VOLUME 10 ISSUE 35 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Help shape Wallace’s new downtown mural Wallace The Town of Wallace is creating a new mural to celebrate the spirit, history and future of Wallace. This mural will be part of the Legacy NC 100 Murals in 100 Counties initiative, led by artist Max Dowdle. To help bring the mural to life, the Town of Wallace is seeking input from the public. Please visit the Wallace Facebook page to take a short survey or send your suggestions to mail@wallacenc.gov.
Community leaders honored at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet Duplin County The Duplin County NAACP hosted its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Oct. 18, recognizing community leaders and raising funds for student scholarships. Awards presented included: Civic Engagement Community Service Award: Commissioner Wayne Branch; Living Legend Award: Melvin Felton; Trailblazer of Freedom Award: Jessica Thomas; Environmental Justice Award: Marzella Morrisey; Game Changer Award: Ykeshia Parker (on behalf of Southern Roots); and Legacy of Excellence Award: Delilah Gomes.
Town clerk earns national recognition for municipal excellence Wallace The Town of Wallace honored Town Clerk Jacqueline Nicholson last week for receiving the EPP Bronze Achievement from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. The award is given to municipal clerks who meet rigorous educational standards and make significant contributions to their local government, community, and state.
NC Poultry Jubilee returns Rose Hill The NC Poultry Jubilee returns to downtown Rose Hill on Nov. 7-8 to celebrate North Carolina’s rich poultry heritage at the home of the World’s Largest Frying Pan in Rose Hill. The event will feature live music, local vendors, and lots of fried chicken.
PHOTOS BY MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
N.C. House Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the first of two 50,000-square-foot shell buildings being built at the Duplin County Airpark on Oct. 14.
Duplin breaks ground at Airpark Local and state leaders celebrated the construction of two shell buildings meant to spur economic growth By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — A large group of county and town leaders along with representatives from various industries and the state gathered at the Duplin Airpark Industrial Complex next to Duplin County Airport on Oct. 14 to break ground on the first of two large shell buildings being constructed through a project initiated by the Duplin County Economic Development Commission. One of the speakers at the
event was N.C. House District 4 Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin), who has played a vital role in securing state funding for the shell building projects in the county. Dixon told Duplin Journal before the groundbreaking that the developments can all be attributed to one important part of Duplin County — agriculture. “It’s almost impossible to think about the development out here without thinking about what is bringing it about, and that is our magnificent livestock facilities, livestock production here in Duplin County,” Dixon said. “The world needs protein, and we produce a lot of it in Duplin County.” Dixon added that agriculture has a $111 billion economic impact in North Carolina and 71
% of that income comes from livestock — chickens, turkeys, hogs and cattle produced in the state. “This is important for the
county because it symbolizes growth and development, and a vision and a mission, not See AIRPARK, page A2
Dixon appointed to redistricting committee The lawmaker will assist in shaping legislative and congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore appointed Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) to the North Carolina House
Select Committee on Redistricting, a legislative body responsible for overseeing the state’s redistricting process for the 2025-26 legislative session. The 15-member committee, established Oct. 14, will oversee the state’s redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 election cycle and is tasked with evaluating, drafting, and recommending changes to North Carolina’s legislative and congressional district maps.
Proposal could bring relief to sewage issues in Teachey Agri-Waste Technology proposes an affordable alternative for East Log Cabin and Calico Bay roads By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal
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Carrie Shields, Duplin County Deputy County Manager, welcomes local and state dignitaries to the groundbreaking ceremon at the Duplin County Airpark.
TEACHEY — The Teachey Board of Commissioners heard a presentation from a representative of Agri-Waste Technology (AWT) of Cary at its Oct. 13 meeting on the company’s recommendation for a solution to the longtime sewage issue for residents on East Log Cabin Road. The company has been evaluating the issue under funding provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Dept, of Agriculture. AWT specializes in on-site wastewater treatment systems. The representative, Kevin Davidson, said the company conducted site visits in 2024 at both the East Log Cabin Road community as well as the Calico Bay Road community, which has experi-
enced the same issues. They discovered both areas were experiencing untreated wastewater on the soil surface, which contributed to untreated waste being introduced to surface waters of a nearby creek. The problem was forcing residents to have their tanks pumped frequently and, in some cases, being forced to cut back on water usage in fear of septic tanks overflowing. It not only affected the existing homeowners but also created limited options for new construction in those neighborhoods. “The soils in this area leave very, very few options that would be deemed affordable for typical onsite repairs,” Davidson said. Davidson told the board that previous solutions to the problem seemed to focus on the East Log Cabin Road area being annexed into the Teachey town limits, which most residents opposed. As a result, he recommended the town encourage the county to create a See SEWAGE, page A6
As a longtime legislator, Dixon is one of nine Republicans on the committee. “Duplin has a good seat at this decision-making table,” he told Duplin Journal. The work of the committee will play a central role in shaping the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. The committee will submit a final report by May 1, 2026, and has the authority to propose new legislative maps and engage consultants to support its work.