Duplin Journal Vol. 10, Issue 51

Duplin Journal

Duplin County Hall of Fame calls for nominations

Duplin County

The Duplin County Hall of Fame has extended its nomination deadline to Feb. 26. Nomination forms are available at the Duplin County Public Library and Cooperative Extension Service in Kenansville, the Duplin Times in Kenansville, and at Duplin Journal in Wallace. For questions, call 910-296-3676. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made signi cant contributions to Duplin County.

Early voting period starts

Duplin County

The early voting period for the March 3 primary election starts Feb. 12 and ends Feb. 28. Eligible individuals may still register and vote during the early voting period at any early voting site.

EMS recognized for stroke care excellence

Duplin County Duplin County EMS received the 2026 Bronze Achievement Award from the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS program for excellence in prehospital stroke care. This marks the rst time Duplin EMS has received the recognition, highlighting the team’s rapid stroke response, evidencebased care and coordination with hospitals.

Black History Month observance

Rose Hill

The Charity School Alumni Association will observe Black History Month with a community program on Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Charity Missions Center. The public is invited to attend the program, fellowship with alumni and community members, and enjoy a soul food meal. The keynote speaker will be Monte Thorne, who currently serves as chair of the Duplin County Board of Adjustment.

Bingo Night for scholarship fundraiser

Greenevers

The Duplin County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will host Bingo Night for the Aniya Faison Scholarship on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at Greenevers Community Center. Attendees can win prizes and enjoy hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches and drinks while supporting the scholarship fundraiser.

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Exciting upgrades underway at Kenan Park

Work is progressing quickly on a new $500,000 playground at Kenan Park. The project is funded by a state grant, and contributions from ECU Health Duplin Hospital, and the Southern Bank Foundation. The all-inclusive playground will feature a “poured-in-place” safety surface and a large tractor centerpiece. Kenan Park remains closed until the playground project is complete which looks like it will happen soon.

Candidates share priorities ahead of Duplin County primaries

Early voting is underway through Feb. 28 as incumbents and challengers compete in several races

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — As Du-

plin County’s primary elections draw near and early voting is underway through Feb. 28, vot-

ers will have the opportunity to weigh their choices among both long-serving incumbents and rst-time challengers in several closely watched races. North Carolina’s primary elections give voters a direct role in deciding

which candidates will advance to the general election ballot representing their respective political parties.

To help inform the electorate, Duplin Journal contacted candidates in contested primary races and invited them to participate in a Q&A designed to highlight their priorities, experience and vision for the district.

Inside this edition, Duplin Journal will feature responses from the candidates who accepted Duplin Journal’s invitation, organized by each contested race.

In County Commissioner District 2, Ti any Ferrell is mounting a challenge to the status

Commissioners clash over building naming proposal

A proposal to honor Jammie Royall, the former town manager, is expected to return to the agenda in March

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

A FEW IMPLIED accusa-

tions of racism were made at the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners meeting held Feb. 5. The rst insinuation came during the board’s discussion of a recommendation to name a building associated with the town hall complex in memory of the

late Jammie Royall, the rst black town manager for Mount Olive.

After town commissioners Vicky Darden and Harlie Carmichael spoke in favor of the proposal, praising Royall’s work and dedication to his position, Commissioner C.J. Weaver responded by recommending other names for consideration.

“Weights and measures,” Weaver said. “Are we motivated

to recognize someone because we think he was wronged, or do we want to recognize someone for what they’ve done?” Weaver said he believed the decision should be based on accomplishments rather than emotion.

Mayor Pro Tem Delreese Simmons responded to Weaver’s comments defending Royall’s dedication to the town.

“Yes, the rst black town manager,” Simmons said. “You two new commissioners don’t know there was a piece of paper that

Board weighs projects as deadline nears for $4.2M grant

The funds must be spent or contracted by June 30 under state guidelines

By Mark Grady Duplin Journal

THE DUPLIN COUNTY Economic Development Board was required to make prompt decisions at its Feb. 6 meeting on how best to spend $4.2 million remaining from a $12 million grant the county received for economic development purposes. The board was recently noti ed that the remaining funds must be used or contracted by June 30 or risk being returned. Duplin County is not alone in receiving the notice. Statewide, the notice stated approximately $40 million in unspent grant funds awarded out of a $1 billion allocation.

Using a list of potential uses for the remaining funds provided by Duplin County Economic Development Director Scot-

ty Summerlin, the board discussed which options would most e ciently advance the county’s economic development goals. The top of the list included the construction of another shell building in the Duplin Airpark to be located across AirPark Drive from the nearly completed rst of two 50,000-square-foot shell buildings. The board discussed whether it would be the best use of funds to build one new 30,000-square-foot building or two 20,000-square-foot buildings. After calling Joe McKemey, a project engineer with McDavid Associates, and Jeremiah Daniels with Daniels & Daniels for advice, the board decided one 30,000-square -foot shell building would be easier to market to companies seeking space for operations.

In addition to the new building, the board decided to use some of the funds to complete four or ve short-term

people voted on to stop him from doing his job. It ain’t emotions for me, it’s the truth.”

Simmons said the list of suggested alternatives was largely white.

The board took no action on the request to name the building. It is expected to be placed on the March agenda for a public hearing on the proposal.

The board also discussed a request made to remove the reversionary clause from the

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deeds issued to nonpro t organizations ALDA Inc and the Carver Alumni High School & Friends Association for the former Carver High School building, now being used by the two groups for o ces and other activities.

An attorney representing ALDA said the group invested heavily into renovating the building after a re and paving the parking lot, and feared the reversionary clause could jeopardize eligibility for several million dollars in grants.

Town Attorney Carroll Turner advised the board that the reversionary clause was required under state law. Turner said any publicly owned property conveyed to a nongovernment entity must be used for public purposes and revert to the local government if that purpose is no longer met. Turner cited court precedent supporting the requirement.

Turner said all groups involved had identical reversion clauses and agreed to meet with ALDA’s attorney to discuss possible solutions.

During the town manager report, interim town manager Glenn Holland said they were reinstating the town’s water disconnect policy. Customers who fail to pay or arrange an approved payment plan by Feb. 27 will have water service disconnected and restored only after full payment. Holland said the action was necessary due to a large number of past-due accounts.

“As of Jan. 31, I had 335 residential accounts past due,” Holland said, adding 19 commercial accounts were also past due. He said the town had $149,128 in unpaid water bills. Also during the meeting, Wayne County ABC Board Manager Darnae Barefoot presented the town a check for more than $18,000 for the town’s share of proceeds from the local ABC store.

Voters to choose Republican nominee in NC House District 4

Rep. Jimmy Dixon shares lessons learned and plans ahead; his challenger did not respond

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal sta

INCUMBENT JIMMY Dixon and Challenger Marcella Barbour are competing in the Republican N.C. House District 4 primary. Both candidates were invited to participate in Duplin Journal’s Candidate Q&A. Barbour did not respond.

JIMMY DIXON

Q: What are two of your most signi cant accomplishments in Duplin County, and how have these achievements directly impacted the community?

A: Several years ago, we were able to get the Federal Consent Order that governed the makeup of the County Commissioners and Board of Education districts changed from six districts to ve districts. That change has resulted in an excellent quality of candidates on both boards. Additionally, it resulted in Republican majorities on both boards. That remains the greatest accomplishment I have achieved during my 16 years in the General Assembly.

Q: Which goals have proven the most di cult to achieve, and what speci c challenges or obstacles have contributed to these di culties? How have you addressed these challenges, and what lessons have you learned that could guide future initiatives?

A: Protecting and promoting our Right to Farm laws is a never-ending struggle in Raleigh. So many of our friends in urban N.C. continue to think food comes from the grocery store. The latest example is the attempt to cast a negative shadow on the use of herbicides and pesticides to produce the food and ber we need to remain a free nation. I have learned that just because you are registered as a Republican doesn’t mean you

are friendly to the needs of today’s farmers.

Q: Many wastewater treatment plants in District 4 (like Warsaw and Mount Olive) are aging and in need of upgrades. What speci c steps would you take in the N.C. House to ensure these facilities are modernized and capable of protecting public health and waterways?

A: No. 1, you need local leaders who are attuned to the real science, not political science, as they assess local wastewater treatment needs. Without a doubt, from one end of our state to the other, aging treatment facilities and water and sewage lines present an economic challenge of major proportions. We have been successful in directing some signi cant money to a few municipalities in Duplin and Wayne counties. In my opinion, we must begin to think of regional coordination and cooperation to identify and fund solutions.

Q: PFAS (“forever chemicals”) have been detected in drinking water sources across North Carolina, posing health and economic risks. Draft permits, such as the one for Lear Corporation near Kenansville, currently require monitoring of PFAS discharges but do not impose enforceable limits. Would you support legislative action to ensure industrial discharge permits include enforceable limits on PFAS and other harmful contaminants

to protect the health of drinking water sources and local waterways in District 4? Please explain.

A: This is a hot topic that is full of political science and sensationalism. Many would-be concerned citizens nd it easy to criticize the industries that produce the products that they purchase and use in their homes on a daily basis and never think about what they pour down their drains and ush down their toilets each day. How many of them would give up their “no-stick” frying pan or stop buying “no-wrinkle” clothes or buy “ re retardant” building products? How we regulate and permit industrial discharges must be a joint e ort between state and federal rulemakers.

Q: What legislation or measures would you pursue to improve transparency, accountability and oversight in local governments, particularly in municipalities currently facing governance concerns?

A: In N.C., we have excellent Open Meetings Laws that govern how local governments conduct their meetings. I am most familiar with our two main governing boards — commissioners and boards of education. From my perspective and experience both boards in both counties do an excellent job of properly conducting their meetings in harmony with both the letter and the spirit of those laws.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County.

Feb. 13

Night to Shine Prom 5 p.m.

The Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine, a special needs prom, comes to Duplin County. The event will be held at Charity Mission, o ering an unforgettable evening of celebration for honored guests and their families.

1333 W. Charity Road, Rose Hill

Feb. 13-14

NC Pro Rodeo 5:30 p.m.

The NC Pro Rodeo opens gates at 5:30 p.m. with rodeo events beginning at 7 p.m. Duplin County Events Center

Feb. 20-21

2026 James Sprunt Fire Expo

James Sprunt Community College will host the 2026 Fire Expo, bringing together re ghters, instructors and industry partners from across the region. The expo will highlight the latest tools, equipment and resources for re service professionals. Saturday activities include lunch, vendors and door prizes. Registration is $30. For more information, call 910-275-6254.

James Sprunt Community College campus, Kenansville

Feb. 21

Cake Auction 4:30 p.m.

The Duplin County Democratic Party will host its annual cake auction. Attendees can enjoy food, fun and fellowship while raising funds at the Country Squire Restaurant.

748 N.C. Highway 24B/50, Warsaw

Got a local event? Let us know and we’ll share it with the community here. Email our newsroom at community@duplinjournal. com. Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

Incumbent Jackson outlines achievements

The state senator highlighted rural development and infrastructure funding

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal sta BRENT JACKSON

Q: What are two of your most signi cant accomplishments within your district, particularly in Duplin County, and how have these achievements directly impacted the community and its residents?

