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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 35 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

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Wallace turns up the heat on a cold, rainy day

BRIEF this week

Duplin sees strong early turnout

Dancers in traditional Azteca costumes perform to the rhythm of their drummers during the Festival Cultural Latino at Clement Park in Wallace on Saturday, bringing traditional dance and cultural celebration to the event despite the rainy weather.

A total of 2,133 people voted during the first three days of early voting, according to the Duplin County Board of Elections. The county recorded 767 voters on the first day. Election officials remind voters that early voting will be available on two Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. There will be no Sunday voting during this election cycle. Registered voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID can obtain a voter ID at the Duplin County Board of Elections office.

DA rules fatal shooting by Sampson County deputies justified District Attorney Ernie Lee announced Tuesday that the fatal shooting of a man by two Sampson County sheriff’s deputies was justified following a review of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s findings. Shawn PD-Trenton West Jr., 22, of Faison was shot and killed June 12 at the DG Market on Faison Highway. According to Lee’s announcement, West approached three deputies with a 12-inch knife and continued advancing despite repeated commands to drop it. Two deputies fired eight rounds during the roughly nine-minute encounter. Lee determined the deputies reasonably perceived a threat to their lives and said criminal charges were not warranted.

106th Veterans Day parade planned Warsaw will host its 106th Veterans Day Parade and Celebration on Nov. 7. Earl Rouse, a 10-year Army veteran and Warsaw resident, will serve as grand marshal. The day begins with a pancake breakfast at Warsaw Baptist Church at 7 a.m. Vendors and the Kids Zone open at 9 a.m. A VFW memorial service and the opening of the Veterans Museum are scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by the parade at 11 a.m. A concert begins at 1 p.m. The celebration runs until 3 p.m. and will include food, entertainment, vendors and family-friendly activities.

Duplin County NAACP leadership election The Duplin County NAACP Executive Committee Branch 5385 will hold its leadership election Nov. 1. Members will receive a ballot at the email address on file with the national organization. Members who have changed email addresses or are not receiving emails from the national office should contact the local branch. The branch will also hold a meeting Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Big Zion AME Church at 227 Summerlin Crossroads Road in Kenansville. For questions or assistance, call 910-249-2036 or 919-429-0263.

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REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Warsaw board votes no confidence in mayor, commissioner amid rift The board also declined to advance a proposed civility initiative aimed at addressing disruptions and hostility during public meetings By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — The Warsaw Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 last week to approve a resolution of no confidence against

Mayor Wesley Boykin and Commissioner Ebony Wills-Wells, escalating a monthslong dispute over transparency, financial oversight and the administration of town government. The vote came as the board

faced questions about wastewater compliance, budget discrepancies, public records requests and the handling of confidential employee information. The dispute has also involved the town manager’s multiple administrative roles, the resignation of the town attorney and disagreements over access to municipal records. A review of town records,

meeting transcripts, financial documents and court filings shows the dispute extends beyond the no-confidence resolution. Boykin and Wills-Wells have challenged administrative practices, while the four-member majority — Commissioners Jack Hawes, Scotty Smith, Tommy Jones and Cheryl Smith See WARSAW, page A6

Mount Olive Housing Authority faces financial probe, repair delays Fifteen apartments remain vacant as interim leadership seeks federal funds for repairs and works to recover missing financial records By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — Fifteen apartments sit vacant at the Mount Olive Housing Authority (MOHA), which relies on rent

collected from current residents to cover operating expenses. Meanwhile, investigators are examining financial activity dating back to September 2025, and interim leadership is working to restore operations, re-

cover missing bank statements and secure federal funding for repairs. The challenges facing the housing authority came into focus during the October Mount Olive Board of Commissioners meeting, where housing authority employee Donna Price and board member Sadia Sykes delivered an operational report detailing the agency’s efforts to

Rose Hill seeks additional $622K for housing, recreation project The board approved an increased Community Development Block Grant application and a budget amendment for a replacement police vehicle By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal ROSE HILL — Tammy Daniels of Adams Company appeared before the Rose Hill board for a public hearing and presented an amendment to the town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). “The town is requesting an additional $622,000 to add another house to the renovation plans as well as add Parks and Recreation to the project,” Daniels said. “This brings the to-

tal project to $1,572,000, with $980,000 for the housing allowance, $435,000 for Parks and Recreation and $157,000 for administration costs.” The board questioned ownership of renovated houses. Daniels confirmed that an eight-year deferred lien is placed on each rehabilitated property. The lien decreases annually and expires after eight years, helping prevent owners from immediately reselling the homes for profit. “Owners must keep the house occupied for at least eight years,” Daniels said. Daniels also explained that the housing rehabilitation funding benefits low- to moderate-income households, while the parks allocation serves the entire town. With no public comments, the See PROJECT, page A5

