Duplin Journal Vol. 10, Issue 52

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 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.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Kenansville

Duplin County Senior Services will host an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group on March 3 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The group provides support and resources for caregivers. Call 910-296-2140 for details.

Tri-County EMC scholarships

Duplin County

High school seniors in Duplin County have the chance to earn scholarships ranging from $250 to $750 to support their college or vocational education through Tri-County EMC. Awards are available for students attending four-year colleges, community colleges, technical schools, or non-traditional students. Applicants must be graduating seniors who are members of Tri-County EMC, children of members or live in a home served by the cooperative. Eligible high schools include North Duplin, East Duplin, Duplin Early College and James Kenan. Applications are due March 31.

Scholarships applications available

Duplin County

Cypress Creek Renewables is awarding $2,500 Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarships to graduating seniors interested in STEM or energy careers. Funds can be used for tuition, housing or books at accredited U.S. colleges, universities or certi cate programs. Applications are open through April 10. More information is available at ccrenew.com/scholarships.

Flea market and bake sale

Mt. Zion Church in Beulaville will host a ea market and bake sale on March 7 and March 14, from 7 a.m. to noon, with ham biscuits, homemade desserts, and a wide selection of clothing and items. The market will also be open March 5, 6, 12 and 13 from 3-6 p.m. The church is located at 367 Cedar Fork Road. For more information, call 910-324-1905.

$2.00

Night to shine

Guests enjoy the annual Night to Shine prom at the Charity Mission Center in Rose Hill, hosted by volunteers from Poston Baptist Church in Wallace. The Tim Tebow Foundation event provided a formal prom night experience for people with special needs age 14 and older. For more, turn to page A6.

Teachey man charged with threatening to kill sheri , judge

Matthew Tart faces two felonies and possible additional charges

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

A TEACHEY MAN has been arrested by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation for threatening on Facebook to kill a Superior Court judge and the Duplin County sheri . Matthew Tart was taken into custody Feb. 11 on two felony charges of threatening an executive, legislative, court or local elected o cial. The charges stem from threats Tart made against Sheri Stratton Stokes and Superi-

or Court Judge Henry Stevens. Tart, who according to his Facebook page turns 37 on Feb. 25, will likely spend his birthday in the Duplin County Detention Center.

Tart also threatened Tony James, one of two candidates challenging Stokes in the Republican primary for Duplin County sheri , which resulted in a misdemeanor charge since James does not currently hold o ce. He also threatened all judges and magistrates in the county on his Facebook page but did not speci cally name them. Stokes said more charges could follow after the case is presented to a grand jury.

Developer proposes new 170-acre community behind Wallace Walmart

The Bryant Farm development would be on River Road

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

THE WALLACE TOWN Council voted at its Feb. 12 meeting to schedule a public

The board also held public hearings and voted to annex three properties into town limits: the wastewater treatment plant, a water tower site along N.C. Highway 117 and Farrior Park.

Duplin has about $5 million in economic development funding that must be spent by June 30

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Town lead-

ers are looking to tap into millions in unspent state economic development dollars to help build out East Park Industrial Park on Lyman Road. Scotty Summerlin, executive director of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission, told the board at its Monday night meeting that the county received $12 million

hearing for March 12 on a proposed 170-acre development known as Bryant Farm on River Road behind Walmart.

Plans call for a mix of single-family homes and townhouses along with two recreational facilities with pools and amenities.

Town Manager Rob Taylor said the planning board has already approved the plans.

from a statewide funding pool in 2023 and has about $5 million left to spend. The money must be used by June 30 or the county risks losing it, though Summerlin said an application for an extension has been led. So far, the funding has paid for industrial buildings at Air Park in Kenansville and in Wallace — large shell structures of 50,000 to 100,000 square feet with utilities in place. Commissioner Gene Wickline questioned whether buildings that size made sense, noting that spaces of 3,000 to 10,000 square feet are renting quickly in Wilmington.

After the public hearing, the council will need to approve a zoning change to “planned unit development” before construction can begin. The property is within the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, but the developer has already requested annexation after zoning approval.

“The county is here to help any way possible.”

Scotty Summerlin, Duplin County Economic Development Commission

Parks and Recreation Director David Bizzell told the board participation in town sports programs has grown 12%. He outlined plans to build tennis and soccer complexes at Farrior Park and a splash pad at another park.

To pursue grants for the complexes, the board approved

Loretta Carey

O ce Phone: 910 463-1240

To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042

Kenansville navigates new software rollout

The town manager cited compatibility issues, learning curves and rising costs with the new program

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

WHEN KENANSVILLE

Town Manager Anna West

rst heard the pitch for new software from the League of Municipalities, it sounded like a good t. The League is a well-respected resource for towns and cities across North Carolina. The software was o ered free for the rst three years, which West said made it appealing.

The new software, from a company called Black Mountain Software, has presented implementation challenges in Kenansville. According to West, a major issue is that the town’s old software, called “FMS,” is not compatible with Black Mountain for transferring data. West said this has been especially challenging for Town Clerk Madison

from page A1

creating a parks and recreation reserve fund to pay grant writer John Wood for preparing the application. The board also approved Taylor’s request to appropriate $23,000 for the grant preparation, with those funds to be repaid from the sale of the Rose House.

Council member Glenn Price questioned Taylor and Public Services Director Brent Dean about emergency repairs to the town’s recently completed sewer and lift station project, built to serve the growing area between Tin City and River Landing. A joint failure in the new line caused a sewage leak.

“My understanding is there was a joint that blew out, and it blew out because the bolts were not torqued,” Price said.

The issue was reported to the state, as required, but the state has yet to respond.

Taylor said the town relied on Stroud Engineering for oversight, adding, “We worked with Stroud Engineering, who had people on site, but we weren’t on site.”

Dean said the site had been cleaned up but that some sewage had entered a nearby pond before the repair.

“It’s disturbing that what is probably the critical junction coming o the pump, highest pressure, and no one torques the bolts to the right spec,” Price said. “It’s a brand-new project, and we’re sitting here holding the bag. I understand they came and xed it, but we extended man-hours and time for something that shouldn’t have happened because of improper oversight. I’m not happy about it.”

“I’ll let Stroud know,” Taylor said.

Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz, presiding in the absence of Mayor Jason Wells, opened the meeting by presenting a proclamation to Tasha Herring in honor of her late mother, Lillie Martin. Martin was the rst African American businesswoman in Duplin County and was recognized for her contributions to the community.

The council’s budget retreat is scheduled for March 5-6.

Feb. 11

• Raymond Lamont Batts, 58, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired.

• Lameisha Shanee Bryant, 33, was arrested by DCSO for shoplifting concealment of goods, misdemeanor larceny, driving while license revoked and handicapped parking violation.

• Jose Elvin Dominguez Enmorado, 39, was arrested by NC Highway Patrol for driving while impaired, reckless driving and no operator’s license.

• Brook Alissa Kennedy, 25, was arrested by DCSO for possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed gun.

• Evelio Mendoza, 33, was arrested by DCSO for misuse of 911 system and resisting a public o cer.

• Alfredo Torres, 40, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired.

Feb. 12

• Mcgwire Lon Record, 26, was arrested by DCSO for driving while license revoked and communicating threats.

• Luis Enrique Tezen Lopez, 25, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired, no operator’s license and reckless driving to endanger.

“Finally you become unconsciously competent. It’s sort of like riding a bicycle.”

Anna West, Kenansville town manager

Jones in creating utility bills.

“The layout is di erent and the printing is di erent,” West said. “(The old software) would print using the customers’ names in alphabetical order. Now it’s by account number, and the account numbers are di erent from the old account numbers.”

West said it complicated the change to the new software when the League of Municipalities insisted they place the new software in service by the end of December, during the already busy Christmas season.

“They shoved us into December with payroll,” West said.

Utility bills, payroll and

Feb. 13

• Jaylin Hudson, 23, was arrested by DCSO for assault on a female, communicating threats and injury to personal property.

Feb. 14

Brandi Faith Best, 27, was arrested by DCSO for identity theft, obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy.

• Cody Glenn Best, 26, was arrested by DCSO for obtaining property by false pretense, identity theft, forgery of instrument and felony conspiracy.

• Douglas Donnell Bradshaw, 47, was arrested by Beulaville PD for felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, selling Schedule II controlled substance, manufacturing Schedule II controlled substance, delivering Schedule II controlled substance and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver Schedule II controlled substance.

• Carmen Larelle Hobbs, 36, was arrested by DCSO for possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place for controlled substances, nancial card fraud and possession of controlled substance on prison or jail premises.

• Christopher Jaden Mcneil, 26, was arrested by DCSO for simple possession of Schedule VI controlled

other town business items are handled through the software. West said other communities have experienced similar issues. Two contractors who work with multiple local governments recently told her that three municipalities that switched to Black Mountain were dissatis ed.

West has tried to maintain a sense of humor while navigating the software integration process.

“When I was at First Citizens, somebody shared with me the learning curve,” she said. “First you’re subconsciously incompetent. Then you become consciously incompetent. Then you become consciously competent, and nally you become unconsciously competent. It’s sort of like riding a bicycle.”

Another issue with the software is cost. While the rst three years are free, West said the company did not provide complete information about costs beyond that period. She has since said she discovered the new software will cost twice as much as the previous program.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in

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

substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Feb. 15

• Dalton Ray Cavenaugh, 31, was arrested by DCSO for operating a vehicle with no insurance, ctitious or altered title, registration, card or tag, driving or allowing motor vehicle with no registration, driving while license revoked and speeding.

• Charles Alexander Martin, 47, was arrested by DCSO for possession of rearm by felon, carrying a concealed gun, communicating threats, simple assault and unauthorized use of motor vehicle.