A: One of my most signicant accomplishments for Duplin County has been securing state funding for critical infrastructure and economic development projects that rural communities often struggle to advance on their own. Recent examples of this include:

• $400,000 secured for the Town of Kenansville for capital projects

• $5 million to the Town of Wallace to construct an administrative building to co -locate re and police services

• $8 million to the Town of Kenansville for water and sewer improvements

• $12 million to Duplin County for economic development, including infrastructure improvements

• $4 million to James Sprunt Community College for a workforce development center and related capital improvements or equipment

• $200,000 to Duplin County for volunteer re departments

• $250,000 to the Town of Rose Hill for capital improvements and equipment at the Rose Hill Fire Department

• $11 million to Duplin County for public safety facilities, including planning and construction of a co-located sheri ’s o ce and detention center

These projects don’t always make headlines, but they are foundational, supporting job creation, attracting private investment and ensuring that existing businesses, particularly in agriculture and food processing, can continue operating and expanding without capacity constraints.

Another major accomplishment has been my consistent advocacy for agriculture and rural economic stability, which is the backbone of Duplin County. I have worked to protect farmers and agribusinesses from overregulation while also supporting disaster relief funding following hurricanes and ooding events that disproportionately impact eastern North Carolina. These e orts have directly helped family farms recover, protected jobs, and preserved the tax base that funds schools and local services. Agriculture touches nearly every household, so standing up for this industry means standing up for the entire community.

Q: Which goals in your district have proven the most difcult to achieve, and what speci c challenges or obstacles have contributed to these di culties? How have you addressed these challenges, and what lessons have you learned that could guide future initiatives?

A: One of the most di cult challenges has been modernizing aging infrastructure in

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quo, running against longtime Commissioner Dexter Edwards, who has served for more than a decade and has historically faced little opposition since his rst term. The Duplin County Clerk of Superior Court race includes

small towns with limited tax bases, particularly wastewater and utility systems. These projects are expensive, highly regulated and often require coordination across multiple levels of government. For rural municipalities, even securing matching funds can be a major obstacle, and delays in permitting or funding cycles can stretch projects out for years. I have worked hard to limit those obstacles, but it does take time and much of the regulation is federal so that’s a whole other level.

I have addressed these challenges by working closely with local o cials to navigate state grant programs, advocating for exibility in funding requirements, and pushing for a more realistic understanding in Raleigh of what rural communities can a ord. The lesson I’ve learned is that one - size- ts-all policies don’t work for rural North Carolina. Future initiatives must account for local capacity, provide technical assistance, not just funding, and streamline processes so small towns aren’t overwhelmed by bureaucracy.

Q: Wastewater management has become a critical concern in areas such as Warsaw and Mount Olive. What concrete initiatives would you champion in the North Carolina Senate to ensure sustainable wastewater solutions for rural counties, bene ting both residents and businesses? Additionally, how do you determine and prioritize where state funding should be allocated to maximize impact?

A: Wastewater is one of the most pressing issues facing rural communities, and it directly a ects public health, environmental quality and economic development. In the Senate, I would continue to champion targeted state investment in wastewater treatment upgrades, regional systems and capacity expansions. I also support expanding grant programs that reduce the reliance on debt for small municipalities and encourage regional cooperation where it makes sense.

When prioritizing funding, I look at three key factors: public health, economic impact and a community’s ability to execute the project. Projects that unlock job growth, prevent health risk or serve multiple communities should rise to the top. Just as importantly, I believe the state should provide engineering and planning guidance to help towns move projects from concept to completion because funding alone isn’t enough if a town lacks the capacity to manage complex infrastructure upgrades.

Q: How will you ensure that the voices of Duplin County residents are actively heard and considered in state-level decision-making processes, especially on issues that directly a ect their daily lives?

Duplin schools to buy 400 iPads, 1,600 Chromebooks

pending budget approval

A $12,157 donation from FLOCK will aid school-based mental health

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke Duplin Journal

A: I have always believed that e ective representation starts with accessibility and communication. I make it a priority to maintain regular contact with local o cials, business owners, farmers and all residents throughout Duplin County — not just during election seasons. Listening sessions, one-on-one meetings and responsiveness to constituent concerns are essential to making sure Raleigh understands what’s happening on the ground. It is something I take very seriously, I give my cell number out to anyone, so I am always reachable by all my constituents.

In the legislature, I serve as a voice for rural eastern North Carolina by bringing local concerns directly into committee discussions and budget negotiations. Whether it’s infrastructure, public safety, education or agriculture, I work to ensure that policies re ect the realities of communities like Duplin County. Representation isn’t about speaking for people; it’s about making sure their voices are carried into the room where decisions are made.

Q: What legislation or measures would you pursue to improve transparency, accountability and oversight in local governments, particularly in municipalities currently facing governance concerns? Would you support specialized audits, reviews or other interventions to restore public condence in local leadership?

A: Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust, especially at the local level where decisions directly a ect residents’ daily lives. I support strong oversight mechanisms, including targeted audits and nancial reviews when there are clear warning signs of mismanagement or governance breakdowns. These tools should not be punitive but corrective, focused on identifying problems early and helping local governments get back on stable footing.

I would also support measures that improve nancial reporting, board training and access to state technical assistance, particularly for small municipalities with limited sta and expertise. When governance concerns arise, the goal should always be to restore con dence, protect taxpayers and ensure continuity of essential services. The state has a responsibility to step in thoughtfully and constructively when needed while still respecting local control and empowering communities to succeed. I believe our new state auditor is doing a great job in the rst year to tackle some of these issues, and as a member of the Senate, I’ll continue to support his e orts.

Editors note: Challenger William W. Barbour did not respond.

a Republican primary contest between Amy Price and Crystal Strickland. Meanwhile, incumbent Sheri Stratton Stokes faces two Republican challengers, Eric Southerland and Tony James. At the state level, House District 4 will see incumbent Republican Jimmy Dixon competing against newcomer Marcella Barbour in the GOP primary. Legislative races continue in the North Carolina Senate as well, where Senate District 9 incumbent Republican Brent Jackson faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican William W. Barbour. The 2026 statewide primary is on March 3.

KENANSVILLE — While students, sta and families were snowed-in all across Duplin County, members of the Education Board met via a conference call for the board’s February meeting. In the conference call, agreements were approved between the county and other schools or government entities, including an agreement with Liberty University for its master’s of school administration program.

Pending approval from the 2025-26 Capital Budget, $172,462 was authorized to purchase 400 new Apple iPads, and $412,592 was approved to purchase 1,600 HP Chromebooks. The Capital Outlay Budget for 2025-26 was approved, and a Supplemental Fund for Teacher Compensation was approved to be paid to eligible employees in February.

An application was approved

for the 2026-29 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Subgrant, and a $12,157 donation from the House of Raeford Farms FLOCK, Inc. was approved to support Duplin County Schools’ school-based mental health program. Several other donations for supplies and grants were acknowledged as well, including a $20,000 CTE grant for Homebuilding Programs. Service contracts were approved, including agreements with providers for IEP services, a software subscription and a lawn maintenance contract. Fundraiser and eld trip requests were approved from Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary, B.F. Grady Elementary and North Duplin Elementary. The board went into a closed executive session to discuss personnel in a private live stream. When they returned, they approved suggestions made from the closed session. Superintendent Daren Tyndall thanked the board, sta , teachers and students for their willingness to work hard to prepare and make remote instruction possible as the county prepared for a winter storm. The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.

NC Forest Service leads way with self-contained aviation units

Forestry Service aviation units deploy from three hubs to combat res statewide

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke Duplin Journal

EVEN AFTER RECENT

snow, North Carolina remains in drought, extending the re season from a short February-to-May period to a year-round risk. On Jan. 1, wild res broke out in both the eastern and western parts of the state, something that had never happened before.

Fighting res in North Carolina involves a coordinated effort between ground crews and aviation units. The North Carolina Forest Service operates three hubs for its aviation units: Duplin (Kenansville), Central (Sanford) and West (Hickory). Each station has a variety of aircraft, from xed-wing planes to helicopters and air tankers. The units operate as complete “seat modules,” moving from airport to airport carrying everything needed to load out from that location.

“Most of the time, aviation units operate from a xed base, and that is their loading airport regardless of where the re is,” said Interim Director Shannon Coleman of the Duplin hub. “We are the rst, and so far the only, state to do things this way.”

The hubs work together to ght res across the state and can load and unload quickly at re sites.

“We can load 800 gallons of water in approximately three minutes and taxi it o to a re every ve to 10 minutes, sometimes faster,” Coleman said.

When a re call comes in, aviation units assess the weather and identify the nearest airports with suitable hydrants.

“We have currently marked almost 40 airports in the state that have enough room and a hydrant close enough for us to load from when we get a call for a re in a particular area,” Coleman said.

Aircraft are most e ective during initial attacks.

“We work with the ground crew to get it contained within 24 hours. Anything beyond that becomes an extended attack, and aircraft are not as e ective,” said Coleman.

Though they have fought res in the backyards of subdivisions, aircraft are only used on

forest res, not structure res, because the weight of the water they carry could cause more damage than good.

Each type of plane has its own speci c purpose. The xed-wing planes are the “eyes in the sky,” performing observation, surveys and mapping. Helicopters conduct prescribed burning and ght res in multiple ways, including transporting re ghters and dropping water buckets. Air tankers carry concentrated re suppressant to the loading airports, loading water from any hydrant accessible to the airport.

As a state agency, the Forestry Service works to protect the land, particularly forests. Still, they have helped in other areas in times of need.

“During Hurricanes Florence and Matthew, we provided relief e orts in eastern North Carolina, helping farmers who couldn’t reach their livestock,” Coleman said. “We carried in hay, pumps and fuel to alleviate oodwater issues.”

The Forestry Service Aviation Unit accomplishes a lot with a relatively small budget compared to other states. The biggest issue it faces is personnel, not equipment.

“(This type of work requires) highly specialized pilots who are hard to recruit and retain,” Coleman said.

There are a few perks to working with the Forestry Service Aviation Unit, such as earned compensation time and greater exibility to be home with families. Still, people leave for higher-paying positions elsewhere or they retire. The former director of the Duplin hub retired Dec. 1, and Coleman applied for the position.

“They are in the process of screening applicants, and that is a long process,” Coleman said. Meanwhile, she continues as interim director.

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

Mass deportation: Who was more ‘inhumane’ — Obama or Trump?

Obama did not inherit an administration that allowed in 10 million to 15 million illegal aliens.

THOSE WHO CLAIM President Barack Obama deported illegal aliens more “humanely” make the following assertions:

a) ICE didn’t go into the streets under Obama; b) there were no street activists/ protesters/agitators; c) ICE only deported those with criminal records beyond illegal entry or illegally overstaying; d) Obama’s deportation numbers largely include “returns” or those deported at the border; e) the Obama administration did not engage in “lawlessness”; and f) ICE and/ or Customs and Border Patrol arrested only illegal aliens after rst securing a judicial warrant.