“Owners must keep the house occupied for at least eight years.” Tammy Daniels

stabilize daily operations, address property conditions and meet federal requirements. The Mount Olive Police Department is conducting a formal criminal investigation into housing authority financial activities from Sept. 25, 2025, through July 2026. The report was filed at the See PROBE, page A2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, October 22, 2026

THURSDAY

10.22.26 #148

DUPLIN 100 years of service, new happening home for Wallace firefighters SPONSORED BY

Firefighters and community members celebrated the department’s anniversary and dedicated its new station

“Join the conversation”

Duplin Journal

Trip Hoffend Publisher

Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers

Ena Sellers News Editor

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor

Duplin Journal staff WALLACE — A century of service, sacrifice and community spirit took center stage Saturday as the Wallace Fire Department celebrated its 100th anniversary and dedicated its new fire station. The public celebration featured station tours, refreshments and a hose uncoupling ceremony, but the day’s focus went beyond the new building. It was a tribute to the generations of firefighters who have answered the call to protect their neighbors. The Wallace Fire Department traces its roots to Jan. 15, 1926, when its first chief, Aubrey Harrell, and 14 charter members came together to organize the department. In its earliest days, volunteers formed a bucket brigade, drawing water from downtown wells to battle fires.

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

Oct. 24 Lee Brice Sunriser Tour PHOTOS COURTESY WALLACE FIRE DEPARTMENT

By June of that year, Wallace had an established fire department. A piece of that history remains on display at the new station: the department’s first motorized firetruck, a 1926 vehicle that has been fully restored. The truck serves as a reminder of the department’s humble beginnings and the progress made over the past century. During the ceremony, Fire

Chief Wayne Rich paid tribute to the men and women whose dedication has sustained the department for 100 years, including firefighters who died in the line of duty. As the department celebrated its centennial and opened the doors to its new station, the milestone honored a legacy built on service, sacrifice and a commitment to protecting the people of Wallace.

Patsy Teachey Advertising Representative

Loretta Carey Office Manager

6 p.m. The country music singer-songwriter comes to Duplin County Events Center. 195 Fairgrounds Drive, Kenansville

Oct. 27 Library Trunk or Treat 6:30-8:30 p.m. Duplin County Library’s ninth annual Halloween event at the Duplin County Events Center. Families are invited to dress in costume and enjoy decorated trunks, candy and activities. Attendees can also help select their favorite trunk by casting a vote during the event. 195 Fairgrounds Drive, Kenansville

Office Phone: 910 463-1240 To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042

Twilight Concert returns to Farrior Park 6-8 p.m.

We stand corrected

The Wallace Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the evening of music, food and community, offering residents a chance to gather, enjoy the music and spend a night together at the park.

To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

683 E. Southerland St., Wallace

VAD Meeting 6 p.m.

PROBE from page A1 request of the town’s Board of Commissioners. In a public statement regarding the agency’s status, Commissioner Gena Messer Knode described the extent of the authority’s financial difficulties. “Further complicating matters is the fact that the only funds the MOHA has (in addition to the $2 left in the bank account that once had $500,000) is the rent being collected from current residents,” Knode said. Town Attorney Carroll Turner is working with Price and the housing authority’s Board of Commissioners to obtain historical Wells Fargo records. Available financial documents for McDonald Drive have been sent to Turner, but multiple monthly statements remain outstanding. Knode said additional records obtained from another source were also under review. “Mount Olive Housing Authority is under a microscope at this time,” Knode said. “I can only share with you that several entities are involved. I want to reiterate that no one is implying any criminal activity has taken place. We simply need to get answers about what is going on at the MOHA, and we will not stop until we do.” Interim leadership has established new bank accounts and restored a two-signature requirement for financial transactions. Staff has also restored payroll processing, internet service and the office HVAC system, reopened vendor accounts and resolved past-due insurance premiums. The new policy took effect in August, with

half of its four installments paid. Staff has also helped residents facing utility disconnections connect with assistance programs. Knode praised Price for continuing to manage the agency through the transition. “I must commend MOHA employee Donna Price for hanging in there. I know she has had to deal with a lot,” Knode said. “She is handling situations she did not create, and she has stayed in a position when she could have easily walked away. I thank her for providing consistency for our community.” Despite the operational improvements, the authority faces a shortage of available housing units. Six vacant apartments at McDonald Drive and nine at Johnson Court remain unavailable because of physical deterioration and a lack of funding for renovations and appliances. The condition of the McDonald Drive units is particularly severe. “Those are gutted,” Price said. “When you say gutted, you have studs. That’s all you see when you walk in. No appliances, no walls, no fixtures, no nothing.” Residents have asked whether prospective tenants could supply their own refrigerators and stoves to speed up occupancy. Price explained that the vacant units require much more extensive work and that federal housing rules govern how repairs and improvements must be completed. “Capital funding is based on HUD that has already identified what needs to be done in those units,” she said. “Those capital fundings that will be

