VOLUME 10 ISSUE 34 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Bryan Miller steps down as county manager The County Commissioners accepted Miller’s resignation after a closed session By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal “AT THIS POINT, I would entertain a motion to accept the resignation of our manager, Bryan Miller, and delegate the duties of the manager to our deputy county manager, Carrie Shields, until such time as an interim manager is named.” With these words from Duplin County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dexter Edwards, followed by a quick response and unanimous vote by the commissioners, Miller became the former county manager during a reconvened meeting on Tuesday morning. The vote came after an hourlong closed session of the board following a brief agenda approving a few funding and budget items. After reconvening the open meeting, Edwards made a brief statement before entertaining the motion. “A lot went on in closed session,” Edwards said. “We’re not going to discuss a whole lot.” After the vote on the motion, the board immediately left to attend a groundbreaking ceremony. Miller, who was absent from the meeting, had faced criticism from local citizens regarding the handling of contracts and procurement processes. He had served in the role since October 2023.
THE BRIEF THIS WEEK
Man arrested on multiple felony sex offense charges Magnolia A coordinated effort between the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and the New Hanover County Department of Social Services resulted in the arrest of a Magnolia man on multiple felony charges involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of a child. According to law enforcement, the investigation began after a 3-year-old child allegedly disclosed the sexual abuse to New Hanover DSS on Oct. 1. Detectives executed a search warrant in Magnolia on Oct. 7, resulting in the arrest of Robert Phillip Taylor, 28. He faces charges including statutory sex offense with a child, indecent liberties with a child and multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Taylor is currently held in the Duplin County Jail without bond.
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MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Michael Whatley visits Duplin U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, foreground, listens as Duplin agriculture leaders discuss farm issues during an Oct. 7 meeting at Duplin County Airport. Turn to B6 for the story.
UMO coach resigns amid rape allegations The former coach resigned a day after the university began an internal investigation By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — The University of Mount Olive has cut ties with its women’s flag football head coach after sexual assault allegations surfaced last week. Eric James, who led the pro-
gram since its launch in February, resigned a day after the university began an internal investigation. No formal charges have been announced, and details of the allegations remain undisclosed. According to UMO officials, on Oct. 7, the university became aware of the situation involving the former coach and took swift action. “The University immediately initiated an internal review, and coach James was suspended during the review,” Rhonda
“The University immediately initiated an internal review, and coach James was suspended during the review.” Rhonda Jessup Jessup, UMO director of public relations, told Duplin Journal, adding that by Oct. 8, he had resigned. UMO officials confirmed that university leadership met with members of the women’s flag football team and their families last week to address
concerns and provide support. “We commend the students who had the courage to come forward, as their actions reflect the values of integrity and accountability we seek to instill at UMO,” said Jessup. See JAMES, page A2
Tyndall named superintendent of Duplin schools The veteran educator was appointed after holding the position on an interim basis By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — After more than three decades of service to Duplin County Schools, Daren Tyndall has been officially named Duplin County Schools superintendent following a unanimous vote by
the Board of Education on Oct. 7. Tyndall, who has served as interim superintendent since Aug. 4, will assume his permanent role on Nov. 6. “I am deeply honored,” said Tyndall. “I look forward to continuing to build upon the meaningful relationships and community support that make
Duplin County Schools a truly special place, and to ensuring our students and staff have access to outstanding educational opportunities.” Tyndall’s deep roots in the district span 34 years, starting as a classroom teacher and progressing through numerous leadership roles, including principal and assistant superintendent for human resources. His experience See TYNDALL, page A2
Mount Olive commissioner admits to unpaid water bill named in state audit Public criticism mounts over fairness and employee abuse of the utility system By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE Town Commissioner Delreese Simmons admitted during Monday’s town board meeting evening that he was the commissioner named in the recent state auditor’s report on mismanagement of the town’s utility bills and system. “You all read the audit and it said a commissioner had also not paid their water bill, and that person was me,” Simmons said during the commissioners’ comments period near the end of the meeting. He claimed the bill should never have been in his name. “This is not my home. Never lived there,” Simmons added. “I got that home for a homeless person. It’s not my water
bill. I’m not going to pay it. I got it for homeless people.” Simmons went on to make serious claims about how the town has handled water bills. “A lot of businesses around this town owe thousands and thousands of dollars in water bills,” he said. “Not a hundred, thousands. We don’t lose hundreds of dollars a month; we lose hundreds of thousands per month.” After the meeting, Duplin Journal asked Simmons if he had any documentation to support his assertion that the town is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars each month. “They know,” he said. The state auditor’s report noted the town lost a total of $210,000 in revenue due to an error in rate entries into the system. However, it did not indicate the loss is ongoing. See AUDIT, page A2
COURTESY
Daren Tyndall