• Damien Drew Smith, 34, was arrested by DCSO for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Matthew Lane Tart, 37, was arrested by DCSO for threatening a public o cial and simple assault.

Feb. 16

• Tyler Edward English, 33, was arrested by DCSO for violating domestic violence protection order, eeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving and driving while license revoked.

• Keith Alvin Hannah, 55, was arrested by DCSO for larceny of motor vehicle and breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

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

Feb. 21-22

Monster Truck Wars Monster Truck Wars features multiple shows with high-energy performances. Saturday shows are at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Duplin County Events Center, Kenansville

Feb. 21

Black History Month observance

3:30 p.m.

The Charity School Alumni Association will observe Black History Month with a community program 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, former chair of the Duplin County Democratic Party. Thorne served 21 years in the U.S. Army and currently serves as chair of the Duplin County Board of Adjustment.

1333 W. Charity Road, Rose Hill

Teachey water bills to increase

A rate hike approved in 2022 was never applied due to software changeover

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

RESIDENTS IN THE town of Teachey will notice an increase in their town water bills soon, which is actually an action approved by the town’s board of commissioners in 2022.

During the town board meeting Feb. 9, Teachey town administrator Morgan Jacobs advised the commissioners that the increase had not been applied to the bills since it was approved several years ago. Jacobs said the town was converting to new software during the rate change and adding the change had fallen through the cracks.

The town cannot legally apply the rate increase retroactively, so the new rate will likely show up in the March bill. Town Attorney Joseph Ezzell advised the board they could not apply the increased rate unless the current town budget re ects the increase voted on in 2022.

Also on the topic of water, Teachey public works director James Parker reported the recent freezing temperatures had taken a toll on some water pipes in the town.

“We’re still nding customers with broken water lines going to their houses.”

James Parker, Teachey public works director

“We’re still nding customers with broken water lines going to their houses,” Parker told the board. “I got a call this afternoon before the meeting and had to shut someone’s water o because they had a busted water line under the driveway.”

Those who were victims of busted pipes because of the freeze could face water bills even higher than the 5% increase approved in 2022 because of the leaks after the pipes began to thaw.

The town itself was the victim of an emergency water leak at the corner of Northwest First and Boney streets, across from the town park near the edge of State Street. Parker said if the leak had been another 3 or 4 feet, they would have had to contact the state and shut down the road.

The leak was caused when a joint had pulled apart. The board approved an expenditure of $10,595 to A.C. Schultes of Carolina for emergency repairs to stop the leak.

The busted pipes in town will not only a ect town citizens’ bills, if they were the victim of a busted pipe, but the town itself will likely be hit with a hefty bill as well. According to Parker, the town normally uses about 50,000 gallons of water a day. Because of busted pipes and the joint damage near the park, the town’s water usage increased to 180,000 gallons a day for a few days following the snowstorm.

In other business, local developers Chad Lambert and Robert Stevens of Bert Properties appeared before the board asking if there had been any progress on drafting speci c rules for the town regarding the construction of townhomes for sale.

Lambert and Stevens revealed plans at last month’s board of commissioners meeting to build a new development in Teachey that would feature single-family homes, as well as townhomes, near the intersection of N.C. Highway 117 and Hunter Street. While the development meets zoning requirements, the rules do not address the speci cs for constructing townhomes that would be built for sale rather than rent.

The board had agreed to discuss the issue at a town board workshop held on Jan. 30. Lambert and Stevens asked if the workshop had resulted in any progress on drafting townhome rules.

“At this point, we’re still trying to develop what the townhome ordinance speci cally would be,” Mayor Bobby Jones responded. “I think we still need more time to really dive into that more speci cally.”

Stevens said the delay in drafting townhome rules is a ecting their company nancially.

“I guess the point being is we’re stuck,” Stevens said. “We as developers or business guys, our business is halted until this gets gured out. I would just hope we understand we’re losing money every day . . . because of the hole in your ordinance.”

After a lengthy discussion, the board agreed to hold another workshop to discuss the issue further on Feb. 27 at noon. They also requested Jacobs reach out to the League of Municipalities

to see if they had someone who could attend the workshop to offer guidance on creating an ordinance a ecting townhomes for sale.

During announcements at the end of the meeting, Jones said the town would be serving as host for the next few meetings of the Duplin County Mayor’s Association, with their rst hosting duties on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Rose Hill Restaurant. They agreed the next meeting of the mayor’s group would be held at the Teachey Fire Department.

It was also announced that the Teachey Spring Fling will be held on March 28 at the town park. The event will feature an Easter egg hunt and free food, in addition to various churches and ministries participation.

Rose Hill meeting rescheduled due to 3 absent commissioners

The town attorney weighed in on remote participation rules for board members

By Mark Grady Duplin Journal

THE ROSE HILL Board of Commissioners found itself in an unusual situation when it came time for their Feb. 10 meeting — they did not have a quorum. Three of the ve commissioners were absent.

Mayor Davy Buckner said two of the commissioners were out of town and would not arrive back in time, while the third had been detained at work. The two commissioners in attendance agreed to reschedule the meeting for Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.

Duplin Journal asked Rose Hill Town Attorney Ken Thompson if it was possible for board members to appear remotely in situations like this one.

“That’s a good question,” Thompson said. “I do know rules regarding board members par-

ticipating remotely were relaxed during COVID, but I believe that may not be the case now.”

Thompson said the concern is that board members appearing remotely may be in uenced in decisions by someone unseen on camera. He also said AI technology has added to the complexity of allowing online participation during town government meetings.

After the failed meeting, Rose Hill Town Administrator Angela Smith sent Duplin Journal a policy approved by the town

board in August 2022 that includes board members attending a meeting via teleconference. The policy allows them to hear and be heard during the meeting, but appearing remotely does not count toward a quorum and limits their participation.

A portion of the policy states, “Per legal opinions, board members who participate remotely can only participate in discussion but cannot vote. Therefore, a ‘remote board member’ cannot serve to achieve a valid quorum number.”

TEACHEY from page A1

In an interview with the Duplin Journal, Stokes said the SBI reacted quickly after being informed of the threats.

“We were concerned just for the fact you had a Superior Court judge being threatened, as well as a candidate for sheri and myself,” Stokes said. “If you go to his Facebook page, apparently he has made some statements in the past, but nothing as explicit as he did Tuesday night (Feb. 10).”

Stokes added that in today’s environment, threats like these cannot be discounted.

“The biggest fear I had, when we were made aware he was making threats, that if something did happen and we had done nothing, it would have been a failure on our part,” he said. “We have to take it seriously.”

Chad Flowers, public information director for the N.C. SBI, said agents were made aware of Tart’s threats from two sources.

Buckner said it was important for the board to meet soon considering some important items on the agenda, including the appropriation of $31,229 for repairs to a gravity sewer line on Charity Road and approval of reconstruction of the sidewalk on the northern side of East Church Street in downtown to improve access to businesses and bring that section into Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The rescheduled meeting is set for Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.

“Our agents were already looking into it,” Flowers said. “The N.C. information sharing system (NCISSAC) monitors social media chatter. So we became aware these threats were being made. That’s an area we have original jurisdiction over. We immediately sprang into action. We made the arrest within 24 hours of the information getting to us.”

In addition to the noti cation from NCISSAC, Stokes’ department had also reached out to the SBI once it learned of the threats.

A review of Tart’s Facebook page showed a collection of posts and references to himself. He listed his job as “the Messiah” and posted several photos of himself. He has at least four other Facebook pages and shares his posts on all the pages.

Flowers said he had also examined Tart’s Facebook account and concluded, “There’s clearly some type of cognitive issues there.”

THE CONVERSATION

Trip

Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Food for thought

In an unexpected way, the monks’ walk may have created community in the places they visited.

IN LARGE CITIES and small towns and at points in between, the Buddhist monks who walked from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., from late October through mid-February were met with curious crowds, respect and gratitude. According to their leader, the walk was intended to help them nd peace and to spread peace, loving-kindness and compassion across the United States. While onlookers along the monks’ route had many di erent reasons for going out to see them, one woman in North Carolina’s Chatham County may have expressed one commonality. She said, “I think it’s what our nation needs, the one thing right now that people can come together about. Everyone’s so divided. We don’t need to be.”

In an unexpected way, the monks’ walk may have created community in the places they visited. Actually, the monks’ message may have resonated with people hungry for community in these di cult times. Let’s hope the feelings stirred by the walk for peace will result in a renewed commitment to community

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

in North Carolina and across the nation.

The purpose of these monthly columns is to re ect on the importance of community from a faith perspective. One way I foster my faith and commitment to making my community stronger is to listen to other voices, especially those which challenge my way of seeing and doing things. For many years I have kept a quote journal in which I jot down sayings from a variety of sources. As I read through the journal from time to time, I am struck by how many of the entries concern the importance of working together to build stronger communities. I’d like to share a few of the notations.

“God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.” — Martin Luther, 16th-century German theologian

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” — Thomas Merton, American Trappist monk

“We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.” — Will Rogers, American social commentator

“Every time I take a step in the direction of generosity, I know I am moving from fear to love.” — Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic priest and theologian

“Before you assume, learn the facts. Before you judge, understand why. Before you hurt someone, feel. Before you speak, think.” — Unattributed

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” — President Theodore Roosevelt

“If you feel pain, you are alive. If you feel other people’s pain, you are a human being.” — Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer

“Ethics is the di erence between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” — Potter Stewart, Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court 1958-1981)

“Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy.” — Unattributed

This is food for thought as you consider your role in making your community better for everyone.

Philip Gladden is a retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister who lives in Wallace, NC. He can be reached at gladdenphilip620@gmail.com.

Je ries and Schumer denounce Trump’s ‘Racist’ video — but who are they to complain?