“Further complicating matters is the fact that the only funds the MOHA has (in addition to the $2 left in the bank account that once had $500,000) is the rent being collected from current residents.” Commissioner Gena Messer Knode brought down will be to restore those units. It’s not just putting in a refrigerator and the stove.” The authority is working to obtain federal capital funds to finance the renovations. However, submitting the paperwork does not immediately release money. After HUD approves the filing, the authority must publish a 45-day public notice, hold a public forum, obtain board approval and submit final documentation before the funds can be released. HUD-mandated quarterly and annual inspections, which had been neglected since 2023, have restarted. Staff and board members have also received technical assistance and training from housing authority professionals in North Carolina and Georgia to help address reporting and compliance deficiencies. Maintenance efforts have expanded as well. Pest control treatments have been completed throughout McDonald Drive, while a four-stage bedbug treatment program has begun in the senior community. The initial treatment phase

has been completed, with follow-up applications scheduled at two-week intervals in four heavily affected units. Sykes and housing authority staff have also conducted door-to-door inspections and resident outreach to review occupancy, lease compliance, rent collection and property upkeep. The authority has established maintenance response targets of 24 hours, 48 hours and seven days, depending on the issue. The board has also opened its meetings to tenant participation, giving residents another opportunity to raise concerns and receive updates. The financial and operational problems previously prompted town officials to consider dissolving the housing authority’s board and placing its operations under direct municipal control. However, Turner clarified that the proposed resolution was never formally adopted. “So since it was never adopted ... there was no action taken,” said Turner. Town officials have since expressed satisfaction with the progress made under interim leadership. The board agreed to table the takeover proposal indefinitely and request another progress report within 30 to 60 days. Knode said she did not have a timeline for findings from the financial review but pledged to provide updates as they become available. The authority’s return to full operations depends on completing the financial review, meeting federal requirements and securing the money needed to repair its properties.

The Duplin County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program will meet at the Duplin County Extension office conference room. 165 Agriculture Drive, Kenansville

Oct. 31 Haunted Museum 6-8 p.m. The Cowan Museum will host its annual Haunted Museum and Trick-or-Treat event. The free public event will feature decorated buildings and grounds, unusual sights in the botanical garden and free candy in the museum’s main building, the Kelly-Farrior House. 411 S. Main St., Kenansville

Trunk-or-Treat and Costume Contest 6-8 p.m. Magnolia will host the Halloween event at the Magnolia Fire Department. The costume contest will begin at 7 p.m. 110 Taylor St., Magnolia

Duplin Journal for Thursday, October 22, 2026

CANDIDATE Q&A | TRACEY SIMMONS KORNEGAY

CANDIDATE Q&A | DEXTER EDWARDS

Kornegay emphasizes accountability, employee retention in District 2 race

Edwards draws on decades of experience in District 2 race

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

TRACEY SIMMONS Kornegay, Duplin County’s health director for more than eight years, entered the District 2 county commissioner race in July as a certified write-in candidate. In this candidate Q&A, Kornegay outlines her priorities for county management, employee recruitment and retention, transparent decision-making and responsive leadership rooted in her experience in public health. Throughout your personal and professional life, you’ve had experiences that have shaped the way you lead and work with others. What is one lesson from your personal or professional life that will help you as a county commissioner, and why? One of the most important lessons I have learned is to treat people the way you want to be treated and never ask someone to do something that you would not be willing to do yourself. Leadership is not about being above others as it is about serving alongside them, listening to their concerns, and treating everyone with respect. As your District 2 County Commissioner, I will strive to lead by example, remain approachable and make decisions based on what is best for every one of Duplin County. What do you see as the biggest challenge, issue or greatest opportunity that pertains to your role if elected county commissioner? Duplin County’s top priorities should be to hire a full-time county manager who is invested in the county and its growth as well as improving the recruitment and retention of county employees. Strong county management provides consistent leadership to help ensure accountability, transparency and effective communication between departments, elected officials and the residents. Equally important

We all have people or experiences that influence the way we lead and serve others. Who or what has most influenced your leadership style, and how will you apply those lessons in serving Duplin County?

