VOLUME 11 ISSUE 15 | THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Warsaw Police investigates shooting into apartment Warsaw The Warsaw Police Department is investigating a shooting into an occupied apartment at Bermuda Run Apartments reported around 6:54 p.m. on May 27. According to authorities, officers found Apartment 511 with a broken window consistent with gunfire. Police said the case remains under active investigation. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Warsaw Police Department at 910-293-7816 or email tips@ townofwarsawnc.com.
Duplin Board of Elections cancels June meeting Kenansville The Duplin County Board of Elections has canceled its June 11 meeting. According to an announcement from the board, the next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m. The Board of Elections conducts meetings to address election administration and related business within Duplin County.
Magnolia resident wins $100K Magnolia A Magnolia man won a $100,000 top prize on a $30 North Carolina Education Lottery scratch-off ticket. Avory Cassell purchased the winning Cash Payday ticket at Minuteman Food Mart on Southport Supply Road in Brunswick and claimed the prize at lottery headquarters last week. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he received $72,018. The game launched in March and features 80 top prizes of $100,000, with 67 still unclaimed, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery. The North Carolina Education Lottery also noted that Duplin County received a $32.4 million grant in November for renovations at East Duplin High School.
REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Murphy Family Ventures expands tech services with World Line Networks A ribbon cutting in Wallace marked the launch of World Line Networks, a new technology provider aimed at serving businesses across southeastern North Carolina. Turn to A3 for the story.
Mount Olive audit shows progress, but financial concerns remain Commissioners hear audit findings, settle youth football dispute and raise concerns about water testing By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — In what evolved into a marathon twoand-a-half-hour meeting, the Mount Olive Board of Commis-
sioners discussed and voted on a variety of issues last Monday. The board heard presentations from the accountant who completed the recent audit for the See AUDIT, page A6
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Duplin considers sewer authority for Calico Bay, East Log Cabin The project would seek grant funding for a permanent wastewater system By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County officials are moving forward with plans to cre-
ate a sewer authority for the Calico Bay and East Log Cabin communities as part of an effort to secure grant funding for a permanent wastewater system serving residents who
currently rely on septic tanks. Kevin Davidson of AgriWaste Technology updated the Duplin County Board of Commissioners on the Calico Bay and East Log Cabin Wastewater Project, at the June 1 meeting. The project seeks to establish a permanent sewer solution for the two communities. Many
Questions persist over town-owned funeral home lease in Warsaw A facility operated by a sitting commissioner has drawn scrutiny over lease transparency By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
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WARSAW — A complaint filed with the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, questions surrounding a funeral home operating from a Warsaw-owned building — and comments made by a sitting town commissioner during a public meeting — are drawing public attention in Warsaw. At the center of the discussion is Jack A. Hawes Funeral Home & Cremations, LLC, which operates from 115 N. Pershing St., a building owned by the town of
Warsaw and leased to Commissioner Jack Hawes. At a May meeting, Hawes responded to criticism over permits and regulatory compliance and a complaint filed with the state. “I got my law firm involved,” Hawes told the public. “I’m putting everybody who was involved on notice.” Discussing the complaint, Hawes said he went through the planning board and funeral board “the correct way” and warned, “I’m gonna find you ... and I’m gonna take care of you.” Hawes also defended his business operations, stating that “Warsaw gets 2.75% of every funeral that I do” and that he contributes “$60,000 to $70,000 a year” to See LEASE, page A2
“I’m gonna find you ... and I’m gonna take care of you.” Jack Hawes
CPA Lee Grissom presents the results of the town’s recent audit to the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners on Monday night.
residents currently rely on septic systems that require frequent pumping, creating additional costs and maintenance concerns. In a previous meeting Davidson proposed the creation of a sewer authority to serve the two communities, manage the system and serve as the applicant for grants and financing. Davidson said support for the project increased from 7 to 14 residents following a recent community meeting. “The next step of the ... path See SEWER, page A5