VOLUME 10 ISSUE 30 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Over 20 charges filed in Duplin after multicounty chase A 29-year-old Roseboro man was arrested Sept. 1 after a monthlong manhunt following a domestic incident and high-speed chase in late July. On July 30, Truth Joyner allegedly threatened his ex-girlfriend with an AR-15 style rifle after slashing her tires and breaking into her residence near Faison, according to the Duplin County Sheriff's Office. He left before deputies arrived but was soon located. A vehicle pursuit ensued into Sampson County, where Joyner exited his moving vehicle and fled on foot into a cornfield. When leaving his car, deputies say a Glock-style “ghost gun” with a full-auto switch fell from his waistband. A search of his vehicle uncovered an AR-15 style rifle, drugs and drug paraphernalia. Joyner is being held at Sampson County Jail and is facing more than 20 Duplin County charges, including assault by pointing a gun, possession of a firearm by a felon, breaking and entering, and fleeing arrest. He has previous felony convictions for numerous gun and drug charges.
Express Mini Mart break-in suspect arrested Wallace A man was arrested and charged in connection with a break-in at the Express Mini Mart on Sept. 11, according to the Wallace Police Department. Andell Newkirk faces three counts each of breaking or entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and possession of stolen goods, as well as one count of damage to property. Newkirk is being held at the Duplin County Jail under a $150,000 secured bond.
Suspect nabbed with stolen farm property Duplin County A man was arrested following a joint investigation into stolen property discovered at a hog farm on Bill Sutton Road near Albertson. According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, on Aug. 14, the DCSO received a report about the stolen goods, which were later confirmed to have been taken from a Prestage farm in Johnston County. Working jointly with Johnston County detectives, Duplin County’s Criminal Investigation Division gathered sufficient evidence to charge Michael Glenn Stevenson Jr., 44, with felony larceny, possession of stolen goods and obtaining property by false pretense. Additionally, Stevenson was previously stopped by Duplin County deputies on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14, leading to felony drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges. He is currently held at Duplin County Jail on a $70,000 secured bond.
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REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Paws, paint and puppy love A young visitor gets a little face paint flair while her mom captures the memory with a proud smile at Clement Park’s Pet Day in the Park on Saturday. Families enjoyed a tail-wagging good time celebrating furry friends. Turn to A3 for more photos.
Frustrations boil over at Warsaw The board appointed an interim finance officer despite concerns over process and past audit findings By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — Tensions flared at Warsaw's town board meeting on Sept. 9 as residents aired grievances over rising water bills, murky tap water and uneven recy-
cling bin distribution, prompting town officials to defend current practices while promising further investigation and follow-up. Following a public hearing, as the board opened for public comment, Mayor A.J. Connors indicated that responses to citizen's concerns would be provided during the town manager's updates portion of the meeting or through direct call-backs at a later time. “She will get your telephone number and give you a call
back after she investigates,” said Connors. Multiple residents questioned the town’s utility billing and infrastructure, with Judy Carroll citing high water bills for small households and Marzella Morrisey alleging that water rate increases were implemented illegally before the start of the fiscal year. Morrisey claimed that only a small number of residents who directly complained were refunded. She also asked the board whether it is true that some busi-
nesses are removing their water meters and installing their own. “Do citizens or other businesses such as Halls Funeral Home, DC Cats, Warsaw Hardware, just to name a few businesses, do they get to upgrade or change their water meters?” she said. “And then if that's the case, should the citizens change their water meters so they can get an accurate count?” Morrissey criticized the inconsistent distribution of recycling See WARSAW, page A5
Council OKs new Wallace fire chief Sammy Marshburn takes on leadership as the department faces a rare double-engine outage before an ISO review
New Wallace Fire Chief Sammy Marshburn addresses the board during last Thursday's meeting.
By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal
CURT SIMPSON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
WALLACE — As a 43-year veteran in the service of his community, Wallace’s Sammy Marshburn has been to more than his share of emergency calls. From natural
Murphy Family Ventures marks leadership milestone “Wen has demonstrated passion for our work, care for our people, and an unwavering commitment to our values.”
Third-generation Wen Murphy brings hands-on experience and deep family ties to the next chapter of the family business By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WALLACE — As Murphy Family Ventures celebrates two decades in business and marks its return to the Pork Powerhouses list, a new chapter in leadership begins with the promotion of Wen Murphy to executive vice president and senior director of support operations. A third-generation member of the Murphy family, Wen Murphy now leads key support operations across North Carolina, bringing years of
hands-on experience and a deep-rooted connection to the company’s legacy. Muprhy’s journey began early, working in nearly every corner of the business since high school. He started as a prep chef and herd technician, later managing a breeding department, and eventually became a project manager in maintenance. “Whatever part of that didn’t really matter to me,” Murphy told Duplin Journal in an interview earlier this year. “I was gonna be part of it.” Murphy Family Ventures has its origins in the pork empire established by Murphy’s grandfather, Wendell Murphy, in Rose Hill. Although the original hog business was sold to Smithfield in 2000, the See MURPHY, page A2
disasters and vehicle accidents to structure fires and far too many false alarms to count, Marshburn has answered when his town needed him. Now he has been selected from among his peers to lead the department where he began volunteering his time in 1982. Marshburn was elected as fire chief by his fellow firefighters in a meeting last week. On Sept. 11, his election to the position was unanimously approved by the Wallace See CHIEF, page A6