As for a), under Obama, ICE did go into the streets, including into the interior and into “sanctuary” cities like Chicago. Watch “Lost in Detention,” a 2011 episode of the PBS “Frontline” program, where, for example, an illegal alien mother stopped in Illinois for making an illegal lane change was ultimately deported back to Mexico. Consider this X post: “... As someone who worked during (the Obama administration), it’s simple. All the ‘sanctuary cities,’ including mine, cooperated fully with ICE and Homeland. ... So this, in fact, is politicians’ fault because they pick and choose who they want to cooperate with ...”

As for b), the media/Dems loved Obama, so they looked the other way. Again, under Obama, there was greater cooperation between local, state and federal o cials. In fact, several cities and states adopted sanctuary policies because of this cooperation. The think tank Niskanen Center wrote: “The Secure Communities program allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers for anyone detained by local law enforcement. ... Homeland Security Secretary

Janet Napolitano (in October 2010) stated that DHS ‘did not view (Secure Communities) as an opt-in, opt-out program ...

“In response, multiple local jurisdictions, including Cook County, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., passed legislation to limit local compliance with immigration detainers, thus creating sanctuary cities.”

There was no “ICE Watch” to alert activists and protesters. And Obama did not inherit an administration that allowed in 10 million to 15 million illegal aliens.

As for c), deporting only those with “criminal records,” this is from the “nonpartisan” factcheck.org, in January 2026, about the Trump administration: “Those with criminal convictions or pending charges represented 66% of arrests, which the administration has rounded up to 70%.”

About deportations with criminal records under Obama, in April 2016, The Washington Post wrote:

“While the number of deportations of illegal immigrants with criminal records has declined in recent years, last year this group made up almost 60 percent of the total number expelled from the country, the largest percentage in recent memory.”

As for d) that Obama deportation numbers mostly included those at the border, the left-leaning fact-check site snopes.com wrote:

“The claim that immigration authorities deported more than 3 million people during the Obama administration (2009-17) is accurate based on ‘formal removal’ gures reported by the DHS. When including ‘returns’ (those removed at the border), however, the total exceeds 5 million.”

As for e), Trump’s supposed lawless deportations, economist John Lott of the Crime Prevention Research Center wrote:

Don’t abuse the word ‘protest’

If Pretti was an “observer,” he was observing how much unhinged behavior he could get away with.

ALEX PRETTI WASN’T killed while “protesting.” This is a common description of what he was doing on a Minneapolis street the fateful morning when a confrontation with federal immigration agents ended in his tragic shooting. But if Pretti had been a mere protester, he’d very likely be alive today.

Now that we’ve seen videos of an earlier struggle with federal agents and learned more about the organized nature of the anti-ICE resistance, it’s become clear that the better word for Pretti was agitator, or perhaps even operative.

A protester, as typically understood, is someone who is making a point, often as part of a gathering of other like-minded people and, usually but not always, in opposition to something.

A protester might hold a sign outside a coal- red power plant calling for it to shut down. He might go to Union Square Park to hear speeches from bullhorns whenever something happens that outrages the left. He might march against the Iraq War or the Vietnam War — or in favor of Hamas.

This kind of activity is not to everyone’s taste — personally, I hate the drums and the chants — but there is no doubt that it is a legitimate form of political advocacy. Depending on the cause, it can even be admirable. What we’ve seen in Minneapolis, though,

is often quite di erent. Run-of-the-mill protesters don’t seek out federal agents and harass and obstruct them. They don’t follow and block their vehicles or establish a robust communications network to deploy resources to create maximum disruption of their operations.

Pretti was part of this e ort, which is more a form of low-level and (by and large) nonviolent insurgency than conventional protest. In his rst confrontation, 11 days before his death, Pretti was every bit an anti-ICE street brawler. He challenged, at close quarters, an agent to assault him while screaming insults at him. He spat on a federal vehicle and kicked out its taillight.

If Pretti was an “observer,” in the euphemism preferred by anti-ICE politicians and activists, he was observing how much unhinged behavior he could get away with. There’s no doubt that at this event, he was the violent instigator.

After Pretti damaged the vehicle, agents got out and pushed him to the ground. For all the talk of ICE being the equivalent of the Gestapo, they didn’t even bother to arrest him despite his having committed a crime. If he’d been arrested and charged, Pretti might never have shown up at the other ICE operation and would still be with us today.

That Pretti, we now know, made it a practice

“The 170 ICE-detained US citizens ... included about 130 arrested for interfering with or assaulting o cers ... justi able under any reading of the law ...

“Only about 40 or so of those who were detained claimed to be US citizens accidentally or erroneously arrested by ICE. ... Most were released in a few hours. ... 40 mistakes out of 595,000 arrests amounts to an error rate of just 0.0067% — roughly one wrongful detention for every 14,925 arrests.

“By contrast (during the Obama administration) ... in scal years 2015 and 2016, ICE recorded 263 mistaken arrests, 54 mistaken detentions (book-ins), and four mistaken removals ... about one mistake for every 4,444 arrests ...

“During the course of Obama’s two terms, from 2009 to 2017, 56 individuals died in ICE custody. ... 56 deaths translates into a rate of 0.007% — roughly one death for every 14,314 detainees.

“By comparison, the rate last year under Trump was slightly lower: 0.0054%, or one death for every 18,594 detainees.

“... Trump made no erroneous deportations through November.”

This brings us to f) about judicial warrants. Snopes.com wrote: “Over the eight-year period of the Obama administration, the percentage of removals carried out without a hearing before an immigration judge ranged from approximately 58% to 84%, averaging roughly 74%.”

What a di erence an administration makes. Or rather, what a di erence the media coverage of an administration makes.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

to court violent encounters with federal agents while armed was incredibly irresponsible. He was fortunate that the rst struggle didn’t escalate into something much more hazardous to him and to others if an agent had noticed his gun. The rearm wouldn’t have been an issue in the second incident, meanwhile, if he’d really been protesting. If that were the case, he would have stayed on the sidewalk and held up a sign, or chanted, “ICE go home,” and the o cers might have been annoyed, but there never would have been an interaction to potentially go catastrophically wrong.

The calculation in Minneapolis, though, has been that this kind of benign activity is less e ective than direct action, and unfortunately — with public opinion swinging against Operation Metro Surge — this assessment looks to be accurate.

Why simply express a point of view when you can act to stop arrests and to create a hostile, threatening environment for agents?

This doesn’t mean that Pretti got what he deserved or that the o cers acted appropriately. It does mean that the state and city o cials should have been telling people not to “monitor” DHS activity, but to stay well clear of legitimate law-enforcement activities.

Reasonable people can disagree about the desirability of the goal that Pretti was pursuing, but there’s no doubt about how he was going about it, and it didn’t involve conventional protest.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.

Three Republicans seek Duplin sheri ’s post

Incumbent Stratton Stokes faces challenges from Eric Southerland and Tony James in the primary

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal sta

Editor’s Note: Some answers have been edited due to space limitations. The full unedited versions are available online.

STRATTON STOKES

Q: Who are you beyond the sheri role — your background, passions and one thing about Duplin that always inspires you?

A: Beyond my role as sheri , I am deeply committed to our community and to a life of public service. I was raised in the Northeast community and have lived in Duplin County my entire life. My upbringing instilled in me values of hard work and integrity — qualities I strive to embody in my daily life. My wife, Jennifer, has served as a public school educator for the past 14 years, and together we are raising our two children, Stratton Sawyer and Hudson Gage.

I graduated from Campbell University with a bachelor of arts in religion and christian ministries. I began my law enforcement career with the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce in 2005 and served in multiple roles, including jailor, patrol, supervision and special response. I later joined the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation as a special agent, where I worked major criminal cases, narcotics investigations and interagency operations, earning advanced certi cation and statewide recognition. I went on to earn a law degree from Campbell University and worked in private practice, experiences that broadened my perspective as a leader.

One aspect of Duplin County that continuously inspires me is its rich cultural heritage and strong sense of community. The people here are resilient, and their dedication to supporting one another is a source of motivation.

Q: What are some of your biggest accomplishments as sheri ?

A: One major accomplishment is our continued ght on drugs. The remarkable dedication and accountability demonstrated by the Special Operations Division (SOD) in their critical work. This division is composed of a narcotics investigation unit and the Duplin Criminal Interstate Enforcement (DICE) unit, both of which collaborate e ectively to target and eliminate illegal narcotic dealers from the streets of Duplin County.

In 2025, the division made 135 arrests, seized 10 rearms and removed 3.62 pounds of cocaine, 342 grams of crack cocaine, 23.89 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.36 pounds of fentanyl and 60 pounds of mar-

ijuana from Duplin County.

The seizure of more than 600 grams of fentanyl alone represents potentially thousands of lives saved. While our o ce has seized even more drugs overall, it’s crucial to acknowledge that there is still much work ahead. Every overdose is one too many, and we remain committed to eradicating these perilous drugs from our community.

Another has been increasing the salaries of our sta . Upon entering o cer low salaries was a major challenge in recruiting and retaining employees. As sheri , I will continually ght for our o cers to have a fair wage and be able to provide for their families. By retaining highly quali ed o cers we are able to provide a better service to our communities.

Additionally, I faced the challenge of overcrowding in our current jail and a deteriorated facility. This situation not only strained our resources but also posed safety concerns for both inmates and sta . Moving forward with the approval for a new jail was essential, but it required navigating complex regulatory, political and nancial hurdles. As of now the new detention facility is slated to open this year.

Q: What are some of the DCSO biggest challenges right now, and why should people reelect you?

A: As sheri , my unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our citizens remains my top priority. The drug epidemic is a pressing challenge that continues to plague our nation, and it has not spared our communities. I will continue to allocate resources e ectively to combat this crisis, employing a multifaceted approach and strict enforcement against those who choose to distribute harmful substances.

In order to uphold the highest standards of service, it is crucial that we hire and retain the best employees possible within the sheri ’s o ce. Our deputies and sta are the backbone of our law enforcement efforts, and I am committed to providing them with the training, resources and support they need to perform their duties with excellence. By fostering a positive work environment and investing in professional development, we can ensure that

our team is equipped to o er the best services to our citizens. If reelected, my top priorities will focus on enhancing public safety, continued ght against the drug epidemic and ensuring that our sheri ’s ofce remains a model of excellence. I will work tirelessly to implement innovative strategies to combat crime and improve our response to the needs of our community. By investing in our personnel, fostering community relationships and tackling the challenges we face head- on, I am con dent that we can make Duplin a safer and brighter place for generations to come. Together, we will continue to build a safer community where everyone can live, work and raise a family.

ERIC SOUTHERLAND

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what inspired you to run for sheri .

A: I am a Duplin County native and grew up in Warsaw. From a young age, I had a strong interest in law enforcement. I graduated from James Kenan High School, and while I was a student there, I was invited by Sheri George Garner to attend a meeting at the Duplin County Courthouse. He was planning to start an Explorers Program. I attended the rst meeting and became a founding member of the program. As I progressed through the program, it con rmed that law enforcement was the career for me. I continued in the program and later attended Basic Law Enforcement Training at James Sprunt. After completing my training, I began my career with the sheri ’s o ce. I was blessed to work in a variety of divisions, including communications, patrol and investigations, where I served as the rst full-time crime scene investigator as well as a criminal and narcotics investigator. I have also worked as a school resource o cer (SRO) and served as the rst full-time training coordinator, overseeing training for the entire o ce and ensuring compliance with state training requirements.

