VOLUME 10 ISSUE 40 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Mount Olive man arrested for stealing political signs Duplin County The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Kenansville Police Department, has arrested a suspect for allegedly stealing political signs belonging to multiple candidates throughout Duplin County. The suspect, identified as Leonard Ray Cherry Jr., of Mount Olive, was been charged with two counts of felony larceny and 11 misdemeanor counts of removing political signs. He was placed in the custody of the Duplin County Jail under an $11,000 secured bond.
Airport Board cancels November, December meetings Kenansville The Duplin County Airport Commission Board will not hold meetings in November or December due to the holiday season. Normally, the Airport Commission Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.
Southern Lights Night to benefit DCOM Willard The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina in Willard, in partnership with Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries, will hold Southern Lights Night on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 5:30-9 p.m. A portion of all proceeds will help support DCOM’s mission. Tickets are $12, and children 5 and under are free.
Holiday closures Duplin County In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, Duplin County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27–28.
Donations needed for holiday toy drive Warsaw The Warsaw Police Department is hosting its annual Stuff the Cruiser toy drive and is collecting new, unwrapped toys for local children ages 3-12 through Dec. 12. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday at the Warsaw Police Department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 910-293-7816 ext. 2.
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MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Christmas cheer takes over downtown Wallace Wallace Mayor Jason Wells reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to a stage full of children during Christmas at Twilight at the Wallace Depot on Saturday night. Turn to B6 for more.
Outgoing Judge Stevens reflects on law, military service, family As his term nears its end, the longtime Superior Court judge looked back on nearly three decades in law and the military and ahead to time with family By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal AS THE CURRENT term of Superior Court District 5 Judge Henry L. Stevens IV will comes to an end in December of next year after he announced he will not seek reelection. In an interview with Duplin Journal, Stevens said his decision is about
timing and family, and he reflected on his career in law and the military. “I’m coming to the end of an eight-year term at Superior Court that’s going to give me almost 27 years on the bench,” Stevens said. “In the state of North Carolina, you’re maxed out at 25 years on the bench for retirement purposes and lon-
gevity pay. A lot of it has to do with the fact that if I retire, I can actually support my family a little bit better.” Law has always been in Stevens’ blood. “I always wanted to be a lawyer,” he said. “My dad was a lawyer for 25 years, and he was the senior resident Superior Court judge for the 4th Judicial District. I’m the senior resident now, but it goes by the 5th District.” District 5 includes Duplin, Sampson, Jones and Onslow counties. Stevens’ family lineage in law
goes back to his great-grandfather in the 1800s. After attending the University of North Carolina, Stevens’ plan was to go to law school and then join the Marine Corps, following in the footsteps of his father. However, he changed his mind and went into the Marines first. He went on active duty as an assault amphibian officer at Camp Lejeune. “The timing was interesting because the minute I hit the fleet was when Desert Storm See STEVENS, page A6
Warsaw mayor-elect pledges community-focused leadership Wesley Boykin vows to overhaul town governance and prioritize transparency By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — Mayor-elect Wesley Boykin announced plans to strengthen transpar-
ency, community engagement, and accountability in Warsaw’s town government as he prepares to take office Dec. 8. During his initial transition meeting, Boykin identified sig-
nificant areas for improvement, including the absence of a formal plan for leadership transitions. “It’s unimaginable to think that there will be good sound operations of the town if there’s absolutely no transition plan,” Boykin said, describing See BOYKIN, page A5
Teachey approves new auditor, celebrates improved fire rating The meeting closed with refreshments and the annual tree lighting By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal TEACHEY — The Teachey Board of Commissioners handled a little town business followed by a lot of early holiday cheer at its Nov. 17 meeting. The meeting was rescheduled from Nov. 10 due to Veterans Day. While the agenda was light, the town did take up the important business of choosing an auditor for the next fiscal year. Using a recommendation from the League of Municipalities,
the board agreed to secure the services of April Adams of Aline Accounting Partners Group to conduct the next town audit, as recommended by town administrator Morgan Jacobs. “This lady specializes in small towns,” Jacobs told the board. Fortunately, the town will not have to pay for the audit services next year. Jacobs said that the League of Municipalities has decided to pay for the audit for this upcoming year. That was good news for the town considering the cost of Adams’ services will total $20,000, which is $5,000 more than the town predicted the audit would cost. See TEACHEY, page A2
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ISO rating for the Teachey Fire Department, an improvement that should lead to better insurance rates for residents.
COURTESY
Wesley Boykin