COURTESY

Tracey Simmons Kornegay is making sure our employees feel valued, heard and fairly compensated. Our county depends on dedicated employees to deliver essential services, and we must work to create an environment where experienced employees want to stay and qualified applicants want to join our team. Workforce development is an investment to ensure quality of services is available for our residents. Every leadership journey comes with its share of challenges and unexpected turns. Can you tell us about an experience that challenged you as a leader and what it taught you about working with others and finding solutions? While being Duplin County’s Public Health director, we have faced several opportunities of growth, with the most impacted being during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This event brought unexpected times, challenges and opportunities when teamwork was essential every single day. As a leader, I have learned the importance of focusing on available information, understanding the concerns of others and working toward practical solutions rather than allowing differences to become personal. As a commissioner, I will bring that same approach with recognizing collaboration and respectful discussions are essential to making responsible decisions for Duplin County.

My leadership style has been shaped by the belief that public service should always put people first. My experiences working with others in our community have reinforced the importance of listening, following through on commitments, and taking responsibility for decisions. I believe effective leadership requires both compassion and accountability. As a county commissioner, I will apply these principles by listening to our residents, respecting our county employees, asking thoughtful questions, and making decisions with the long-term interests in mind for Duplin County. Looking back on your career and life experiences, is there a particular moment when you realized the difference that thoughtful leadership can make in someone’s life or in a community? How has that experience shaped the way you would serve Duplin County? My experiences in community service have shown me thoughtful leadership makes a difference when people feel heard and their concerns are taken seriously. Whether supporting local initiatives or working with individuals who serve our community, I have seen the importance of leaders who are willing to listen, take action and follow through. These experiences have strengthened my belief public service is a responsibility, not a privilege. If elected, I will work to ensure our residents and county employees have a voice, responsible spending, and decisions are made with transparency, fairness and in regards to the future of Duplin County.

Share with your community! Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@duplinjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

DEXTER EDWARDS, a farmer and current chair of the Duplin County Board of Commissioners, is running for reelection as the District 2 county commissioner. He has served on the board for more than 12 years and retired as general manager of Smithfield Foods after a 48-year career with the company. In this candidate Q&A, Edwards discusses the importance of compromise, the need for a qualified county manager, and how his experiences in business, farming and public service have shaped his leadership.

COURTESY

Dexter Edwards

Throughout your personal and professional life, you’ve had experiences that have shaped the way you lead and work with others. What is one lesson from your personal or professional life that will help you as a county commissioner, and why? One of the most important lessons I have learned in my career, it is just like a marriage — you must accept compromise. Compromise begins when you learn to listen to others’ opinions and then share your opinion in a polite, professional attitude. Understanding and working together is the secret to having success in both working environments, personal relationships and governmental relations. What do you see as the biggest challenge, issue or greatest opportunity that pertains to your role if elected county commissioner? Securing a qualified county manager so that our employees and our residents have confidence in their future careers and growth for the needs of the county’s residents. This will ensure confidence for the future of everyone’s family. Every leadership journey comes with its share of challenges and unexpected turns. Can you tell us about an experience that challenged you as a leader and what it taught you about working with others and finding solutions? In my business career, as a local farm boy, there were many times I felt I was overlooked for a promotion and asked to train outside people to be my boss. Embracing that disappointment with an attitude to work harder to prove myself resulted in me becoming general manager of the largest swine company in the world. We all have people or experiences that influence the way we lead and serve others. Who or what has most influenced your leadership style, and how will you apply those lessons in serving Duplin County? In my early career, the owner and manager of the company I was working for was a gentleman by the name of Bill Prestige. His philosophy was to take care of those people who were taking care of you. Learning how to help others expand their goals and accomplishments helped me see the need to assist others as they developed in their careers. In that manner, I have continued to help others, and it has truly led to my growth as well as the people I am working with on a daily basis. Looking back on your career and life experiences, is there a particular moment when you realize the difference that thoughtful leadership can make in someone’s life or in a community? How has that experience shaped the way you serve Duplin County? Yes, when my wife retired from her career to seek an elected position on the Board of Education and created the improvements made to our children’s education and the teacher’s working conditions, I became inspired to make a difference in the lives of our citizens, and I decided to seek the office of county commissioner.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, October 22, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

The anti-Trump media and ‘economic pessimism’

How much of current pessimism about the economy is driven by what the media tells us about the economy and how we should feel about it?