After several years in my career, I began to think about my future and how I wanted to progress. I set two goals for

myself: First, to one day become the chief of police in my hometown of Warsaw, which I achieved in 2014; and second, to nish my career as the sheri of Duplin County. This was part of Sheri Garner’s larger vision when creating the Explorers Program — to mentor young men and women interested in law enforcement and help them become future leaders in the profession.

Q: In your opinion, what are the DCSO’s biggest challenges right now, and how would you address them di erently?

A: In my opinion, the biggest challenge at the DCSO is leadership. There has been a culture of selecting leadership based on loyalty and/or seniority rather than identifying individuals with true leadership abilities. Leadership is not about surrounding yourself with “yes people” but rather mentoring, training and selecting individuals who help you grow and who o er viewpoints di erent from your own. This approach better serves both the men and women who work within the organization and the citizens we serve. This is a business and should be treated as such. Decisions should be made in the best interest of the citizens of the county rather than based on personal friendships.

This profession is about customer service, and over the years, the current leadership has lost sight of that principle. I will work to restore this mindset and ensure we provide the highest level of customer service in everything we do.

Q: If elected, what concrete actions would you take in the rst 90 days?

A: I would begin by establishing clear job descriptions and expectations for each position and empowering employees to do their jobs. It is extremely di cult and frustrating for an employee to not fully understand what is expected of them and then be reprimanded for doing what they believe is correct. This leads to low morale and contributes to high turnover rates and sta ng issues. Unfortunately, many leadership teams fail to recognize this and instead attribute these issues solely to low pay.

An example of this is the sheri ’s o ce giving up two school resource o cer (SRO) positions because they were unable to ll them. However, two local police departments created new positions and successfully lled those same SRO roles. The school board funds and sets the pay for all SRO positions and does not allow additional compensation by local police departments. This indicates to me that the issue is not primarily about pay but about leadership.

When I served as chief of police in Warsaw, I established clear expectations for o cers and empowered them to do their jobs. Despite being the lowest-paid department within a 30-mile radius — and despite o cers having opportunities to earn nearly $10,000 more annually elsewhere — we maintained a very low turnover rate. This was a direct result of trust, empowerment and support.

I was a working chief who led by example, not from behind a desk. I frequently worked patrol on day shift, night shift and weekends alongside the men and women of the department. I was never truly “o duty,” and my o cers knew and appreciated this leadership style, which contributed to their decision to remain with the department.

TONY JAMES

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what inspired you to run for sheri ?

A: My name is Tony James, and I am 49 years old. I live in Rose Hill with my lovely wife, Mandy, and our three kids: Dallas, who is 20, and our twins, Gracie and Gray, who are 16. I was sworn in with Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce in 2003 and worked active service for 11 years with a total of 23 years active and inactive service. I am inspired by the wonderful citizens of Duplin County, and they are what has inspired me to run for sheri . The people of Duplin County are very diversi ed and come from all walks of life. I am inspired by all of our citizens, and I am committed to serve and provide each of them with a level of leadership that is expected from each and every one within our county. I have always been involved in some type of public service. I served in several di erent positions within the sheri ’s o ce and quickly learned that the responsibility of the sheri is so much more than just ghting crime. It’s a level of service and commitment that I believe only comes from a divine calling.

Q: In your opinion, what are the DCSO biggest challenges right now, and how would you address things di erently?

A: As I have spent the past two years visiting with citizens throughout Duplin County, the biggest issue I have learned is people do not know their sheri . It’s hard for people to trust someone they do not know. I have had the opportunity to talk with several past and current employees, and there is a great concern with the morale within the organization. When morale is down and sta feel they have no support from command sta , it decreases the excitement of the work environment. I constantly hear things like, “I’m tired of the good ol’ boy system,” “I’ve been overlooked numerous times because I’m not in the clique,” along with numerous other things. If elected, I will be a sheri that is known throughout the county. I will be involved in all communities so that people can learn to trust and have con dence in my leadership. I will establish a trustworthy relationship with all employees with an open-door policy. They will immediately know that I care and show concern about their issues. I will create an administration that promotes based on merit and not political favors. I will create a team effort where all are involved in the success of the sheri ’s o ce and all are acknowledged for their e orts in that success. I will be a sheri that will stand by my employees and the citizens of Duplin County.

Q: If elected, what concrete actions would you take in the rst 90 days?

A: If elected sheri , my rst 90 days will be focused on establishing a team of command sta that will assist me in the day-to-day operations of the ofce. We will focus on implementing a strong recruiting program to prioritize hiring efforts so that all vacant positions can be lled. There is a great concern in the county of the lack of school resource ofcers (SROs). Our kid’s safety should be a top priority. We should have all schools covered every hour of every day. We will immediately increase our narcotics division and declare a war on drugs unlike our county has ever witnessed. I will be looking to form a sheri ’s advisory team that consist of community leaders throughout the county. This will be a volunteer team that will help keep me accountable and to make sure that the entire county is receiving fair service from the sheri ’s o ce. This will help me stay alert on the issues that are most pressing in each community. While no leader is perfect, I am committed to serving every citizen with honesty, transparency and respect. If elected, I will strive to communicate openly, listen carefully and provide clear explanations when concerns arise. I believe strong communication is essential to e ective leadership.

New voice takes on longtime commissioner

Dexter Ferrell and Ti any Edwards face o in County

Commissioner primary

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal sta

IN DISTRICT 2, Ti any Ferrell is stepping forward to challenge the status quo for county commissioner in District 2 currently held by incumbent Dexter Edwards.

TIFFANY FERRELL

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what inspired you to run for county commissioner?

A: My name is Ti any Ferrell, and I am a community advocate from Pink Hill who believes local government should be built on trust and accessibility. I am running because our District 2 residents deserve a leader who is truly part of the community — someone who shows up to every forum, answers every question and remains visible long after the election is over. My inspiration comes from a simple belief: Leadership is about service, not silence. I want to replace the current culture of secrecy with a culture of community that treats every neighbor with respect.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you see in Duplin County? And how would you address things di erently?

A: The most critical challenges in Duplin County are a lack of transparency and the widening gap between the board and the people it serves. Decisions are often made behind closed doors, leaving taxpayers to wonder where their hard-earned money is going. My approach di ers fundamentally from the

Dexter Edwards incumbent Ti any Ferrell challenger

incumbent’s because I will not hide from the public. While some choose to avoid community forums and public scrutiny, I believe that true accountability requires facing the voters directly. I will address things differently by being a present and active representative who welcomes tough questions rather than avoiding the people who asked them.

Q: If elected, what concrete actions would you take in the rst 90 days?

A: Within my rst 90 days, I will take three concrete steps to open the doors of county government. First, I will push for an immediate independent audit of county spending to ensure scal integrity. Second, I will launch a “District 2 Direct” communication network, providing a dedicated email and phone line speci cally for residents to reach me and provide feedback. Third, I will host a series of informal meetings across the district. Unlike the current trend of being unreachable, these informal meetings will be a permanent xture of my term, ensuring that I am physically present to

hear from you before — not after major board votes are taken.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you?

A: The most impactful advice I’ve received is the quote, “Life is for service.” This resonates with me because service requires presence. You cannot serve a community you aren’t willing to engage with face to face. It is easy to hold a title, but it is much harder — and much more rewarding — to actually do the work of showing up for your neighbors. This advice drives my commitment to be the most accessible commissioner Duplin County has ever seen.

Q: What concrete steps would you take/support to improve transparency and ensure residents’ feel acknowledged?

A: To ensure residents feel acknowledged, I will advocate for a complete overhaul of how the public interacts with the board. I support making all public records easily accessible and ensuring that meetings are structured to prioritize citizen input. Most importantly, I will bridge the gap by showing up consis-

A Sheriff Who Will Work For You.

• ACCOUNTABILITY

• AVAILABILITY

• ACCESSIBILITY

tently. When an elected o cial skips forums or avoids community events, it sends a clear message that the public isn’t a priority. I will change that by being a commissioner who is always available, listens with empathy and ensures that the “people’s house” is actually open to the people.

DEXTER EDWARDS

Q: Who are you beyond the commissioner role — your background, passions? If you had a free afternoon with no obligations, how would you spend it?

A: I am a lifelong resident of Duplin County. I graduated from East Duplin High School and received a degree in animal science from James Sprunt Community College. I have recently retired from Smith eld Foods as general manager after 48 years. I am dedicated to the agriculture community and the citizens of Duplin County, and continue to strive to make this a successful community that our citizens can remain in Duplin County and make a successful living. I am a member of the Beulaville Free Will Baptist Church where I serve as a deacon. I am a conservative and a Christian, and believe in treating all people with dignity and respect. If I had a free afternoon, I would spend it with my wife and grandchildren.

Q: You’ve served Duplin County in this o ce for many years. What are two of your biggest accomplishments as county commissioner?

A: In 2014, when I became a commissioner, our tax rate was 73 cents per $100 of property value and our fund balance was $6.2 million. Working with our sta for better utilization, of our funds Duplin County tax rate is

GRANT from page A1

rental buildings in the AirPark and improve street lighting, shrubbery and other upgrades at the location. It was also determined that funds could be used to repair a telemetry system in the sewer pump station located near the airport that is not currently transmitting alerts when issues are detected.

Finally, the board appropriated funds to be used to erect new signage at the other industrial parks in the county similar to the signage being placed at the Duplin AirPark.

After estimating all the costs of those projects, the board determined it had nearly allocated the $4.2 million left in the original grant. Despite those decisions, the board decided the county should write the grant administrator requesting an extension beyond the June 30 deadline in the event of any unforeseen circumstances in appropriating the funds.

Summerlin also informed

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Duplin County Economic Development Commission will receive Bids for Construction of Five (5) EACH Shortterm Stay Accommodation Units at AirPark/Airport Center (260 Airport Road, Kenansville, NC), until Thursday, March 12th, 2026 at 4:00PM EST, at which time and place all Bids received will be opened. Bids received after this deadline will not be considered.

