizens are familiar with the term “poll workers,” yet many are unaware of the importance of the judge positions. Specifically, the state statute requiring the positions reads, “The chief judges and judges of election shall conduct the primaries and elections within their respective precincts fairly and impartially, and they shall enforce peace and good order in and about the place of registration and voting.” In an interview with Duplin See ELECTIONS, page A3
of private property owners. He pointed out that the individual who made the complaint had previously been offered a trap but declined the offer, later expressing concerns that the trap might catch his own dog. Wood explained that all dogs, regardless of ownership, are subject to the same laws. See MAGNOLIA, page A3