But Je ries has his own record of “malignant, bottomfeeder-like behavior.”

ON PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s social media platform, someone in the administration — the White House o ered di erent versions of how this happened — posted a 62-second cartoon video set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

This was posted on a Thursday night and, following cries of “racism,” was removed by noon the following day. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the reaction “fake outrage.” Trump said: “I guess during the end of it, there was some kind of picture people don’t like. I wouldn’t like it either, but I didn’t see it. I just, I looked at the rst part, and it was really about voter fraud.”

Asked by a reporter, if he condemns the racist part of the video, Trump said, “Of course I do.”

The video shows Trump’s head attached to a lion con dently strolling through the jungle. Other animals dance as the Trump lion saunters through. On the heads of the other animals are well-known Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former President Joe Biden, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, New York Rep. Alexandria OcasioCortez, House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries and others.

Near the end for about one second, the video showed the heads of former President Barack Obama and former rst lady Michelle Obama on the heads of monkeys. A screenshot of the Barack and Michelle heads on apes went viral. That Biden’s face was on that of a banana-eating orangutan did not seem to disturb anyone.

The outrage was predictable. “Racist”

Donald Trump strikes again! Those crying out included Je ries and Schumer. Je ries said, “He de nitively needs to apologize. It was a disgusting video ... even a handful of Republicans ... nally showed some backbone in pushing back against the president’s malignant, bottom-feeder-like behavior.”

But Je ries has his own record of “malignant, bottom-feeder-like behavior.” As a college student, Je ries praised two of the country’s most prominent antisemites: his uncle and City College of New York professor Leonard Je ries — who compared Jews to “dogs” and “skunks,” and claimed “rich Jews nanced the slave trade — and Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan, who has a decadeslong record of antisemitism.

Hakeem Je ries has long insisted he only “vaguely remembers” defending them. But in 2023, CNN reported the Binghamton University Black Student Union, of which he was a leader, invited Uncle Leonard to speak. When Jewish students protested, Hakeem Je ries “led a press conference” to defend his uncle, despite later saying that “he did not recall any press coverage” of the controversy. CNN said Hakeem Je ries’ 1992 op-ed undermines claims he wasn’t aware of uncle’s antisemitic controversy. He wrote that his uncle challenges the “existing white supremacist educational system and long-standing distortion of history. His reward has been a media lynching complete with character assassinations and in ammatory, erroneous accusations.”

In a research paper called “Dr. Je ries and the Anti-Semitic Branch of the Afrocentrism Movement,” Kenneth Stern

with the American Jewish Committee wrote, “Leonard Je ries was already known for his teaching that blacks are racially superior to whites because blacks, whom he calls ‘sun people,’ have more melanin in their skin than whites, whom he calls ‘ice people.’” But Hakeem Je ries defended his uncle.

After this CNN report, the Republican Jewish Coalition said, “Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries owes the Jewish community an explanation as to why he lied and attempted to cover up his defense of these revolting antisemites.”

At the time, Hakeem Je ries also described black conservatives as “token,” “opportunists” and “house negroes.” He wrote, “Clarence Thomas was appointed by George Bush to the highest court in the nation. Colin Powell was appointed by George Bush to lead the military establishment ‘policemen of the Wall Street Bankers.’” As for Schumer, he called the video “racist. Vile. Abhorrent.” Yet, in 1974, the then-freshman New York assemblyman proposed a blatantly racist scheme to appease whites by ridding blacks from their New York neighborhood. Read the 2006 “American Spectator” article “Race to the Top” by a writer who was present when Schumer outlined his plan.

Democrats and the media, who lick their chops to pounce on “racist” Trump, are silent about Je ries’ record of antisemitism and indi erent about the allegations of Schumer’s anti-black racism.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Faison Board backs after-school program with bus purchases

Transportation changes aim to save money and expand services

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

FAISON — Much-needed changes are coming for Faison’s Park and Recreation following decisions made by the town board at their February meeting.

Exterior access doors were damaged, and the town board approved $3,654.66 to replace them with new doors accessed through a key fob access system. This new system will make it possible to allow access without hired sta — a move that is expected to save the town money. An $84 annual cost for the service operating the doors was also approved.

The after-school program at Faison’s Park and Recreation has been in jeopardy due to a change in available transportation. The school bus system had been transporting enrolled children directly to the program from school, but it can no longer do that. As a result, two town employees have been making trips back and forth in smaller vehicles to transport the children. The town board discussed purchasing retired school buses to solve the problem.

“We have to learn to take care of ourselves. This is our responsibility, and we have to nd a way,” Executive Administrator Jimmy Tyndall said. “The after-school program is very needed. We started with 12 kids, and we can continue to grow. I believe the bus system will increase our visibility and help it grow organically.”

Town Clerk Sharon Lee shared data concerning the net pro t that the program is making for the town.

“The after-school program is really the only revenue that has exceeded the same time last year; it is making money,” Lee said.

With a net pro t of $50,000 from the program, the board

approved the purchase of two retired buses estimated at $7,000 and a $5,000 annual increase to the town’s insurance.

A citizen and former bus driver, B.J.Braswell, was approved to bus kids to the program using the town’s vehicles until the end of the school year. Meanwhile, the town will be purchasing and getting their own buses operational and ready for use by the start of the 2026-27 school year. Both buses will operate on a rotating schedule.

Sheridan Talton, a citizen with a CDL, o ered to help be a driver as needed while town employees work to get proper bus endorsements and/or secure a permanent bus driver. The board approved a budget amendment to move funds to make the bus purchase possible.

In other business, salary ranges were adjusted for all new town employees. The new approved rates range from $12 to $27 per hour based on position and experience.

The board also approved sending a letter to the state responding to a nancial performance indicators audit. Certicates of deposit due for renewal at United Bank earned $33,000

in interest. The board agreed to renew the CDs with the interest added to the principals to keep the accounts growing.

The board went into closed session to discuss personnel matters. Upon returning to open session, members approved appointing Kelly Parks of Seven Springs as town clerk.

“We have had several people apply for this position, and we feel like we have found one that we think ts what we need,” Commissioner Sandy McCarty said. Parks will start at $24 an hour. She is lling the position held by Lee, who is set to retire at the end of March. Lee will help mentor and train Parks in the role.

Lastly, McCarty shared that the re department responded to 40 calls in January, including 21 medical calls and four structure res. The board also discussed committee activity and said the Cemetery Committee needs additional members. Residents were invited to participate in an upcoming F.I.G. meeting to assist with future planning. The next major event for Faison is the Farmers Parade scheduled for March 14.

street system. Construction could begin within a few months pending agency approvals.

“I think you will have more potential users with smaller buildings,” Wickline said.

Summerlin said research early in the projects pointed to 30,000 square feet as the “sweet spot of need” for most businesses.

Mayor Hutch Jones and the commissioners said they want East Park included in any remaining spending. Summerlin was receptive but said there is a complication: The town owns the East Park land, and all of the industrial projects funded so far have been on county-owned property. That could a ect whether the site quali es for the same dollars.

Still, Summerlin said the county could help in other ways, such as building signage and marketing the property.

“The county is here to help any way possible,” he said.

A ordable housing approved

In a separate public hearing, the board approved a rezoning of ve acres along East Park Drive for a new multifamily housing community called Meadow Villas.

Chris Whaley, a representative of Tidewater Association, said the development would include one-, two- and three-bedroom units along with community buildings, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Rent would range from $540 for a one-bedroom to $886 for a three-bedroom, based on the area’s median income.

“Providing additional a ordable housing other than single-family homes helps the long-term goal of industry growth for the town,” Whaley said.

No one spoke against the proposal, and the board approved the rezoning unanimously. The board also formally adopted East Park Drive into the town’s

Other business

The board awarded a contract to East Coast Environmental, the lowest bidder, for asbestos services tied to the Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization housing restoration project. It also approved a request to allow Colliers Engineering to help administer the town’s Urban Tree Grant.

New appointments were approved to the Tree Advisory Board — Commissioners Wickline and Russ Lanier, along with Rebecca Brown, Saundra Miller and Marcia Jones — and Gwen Mercer was appointed to the Zoning Board.

The board passed resolutions approving the 2024 Local Water Supply Plan and the Sampson Duplin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Public Works reported 2.8 inches of rain in January and average daily water usage of 152,000 gallons. The town has begun accepting bids on engineering upgrades at its wastewater plant.

Police Chief Karl Mobley reported fewer calls in January and said the department has lled its last full-time vacancy.

Town Manager Lori Williams announced the chamber banquet will be held Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. A drive-thru public shredding event is set for 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 28, and the next bulk trash pickup is March 25.

Williams said the town’s Facebook page views have increased more than 358% since July 2025, crediting contractor Tracy Sanderson. The town is also interviewing for a part-time position and hopes to make a hire by March.

The board went into closed session to discuss economic development.

under

of a

Rose Hill hosts Night to Shine prom for guests with special needs

Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted locally by volunteers from Poston Baptist Church in Wallace, featured a full evening of dinner, games, karaoke, a red carpet crowning ceremony and a re truck parade through town.

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL — The Charity Mission Center was transformed into a prom venue Friday night for the annual Night to Shine, a formal event for people with special needs age 14 and older.

The event, organized by the

Guests began checking in at 4:30 p.m. to get their hair and makeup done, shoes shined and ties tied. Each guest received a lanyard with their name and information about their interests, and was paired with a buddy to help navigate the evening. A dinner of chicken tenders and sides was served around

5 p.m., with game and karaoke rooms open throughout the night. Guests played bingo and giant Connect Four, and took turns singing karaoke.

The red carpet began around 6 p.m., when every guest was crowned king or queen in a ceremony meant to honor “the way God sees them each and every day,” according to the Tim Tebow Foundation’s website. Guests were then introduced based on the information on their lanyards and given their moment to walk the carpet.