The Project generally consists of the construction of standalone short-term stay accommodations in two di erent oor plans. The project includes the construction of one-bedroom/bathroom oor plans (480SF+/-) and two-bedroom/bathroom oor plan (790SF +/-), built to NC residential building code standards. Three (3) one-bed/bath units and two (2) two-bed/bath units are contemplated for construction under the Scope of Work. In addition to construction of the structures, grading, construction of concrete driveways including drainage, water/sewer line construction/connections, and coordination with Tri-County EMC and data/ communication providers to each unit is included in the general Scope of Work to be provided by the Bidder. Bid Security equal to 5% of the total of the Base Bid and Bid Allowances is required in the form of a cash deposit or a Bid Bond. Contract Security in the form of 100% Performance and Payment Bonds will be required. No Bid may be withdrawn after closing time for the receipt of Bids for a period of sixty (60) consecutive

calendar days.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held in the conference room of the Duplin Airport Terminal Building on Thursday, February 19th, at 1:00PM. The purpose of this meeting will be to familiarize the prospective bidders with the proposed project. The meeting will cover the contract scope, schedule requirements, and any questions from those in attendance. A site visit will also be conducted after the meeting. Bidding documents will be available after 9:00 AM on Friday, February 13th, 2026 by visiting the Duplin County website at: duplinnc.gov

Questions should be directed to the following: Scotty Summerlin 260 Airport Road Kenansville, NC 28398 C: 910-385-6236

scott.summerlin@duplinnc.gov

The County of Duplin is not responsible for bid documents obtained from other sources.

Questions related to the Contract Documents must be submitted by email or in writing to the contact above no later than 12:00 Noon on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

58 cents per $100, and our fund balance is now $35.8 million. At this same time period, we have been able to build the new K-8 school organization. We have also built the new Duplin County Transportation Center, Service for the Aged/Veterans Facility, Duplin County Animal Shelter, and completed a new Duplin County Jail. We have been able to accomplish this by funding from the General Assembly and good scal management.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you?

A: The one piece of advice I received was to listen to everyone’s concerns but then evaluate the pros and cons of the overall impact prior to making yournal decision. I have tried to take that piece of advice to heart. Although it is di cult sometimes, you have to make the decision in favor of the most positive impact for the majority.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you see in Duplin County in terms of infrastructure, tax rates and sustainable development in the county?

A: The rst goal for the county is to secure a strong county manager that can unify a team of dedicated employees. After this, we need to secure a ordable funding to complete the high school facility projects. We must also continue to insure our county employee compensation programs remain competitive and comparable while keeping our tax rate a ordable.

Q: What concrete steps would you take/support to improve transparency and ensure residents’ feel acknowledged?

A: We need to continue to post our public held meetings with recordings available for those not able to attend.

the board that the plans had been completed for Duplin County to host a group of economic development specialists from across the state at an invitation-only event on March 4. Attendees will tour the AirPark and the nearly completed shell building on the property to market the building and other business opportunities in the county. It was also announced that $55,000 was being appropriated to pipe a ditch on Airport Road in front of the new N.C. Forest Service Division Headquarters being built in the AirPark. The ditch has proven insu cient to handle the stormwater in the area. At last month’s meeting, the ditch was a source of frustration for the board because they believed the original project engineer, Parrish & Parrish, should be responsible for contributing at least half the cost of making the improvements to the ditch line. There was no comment on any negotiations to persuade Parrish & Parrish to contribute to the cost.

Each Bidder must be properly licensed for all aspects of the work under Chapter 87, General Statutes of North Carolina (G.S. 87-15). Prior to submitting a bid, each Bidder must be properly licensed for the work to be performed.

Each Bidder shall certify, in its proposal, that neither it nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency or the State of North Carolina.

The MBE and WBE goals for this project are 5% MBE participation and 5% WBE participation or 10% combined MBE and WBE participation.

The County of Duplin, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby noti es all bidders that it will a rmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be a orded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration of an award.

The County of Duplin reserves the right to waive any informalities or irregularities in or to reject any or all Bids, to reject sub-contractors, and to award or refrain from awarding the Contract for the work, whichever deems to be in its best interest.

DUPLIN SPORTS

Dark Horses pull away late from out-of-sync Panthers

Unbeaten Clinton scored the nal 11 points to all but clinch the ECC’s regular season title with a 48-37 win over East Duplin

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CLINTON — The East Duplin girls’ basketball team cannot plead the fth after a fourth-quarter collapse against Clinton, but it can gameplan for a third meeting between the two schools in the East Central 3A/4A Conference Tournament nals.

That’s the next signi cant game for head coach Mark Lane and his Panthers after falling 48-37 to the unbeaten Dark Horses in a battle that only got out of hand when Clinton scored the nal 11 points in the last 1:43 of the game.

“We were out of sync with basketball all night and had too many turnovers, and their press was too good too many times,” said Lane. “Some of our veteran players didn’t play as well as they could. But it came down to turnovers and defense.”

The win all but guaranteed Clinton (19-0, 7-0) the ECC title since it beat ED (14-6, 5-2) by four points (51-47) Jan. 20 on Jerry Hunter Court. Both schools were to play three league games this week, concluding with ED’s trip to Southwest Onslow on Feb. 12.

The league’s postseason tournament will follow with the top two seeds, most likely Clinton and ED, avoiding a quarternal encounter Feb. 16 that features games between Nos. 3 and 6 and Nos. 4 and 5 teams at the gymnasium of the higher seed. The semi nals andnals will be played at East Duplin on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20, respectively.

Ironically, the boys’ tournament seeds were the same at the start of this week.

See ED, page B3

PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Zoe Cavanaugh and East Duplin had a tough time keeping up with Clinton in the fourth quarter, being outscored 23-11 as the Dark Horses won last Friday to sweep both regular season games.

COLUMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE

I’m happy to report the Fulghum gets my “Most Likely To Succeed in College” label for June graduates in Duplin County.

WRH-JK BOYS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW

The Bulldogs and Tigers brace for a second rivalry clash between the senior-laden teams this season

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Five Bulldogs basketball players will be lauded Feb. 13 on Steve Robinson Court. And Wallace-Rose Hill couldn’t have a better opportunity to end its regular season with a bang than avenging a loss against archrival James Kenan. Seniors Matthew Wells, Jawon Carr, Jamari Carr, Aspen Brown and Darrius McCrimmon were on the downside of a 52-46 loss on Jan. 20 in Warsaw.

The Tigers, who played Goldsboro for an outright share of the Swine Vally Conference title on Feb. 10 during its Senior Night in Warsaw, is likewise stockpiled with June graduates who are key players — Zamarion Smith, CJ Hill, Jeremiah Hall, Eli Avent and David Zeleya. It’s the annual season-ending dog ght for Duplin County schools nearly always in the same

ND’s Fulghum has talent, wherewithal to handle softball, college at Charlotte

A LOT HAS happened since Lilly Fulghum started her senior season and it’s not even softball season, her sport of choice.

A few weeks ago, North Duplin held a press conference announcing she will play on the diamond for UNC Charlotte next season.

Since then, Fulghum and her sports-loving family took a ski vacation and then su ered a serious life-blow when their Mount Olive home was destroyed because of a re. They need help and are getting it from the many friends they have accumulated across the state and even some out-of-state softball people.

Fulghum loves softball and plays it whenever she can, though she’s a three-sport athlete for the Rebels.

Name a state and she’s probably dug her cleats into an in eld there sometime in the past six years.

I go to college signings because I feel it is more important than writing a game story that one day won’t mean all the much. But college signings are the nal moment in the sunshine for a prep athlete before starting all over at a higher level.

Most don’t make it a full college season, and that’s OK because I

understand the percentages are against them. I know they won’t be at Fill-in-the-Blank University long before discovering how hard the journey is from high school to college. It’s a learning experience they will think about for the rest of their lives.

Here’s the numbers lowdown. Less than 2% (1 in 57) of all prep athletes play a Division I sport in college.

And if it’s not the competition that sends athletes back to their hometowns, it’s often the academic side. Combine the two, and it’s a

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Zamarion Smith

James Kenan, boys’ basketball

Zamarion Smith was a key part of James Kenan’s defense last fall as the Tigers went 12-2 and lost to Kinston in the East Region nal.

Yet the all-Duplin linebacker is even more valuable on the basketball court.

Smith is the take-charge senior leader who scores, rebounds and makes others around him better.

The senior guard’s 15.7 points is second in Duplin. He’s also getting 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.7 steals as a trusted on- and o -court leader for head coach Taylor Jones.

JK started the week 14-2 overall and 8-1 in Swine Valley Conference play.

Jones said some of the unique aspects of Smith’s game are his competitiveness, how he doesn’t get easily frustrated and how he includes other teammates in the Tigers’ gameplan.

Football fans might best remember him for tackling a WRH running back’s 2-point conversion that sealed JK’s overtime win in 2024, though his 111 tackles last fall were the fourth most among his Tigers teammates.

We

Bulldogs pushing hard toward the postseason, future

WRH could take a four-game winning streak into its nale with JK

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — The contributions of Amana Newkirk and Angelina Cavallaro might appear rather miniscule in the box scores for the Wallace-Rose Hill girls’ basketball team.

But the defensive work of Newkirk, a junior guard and a rst-year varsity player, and Cavallaro, an all-state volleyball player playing basketball only in her nal prep season, have rst-year coach Jermel Miller singing their praises.

“They’ve really bought into contributing to the team with defense,” said Miller, whose Bulldogs (13-8, 5-3) are in third place in the Swine Valley Conference, trailing James Kenan (14-2, 8-1) and Goldsboro (16-2, 8-0) entering play this week.

“They played committed. Angelina’s been outstand-

ing all year and Newkirk has bound it.” So has WRH, which is chasing the 2015-16 team’s 17-win mark, the last time it has a .500 season.

“We’ve got to limit our offensive turnovers, move to the ball with all our players stepping up to understand the tempo we want,” Miller said. “We don’t have to run-and-gun every play. Sometimes we need to back it out when a play isn’t working. If we run our o ense, we can play with anybody.”

Freshman point guard QuoRyiona Vines (10.1 points), senior shooting guard Savannah Smith (7.6) and sophomore transfer center Marion Francis (7.2) are the top three scorers. Vines and Francis have shown signs that they will lead WRH in the future.

“We have to play through QuoRyiona’s mistakes because she’s growing up to understand the game is di erent at this level,” Miller said. “It’s a much faster and physical game.

“Marion’s been sick, and we’ve had a few out for that and other injuries. But she’s getting

double-doubles and blocking and altering shots.”

Jansley Page, an all-star in softball and all-state volleyball player, has also pitched in defensively and with sure hands o ensively (3.8 points, 4.6 rebounds). She joins Cavallaro (3.4, 3.0) and Newkirk (2.1, 1.2) as pressuring defenders.

WRH, which beat Spring Creek 61-10 in its lone game last week, was to conclude its regular season Feb. 13 by hosting James Kenan.

Expect the Bulldogs to be on a four-game winning streak before hosting the Tigers, as WRH plays two teams (Midway and Rosewood) it beat by 17 and 37 points, respectively, in earlier games.

The Swine Valley Conference Tournament is slated for February 19-20, and as the possible No. 3-seed, WRH will wind up facing either JK or Goldsboro in the quarter nals.

And here’s a bit of early good news for Miller and his Bulldogs: WRH will be in the state playo eld for the rst time in a decade.

WRH’s Savannah Smith has found her shooting touch and hopes to torch JK in the regular season nale on Feb. 13 in Teachey.

Panthers’ miscues spell doom in loss to Dark Horses

Neither team won the turnover battle, but Clinton put it together late to trip ED in the rst game in a week for both schools

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CLINTON — East Duplin and Clinton put on a turnover clinic last Friday, which might have been expected since both schools hadn’t played or practiced in a week due to a winter snowstorm that forced students o campus until game day.