IN A COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGY course, my class studied an experiment. This is an oversimplification, but the experiment went as follows. A group of college students were shown a paper on which a 6-inch line was drawn. The paper was passed to the students sitting around the table. They were asked to estimate the length of the line. Now, this experiment was rigged. The instructor, and all but one of the students, were told to say, “About 3 inches.” Again, the line was clearly longer than 3 inches. The point was to determine whether these obviously wrong guesses would cause the unsuspecting student — the one not in on the scheme and the last one at the table to offer a guess — to also say, “About 3 inches.” In the overwhelming majority of cases, the unsuspecting students also said, “About 3 inches.” Now there are a few ways to look at this. But one explanation is that the consensus, though clearly wrong, altered the way the final student viewed the length of the line, as in, “If everybody sees it that way, I must be wrong.” How much of current pessimism about the economy is driven by what the media tells us about the economy and how we should feel about it? For example, the standard common definition of a recession is back-to-back quarters of negative economic growth. In 2025, the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, every quarter after revisions had positive economic growth. So far this year, each quarter has seen positive economic growth.

But a July 2026 Economist/YouGov poll found that 41% of adult Americans believed the country was in a recession, with Democrats three times more likely than Republicans to feel this way. A Napolitan News Service/Rasmussen poll conducted at the end of September found that 39% of registered voters believe the country is currently in a recession. Consider the media coverage of the economy the month before the presidential election of 1992, when President George H.W. Bush ran against Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. There had been 19 months of positive economic growth leading up to October 1992. A Gallup poll, however, found that a majority of Americans thought the economy was in a recession. Investor’s Business Daily noted that in October 1992, 90% of the economic news in newspapers was negative. The election was held Nov. 3. Clinton won, and that month only 14% of the economic news in newspapers was negative. As to the ABC, NBC and CBS nightly news, about 90% of the news about the economy was negative. After the election, for the remaining two months of the year, 60% of the economic news in the same newscasts was positive. Yes, gas prices since the start of the Iran War have gone up. But at 2.5% of income, the amount Americans spend less on gas is less than during the gas spikes of the 1970s. And Americans drive twice as far on a gallon of gas compared to the 1970s. The average income is at an all-time high. The percentage of those living in poverty is at an all-time low. The stock

market indices have hit record highs, and 401(k)s have seen large increases. Consumers are spending. People who fear an economic downturn, and who fear the loss of their jobs, typically do not spend the way consumers have been doing in recent months. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model estimates a third quarter 2026 growth of 3.7%. The Media Research Center found the Big 3 nightly news coverage of Trump was negative in both terms. “News aggregators” like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Yahoo, TikTok and YouTube are where Americans now primarily get their news. In 2025, Google curated 73% of articles from outlets with a bias to the left — and just 1% of articles from outlets biased to the right. For all the aggregators, less than 10% of their curated articles came from outlets on the right. In “Lessons from the Recession: A Management and Communication Perspective,” published in 1997, the authors write, “The highly negative view of the economy in 1992 was due in large part to widespread misperceptions about its performance and prospects, and that unduly negative coverage on network television played some major role informing those misperceptions.” The anti-Trump media clearly influences how people think and feel about the economy. The only question is to what degree. Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com).

COLUMN | RICH LOWRY

Iran exposes an intolerable U.S. vulnerability The Iranian missile and drone threat to our bases was foreseeable, and yet we didn’t do enough to protect them.

WINSTON CHURCHILL said “Wars are not won by evacuations,” and sometimes, he might have added, they are simply embarrassing. The U.S. hastily flew its B-1 bombers out of RAF Fairford in the U.K. for fear of a potential Iranian drone attack, the latest in a series of successful Iranian operations to crimp U.S. bases, this time more than 2,000 miles away. The Trump administration has found — by opening a channel to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and blockading Iran — a strategy to pressure Iran that may yet produce a favorable outcome to the war. Still, the conflict has exposed glaring U.S. military deficiencies, with our inability to protect our bases in the region high on the list. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has said the Iranians “blew the hell out of Bahrain,” referring to the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in the tiny Gulf kingdom. They have also hit U.S. facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The vast majority of U.S. casualties have resulted from attacks on our bases. Whereas it once seemed that having so many bases in proximity to Iran was useful to containing the Islamic Republic, when Tehran began firing on these facilities, it became clear that the short distances made them vulnerable targets. Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, where buildings and radar domes were hit, is just over 60 miles away.