Some struck theatrical poses to loud cheers, while others of-

“There is one person whose love for them outshines all the glitz of Night to Shine — the Godof the

Tim Tebow

fered quiet waves. Organizers announced each guest’s sensory needs so the audience could respond appropriately. After the ceremony, some

guests hit the dance oor while others boarded party buses for a police-escorted parade through town. Fourteen re departments lined up behind the re station near the World’s Largest Frying Pan, forming a tunnel of ashing lights as the buses passed through.

The evening wound down with a recorded message from Tim Tebow and his wife, Demi, who welcomed guests and expressed their love for the attendees.

“There is one person whose love for them outshines all the glitz of Night to Shine — the God of the universe,” Tebow said in the recorded message. He also extended a Gospel invitation, followed by a prayer from a local pastor. The night ended with a few more songs on the dance oor and gifts for guests on their way out.

WRH all but shut down

JK’s Kentrell Morrisey, who fouled out, to split the regular season series with its longtime rival.

DUPLIN SPORTS Tigers tamed by Goldsboro, thwart Bulldogs

’Dawgs defend their pound

“It was a tremendous win and a great basketball game.”

Dustin Squibb, WRH head coach

WRH rallied from a double-digit de cit to beat JK and nab the No. 2 seed in Swine Valley Conference Tournament

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Senior point guard Jamari Carr was having one of the best games of his career on Feb. 13 against archrival James Kenan.

That is until he was ejected for an altercation with Tiger forward Kentrell Morrisey. Carr’s classmates picked up the slack on Senior Night, and so did freshman Kayden

Keith and sophomore Raquan McCrimmon.

And in a way all seven Wallace-Rose players who scored made signi cant contributions that led to a 66-64 come-frombehind win on Steve Robinson Court that took the No. 2 seed in the Swine Valley Conference from James Kenan (15-4, 9-3).

“It was a tremendous win and a great basketball game,” said WRH rst-year head coach Dustin Squibb of his team’s rst signi cant win during a season in which wins often came without the Bulldogs (17-4, 9-3) playing at the top of their game.

“I didn’t say it, but someone pointed out that this was one of the best wins for our program

in a number of years. And we responded in a great way to adversity.”

It was indeed a classic as WRH rallied from a 12-point second-quarter de cit.

Darrius McCrimmon hit a 3-pointer with 49 seconds remaining, and Matthew Wells and Keith combined for three free throws in the nal 36 seconds, though it still took two defensive stands in the nal 26 to secure the win.

McCrimmon hit a bomb to tie it at 63-63, and Wells added two charity tosses after CJ Hill missed a one-and-one.

JK’s Jeremiah Hall, who had ice in his veins after JK lost its

See WRH-JK, page B2

JK might have a rematch with both Goldsboro and WRH in the Swine Valley Conference Tournament

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — The top three teams in the Swine Valley Conference are in di erent “leagues.”

That fact came to the surface last week when champion Goldsboro (21-2, 12-0) made humbled pie out of JK in Warsaw, 45-24, and a day later when the second-place Tigers (16-3, 10-2) put a 40-22 whipping on third-place Wallace-Rose Hill (15-9, 8-4).

Goldsboro swept the series against JK, and the Tigers did the same to WRH. None of the threesome lost to Midway, Princeton, Rosewood or Spring Creek, who have a combined record of 16 - 66. It creates growing pains for JK, which doesn’t appear to be on Goldsboro’s level, and for WRH, which is vastly improved but not on the same step as the Tigers.

Scarlett heading to NC A&T; Brown, Baker pick Barton

PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Christian Scarlett (NC A&T), sitting from left, Aspen Brown and Jeremiah Baker (Barton) sign to play football in college while anked by Kayla Boney, standing from left, WRH football coach Kevin Motsinger, Nikita and Lowinelyn McGee, and Danielle Baker and Lydell Nixon.

WRH’s Christian Scarlett, Aspen Brown and Jeremiah Baker will stay in-state to play college football

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Opportunities to play college football are rare, and according to the NCAA, only 7% of all prep players make it to college. Less than 2% put on Division I gear, while 2% reach the Division II level.

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Christian Scarlett, Aspen Brown and Jeremiah Baker are among the cho-

sen ones from the graduating class of 2026.

Scarlett will suit up for NC A&T, a DI school in Greensboro, while Brown and Baker will migrate together to Barton, a DII school where former Bulldogs running back Corbin Kerr is attending. They bring the number of college signees for WRH to four. Late last season, Duplin County’s Mr. Football, Jamarae Lamb, turned down a handful of DI offers to play at DII Lenoir-Rhyne and enrolled in its spring classes.

“Nick Saban says it takes what it takes, and all three of these guys made the right decisions and worked to do what it took to sit at this table,” said WRH

head coach Kevin Motsinger, who guided a handful of running backs into the DI ranks since taking over in 2017. “And you three had people in your lives that loved and cared for you.”

All three had di erent paths to their signing day.

Scarlett, a 6-foot-4, 350-pound o ensive lineman, is perhaps the most well known of the threesome.

“He was a teddy bear when he rst arrived, having never played the game and completely uncoached,” Motsinger said. “He got in the weight room and invested in himself. He changed his mindset as the

See SCARLETT, page B3

OF THE WEEK

ATHLETE

SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Matthew Wells

Wallace-Rose

Hill, boys’ basketball

Matthew Wells is nishing o his prep career on a high note.

Wells, who is averaging 15 points and 7.8 rebounds, has shifted into high gear for the tail end of his senior season.

He’s averaged 1.7 points and 9.4 rebounds in his last six games, which included a key 66-64 win over James Kenan on Senior Night in Teachey when he scored 15 and connected on two game-winning free throws with 36 seconds to play.

He’s hit double gures in the past 14 games and 18 times in 21 outings.

Wells paced the Bulldogs in scoring last season at 11.6 and was third in that category as a sophomore with 7.4 markers.

He played his freshman season (3.2 points per game) with his brother Luke (8.5), who graduated in 2023.

Two weeks ago, Wells signed to play basketball at the University of Mount Olive.

Panthers, Rebels on revenge tours in conference tournaments

ED is looking to avenge two losses to unbeaten Clinton, while ND seeks wins in rematches against the Leopards and Gators

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — One big knock against conference tournaments is when teams play for the third time and it’s often the same predictable result.

Regular season records are meaningless during the postseason, as the Panthers (17-6, 8-2) and Rebels (16-6) seek revenge against their league foes in the East Central Conference and Carolina Conference tournaments, respectively.

Both schools lost late loop games that prevented them from claiming regular season titles.

ED fell to unbeaten and No. 1 Clinton, while ND lost to Lakewood and also had pair of setbacks to East Columbus, the CC’s top tournament seed.

Yet both played well enough over the course of the season to feel it wouldn’t be a big upset to capture tourney titles on Friday.

Both enter as defending conference tournament champions.

Panthers look to shore up defense

ED had impressive early wins against four larger schools — Jacksonville, Ashley, C.B. Aycock and Croatan (twice) — to give the Panthers an RPI boost.

They gave Clinton everything it wanted during a 51-47 loss in Beulaville on Jan. 20 in a game in which Ms. Basketball Kinsey Cave was sidelined with an ankle injury.

ED fell to the Dark Horses 48-37 on Feb. 6 in Clinton with Cave. The game came after students returned to campus following a snowstorm that canceled in-school teaching for four days.

Clinton (22-0) has steamrolled its way to the top seed, though not having as competitive a schedule as the Panthers.

The Dark Horses await the winner of No. 4 South Lenoir (2-15) and No. 5 Southwest Onslow, while No. 2 ED are in line for a date against the survivor of No. 3 Trask and No. 6 Pender.

The nal is Friday, and nearly everyone is expecting to see the Dark Horses and Panthers play for a third time.

Rubi Davilla (13.3 points per

from page B1

top scorers to fouls — Zamarion Smith and Morrisey — missed a close shot with 26.5 seconds to play and then two free throws with 10.1 seconds remaining.

WRH surrounded him in the paint to gain possession of the ball. Keith canned one of his two free throws with 7.7 seconds to play. CJ Hill, who scored 24 points, missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The game was intense from start to nish, yet especially in the fourth quarter as the two schools entered the nal eight minutes of play knotted at 48-all.

Zamarion Smith canned two free throws and Wells and JK’s Jeremy Hall traded 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.

Five seconds later, Zamarion Smith is on the bench with ve fouls. Hill followed with a trey of his own to give JK a 56-51 lead, but Aspen Brown and Keith each came up with baskets that tied it up. Another charity toss and hoop by CJ Hill gave JK its nal lead at 61-58.

Morrisey, who did not score a point in the second half, was forced to the bench with ve fouls after Wells cut the margin to 61-60, Hall’s two free throws o his drive into the lane gave JK a three-point edge and seemingly put them in the driver’s seat

game), Phoenix Everett (11.2), Ciara Stuart (10.0) and Jianna Pickett (8.2) have been the ammunition that has Clinton averaging 60.5 points.

ED’s 47.3-point o ense is led by Cave (14.9) and Zoe Cavanaugh (7.4), with Zakoya Farrior (6.1), Bennett Holley (6.2), Lorena Rodriguez (6.1) and Andraia Scarborough (6.0). combining for more than 24 markers.

Simply put, ED will have to rely on its defense, a trademark of teams coached by Mark Lane.

The Panthers stormed past Trask (57-17), Pender (57-20) and South Lenoir (62-20) last week following its heartbreaking loss to Clinton in a game that was close until the end.

Cave netted one less point (17) than Trask, while Cavanaugh had 14 and Holley 12. ED scored the rst 27 points.

A day later, Cave tossed in 20 and had six rebounds, three assists and three steals against the Patriots. Holley added 12, Farrior eight and six steals, and Scarborough six markers and 10 rebounds.

