VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Free income tax assistance available Kenansville Duplin County Senior Services volunteers are preparing to assist eligible seniors with income tax filing through the Tax Aide program. Information packets are available. For details, call the Senior Center at 910-296-2140.
Woman arrested following joint narcotics investigation Duplin County A joint investigation by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of a 20-year-old Duplin County woman on alleged narcotics-related charges. Kaylaan Record was located by the DICE Unit and taken into custody. Additional charges were filed after suspected narcotics were located. She was placed in jail under a $20,000 secured bond.
Volunteers needed for long-term care committees Duplin County The Community Advisory Committees for Long-Term Care Facilities are seeking volunteers for nursing home and adult care home oversight. Appointments are for one-year terms. Contact Regional Ombudsman Angelia Pridgen at 252-638-3185 ext. 3007 or call 910-296-2140.
Voter registration deadline Feb. 6 Duplin County Voters must register by 5 p.m. on Feb. 6 to vote in the 2026 primary election. Party changes are not allowed after the deadline. The primary is March 3; the general election is Nov. 3.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Kenansville Duplin County Senior Services will host an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group on Feb. 3 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. The group provides support and resources for caregivers. Call 910-296-2140 for details.
Volunteer award nominations wanted Duplin County Nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award are being accepted through Feb. 13. Up to 10 honorees will be selected. Call Duplin County Senior Services at 910-296-2140 for information.
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MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOUNRAL
Wallace celebrated a milestone last week as, from left to right, Rob Taylor, Dwight Hall, Glenn Price, Penny Thorne, Jason Davis (back), Jason Wells and Frank Brinkley cut the ribbon at the town’s new Town Hall, located at 120 Municipal Drive.
New town hall marks next chapter of growth for Wallace Leaders say expanded space will improve operations and support a growing community By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal WALLACE — The town of Wallace moved its offices into the new town hall at 120 Municipal Drive on Jan. 20, celebrating the event with a ribbon cutting. The building is located behind the shopping center that houses the N.C. DMV License Plate Agency off of U.S. Highway 117. After cutting the ribbon, Mayor Jason Wells told the
“This is part of a much bigger project.” Jason Wells, Wallace mayor crowd the new town hall was just part of a series of changes in the town. “This is part of a much bigger project,” Wells said. “We’ve See HALL, page A3
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOUNRAL
The new Wallace Town Hall, which officially opened Jan. 20, has been a medical building and the town’s parks and recreation headquarters before its new role. The building was donated to the town by ECU Health.
$3K local match unlocks $525K for Sun Valley sewer project Magnolia board greenlights a grant match for a major mobile home park sewer improvement By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal THE MAGNOLIA TOWN Board convened for its regular meeting Jan. 13. Mayor Dawn
Ward explained that the originally scheduled 2024–25 audit presentation was postponed after auditors identified late adjustments that needed to be corrected. The auditors requested
additional time to revise the audit, prompting the board to remove the item from the agenda and replace it with a time-sensitive grant matter. The primary item of new business centered on a request for additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Sun Valley Mo-
AirPark project draws frustration over drainage, paving issues The Duplin County Economic Development Board pressed the project engineer on costs and construction concerns during a special meeting By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — With several last-minute issues plaguing the AirPark development project, which has already taken much longer than predicted and been hit with unprojected costs, the Duplin County Economic Development Board held a special meeting Jan. 23 to address some of the issues. The last item on the agenda was the one that created the most frustration with the board. It involves a ditch along Airport Road that is insufficient to handle the needs for drainage along the road and does not meet the
requirements for the ditch bank to be easily maintained. At the last board meeting two weeks ago, the board agreed the cost of adding enclosed drainpipes in lieu of a ditch should be the responsibility of the project’s primary engineer on the project, Parrish & Partners. Board members basically said the company should have been more diligent in determining what was needed to handle the drainage issues along the stretch of Airport Road that will be in front of a new N.C. Forest Service regional headquarters currently under construction at the AirPark. See AIRPARK, page A2
“The 20-year lifespan of this asphalt won’t be reached if we don’t address it.” Matthew Ferguson, Parrish & Partners project engineer
“$3,000 for an additional $525,000 if we want this project to go through, I think, is a good use of the funds.” Charles Banks, town manager bile Home Park sewer improvement project. Town Manager Charles Banks explained that although the town had previously See SEWER, page A5