VOLUME 10 ISSUE 8 | THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Body recovered last month belongs to missing Pink Hill woman Duplin County The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday that the body recovered on March 26 in the area of Burncoat and Jimmy Lee roads is that of Jamie Brooke Kennedy, 34. The announcement was made after the sheriff’s office received official notification from the North Carolina Medical Examiners’ Office. Kennedy was reported missing from the Pink Hill area on March 9 and was last seen on Maxwell Mill Road near Albertson on March 2. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Jon Green at the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office at 910-296-2150 or the Duplin County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910‑372-9202.
New all-way stops coming to Duplin Duplin County The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will install two all‑way stop signs and add pavement markings in Duplin County to enhance safety. The installations are scheduled for April 21 at the intersection of N.C. 903 and Outlaw Bridge Road, and on April 22 at the intersection of N.C. 50 and Maready Road. NCDOT advises drivers to exercise caution while traveling through these areas during the safety improvements.
Late Magnolia police chief honored in Senate record Magnolia Earlier this year, the late Magnolia Police Chief Donald Hall was one of 85 fallen law enforcement officers honored in the U.S. Senate. This recognition included deaths from assaults, gunfire, vehicular pursuits and duty-related illnesses. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) noted that those honored made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities and requested a list of fallen officers to be printed in the Congressional Record.
County offices closed for Good Friday Duplin County Duplin County offices will be closed April 18 for Good Friday.
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PHOTO K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Former Duplin County Manager Davis Brinson stands with wife, Brandi, following his induction into the 2025 Duplin County Hall of Fame. Brinson was honored for his distinguished service to the county on April 8 during the annual awards banquet.
Duplin Hall of Fame honors Brinson, Routledge Two eras of service were recognized at the 30th Hall of Fame celebration By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Hall of Fame celebrated its 30th annual awards banquet at the Ed Emory Auditorium last week, adding two inductees to its roster of 59 individuals: living recipient Davis Brinson, former Duplin County
manager and register of deeds, and Col. Thomas Routledge, deceased recipient and veteran of the Revolutionary War. The organization has been honoring the accomplishments of Duplin County residents, both historic and contemporary, since its establishment in 1996. Brinson, former president of the Duplin County Hall of Fame, was introduced as the living inductee for this year’s honor by Duplin County Library Director Laura Jones, also a member of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors.
“Tonight, the Duplin County Hall of Fame honors an individual who was born and raised in the heart of Duplin County, the same as his father, his grandfather, great-grandfather and several greats back,” Jones began her address, detailing Brinson’s youth, education and accomplishments. Brinson, a Kenansville native who served for over 20 years with the Kenansville Volunteer Fire Department as firefighter, captain, treasurer and chairman of the board of directors, graduat-
“Tonight, the Duplin County Hall of Fame honors an individual who was born and raised in the heart of Duplin County, the same as his father, his grandfather, great-grandfather and several greats back.” Laura Jones, Duplin County Library director ed from NC State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following graduation, he returned to Duplin County to See HALL, page A2
Duplin discusses state-mandated property valuations Local officials addressed residents concerns and detailed the valuation process during the monthly meeting By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Last week, the Board of County Commissioners started their monthly meeting with County Manager Bryan Miller, thoroughly explaining the tax revaluation process.
Miller explained that under the Machinery Act, North Carolina requires all counties to reassess the value of all real estate for tax purposes at least once every eight years, which includes land, buildings and anything permanently attached to the land, like mineral or timber rights. “We’re in our eighth year, so we have to do it this year,” Miller explained, adding that the county tax office is legally obligated to review and set property values. He also outlined the three methods used for deter-
mining property values: cost, sales comparison and income approaches. Miller explained that utilizing all three ensures fair and accurate valuations, with appraisals reflecting market value. A key requirement of the process is that when a county completes a reappraisal, the budget officer must include a revenue-neutral tax rate in the budget for comparison, keeping taxpayers informed about their potential tax obligations. Miller pointed out that while the rate is revenue-neutral for
Wallace addresses expansion at latest town council meeting A shell building project aims to draw investors to the growing town
“What are you doing to prepare for By K.D. Beard and promote Duplin Journal industrial THE WALLACE TOWN development?” Council convened for their Charley Farrior, former mayor of Wallace
regular meeting at the Wallace Women’s Club last Thursday, where the board discussed the town’s ongoing development and upcoming Strawberry Festival. The meeting also featured an update on a shell building in one of the town’s industrial parks and the introduction of a new interim finance director. Scotty Summerlin, executive director of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission, provided an in-depth update to the board regarding the progress of a
50,000-square-foot shell building being constructed in Southpark, one of the county’s three industrial parks. Summerlin advised the council that the purpose of the structure is to attract investors. The shell building will be largely incomplete. Summerlin indicated that a Certificate of Occupancy won’t be sought for the location at this time. Charley Farrior, former mayor of Wallace, provided additional insight into shell buildings for the council’s benefit. “(The) reason you don’t put a floor in it is because you don’t know who’s going in it. They could need a 6-inch floor, they could need a 4-inch floor, they could need a pit dug,” he explained. “It is a building for a new occupant to come in and See EXPANSION, page A3
the county overall, it may not be for individual taxpayers due to the unique nature of each property. “The tax office is happy to discuss details on each individual’s tax parcels,” said Miller. “Commissioners may or may not choose to adopt the revenue-neutral tax rate as calculated by the budget officer, but keep in mind the CPI (Consumer Price Index) has increased approximately 26% since a tax increase was last adopted See PROPERTY, page A5