A 20-6 run helped the Panthers separate quickly from the Blue Devils. Cave and Farrior combined for 32, while Scarborough had seven and 11 boards.

Limiting scoring of McKoy key for Rebels

No. 3 ND will have a fresh memory of its possible seminal opponent Lakewood after the Leopards won a 51-42 contest last Friday.

ND plays No. 6 West Columbus (2-16) in the rst round, while No. 2 Lakewood (15-7) faces No. 7 Hobbton (0-12). The winners square o two days later.

No. 1 East Columbus (15-5) waits in the other semi nal for

to its second win over WRH this season.

“We didn’t give up and played it to the end,” Squibb said. “Our young guys — Raquan and Kayden — gave us a lift, and our seniors never gave in. We did a lot of scrambling in the fourth quarter.”

Wells and Keith each tallied 15 points, while Jamari Carr had 10, Darrius McCrimmon eight and his sophomore brother Raquan nine, which included a pair of 3-pointers. Hall scored 16, Zamarion Smith 11 and Morrisey nine for JK.

WRH won for the fth consecutive time and passed JK in the RPI for 3A to earn the second seed in the Swine Valley tournament.

Morrisey scored all but three of his points in the rst quarter when it looked like WRH would not have an answer for his inside quickness. But the Bulldogs hung in there and used a Keith trey to tie it at 1515 entering the second quarter.

Baskets by Smith, Morrisey and a conventional 3-point play by Hill gave JK a 30-20 lead before two baskets by Raquan McCrimmon and a free throw by Jawon Carr made it 33-25 at halftime.

WRH and JK will likely play again in the Swine Valley seminals in Goldsboro. Expect the No. 1 Cougars to be there as well — and in all probability, in the nals on Feb. 20.

Andraia Scarborough is averaging 8.4 rebounds for ED, which will likely play unbeaten Clinton for a third time on Friday in the ECC Tournament nals.

the winner between No. 4 East Bladen (17-6) and No. 5 Union (10-12).

ND split two games against the Gators and Eagles and swept the Spartans.

The nals are Friday at Union High School.

ND lost the second seed to Lakewood as Leopard Areona McKoy took over when Lilly Fulghum, the Rebels’ point guard and second-leading scorer, fouled out at the 6:40 mark of the fourth quarter.

McKoy scored 15 of her game-high 24 points in the second half.

Fulghum held McKoy to seven points Jan. 20 when ND nipped Lakewood 45-42 in Roseboro.

Abbey Rose ripped the nets for 19, with Fulghum and Brown notching 10 apiece. Trinity Bell’s 13 were also a key for the Leopards.

Down 35-20 when ND’s lone senior was forced to the bench, the Rebels held serve as long as they could.

Brown and Norris nailed jumpers, and Rose had two layups and a runner in the lane as ND trailed 44-42 with 1:48 to play.

But Lakewood scored thenal seven points of the game, all via free throws.

Fulghum nal bucket gave ND a 30-24 edge with about four minutes to play in the third quarter. When she went to the bench after her fourth foul, Areona scored seven points during a 9-0 run that gave Lakewood a 33-30 lead it would never relinquish.

Rose and Fulghum combined for all but four of ND’s points by halftime as the two schools were tied at 16-16, which came right after Fulghum’s reverse layup.

One night earlier, Goldsboro beat JK 58-46 as Seven Pounds scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

JK was having a hard time covering the Cougars three big men in the paint and used an 18-5 blitz in the second quarter to go in front 35-20

The lead was 41-21 before JK hustled its way to a 19-2 run to trail 43-40 following a Hall layup.

But JK post David Zeleya fouled out 32 seconds later as the Tigers lost a key defensive starter who is undersized but not usually outworked in the paint.

Morrisey had three key baskets during the streak after being largely absent in the rst half as the Cougars controlled action in front of the basket. Goldsboro scored 10 of the game’s next 12 points.

JK whipped Princeton 5646 to start the week as Hill tossed in 15, Smith 14, Zeleya 10 and Eli Avent seven, which included a pair of 3-pointers. WRH had wins over Rosewood and Midway.

Wells scored 19, Keith 13, Jamari Carr nine and Darrius McCrimmon and Dawon Carr seven markers apiece during a 61-47 triumph over Rosewood in Goldsboro.

Wells tallied his second-highest output of the season (26) when WRH dropkicked the Raiders 73-54. Keith zoomed in 13 and Darrius McCrimmon 11.

Crusaders avenge 2 losses during run to Coastal Plain Tournament title

Harrells Christian knocked o No. 1 Green eld and No. 2 Wayne Country Day to win the Coastal Plain 2A/3A Conference ag

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

HARRELLS — When the 3-pointers began to fall, so did Green eld School.

It was an aspect of Harrells Christian Academy’s o ense that wasn’t present in two previous losses to the Wilson-based school that is the No. 1 seed in the NSICAA’s 2A bracket.

Dashaun McKoy scored 29 points and cousin Antonio McKoy 20, and both had 10 rebounds during the Crusaders’ 76-67 semi nal win over the Spartans.

Senior Josiah Crumpler swished a pair of treys, and classmate Collin Cole added a bomb as HCA got somewhat unexpected outside production to support the work of the McKoys and center Amir Moore, who tossed in 13 points and had seven boards.

The McKoys were a combined 17 of 31 from the eld and 14 of 20 from the free-throw line.

“Players stepped up to make shots, and Green eld had to respect that,” said HCA head coach Clayton Hall. “That really opened up the oor and made it hard for them to guard us.”

HCA roared to a 16-5 lead, was in front 29-14 at halftime and led by as much as 20 points in the third quarter.

J’Kaeshi Brunson had ve points and four assists but more importantly held Kobe Edwards to ve points. Edwards is being courted by several Division I colleges (Illinois, Elon, LSU, Mississippi). He entered the night averaging 23.2 points.

“Just incredible defense by J’Kaeshi,” Hall said. “And a great team e ort.”

Harrells Christian Academy has won more than 20 games in each of the past four seasons and last week captured the Coastal Plain 2A/3A Conference Tournament.

Green eld beat HCA 71-63 on Jan. 9 and 64-47 on Jan. 30. No. 3 HCA (26-7) then gunned down Wayne Country Day 68-41 with even more long-range shooting, hitting 7 of 12 (58%) from beyond the arc.

Cole hit four bombs, while reserve Demetrius Jones and the McKoys each added a 3-pointer. HCA connected on 58% of its other shots from the eld.

The Crusaders held the Chargers (24-10) to less than 10 points in each of the rst three quarters, bumping their way to 21-9, 25-15 and 44-22 leads.

HCA fell to Wayne Country 68-46 on Feb. 5 in Goldsboro.

“It was nice redemption,” Hall said. “They made open shots the rst time. It was denitely a tough way to win it all, as we lost the toss for the No. 2 seed as a little incentive.”

Western Carolina signee Antonio McKoy pumped in 32 points, his 13th game with 30 or more this season. He’s averaging 27.8 points and 1.4 rebounds this winter.

Dashaun McKoy added 13.

Both were on point when HCA throttled Parrott 77-47

in the rst round as Dashaun McKoy netted 28 and Antonio McKoy 26. Moore and Jeremiah Davis each had seven markers and combined for 16 boards.

HCA nabbed the sixth seed in the 2A playo s and will open up in Harrells against Epiphany (7-13) early this week. The survivor plays the winner of Liberty Christian (7-13) and Freedom Christian (16-16).

Then things get interesting as No. 3 Burlington would likely be HCA’s third-round foe. Burlington eliminated HCA 53-48 in the 2A semi nals last winter before falling to Caldwell Academy, who is the second seed this season.

The finals are Feb. 21 in Burlington.

“I like where we are sitting,” Hall said. “We’re in a good position and con dent after winning the conference title.”

Panthers look for third encounter with Blue Devils

A win wasn’t far from the ngertips of East Duplin last Friday in Beulaville.

Yet even a 43-37 loss to ECC-winning South Lenoir

SCARLETT from page B1

work changed him as a player.”

The Aggies are in a rebuilding mode. They have gone 17-39 the past ve seasons from after the COVID-19 pandemic, yet were 49-11 from 2015-19 as one of the most highly ranked HBCUs in the nation. They won the HBCU national championships in 2015 and are often referred to as an HBCU “blue blood.”

Pro Football Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea (1968-77), an eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end is the school’s most accomplished player. He played for the Houston Oilers from 1968-82.

“Playing against our defense and Miami (all-Duplin defensive end Adrian Allen) made me a better,” Scarlett said. “Coach Mot and our coaches always got me through tough times. It was an honor to be a Bulldog. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.” Brown, a 6-2, 216-pounder, is a two-sport player at WRH and second on the

(15 -7, 9-1) gives the No. 2 Panthers reason to believe they can take down the Blue Devils on Friday in the league’s tournament nal.

ED (9-11, 6-4) and other league teams have seemingly closed the gap on South Lenoir, who won its rst league title in 20 years.

Dominick Hall scored 19 points, DJ Davis eight and Zack Ball six. An increased condence level might come knowing the Blue Devils have won a lot of games, but most of them were competitive contests.

ED has won ve of its last eight, and while that may not sound impressive, the streak comes after three consecutive losses to Duplin County foes. The Panthers also started slowly, dropping its rst ve games to start the season.

The Panthers face the winner of No. 3 Trask (14-8, 6-4) and No. 6 Pender (0-10, 0-18) in the semi nals Feb. 18 to reach South Lenoir, which will have to conquer the winner of No. 4 Southwest Onslow (10-13, 6-4 and No. 5 Clinton (10-11, 3-7), in the Feb. 20 nal.

Junior Nick Hall had 11

“It was an honor to be a Bulldog. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.”

