VOLUME 10 ISSUE 52 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
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 significant 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
REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
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 sheriff, judge
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.
Developer proposes new 170-acre community behind Wallace Walmart
Scholarships applications available
The Bryant Farm development would be on River Road
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 certificate 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 flea 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.
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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
By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal THE WALLACE TOWN Council voted at its Feb. 12 meeting to schedule a public
threatening on Facebook to kill a Superior Court judge and the Duplin County sheriff. Matthew Tart was taken into custody Feb. 11 on two felony charges of threatening an executive, legislative, court or local elected official. The charges stem from threats Tart made against Sheriff Stratton Stokes and Superi-
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
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 sheriff, which resulted
already approved the plans. 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.
Beulaville eyes state funds for East Park, approves affordable housing rezoning 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 leaders 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
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 filed. 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. See PARK, page A5
“The county is here to help any way possible.” Scotty Summerlin, Duplin County Economic Development Commission
in a misdemeanor charge since James does not currently hold office. He also threatened all judges and magistrates in the county on his Facebook page but did not specifically name them. Stokes said more charges could follow after the case is presented to a grand jury. See TEACHEY, page A3
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. 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 See WALLACE, page A2