A number of bases have been fully or partly evacuated, and the effects have been felt on U.S. operations. One reason there was so much strain on the USS Abraham Lincoln during its lengthy deployment is that Bahrain was no longer available as a supply hub. We had to rely on facilities in Diego Garcia and Singapore, creating a supply chain thousands of miles long. The Iranian missile and drone threat to our bases was foreseeable, and yet we didn’t do enough to protect them. One option now is a broad pullback of our presence in the region. But so long as hydrocarbons power the modern economy, this is a nonstarter. The Gulf states would have an incentive to look elsewhere for strategic partners, most worryingly to Russia or China, and might conclude that they should do more to accommodate an Iran that would have effectively chased us from the Persian Gulf. The answer to the threat to the bases is the same thing that created the threat in the first place — innovation. We’ve long had bases in the Gulf, including a naval command headquarters in Bahrain since 1948, but the purpose and the nature of the presence has changed over time. As Kristian Alexander wrote in an analysis for the Stimson Center, during the Cold War, we didn’t have a large land presence at bases. After Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, that changed. Today, the question is how to reconfigure

our presence again to make it more defensible and sustainable. “U.S. bases,” Alexander wrote, “remain indispensable for intelligence collection, command and control, maritime security, air and missile defense, logistics and long-range power projection.” One option is to locate more facilities in Israel. Elliott Abrams of the Council on Foreign Relations points out that the Jewish state is much further away — more than 1,000 miles from Iran — and would impose fewer restrictions on our access and overflight rights. But we still require bases in the Gulf. We’re going to need to disperse them, harden them (including with more underground elements) and build in more redundancy. The air defense needs to be more robust and layered, and less dependent on expensive missiles that are in short supply. The war with Iran was supposed to represent a short, sharp defanging of the Iranian regime. Instead, it has dragged on and served as a lesson in key shortcomings of U.S. military power that must be addressed, lest they bite us again in a conflict with a much more powerful adversary. Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. (Copyright 2026 by King Features Synd., Inc.)

Duplin Journal for Thursday, October 22, 2026

Greenevers board weighs rezoning request for recovery center Residents raised concerns about safety and security at Cedar Green Recovery Center during a public hearing on the proposed expansion

Lemar Share, left, addresses the community and board during a public hearing on a rezoning request for a recovery center at 150 Cedar Lane.

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal GREENEVERS — A public hearing on a rezoning request brought a contentious debate among residents to the Greenevers board meeting Monday. Cedar Green Recovery Center, located at 150 Cedar Lane, requested rezoning from R-10 to R-10 Special Use. The request would allow additions to the existing structure without affecting adjacent lots. The 3,200-square-foot home was built on a 0.75-acre lot in 2001 as a group home for troubled youth. It now operates as a rehabilitation facility. Residents said the home brought trouble to an area where many residents are seniors, and commenters expressed concern about the message its presence sent. “We say Greenevers is a nice

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

place to live, but do you want to say it is a nice place for recovery?” one resident said. Another resident countered, “We’ve had drugs and alcohol in this community for generations. Every one of us has people in our families who are addicts. Wouldn’t you want people coming in to get help instead

Local programs get $27.9K boost Grants will support local programs focused on education, hunger relief, mental health, senior services and animal welfare By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal FROM WELDING kits for college students to summer backpacks filled with food for hungry children, $27,950 in new grants is set to support a wide range of needs across Duplin County. The Duplin County Community Foundation announced the funding Oct. 15, directing dollars to local programs focused on education, mental health, senior engagement, animal welfare and helping families through difficult times. The foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, distributed the funding through two grant programs: $18,950 awarded by its board of advisers and an additional $9,000 provided by the Family Cooperative Fund. The board of advisers awarded grants to 14 projects and organizations. The largest award, $3,250, went to Rones Chapel Area Community Center for its Tutor to the Top Support program, which assists Duplin County students. Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina-Duplin received $3,000 combined for the Duplin Kindness Project and its Teen

Court Ambassadors initiative. Education and youth development were also priorities. Diversity Nurtures Achievement Community Youth Center received $2,500 for career pathways and youth capacity expansion projects. James Sprunt Community College Foundation received $1,500 for welding kits to help students build practical skills, while Wallace-Rose Hill Friends of the Arts was awarded $1,250 for a classroom-based commercial project. Several grants will help families access essential resources. Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries received $2,000 combined for its backpack ministry and summer backpack program for children facing food insecurity. The Diaper Bank of NC received $1,000 for its Duplin County Hygiene Access Initiative. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle and Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina each received $1,000 to support families from Duplin County. Other awards will expand opportunities for older adults and improve animal welfare. Duplin County Senior Services received $1,250 for its Still Stepping senior dance program, and Pet Friends of Duplin County received $1,000 for low-cost spay and neuter vouchers. The Family Cooperative Fund provided another $9,000 to seven organizations, primarily for general operating support and essential services. James Sprunt Community College Foundation received $2,000, while Do

of standing here all high and mighty like (the house) is bringing down the community?” Residents questioned the facility’s security practices and alleged that some people associated with the home walked the streets at night. Lemar Share, a spokesman for the home, said staff reviewed surveillance