There were few moments of great basketball and many in which both head coaches shook their heads as the Dark Horses’ Anyahs Butler hit two game-winning free throws with 11.8 seconds to play in Clinton’s 49-47 East Central Conference win in Sonny Faison Jr. Gymnasium last Friday.

The Panthers’ Zackary Ball stole an inbound pass, scored and was fouled, but he missed the free throw 10 seconds earlier to trim the margin to 46-45.

Dominic Hall’s put back with 1.2 seconds to play also cut it to a single point. Jaiden Howard hit one of two charity tosses with 0.3 left on the clock, and the Panthers could only walk away mi ed.

ED also missed an open 3-pointer with six ticks left on the clock as Clinton improved to 11-7 overall and 3-4 in the loop. ED is 7-10 and 4-3.

If the Panthers beat league foes Trask (12-7, 4-3) and Southwest Onslow (7-12, 3-3) this week, they will earn the No. 2 seed in the ECC Tournament and a quarter nal bye with the top-seed South Lenoir (12-6, 6-0).

Quarter nal action is Feb. 16. The semi nals andnals are Feb. 19 and Feb. 20, respectively. The higher-seeded teams will host all games.

Close encounter from beginning to end

Clinton jumped to an 8-3 edge midway through the opening quarter and extended the lead to 12-6 at the break despite a 3-pointer by Ball, who

led the Panthers with 13 points. The second quarter was much like the rst in that both teams turned the ball over at an uncanny rate.

A Ball layup and two hoops that involved Dominic Hall and Shawn Davis trimmed it to 17-13 at the 4:56 mark of the second.

Clinton then turned three Panthers miscues into a 5-0 run, though Panther Aaron Hall made a conventional 3-point play to keep ED close at 22-16.

But ED had three turnovers in 31 seconds before DJ Davis’ layup forged a 24-18 halftime edge for the Dark Horses. Neither team shot the ball well, and Ball had a layup and a baseline score to cut the de cit to 27-23 midway through the third quarter.

Aaron Hall likewise gave ED scores in consecutive possessions, rst canning a pair from the line and then driving hard to the iron for a score.

Yet Clinton countered to go in front 33-28 before ED hit ve charity tosses in the span of 1:39 to tie it at 34-34.

Dominic Hall, who had a big block during the streak, stu ed the ball with 51 seconds left in the third to give ED its rst lead of the game at 36-34 to start the fourth quarter.

The Dark Horses scored the rst seven points of the quarter before Ball drilled a trey. Down 45-40, Dominic Hall’s conventional 3-point play to cut the edge to two points at the 2:58 mark.

But three turnovers and a missed shot left ED in a 46-43 hole with 34.7 seconds to play.

Aaron Hall nished with 11 points, DJ Davis eight and Shawn Davis six o the bench.

The Panthers beat Clinton 67-65 on Jan. 20 in Beulaville in a game in which Dominic Hall scored 25 points, Ball 16, Aaron Hall 14 and DJ Davis had 10 markers and 10 rebounds.

ED is attempting to qualify

910-833-9430

for the playo s for the rst time since 2021-22.

Crusaders snap three-game tailspin

Harrells Christian Academy (23-7) split a pair of NCISAA games last week, the second of which was an 87-62 triumph over Riverside Christian (Fayetteville) to snap a three-game losing streak.

HCA had not lost three consecutive games in three years.

Antonio McKoy scored 32 points and had 14 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season.

Cousin Dashaun McKoy added 23 markers as the Crusaders went on 29-18 and 24-11 spurts in the second and third quarter, respectively.

The McKoys put in overtime during a heartbreaking 69-67 setback to Wayne Country Day (22-9).

Antonio McKoy, a Western Carolina recruit who has scored 2,794 points and grabbed more than 1,000 rebounds in his career, netted 28 and

ED from page B1

Panthers wilt during fateful fourth quarter

Every ED mistake was compounded in the game-changing fourth quarter. Clinton led 33-30 a minute into the stanza, but a Zakoya Farrior 3-pointer, which would be the Panthers’ nal eld goal, started a minirun that tied it at 37-37 when Kinsee Cave sank two charity tosses.

Clinton responded by going in front on free throws by Phoenix Everett (10 points) and Ciarra Stuart (21 points), followed by a driving score by Stuart. She added a free throw when a rare technical was called on Lane.

Down 42-37 with 55 seconds to play, Rubi Davila scored two of her nine points on a putback, and the Dark Horses turned consecutive turnovers into layups in the span of 11 seconds.

Farrior kept ED in the game

had 11 boards and two blocks.

Daushaun McKoy, a 1,729-point producer who has 956 rebounds, added 26, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Senior point guard J’Kaeshi Brunson had 12 assists to match his career high. He has 10 double-digit assist games this season.

HCA plays Arendell Parrott Academy (15-9) in the rst round of the NCISAA’s Coastal Plain 2A/3A Conference Tournament this week. A win pits the Crusaders against No. 1 Green eld (24-2). The Wilson school, which is No. 1 in 2A, has two triumphs over HCA this winter.

The nals are Feb. 13 at APA.

Schools that are 3A in the league include Wayne Christian, Coastal Christian, Cape Fear Academy and John Paul II. The 2A schools are HCA, Wayne Country, Green eld, Rocky Mount Academy, Faith Christian (Rockey Mount), Epiphany (New Bern) and Liberty Christian (Richlands).

The NCISAA’s postseason seeding meeting for its four

classi cations is on Valentine’s Day. The rst-round action starts two days later.

Rebels end layo with key season-ending stretch

North Duplin (10-8, 6-3) did not play a game last week and will take to the court for home games on consecutive nights against Hobbton and West Columbus before nishing up the regular season on Feb. 11 with a trip to Lakewood.

A trio of wins would likely tie the Rebels with East Columbus (10-11, 6-3) for the Carolina 1A/2A Conference title should the Gators get past East Bladen (6-14, 6-11).

The CC has been wide open all winter.

ND has won four straight and seven of its previous eight games behind the scoring of Jae’lyn Ingram (17.1 points), the top scoring player in Duplin County, and team defense. The league’s postseason tourney starts Feb. 16 and concludes with the championship on Feb. 20.

with nine of her 12 points in the nal quarter. Cave, who missed the rst encounter with the Dark Horses, scored six points in the rst half and just one the rest of the way. Post Andraia Scarborough added eight before fouling out midway through the fourth.

ED led 20-19 and 26-25 at the rst two stops, and the two schools played to a 6-6 deadlock in the third quarter. But Clinton’s 23-11 rush was simply too much for the Panthers.

The Panthers face Trask

Kinsey Cave, Ms. Basketball in Duplin County last season, is close to 100% after returning from an ankle injury.

(12-7, 4-3), Pender (0-7, 0-14) and South Lenoir (1-5, 2-15) to close out the regular season.

Lane said he was disappointed the Clinton game wasn’t played on Saturday, since the Duplin schools were not on campus until Friday because of a winter snowstorm, calling it, “unfortunate for our student athletes.”

“We practiced the previous Friday and played the next Friday,” he said. “It’s not an excuse. We’re aware of what we need to address and will make the appropriate changes.”

Meet person behind Super Bowl’s annual confetti blizzard

The same man has done the postgame celebration for 30 years

By Donna Gordon Blankinship

The Associated Press

NOAH WINTER brags he’s been to way more Super Bowls than Tom Brady.

Brady competed in 10 — more than any other player. But Winter was part of the Super Bowl spectacle for his 30th straight year this year, not in uniform but as the guy in charge of the celebratory confetti after the game ends.

Winter’s company, Artistry in Motion, also makes confetti for rock concerts, movies, political conventions and the Olympics. But the annual blizzard of color falling onto the eld at the end of each Super Bowl is probably what he’s best known for.

It certainly is what he’s most likely to get asked about at dinner parties.

“It’s become an iconic moment,” Winter marvels, sitting in his Northridge, California, ofce and confetti factory.

Jane Gershovich, a photographer who worked for the Seattle Seahawks when they won the Super Bowl in 2014, said that when the confetti falls, everyone wants to play in it. The players and their families have been known to toss it in the air and make confetti angels.

“Just seeing the players and their kids engage with it at such a wholesome level, it brings a lot of joy to everyone on the eld,” she said.

So, what goes into planning and executing a giant confetti drop? Winter elded some questions.

What happens to the losing team’s confetti?

Artistry in Motion trucks 300 pounds of two-colored confetti for each of the teams to the Super Bowl. They bring confetti cannons onto the eld with about 4 minutes remaining, and line them up around the stadium walls.

Even if the teams stream onto the eld before the clock runs out, the confetti waits until the timer shows the game is o cially over. And the winners’ colors get the go-ahead.

PREVIEW from page B1

classi cation. It’s around Valentine’s Day, though there’s absolutely no love between the two longtime adversaries.

There’s no meaningless matchups when the Tigers and Bulldogs clash, and both schools know fans will pack either gymnasium.

And loyalists from both sides will show up if there is a clash in the Swine Valley Conference Tournament, as second-seed JK could square o against third-seed WRH in the semi nals.

A winter snowstorm kept Duplin’s school locked four of its ve school days last week.

JK did not play a game, while WRH dusted o Spring Creek last Friday in its return. Both schools were slated to have a three-game week to end the regular season.

WRH head coach Dustin Squibb wants his Bulldogs to race to rim on both ends of the court.

Jawon Carr (13.8), Wells (14.2), McCrimmon (9.2) and Brown (7.8) are pacing the WRH o ense, with sophomore post Chase Bland (9.5, 4.5 rebounds) and freshman Kayden Keith (7.6,

responsible for the

“It’s always better to be late then early,” Winter explained.

“Sometimes players go out and shake hands. We don’t launch until triple zero on the clock. Over the 30 years, we never have launched the wrong color or launched too early.”

The color mix is not 50-50, because some colors dominate on video, so the company has to experiment to nd the correct mix.

Massachusetts company Seaman Paper has for 25 years manufactured the tissue paper that Artistry in Motion turns into confetti, said Jamie Jones, one of Seaman’s owners. A lot of New England Patriots fans who work there are particularly excited about their part in this year’s Super Bowl.

The company makes about 150,000 pounds of tissue paper a day — mostly for gift wrapping and food service.

“It’s a very prestigious but not big order,” Jones said of the Super Bowl paper.

How do you get the best utter?

Winter has found that a rectangular shape is best for confetti because it turns on its axis and hangs in the air.

But TV viewers might not realize that there are actually two confetti drops at the Super Bowl — one at game’s end, and the other when the Vince Lombardi Trophy is presented to the winning team. That second round of confetti is cut in the silhouette of the trophy.

Messages can be printed on

4.2) making progressively more contributions. Jamari Carr (4.6 points, 3.4 assists) is the ’Dawgs’ veteran point guard.

“We’ve got to be better a better job with our defense in transition, even though I will say we are playing the best team basketball we’ve played,” Squibb said. “That three-game stretch of losses (JK, Goldsboro, Trask) was good for us because it showed our kids that if you don’t focus in, it can all be over in one game.