Christian Scarlett, WRH senior

17-4 Bulldogs basketball team in rebounds.

“His body started to change between his sophomore and junior year and junior and senior season, and that’s when he had gains” Motsinger said. “He put in the work.”

Baker, though, is heading to Barton after a knee injury forced him to forfeit his senior season. It was a huge loss when he went down in WRH’s second scrimmage. The Bulldogs had an emerging and powerful D-line and needed Baker as an inside linebacker.

“I felt a pop,” said Baker, who moved to WRH from Tex-

points, Ball eight, and DJ Davis and Dominick Hall seven apiece as ED crushed Trask 59 -39 last week. Ball and Dominic Hall combined for 23 in the road win over Pender.

Rebels drop another heartbreaker to Vikings Heartbreak on the basketball court might be de ned as losing on a last-second, game-winning shot.

West Columbus’ Garry Brown’s layup with 2.2 seconds left sent his team past North Duplin 50-49 early last week in a key Carolina Conference affair in Calypso.

Jae’lyn Ingram’s basket with 12 seconds remaining gave the Rebels (12-9, 8-4) a 49-48 lead.

The win allowed WC (11-11, 9-3) to share the league title with East Columbus (11-9, 9-3). Ingram, a sophomore, nished with 18, while classmate Messiah Cooper added 13.

ND rallied from a 35-24 decit late in the third quarter behind its sophomores and assistance from senior Carell Phillips and Quan Stevens.

An Ingram hoop tied it and Cooper’s layup gave ND a lead at the 44-42 lead after a 14-1 run.

Ingram gave the Rebels another lead at 45-42 following a pair of charity tosses.

Carell fouled out of the game with about ve minutes to play to put a dent in ND’s defense.

The irony of the loss couldn’t have been any clearer as ND lost to the Vikings by the same score on Jan. 16 in Cerra Gordo.

ND rebounded to bounce Lakewood 59-53 after opening the week with a 70-59 triumph over Hobbton as Ingram scored a season-high 33 points. The No. 3 Rebels face the No. 6 Leopards in the rst round of the Carolina Conference Tournament.

Yet ND will likely get a third shot at West Columbus in the league semi nals should the No. 2 Vikings beat No. 7 Union (4-17, 2-10). Should ND make it to thenal, it will likely face No. 1 East Columbus. The two schools split a pair of games during the regular season.

as when he was in the sixth grade. “I was a coach’s helper all year and coached my backup (Azaryon Clibbon) the entire season.”

Motsinger said the unusual opportunity for Baker isn’t something that happens regularly.

“Life and opportunities in it are precious. This kid didn’t play a down last season and would have made a di erence for us, and (he) still nds his way to Barton.”

Baker said he plans to make the most of his chances in Rocky Mount.

Barton is 22-35 since bringing back the sport in 2021 after a 71-year hiatus. East Duplin’s Kade Kennedy (2022 grad from the 2A-winning title team) played on last year’s squad, as did former James Kenan o ensive lineman Maki Merriman and Richlands’ wide receiver Lenny Halfter-Hunter. Kerr was redshirted because of an injury.

Curling stones are prepared ahead of a men’s curling round robin session at the

Pots,

mop buckets, even

babies:

Anything can be a curling stone if you get

creative

By Julia Frankel and Steve Douglas

The Associated Press

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Dig out your squidgy mop, a few pots and pans — or a robotic vacuum if you have one — and a pair of slippers.

It’s curling time!

Social media has been ablaze with people deploying common household wares to mimic what the world’s top curlers are doing at the Winter Olympics.

“Every four years, it blows up,” American curler Tara Peterson said. “Everyone’s like, ‘We want to do it,’ and then, yes, they get creative with things, so it’s awesome.”

Creative is perhaps an understatement. In one video, two jacketed adults push a baby in a car seat across the ice, chest-bumping in glee. In another, popular Swedish comedian Mans Moller dons a wig a la Isabella Wrana, the Swedish mixed doubles champion, and slides pans into other pans, screaming “CUUUURL!” (Bonus points: He’s outside, like the olden days of curling.)

Then there are the Italian nonnas in the country’s southern Puglia region pushing a silver pot along a stony courtyard, sweeping with broomsticks. Or the hair salon in the Swedish city of Sundsvall, where a stylist hurls hair products toward her colleague. She screams “Curl!” and looks frustrated when the colleague approaches with a — wait for it — curling iron.

Despite such valiant attempts by the public, curlers say you really do need some specialized equipment to do the sport properly (along with a sheet of pebbled ice).

Put on your curling shoes

You can’t use your normal sneakers to go curling. You’ll just slip a lot on the ice. Instead, you’ll need specialist curling shoes that have grips either built into the soles or those that can be strapped on.

Costs vary, but Swedish curler Johanna Heldin said you can pay up to around $700 for them.

“Every four years, it blows up.”

American curler Tara Peterson

Styles vary, too. While most curlers at the Olympics are wearing plain black curling shoes, some have a more casual look — like Taylor Anderson-Heide of the United States, who has donned white, sneaker-style shoes in Cortina.

Sweeping left, sweeping right

Despite sharing the same name, curling brooms and cleaning brooms are very di erent.

Curling brooms swap carbon ber for the wooden or plastic rods typical of household brooms. Nylon pads replace straw bristles. Olympic-level models will set you back around $200-$250, Peterson said.

Broom lightness directly correlates to a curler’s control over a stone’s speed and trajectory. The lighter the broom, the quicker the sweep and the faster the melting of ice pebbles that make up a curling sheet.

In fact, sweeping technology has actually grown so advanced that certain models have been banned from competition. That’s what led to the “Broomgate” scandal, which rocked the curling world beginning in 2015.

Curlers began debuting high-tech brooms that gave sweepers so much control over the stone that the skill of the thrower failed to matter. Those kinds of brooms were then barred from competition by World Curling, which now maintains strict parameters on what kinds of brooms are allowed.

Rock ’n’ roll

The homegrown curling seen on social media makes one thing clear: To the public, anything can be a curling stone.

Even if pots, pans, hair products — and even babies — can do the trick in a pinch, they’re nothing like the curling stones on the ice in Cortina.

If you want Olympic-level material, you’ll have to look to the uninhabited isle of Ailsa Cragi, located 10 miles o the coast of Scotland.

All the stones at these Games are made of the super-dense granite from that isle, manufactured by Kays Curling.

The company has a history with the Olympics dating back to the rst winter edition in 1924 in Chamonix, France. The curling competition then was long thought to have been an exhibition event but eventually was con rmed as ocial. The company has continued to make stones for the Games since curling returned as a medal sport in Nagano 1998.

The Town of Beulaville is seeking funding from USDA and the Viable Utilities Unit of DWI for the following projects:

• Potential WWTP upgrades to include improvements to lagoons, bar screens, telemetry system and electrical system.

• Design and construction of new Public Works facility to include fueling station.

• Stormwater repairs and upgrades.

The Town of Beulaville is soliciting requests for quali cations for professional engineering services to assist the Town of Beulaville in the completion of grant/loan applications as well as engineering/administrative services for the completion of the

Duplin County’s two entries will likely play one another for the third time in the league’s conference tournament this week, and one will advance to face the Cougars, a perennial powerful basketball program. JK and WRH are newcomers to the top levels of the 3A classi cation. Yet the gap to the top schools is closer for the Tigers. East Surry (19 -1) has the highest RPI in 3A, followed by Kinston (19-1), Goldsboro (21-2) and JK (16 -3). WRH is 17th and still in the running for a rst-round in the postseason, given to the top eight schools in both the East and West Regions. WRH can rise in the RPI charts with wins in the seminal and nal. JK can do the same with a triumph over Goldsboro. Neither scenario will come easy based on outcomes this winter.

Cougars’ Boyer makes statement for MVP of Swine Valley

The Cougars broke away early behind the play of Aziyah Boyer, a 5-foot-11 post who proved she can dominate the paint and consistently bang jump shots and free throws. The senior scored 17 points, hauled down 18 rebounds and looked every bit like the MVP of the league.

JK’s counter was the play of Y’Anna Rivers, who had 14 points and eight boards, though she got little help from his teammates, as only three other players hit the scoring column.

Aleyah Wilson netted seven and just three rebounds as the Cougars held a 45-15 advantage on the glass.

Second-leading scorer Gabi Outlaw (10.8 points) was held scoreless for the rst time this season.

A 3-pointer by Nieirah Smith (eight points) and pivot move by Boyer put Goldsboro in front early; midway through the rst quarter, it was 15-0. Rivers responded with a pair of baskets, but Foyer answered with two of her own as the Cougars were on automatic drive with a 19-4 lead.

A putback by LaBria McGowan, a trey by Zaniya Brown and two scoring drives by Rivers midway through the third quarter made things a bit interesting at 24-17. But Goldsboro rallied before Boyer’s putback and buzzer-beater.

Down by 11 entering the fourth, it got ugly quick for JK as Goldsboro went on a 7-2 run before Wilson hit a short jumper to trim it to 37-21. Goldsboro scored nine of the nal 12 points to snap the Tigers’ eight-game winning streak.

The Cougars whipped JK 60-49 on Jan. 9 in Goldsboro. Pesky Bulldogs can’t keep pace with Tigers

Tied at 14-14 after a Savannah Smith layup, Rivers and Outlaw were the driving forces when JK took control against WRH midway through the third quarter. Rivers had back-to-back buckets and two charity tosses to give the Tigers a 22-15 lead. Outlaw hit a 3-pointer and two charity tosses and then two fourth quarter bombs as JK went in front 35-15 early in the fourth

It would only get worse for the Bulldogs as Kendia Smith swished a trey to increase the bulge to 43-15 as the Bulldogs tallied a mere seven in thenal quarter.