footage and determined that none of the people in question were residents. Regarding oversight and security, Share said the house “will be jointly accredited with the clinic in Wallace and will be under Joint Commission rules.” Share said the house has 24-hour supervision and

the Work: Promoting and Protecting Good Mental Health received $1,500. Duplin County Senior Services, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, the Mary J. Hooper Hope & Wellness Drop-in Center and Special Olympics North Carolina also received funding. Pet Friends of Duplin County received $2,000 from the fund for emergency pet food and spay and neuter services, bringing its total awards through the two grant programs to $3,000. “Supporting local nonprofits strengthens the fabric of our community,” said Ed Emory, advisory board president of the Duplin County Community Foundation. “Together, we’re building lasting support, so resources are not just here today, but for generations to come.” Debra Morrisey, the foundation’s advisory board vice president and a fund advisor for the Family Cooperative Fund, underscored the importance of working together to address local needs. “It is our responsibility to lend a hand,” Morrisey said. “The one thing that keeps us going is cooperation.” Funding for the 2026 grants came from the community grantmaking fund, the Duplin Foundation for Youth Advancement and the Family Cooperative Fund. Each year, the foundation’s advisory board uses endowment funds to support eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches. Founded in 2005, the Duplin County Community Foundation is led by a local volunteer advisory board that works to identify and address community needs. To learn more about the foundation’s work or make a tax-deductible donation, visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Duplin.

PROJECT from page A1 board closed the public hearing and approved the increased CDBG grant application. The board then discussed the need to repair and replace two damaged police vehicles. The police chief presented insurance evaluations for a 2020 Ford Explorer and a 2010 Ford Escape. The Explorer sustained an estimated $18,765 in damage, exceeding its $12,406 actual cash value. The Escape sustained an estimated $7,920 in damage, compared with an actual cash value of $6,900. Following the recommendations, the board approved accepting the insurance payout for the 2020 Explorer and retaining the Escape for repairs estimated at $3,000. The Escape will serve as a spare patrol vehicle. The board approved a budget amendment of $52,000 to purchase, equip and register a replacement police vehicle. During discussion, commissioners compared hybrid and standard engines. Police officials recommended a standard, nonturbocharged engine, citing past maintenance issues with turbochargers during extended idling and familiarity with local repair services. Insurance settlement proceeds will be credited back to the budget when received. The board reviewed financial reports and discussed its progress toward meeting financial goals. “We are at 25% of our fiscal year and have taken in 17% of our revenue, 24% of our expenses and 28% of our water/ sewer costs,” Town Manager Angela Smith said. Smith also said the town had received $355,830 in grant reimbursements against $43,530

strict rules prohibiting loitering, trespassing and loud music. Residents are also tested for drugs twice a week, he said. Share presented a Good Neighbor Agreement intended to address residents’ safety concerns. Under the agreement, a community liaison would be available to nearby residents to answer questions, address concerns and receive reports of incidents. The agreement states that incidents would be addressed immediately and reported to the town within 24 hours. Residents accused the home of harboring criminals and sex offenders. Share said that, according to the sheriff’s website, there was only one sex offender in the area, and that person did not live at the facility. “The house is a substance-free zone, and the people that live there come of their own free will like one would to the altar at church,” Share said. “They have hit rock bottom, know they need help and came to us to help them get sober.” Share added the facility uses trauma-informed care practices to help the residents learn their triggers and how to avoid them. After more than an hour of discussion and competing claims, Mayor Diane Brown closed the public hearing and excused everyone but the board for a closed session. The board planned to consider the rezoning request during that session.

in expenses under its active 2024 grant program. Officials were also outlining the scope of an incoming $85,000 state grant and considering quotes for an emergency bypass pump at a portable lift station, along with bar rail and handrail replacements. The Fire Department reported looking forward to the Poultry Jubilee, scheduled for Nov. 6-7, with extended evening hours for live musical entertainment. Department heads also reported that downtown maintenance and sidewalk cleaning had been completed in preparation for upcoming community gatherings. Parks and Recreation Director Lois Robinson reported on the progress of the fall sports season. “Rose Hill and Wallace joined together to form 8U, 10U and 12U football teams, … At this time, the 8U team is undefeated,” Robinson said. Fall baseball has also been successful. “We have three minor and major teams, and our coach pitch teams are co-ed. … One team of mostly girls has been undefeated this year,” Robinson said. Town Attorney Kennedy Thompson discussed a tax bill paid on a property that the town had foreclosed on in 2022 and subsequently resold. The foreclosure followed approximately $28,000 in nuisance abatement liens on the property at 701 East Ridge St. An heir later paid $1,200 in back county taxes, believing the payment would clear the title. A request was made to refund the money that was paid, but the board requested more research into the situation to determine how and when the payment was made. The board adjourned shortly thereafter.