“We showed ght, were competitive, much better at sharing the ball and moving without it.”

Jawon netted 17, Keith 16, Wells 15, Bland 13, McCrimmon 10 and Brown eight when WRH thrashed the Gators 85-43.

WRH (14-4, 6-3) is having its best season since the 2021-22 team went 17-6 in the 2A classi cation. It has been four years since the Bulldogs have won a state playo game.

How the Tigers enter the rivalry matchup is anyone’s guess after playing the Cougars two nights earlier.

Yet it’s hard to imagine head coach Taylor Jones’ club not igniting its competitive rivalry re in what has also been a re-

the tiny rectangles too. For a handful of Super Bowls, Artistry in Motion printed social media messages on each tiny ag at the request of event sponsor Twitter.

Some people ask whether the confetti is cut by hand (it isn’t), and Winter jokes that his hands get tired.

How do you get into the confetti business?

Winter studied lighting design in college and did pyrotechnic work at venues including the Hollywood Bowl before Disney asked his team to recreate leaves falling and twirling for a live “Pocahontas” show in the mid-1980s. Soon, he was creating confetti for Disney’s daily parade at Disneyland.

In 1986, Mick Jagger saw the confetti at Disney and asked Artistry in Motion to make some for a Rolling Stones’ concert at Dodgers Stadium. Then, he brought the edgling confetti company on tour. Other artists, including Bono from U2, asked that confetti be made for their shows as well. Stadium concerts led to sporting events. The company’s rst Super Bowl was in 1997. The year before that, Winter had been a pyrotechnician at the Super Bowl, making this year’s game his 30th.

Winter wouldn’t admit to having a favorite team, but he did say he has two brothers who are New York Jets fans, and he has promised to bring them to the Super Bowl to work a confetti cannon if their team ever returns.

vitalizing campaign for the Tigers. It’s JK’s best season since going 11-3 in the COVID-19 shortened season of 2019-20.

The formula has been the play of their seniors, who are over or nearly 10-point producers, and sophomore upstart Kentrell Morrisey, who is averaging 14.1 markers and 7.1 rebounds.

Smith is second in Duplin in scoring (15.7) and is rebounding (3.8) and setting up the o ense (4.2 assists) from his spot as a guard while showing every sign for a complete player.

That’s allowed Hill (11.1 points), Hall (6.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals), Avent (8.4 points, 4.2 boards) and Zelaya (4.5 points, 5.1 boards) to ourish.

The league’s postseason tournament starts Feb. 16 and concludes with semi nals games on Feb. 20 and the nals the following day. The highest-seeded team is the host school for all games. The top seed is awarded a rst-round bye.

An anticipated third meeting between JK and WRH in the Swine Conference Tournament is music to the ears of basketball fans.

Indeed, a “Turn Up the Noise” sign, won’t be needed.

Lilly Fulghum will play Division I softball at UNC Charlotte next year but will rst be a key to ND’s spring season for the fourth-consecutive year.

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workload that pushes even the nest scholar-athletes, such as Fulghum.

I’m happy to report the Fulghum gets my Most Likely To Succeed in College label for June graduates in Duplin County.

I don’t know this for sure, but I can sense that she will do what it takes to succeed in Charlotte. She has since she was 6 years old.

She’s one of those super competitive athletes that doesn’t come along frequently. Former ND and UNCW pitcher Haley Brogden taught her at an early age, and Fulghum is a regular at college-training circuits, having visited a ock of college campuses.

If softball is played at a high level, she’s on the dugout steps ready to hit.

She plays for the Birmingham Thunderbolt travel team, which is based out of the Alabama city, but travels to prestigious nationwide tournaments to compete against the best talent in the U.S.

Fulghum pitched ND to the 1A nal as a freshman, learning along the way from teammates Reece Outlaw (UNC) and Addy Higginbotham (Wingate), yet she came into her own in a big way last spring. Teams willing to pitch to her were punished. Fulghum, who will play shortstop or at third base this spring when not on the mound, hit .632 with eight doubles, three triples, seven homers, 11 walks, 18 RBIs and a .732 on-base percentage.

She won’t pitch in college and will be in a rotation at ND that includes classmate Ady Spence, also a right-handed hurler, and freshman southpaw Gracie Higginbotham. She was 5-2 in ’25 with a 0.98 ERA, striking out 55 and walking 24, which were lower numbers than she had as a sophomore (12-1, 84 strikeouts, 38 walks, 2.81 ERA) and freshman (16-2, 156 whi s, 47 walks, 1.66 ERA), with the exception of earned runs per outing. Yet like Outlaw and Higginbotham, Fulghum has athletic talent and drive that can be used to help ND, a school that had 10-too-many students to be classi ed as 1A.

Volleyball coach Heather Best got the most out of her in the fall as the Rebels went 17-8 to log back-to-back winning records for the rst time in the last quarter century.

Fulghum was a rst-team all-Carolina Conference selection and made on a very good All-Duplin team that featured players from Wallace-Rose Hill and East Duplin, which made it the fourth round of the 3A and 4A state tournaments, respectively.

She’s currently on pace to make another all-county team in basketball. Fulghum is averaging career-highs in points (12.2) and rebounds (5.1) for the 14-5 Rebels. She’s the lone senior on the roster that lost a pair of 1,000-point scorers (Addy Higginbotham and Tatewayna Faison).

Her father, Henry, was her rst coach. Her mother, Amy, is her biggest supporter o the eld.

“Her competitive spirit will make her successful out of the gate,” said ND softball coach Jaimie Kylis Higginbotham.

“She’ll go after whatever position she wants, and I’ll be excited to follow her progress.

“College pitchers throw to hitters, a batter’s weaknesses, and not to the plate. She has power but needs to learn the nesse aspect because they will nd her soft spots.”

ND will be a front-runner in the East this spring as Fulghum tries to return the Rebels to the state nals.

She’s already among the all-time Rebels softball greats and this season has morphed into one of the best all-sport athletes at the school.

Her biggest threat to being Female Athlete of the Year at the conclusion of the academic year is East Duplin junior Kinsey Cave, who plays the same three sports as Fulghum.

And in about a year, she will replace Fulghum on my Most Likely to Succeed list.

Cheers to more can’t-miss college prospects from Duplin County.

NOTICES

Duplin County Board

nal action will be

obituaries

Armarter Louise Rogers

Feb. 19, 1946 – Jan. 28, 2026

Armarter Louise Rogers, 79, of Wallace, NC, passed away January 28, 2026, at Laurels of Pender in Burgaw, NC. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Adoram Baptist Church in Wallace. Visitation will be from noon to 12:50 p.m. (one hour prior to the service). Interment following the service at Adoram Baptist Church cemetery.

Edith “Edie” Jones

April 6, 1941 – Jan. 30, 2026

Lila Edith “Edie” Jones, 84, of Wallace, North Carolina, left her earthly life for her eternal rest on Friday, January 30, 2026.

She was born on April 6, 1941, in Duplin County, the daughter of the late Dallas and Mary Moore Jones. Edith was also preceded in death by her brothers David Jones, Clifton Jones and Lacy Earl “Bug” Jones. Surviving to cherish her memory are her children Peggy Wainwright Fucili and husband Rickey of Wallace and William Wade Wainwright and wife Michelle of Jacksonville; grandchildren Leslie Fucili, Holly Fucili and Michael Paternoster Jr.; great grandchildren Maverick Elliot and Dash Paternoster; sisters Mary “Liz” Spearman of Wallace and Christine Carr and husband Joe of Willard; brother Elmer Hunt and wife Dianne of Burgaw; sister-in-law Bessie Jones of Rose Hill; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Edith dearly.

“Edie” as she was a ectionately called, loved her family with all her heart. She was a hard worker and a dependable employee who took her jobs seriously. She was employed for many years at JP Stevens in Wallace and later at a safety equipment plant until she retired. Being a very talented lady, Edie was a great seamstress and was very good at upholstering. Edie was an on-the-go person. She was always ready to go anywhere and at any time. Edie was a funloving lady who loved people and was loved in return. During the years, Edie acquired many friends who meant a lot to her. She enjoyed having fun, such as playing Bingo and dancing. Edie and her two sisters (Christine and Liz) were known as the “Golden Girls” and they shared many precious times together. Edie will surely be missed, but cherished memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved Edie.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at QuinnMcGowen Funeral Home Wallace Chapel with Pastor Bobby Smith and Pastor David Walker o ciating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of owers, the family requests donations be sent to Poplar Grove Memory Care, Activity Center, c/o Angie Carr, 300 W. Ashe Street, Burgaw, NC 28425.

The family would like to thank the wonderful sta at Poplar Grove Memory Care for the outstanding care and love they gave to Edie during her stay with them. A special thank you to Angie Carr for being so good to Edie and her family during her stay at Poplar Grove.

John David Spencer

April 16, 1941 – Jan. 29, 2026

Mr. John David Spencer, age 84, of Wallace, NC, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at home.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Rock sh AME Church, 167 Cornwallis Road, Teachey, NC. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Left to cherish his precious memories; two sisters: Viola Hendricks (Major) of Richmond, VA and Antoinette Davis of Wallace, NC; four brothers: James Ralph Spencer (Dorothy) of Teachey, NC, Napoleon Spencer of Wallace, NC, Barry Spencer of Rose Hill, NC and Michael Spencer of Wallace, NC; three aunts; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends that will miss him dearly.

Allie Estelle (Sholar) Cavanaugh

Jan. 10, 1943 – Jan. 31, 2026

Allie Estelle Sholar Cavanaugh, 83, of Hampstead and formerly of Wallace, passed from this life to her eternal rest on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

She was born on January 10, 1943, in Duplin County and was the daughter of the late Alton and Beatrice Sholar. Mrs. Cavenaugh was also preceded in death by her brothers, Dennie Sholar and Dalton Sholar.

She was a member of BarlowVista Baptist Church and enjoyed her many visits to the Chapel by the Bay Church.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her daughter Amberly Cavenaugh and husband Ottis of Wallace; her son Jackson Cavenaugh and husband Daniel of Palms Springs, CA; grandchildren Macie Cavenaugh (Justin), Ethan Cavenaugh (Westley), Caleb Cavenaugh (Alexis); sister Ethel Bryant (Otis) of Wallace; brothers Lonnie Sholar of Hampstead and Donnie Sholar (Ellen) of Wallace; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Allie dearly.

Allie was a loving mother, grandmother and sister who loved her family with all her heart. She was a woman of uncommon character, beauty and grace; and to those who knew her, “an instrument of God’s love on this earth.” Allie was a friend to all, a strong yet gentle presence who looked for and encouraged the best in everyone. She loved the Lord and demonstrated her faith in the way she lived her life. Allie will surely be missed but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved Allie.

Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Cavenaugh Cemetery in Wallace,

Amos Daniel Gillette

Jan. 29, 2026

Amos Daniel Gillette passed away on January 29, 2026. The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Harris Creek Missionary Baptist at 108 Harris Creek Road in Jacksonville, NC. Interment will be at GilletteShepard Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Daniel and Chandler Gillette of Jacksonville, NC; grandparents Rodney and Velvet Newbold of Jacksonville, NC, and Kenny and Gaye Gillette of Bear Creek, NC; great-grandparents: Donald and Sonja Wolfe of Jacksonville, NC, and Shirley Gillette of Bear Creek, NC; and aunts and uncles Trent and Lauren Taylor of Richlands, NC, and Matthew and Kerry-Anne Gillette of Jacksonville, NC.

Eugene C.

“E.C.” Wells Jr.

March 8, 1943 – Jan. 30, 2026

Mr. Eugene C. Wells Jr., “aka”

E.C., age 82, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at his home in Rose Hill, NC.

A visitation with family and friends will be held at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road, Rose Hill, NC, on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 1-1:50 p.m. The service will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at Rock sh Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Wallace, NC, at a later date.

E.C. was the son of the late Eugene and Electra Wells. He was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Wells, and his siblings, Mary Elizabeth, Elbert and Lucian Wells.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his siblings: DeKalb Wells (Benita), Stella Rouse (Hugh), Lloyd Wells (Tracy), and grandson, James Dearing, of the home. He was also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and one sister-in-law.

E.C. was a mechanic and farmer all his life. He loved working on tractors and farm equipment. His passion was the old two stroke Detroit motor. E.C. was very knowledgeable and loved working with his hands. E.C. worked with George Mainor and family for many years and thought of them as his second family. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly by all.

Pallbearers are as listed: Stuart Rouse, Eric Rouse, David Wells, Jason Wells, Billy Meritt and Bobby Ward.

In lieu of owers, donations can be sent to: Rock sh Presbyterian Church Cemetery, P.O. Box 532, Rose Hill, NC 28458.

Glinda Faye Dail Sholar

Oct. 20, 1947 – Jan. 31, 2026

Glinda Faye Dail Sholar, 78, of Wallace, North Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 31, 2026, passing away peacefully in the comfort of her home.

Born on October 20, 1947, in Savannah, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Linwood and Vivian Maxine Dail.

Glinda was a woman of unwavering faith and a devoted member of The Church at Pin Hook. She deeply cherished her church family and found great strength in her lifelong relationship with Christ. A remarkably strong lady, Glinda faced life’s many trials and losses with profound grace and endurance. For many years, she served her community as a hairstylist, a career she enjoyed until her retirement. Behind her chair, she shared more than just her talent; she o ered a listening ear and a compassionate heart to all. To know Glinda was to know an abundance of love. She was de ned by her kindness, her in nite patience, and a sweet, loving nature that made everyone feel at home. Above all else, Glinda was the “glue” that held her family together, providing a steady foundation of support and warmth.

Her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren were the absolute center of her world. She never missed an opportunity to brag about them or share their latest milestones with anyone who would listen. They were her “heartstrings,” and as she told them often, she loved them “to the moon and back.” Glinda is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Donald Arthur Sholar; her two sons, Donnie Dean and Ivey Swain Sholar; and her brother, Glenn Dail. Her legacy of love lives on through her grandchildren: Daylan Sholar (Candice), Jansen Sholar Rivenbark (Matthew), Alyssa Sholar, Perry Aycock. She was the cherished GreatGrandmother to Selena Aycock, Camden Ratli and Lauren Sholar. She also leaves behind her devoted sisters: Yvonne Melville (Pete), Jean Sumner (Charles), and Vivian Smith (Gary); her beloved furbaby cat, Scooter. Glinda will be deeply missed by her family, her many friends, and her cherished church family.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” — Matthew 25:23

The funeral service will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, at 7 p.m., followed by visitation at The Church at Pin Hook in Pin Hook, NC.

The graveside service is Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. at William Sholar Cemetery on Lighthouse Road in Wallace, NC.

Patricia (Shingleton) Blanchard

Feb. 4, 2026

Patricia Shingleton Blanchard, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted nurse, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026, just under one year after the passing of her husband, Morton, to whom she was married for more than 50 years.

Patty dedicated over three decades of her life to caring for others as a public health nurse with the Duplin County Health Department and later at the Rose Hill Medical Clinic. A graduate of NC State’s nursing program, she went on to earn her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) license, further re ecting her lifelong commitment to service, compassion, and community health. Nursing was not simply her profession—it was her calling. Through her calm presence, knowledge, and genuine care, she touched countless lives.

She was a devoted wife to Morton and a proud mother to their two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. In her later years, her greatest joy came from her four granddaughters, whom she loved deeply and spoke of often.

Outside of her career, Patty found joy in collecting conch shells at the beach, enjoying a bowl of macaroni and tomatoes, reading, and tending to her plants, which ourished under her attentive care. She was rarely without her beloved poodle, Pepper, whose companionship brought her great comfort and happiness.

Patty especially treasured time spent at Topsail Island, where many cherished family memories were made by the water. Though she may not have been the one shopping for boats, she patiently and lovingly indulged her husband’s enthusiasm for them over the years. Those days surrounded by salt air, shells, and family re ected the quiet joy she found in simply being together.

Patty will be remembered for her steady kindness, quiet strength and nurturing spirit, as well as the deep compassion she showed to family, friends, and the many individuals she served throughout her nursing career. Her legacy lives on through her family and the lives she touched.

She is survived by her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin; her four granddaughters; and a family who will forever carry her love with them.

A memorial service is planned for February 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Rose Hill Methodist Church.

Oct. 4, 1945 – Jan. 31, 2026

Willie Edward Graham, 80, also known as Willis, of Wallace, NC, passed on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Laurels of Pender in Burgaw, NC. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Graham’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw.

Price, Strickland vie for Clerk of Superior Court

Both candidates bring decades of experience to the race

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal sta

AMY PRICE of Wallace and Crystal Strickland of Kenansville are competing for Duplin County Clerk of Superior Court in the Republican primary. Duplin Journal invited both candidates to our Candidate Q&A. Some answers have been edited due to space limitations. The full versions are available online.

AMY PRICE

Q: Can you share a bit about your journey, what you enjoy outside of work and one thing about Duplin that always inspires you?

A: My journey began right here in Duplin County. Born and raised in Wallace, I learned the value of hard work at an early age and began working with the public when I was just 14 years old. Over the years, those lessons helped to shape both my work ethic and my heart for service. For over 23 years, I’ve served in the Duplin County Clerk of Court’s O ce, gaining experience, knowledge and respect for the people we serve. I’ve stayed committed to my community through volunteering, leadership and service. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, going to church, going to the beach and staying involved in the community.

What inspires me the most about Duplin County is the people. We are a community rooted in hard work, faith and taking care of one another. I see it every day in the way neighbors step up when someone is in need (I’ve experienced this rsthand during the oods), in the pride families take in their work and in the dedication of those who serve our community faithfully.

Q: What are the main chal-

lenges facing the Clerk of Superior Court and what makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I feel like one of the biggest challenges we face, not necessarily just the clerk but the Clerk’s O ce as a whole, is trying to help the public to the best of ability while staying within policies and procedures. Many people that come in are stressed, emotional or confused. Clerks can explain procedures but can’t give legal advice, and that line can be hard for the public to understand, especially in high emotion situations. Another challenge we face is that courts should be moving faster and more e ciently but the new system that was implemented a year ago is very slow, and it tends to put us behind while being in court. There are some days when it is so slow it is hard to get your work done e ectively and e ciently. Hopefully this issue is being worked on.

I feel that I am the best candidate for this position because I bring experience, dedication, and a true servant’s heart to the Clerk of Court’s O ce. With more than 23 years of hands- on experience, I understand the responsibilities of the o ce and the importance of accuracy, accountability and compassion. I have spent many hours working in the courtroom and

many hours training new criminal clerks. I’ve worked my way through di erent areas of the criminal division, always willing to learn, step up and help wherever I can. I truly care about the people we serve and the coworkers I work with. I believe leadership means leading by example, being approachable, and making sure the o ce runs e ciently and respectfully for every citizen who walks through the door. My commitment to hard work and integrity is not just something I talk about, it’s something I’ve lived every day of my career.

Q: If elected, what concrete actions would you take in the rst 90 days? If elected, within the rst few months I would be focused on listening, learning and strengthening daily duties. I would begin by meeting with sta individually to understand their roles, challenges and ideas for improvement because the people doing the work every day in each division know best.

CRYSTAL STRICKLAND

Q: Can you share a bit about your journey, what you enjoy outside of work and one thing about Duplin that always inspires you?

A: My professional journey has truly been shaped by Duplin

County. Every role I’ve held has prepared me for the responsibility I’m seeking now. My rst job was at Andy’s in Kenansville, where I worked for six years and eventually became an assistantmManager. That experience taught me the value of customer service, responsibility and leadership at a young age. I was later encouraged to apply at SECU, where I worked brie y as a teller. While that role was short, it opened the door to a career-dening opportunity: becoming a cashier in the Clerk of Court’s O ce.

I have now served in the Clerk’s O ce for over 20 years and currently work as an assistant clerk in a supervisory role in the Civil Division. I oversee ve employees in that o ce. Over the years, I’ve gained hands-on experience across multiple divisions, allowing me to understand not only how each area functions independently but how they work together as one system serving the public. This has been more than a job. It has been a calling rooted in service, consistency, accountability and growth.

Outside of work, my family and I stay active in the community. We are members of Kenansville Baptist Church, where we help with the youth program. I also enjoy volunteering whenever possible, baking, gardening and spending quality time with my family. I believe that time is one of our most valuable assets and should be stewarded wisely. What continually inspires me about Duplin County is the way our community comes together — whether in times of celebration or crisis. Duplin has a genuine heart for helping others, and I’m proud to both live and serve here.

Q: What are the main challenges facing the Clerk of Superior Court, and what makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: One of the primary challenges currently facing the Clerk of Superior Court’s Of-

ce is the continued transition to the eCourts system. While it has improved e ciency, it is still a learning process and requires patience, training and steady leadership to ensure accuracy and con dence across all divisions.

Another challenge is serving the public during some of the most di cult moments of their lives. People often come into the Clerk’s O ce dealing with emotional, stressful and confusing situations. The ability to remain calm, professional and compassionate while guiding them appropriately is essential.

What makes me the best candidate is my experience and leadership approach. I have worked across multiple divisions within the Clerk’s O ce, giving me a well-rounded understanding of how di erent situations require di erent responses. My knowledge is not limited to one department. As a supervisor, I’ve learned that leadership means being present, accessible and leading by example. A good leader supports their team while maintaining integrity and accountability.

Q: If elected, what concrete actions would you take in the rst 90 days?

A: In the rst 90 days, my focus would be listening, evaluating and supporting sta across all divisions. I would meet with each division to identify concerns, assess workows and determine whether improvements can be made. I would ask whether sta have the resources, training and support they need. Particularly as we continue adapting to the eCourts system. I would also evaluate communication between divisions to ensure consistency while respecting each division’s unique responsibilities. My goal would not be immediate change for the sake of change, but stability, clarity and preparedness that support long-term e ectiveness.

DUPLIN COUNTY TAX FORECLOSURE SALE

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10am • Duplin County Courthouse • Outside steps by agpole