The ght was real in the opening half, despite JK rushing to a 7-3 rst-quarter edge. The two teams scrambled for shots the rest of the half after Smith nailed another bomb to start the second quarter. It was 9-9 at the extended break.

Emotions ared when WRH’s Jansley Page and JK’s Smith exchanged pushes and looks as the o cials called double-technical fouls.

The Bulldogs season-best four-game winning streak ended. Smith’s 17 were a season high for WRH.

She tossed in 16 a day earlier when the Bulldogs bumped Rosewood 58-15. QuoRyiona Vines added 11 and post Marion Francis seven.

WRH is having its best season since 2015-16 (17-9), while JK is charting its best face since 2012-13 (21-5).

The Town of Beulaville invites submittal of responses to this Request for Quali cations (RFQ) from rms quali ed in the State of North Carolina to perform engineering services to Lori T. Williams, Beulaville Town Manager at 910-298-4647 or lwilliams@ townofbeulaville.com. The above information must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 27, 2026 at the Town of Beulaville, 508 East Main Street, Beulaville, NC 28518.

The Town of Beulaville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites the submission of proposals from minority and women-owned rms.

Doyle Vernon Taylor

March 30, 1959 – Feb. 9, 2026

Warsaw-Doyle Vernon Taylor, 66, of Warsaw, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 9, 2026, at his home. Doyle was born in Wayne County on March 30, 1959, to Charlotte Taylor Henderson and the late John Vernon Taylor.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. Burial will follow in the Devotional Gardens. A visitation will be held on Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. at Community Funeral Home.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Charlotte Taylor Henderson of Jacksonville, daughter, Amanda Jo Taylor of Mt. Olive; son, Matthew Hardison of Smith eld; brother, Johnny Taylor and wife, Karen of Warsaw; sisters, Karen Taylor Nichols and Nick of Warsaw and Dawn Taylor of Warsaw; grandson, Daniel Hardison.

Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his father, John Vernon Taylor.

Edgar Lee Hardy

Feb. 25, 1959 – Feb. 13, 2026

Goldsboro- Mr. Edgar Lee Hardy, age 66, entered a world of eternal peace, free from pain, on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Wilson Medical Center in Wilson, North Carolina. The arrangements are incomplete at this time. The Sta at JB Rhodes Funeral Home & Cremation extends our deepest condolences to the family. Please continue to keep the family in your prayers.

Rhonda Durham

Jan. 8, 1961 – Feb. 8, 2026

Goldsboro- Mrs. Rhonda Durham, age 65, transitioned from this life to life everlasting on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her loving husband. The arrangements are incomplete at this time. We extend our deepest condolences to the family. Please keep the family in your prayers during their time of bereavement.

Joan McDu e Aycock

Oct. 7, 1966 – Feb. 4, 2026

Joan McDu e Aycock, 59, of Faison, NC, entered into eternal rest on February 4, 2026. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Burning Bush Holy Church in Faison, NC. Visitation will be 1-1:50 p.m. (one hour prior to the service). Interment will be in the Cobbs Cemetery, Faison, NC.

Evis Jovany Galvan-Giron

Sept. 21, 1982 – Feb. 15, 2026

Mr. Evis Jovany Galvan-Giron, age 43, of Wallace, NC, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at home.

A visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road, Rose Hill, NC. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 3-7 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at a later date at Cementerio Municipal Sonaguera in Sonaguera, Colón, Honduras.

Donna Kaye Johnson Ellis

Nov. 11, 1955 – Feb. 11, 2026

Warsaw-Donna Kaye Johnson Ellis, 70, of Warsaw, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at her home after an extended illness. Donna was born on November 11, 1955, to the late Edward Daniel Johnson and Doris Rackley Johnson.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Devotional Gardens of Warsaw. The family will receive friends and family at the Ellis home after the graveside service, 1039 Carlton Chapel Church Road, Warsaw, NC.

Donna is survived by Signi cant Other Jimmy Quinn of Pink Hill; son, Christopher Shaun Ellis, daughter, Heather Nicole Melton both of Warsaw; brother, Edward Forest Johnson and Deborah of Magnolia; sister, Beth J. Bathcelor and Danny of Teachey; grandchildren, George Floyd Melton, III, and Haley Dawn Colee; great grandchildren, Bailey Kaye Colee, Gabriel Colee, Lilth Colee, Khole Melton, Levi Holmes, Beau Melton, Harlyn Holmes and Lori Holmes.

In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brother, Fred William Johnson.

Shirley Lee Findlay

Oct. 8, 1937 – Feb. 6, 2026

Mrs. Shirley Lee Findlay, age 88, of Magnolia, NC, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at home.

A visitation of family and friends will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia, NC.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her children: Thomas G. Lee (Nora) of Coats, NC and Patsy Ann Lee of Magnolia, NC; sister, Mavis Bowers of Bronx, NY; four grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren; brother-in-law, George Findlay; a host of other relatives and friends that will miss her dearly.

Larry Donnell McMillan

July 11, 1950 – Feb. 9, 2026

Mr. Larry Donnell McMillan, age 75, of Teachey, NC, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation of Wallace.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia, NC.

Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Emma McMillan of the home; two sons: Kenneth Merritt and Miles Bell, both of Teachey, NC; two step children: Beverly Spearman of Teachey, NC and Angela Clibbons of Burgaw, NC; two brothers: Roy D. McMillan (Therea) of Clayton, NC and Allen D. McMillan of Teachey, NC; sister-in-law, Annie Faye Murphy of Teachey, NC; seven grandchildren; aunt Viann Pigford and uncle Glen Pigford; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends that will miss him dearly.

Nathan Lamont Battle Jr.

April 10, 2006 – Feb. 12, 2026

Goldsboro- Mr. Nathan Lamont Battle Jr., 19, completed his earthly journey and transitioned from labor to reward, Thursday, February 12, 2026, at home surrounded by his loved ones. The arrangements are currently incomplete. Please join us in remembering his family in prayer during their time of bereavement.

William Fred Heath

July 3, 1947 – Feb. 10, 2026

William Fred Heath, better known as Fred or “Mullet”, a lifelong resident of Willard, peacefully retired from this earthly life on February 10, 2026, and was welcomed home by the Lord. He was reunited with his parents, Roy T. Heath and Catherine S. Heath (“Mama Cat”); his sisters Jesn Cunnungham, Barbara Matthews, Laura Cumer, and June Godwin; his brother R.T. Heath; and his nephews Harold Register and Mike Cunningham. Fred is survived by his siblings, Virginia Register of Petersburg, VA; Joe Heath and wife Lisa of Rose Hill; his baby sister, Joy Brown, and husband Ray of Goldsboro. Though Fred never married or had children of his own, he was blessed with 17 nieces and nephews and a large extended family that loved him dearly.

A very special place in his heart belongs to his niece, Jamie Leary, her husband, Daniel, and her sons, James Hardison and Noah Leary. To them, Fred was more than an uncle—he was a steady presence, and a loving father gure whose support and guidance meant the world.

Fred was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. After his military service, he worked at J.P. Stevens before settling into a career as a CDL driver. He later ended his career with Diversi ed Energy of Wallace. Fred also appeared in the 1986 movie “Maximum Overdrive”, though he never made a big deal about it. He never met a stranger and seemed to know everyone in town and the surrounding areas. Fred enjoyed family BBQs, a good cup of grape juice and watching Judge Judy. He brought joy to all who knew him and his absence will be felt beyond measure.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Theodore Roosevelt Bullock Jr.

Aug. 23, 1946 – Feb. 4, 2026

Theodore Roosevelt Bullock Jr., 79, of Browns Summit, NC, passed away February 4, 2026, at the State Veterans Home in Kernersville, NC. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2026, at Greater Six Runs Missionary Baptist Church in Turkey, NC. Public viewing will be 10-10:50 a.m. (one hour prior to the service).

Mr. Bullock will be laid to rest at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC, on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Kim Bordeaux Sr.

March 1, 1959 – Feb. 11, 2026

Kim Bordeaux Sr., 66, of Ivanhoe, NC, passed away February 11, 2026, at his residence. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Snow Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Ivanhoe. Viewing will be from noon to 1 p.m. (one hour prior to the service). Interment following the service at Jumping Run Cemetery in Ivanhoe, NC.

Roy Lee Shivar

Aug. 13, 1950 – Feb. 7, 2026

Roy Lee Shivar, 75, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at his home.

Roy Lee Shivar: A True Original

How can you sum up the 75 years of life that Roy Lee Shivar lived in an obituary?

The answer is: you can’t. But we will try our best. Roy spent many years as the owner and operator of a tractortrailer in addition to working with heavy equipment. He loved working in his garden, listening to Bluegrass, watching old Westerns, and riding his two Harley Davidson motorcycles.

His talents were many, including carpentry, singing, and playing his guitar. He was a lifelong learner, and added new talents and skills throughout his life, including technology. He was so proud of that fact, he dubbed himself “The Google King”. What a character! He was an especially talented storyteller, and his grandchildren loved hearing about his adventures (and mis-adventures) from his decades on the road. His laughter was infectious and will always be in our hearts.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents, E.W. Shivar and Thelma Turner Shivar, brothers Carl W. Shivar, Donald Ray Shivar, and sister Nettie Mae Shivar Wehrhahn.

He is survived by his wife, Kim ‘’Kimbo” Shivar, his daughter, Tonya Shivar Braswell, and his ve grandchildren, D.J. (Jesse), Cameron, Rachel and Emma.

He was so dearly loved and will be terribly missed.

Roy’s generous nature, grit, and adventurous spirit will be a legacy his daughter and grandchildren will gladly carry on. In lieu of owers, please consider quitting smoking in his honor instead or donating to the North Carolina Alliance for Health.

Quitline NC: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) quitlinenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov NC Alliance for Health Donations: ncallianceforhealth.org/donate/

More obituaries on page B6

Robert Kent “Slim” Taylor

June 24, 1964 – Feb. 7, 2026

Beulaville - Robert Kent “Slim” Taylor, 61, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, at his home. Mr. Taylor was born June 24, 1964, in Wayne County, NC, to Robert Taylor and Myra Phipps Taylor. Kent, also a ectionately known as “Slim”, was a die-hard Tar Heels fan.

A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, February 16, 2026, in the Community Funeral Home Chapel, with visitation to follow the service.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his

Sandra Taylor

Aug. 13, 1946 – Feb. 12, 2026

A kind and Christian, gentle soul, a gracious and loving lady, Sandra Martin Taylor, entered the presence of her Heavenly Father on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the age of 79. She was born August 13, 1946, in Mecklenburg County, the daughter of Arlo Gaither Martin and Dorothy Cashion Martin. In addition to her parents, Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Knox Taylor, and sister, Judith Martin Culbreth.

Sandra is survived by her daughter, Anne Taylor Cagwin and her husband, Tim; son, Knox Taylor and his wife, Mollie; grandchildren, Claire Cagwin, Joe Cagwin, Wade Cagwin, Jake Taylor, and Zac Taylor; and many friends.

Sandra was a faithful and active member of Grace Community Church of Topsail, where Sandra requested that memorial donations be given toward the construction of their new church.

Sandra grew up in Newton, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Later, she received a master’s degree from North Carolina A&T. She was an educator and spent most of her career working in the Pender County school system. She taught computer programming and coordinated the career counseling centers at Pender High School and Topsail

loving and devoted wife, Charity C. Taylor of the home; sons, Nicholas Locklear and wife, Celeste, Matthew Hall, Jaron Hall and Harrison Bennett all of Beulaville. daughters, Carrie Taylor of Beulaville, Rachel Pender and husband, Kalvin of Kenansville, Hailey Locklear of Beulaville, Bella Hall of Beulaville; grandchildren, Sara Baines, Maddie Baines, Gabreial Hernandez, Andrew Pender, Sienna Pender, Kai Pender, Jasper Caron-Locklear, Liam Caron- Wilson. Mr. Taylor is also survived by parents, Robert Taylor and Myra Phipps Taylor; brothers, Phillip Taylor of Clinton and Eddie Taylor and wife, Karon of Warsaw; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by daughters, Brandi Taylor and Samantha Taylor and brothers, Rodney Taylor and “John Boy” Taylor. The family is welcoming donations towards funeral expenses. Donations can be made in person at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw or by mail to Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, P. O. Box 336, Warsaw, NC 28398.

High School. She also served as the Director of Career and Technical Education for the entire district, retiring after twenty- ve years. In retirement, Sandra turned her attention to international Christian missions. She loved to travel and minister to people around the world. She visited ten countries as a short-term missionary with the International Messengers organization, participating in evangelistic English language camps, discipleship programs, and ministry training programs. When she was no longer able to travel, she continued a strong teaching and prayer ministry online, encouraging many of the people she had met on her travels. She was an active member of Grace Community Church of Topsail as well.

Sandra also devoted herself to her family, traveling to visit and care for her children and grandchildren, whether near or far. She loved the Lord with all her heart and left her family and friends with a legacy of love, service and vibrant faith.

The Celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Hampstead Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Marshall conducting the service. A reception and time of sharing will follow in the church fellowship hall. Sandra’s family is grateful to Hampstead Baptist Church for sharing their facility for Sandra’s service.

The burial and family graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Burgaw Cemetery, where Sandra will be interred beside her husband, Joseph Knox Taylor.

Flowers are welcome, and anyone desiring to make a memorial gift in Sandra’s honor and memory may do so to Grace Community Church of Topsail, P.O. Box 835, Hampstead, NC 28443, or to International Messenger, 110 Orchard Court, Clear Lake, IA 50428.

The ‘6-7’ craze still going strong at both NBA, college basketball games

LaMelo Ball’s stature sparks the viral phenomenon as fans track speci c scores

By Cli Brunt The Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. — LaMelo Ball has never been more popular, and it’s not because Charlotte’s 6-foot-7 star has the Hornets ghting for a playo spot.

They hype is largely about his height. And Charlotte is trying to take advantage.

Dictionary.com named the term “6-7” its word of the year for 2025, and the global “6-7” craze is still going strong at pro and college basketball games. Young fans, players and coaches eagerly track when teams near 67 points, and pandemonium ensues when their team hits the mark.

The Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are among NBA teams that feature “6-7” cams during timeouts at some games. Seth Bennett, the Hornets’ chief marketing o cer, said Charlotte’s marketing and game presentation teams started discussing a possible “6-7” cam to capitalize on the trend and Ball’s involvement in it.

“For us as a franchise, we always want to listen to our fans, and sometimes you listen to observing what they’re into, their trends and likes, and it’s a way for us to connect to that and hopefully have them connect to us in a fun way when they’re experiencing it here,” Bennett said.

The Hornets’ cam is mostly limited to kids days and weekend games so it doesn’t get old.

Michael Robinson, who attended a game between the Hornets and 76ers with his 6-year- old son, Abel, said it’s nonstop at home.

Abel said he learned about it from his friends and on YouTube.

“It’s just cool,” Abel said. “It’s fun.”

The “6-7” originator can’t believe reach

The origins of the “6-7” boom are Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6-7).” Skrilla leaked the song without much expectation, but it exploded on TikTok last year with basketball players, including Ball and prep standout Taylen Kinney, driving its popularity.

No one is quite sure what 6-7 means, and Skrilla kept it that way when asked for a denition.

“Everybody created their own meaning,” he told The Associated Press. “The teachers created their own meaning. The football teams created their own, the basketball (players). ‘6-7’ is global. It’s bigger than me now. So ‘6-7.’ Shout out to ‘6-7.’”

The nonsensical meme has its own hand gesture, too — ip your palms up, and alternate lifting your arms. Charlotte forward Miles Bridges made the gesture several weeks ago after hitting a 3-pointer against the Indiana Pacers.

Bridges also is 6-foot-7.

“I think that’s the team’s way of having a little fun with LaMelo anytime that they can kind of incorporate that in just to tease him a little bit, and he’s a great sport about it as well,” Bennett said.

“6-7” big on basketball courts everywhere

Fans have been on 67-point watch at games across the country. It seemed to bubble up rst at women’s college games, including at Oklahoma. Now fans there hold up signs handed out by the school. On Dec. 22, the Sooners led North Carolina Central 6429 in the closing seconds of the rst half. When Aaliyah Chavez drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer, fans went wild.

Oklahoma center Raegan Beers said the team enjoyed giving the fans that moment.

“That’s why I love this game (with the kids),” she said. “I know a lot of us love this game here, just to have that energy in the building, and obviously lean into what’s trending at the moment, which is 6-7, whatever that means. And so it was so much fun to have that moment and just let the kids enjoy it.”

Daniel Durbin, director of Southern California’s Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media and Society, attended USC’s women’s basketball game against Rutgers on Feb. 1 and witnessed the phenomenon rst hand. He noted that the DJ even announced the possibility. The Trojans missed two free throws at 66, building the anticipation. When Yakiya Milton made a free throw that pushed the score to 67, the crowd erupted into what Durbin called the loudest cheer of the game.

“Think of all the superstitions fans have during games, rituals that they enact to ‘help’ the team win,” he said. “As fans walk across the street to USC football games, most of them kick the base of a certain lamppost. Why? It makes them part of the game. They are enacting a meaningless ritual many USC fans perform for ‘luck.’”

Adults doing it too

Even the coaches are in on it. On Maryland’s annual Field Trip Day game, Terrapins coach Brenda Frese wore a jersey with the number 67 on it before tipo . LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey did the hand gesture while on the big screen during a win over Morgan State, drawing an eruption from the home crowd and laughter from her players. Mulkey said her grandson got upset with her after a game because LSU skipped 67 points and went straight to 68.

TCU’s women beat Baylor 83-67 on Feb. 12, and Olivia Miles scored 40 points and Marta Suarez scored 27 — a combined 67. With the two at his side in the postgame media session, Horned Frogs coach Mark Campbell got sucked in.

“For a duo, I’ve never been a part of a duo that scored 67 points in one game,” he said.

As Miles did the hand gesture and Suarez laughed, Campbell pointed at Miles and said, “That’s crazy. ‘6-7,’” as he added the hand gesture.

The trend has impacted the game on the court at times too.

After Maryland took a 64-18 lead against Central Connecticut State in December, the Terps attempted ve straight 3-pointers before Yarden Garzon nally made one to give Maryland exactly 67 points.

The craze is perplexing to parents, but Bennett said the Hornets have embraced it to bring joy to young people.

“Overall, it’s been positive,” he said. “No way to make a negative out of something that’s just really nothing attached to it, just fun.”

Durbin said it falls under the long history of arbitrary sports traditions fans have created to feel more connected to the action.

DUPLIN COUNTY TAX FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Parcel 07-3896

Opening

Parcel 11-1559

Opening

Parcel 13-886

Opening

Parcel

Parcel

Opening

Parcel 11-131 Opening

Parcel 09-4238 Opening

Parcel

Parcel 11-1228

Opening Bid $ 4,587.30

Number 24cvd000150-300

Lots 7, 8, & 9 Of Block 26 In The Town Of Rose Hill Located On W South Street

Parcel 08-2435

Opening Bid $ 4,961.33

File Number 25cv001230-300

Approximately 0.29 Of An Acre Located At 377 S NC 111 Hwy

Parcel 11-1863

Opening Bid $ 7,192.74 File Number 24cvd000151-300 Lot 10 Located At 326 Wellstown Road