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Duplin Journal for Thursday, October 22, 2026

Rain or shine, Wallace brings the fiesta By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal THE THIRD ANNUAL Festival Cultural Latino took over Clement Park in Wallace on Saturday. Despite the cold rain, crowds came out with umbrellas, blankets and ponchos to enjoy the festivities. Hispanic-owned businesses set up vendor booths in tents surrounding the stage area. Inside the tented shelters were goods ranging from Mexican pottery and woven garments to straw hats and trinkets. Beyond the vendors was a ring of food trucks serving authentic Hispanic foods, including gorditas, empanadas, street tacos and esquites. Beyond the vendors, kids played soccer in the rain, explored bounce houses or rode a mechanical bull. Adults huddled under a long dining tent to watch live musical performances on the center stage. As the event came to a close,

an ethnic dance troupe from Raleigh arrived in traditional Azteca costumes. They performed Aztec dances to the beat of their own drummers, who were also in costume. While vendors packed up their goods around 3 p.m., the music continued and food trucks served the public into the early evening.

PHOTOS BY REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

WARSAW from page A1 — has supported decisions they opposed. The October meeting also exposed divisions over leadership and board procedures. In March, a county resident sued the Town of Warsaw and Town Manager Lea Turner after about four months of unfulfilled public records requests. Of 69 pages eventually provided on a flash drive, 22 were blank, according to the materials reviewed. In May, Boykin told Duplin Journal that Turner restricted his access to Town Hall offices, moved the mayor’s office to an exterior lobby area and denied him building keys. In July, longtime Town Attorney Kennedy Thompson resigned, citing “political dysfunction and the withholding of information within town government.” He wrote that withholding information from legal counsel and elected officials impeded his ability to provide competent legal advice. Wills-Wells identified Turner as a source of transparency problems. Boykin and Wills-Wells also questioned Turner’s simultaneous service as town manager, finance offi-

cer and town clerk. Wills-Wells said combining the roles created a “single point of failure” and weakened internal checks and balances. Former Deputy Clerk Carmen Gonzalez also criticized the administration during a public confrontation with the board, accusing commissioners of overlooking what she described as Turner’s abuse of power. Boykin and Wills-Wells have repeatedly challenged the administration’s financial reporting and budget oversight. During fiscal 2026-27 budget workshops, Boykin and Wills-Wells questioned the absence of an itemized general ledger, active contracts and staffing data, including details for $600,000 in proposed contracts. The board majority approved the budget and later rejected, 4–1, a motion requiring full financial documentation for budget amendments. Town financial records and audit materials also identified significant budget variances, including an $850,000-plus deficit in the utility fund; a 436% variance in wastewater surcharge revenue; $100,000 budgeted for industrial pretreatment fees, with no revenue

collected; a 957% overrun in administrative legal fees; and a $29,831 compliance violation involving Memorial Park funds spent without an appropriation. The figures raise questions about budgeting, revenue projections and spending controls. The dispute has also included scrutiny of business relationships and voting decisions involving members of the board majority. Mayor Pro Tem Jack Hawes operates Jack A. Hawes Funeral Home & Cremations from a town-owned commercial building at 115 N. Pershing St. According to the records reviewed, Hawes leases the property from the town for $12,000 annually, a rate that has remained unchanged since 2019. Hawes also signed a municipal planning contract with Insight Planning & Development, bypassing Boykin’s signature. Boykin argued he had been told by the town manager that no documents were ready for his signature. He criticized Turner over the contract’s handling, describing it as insubordination and disrespect. Separately, commissioners debated Scotty Smith’s participation in a vote concerning

the appointment of his brother to the local ABC Board. Wills-Wells argued that ethics standards were being applied inconsistently and questioned whether commissioners were disclosing or recusing themselves from votes involving personal or business interests. Public records, including meeting audio and video document the disputes and the concerns raised by officials. The October resolution of no confidence centered on a document containing sensitive employee financial and identifying information that was found in the town hall parking lot in early July. The document, titled “Supplemental Retirement Income Plan” and dated May 20, 2026, contained employee names, full Social Security numbers, 401(k) contribution information and loan-payment amounts for at least five employees. The board majority alleged that Boykin and Wills-Wells possessed the document for weeks before disclosing it and refused to provide a copy or identify the employee who discovered the document and reported it. Boykin said the document in-

volved an administrative personnel matter, not a legislative issue, and that he sought a meeting with Turner. He previously told Duplin Journal that he photographed the file to document the discovery and protect the employee who reported it from possible retaliation. How the document ended up outside Town Hall and who accessed it beforehand remains unclear. Officials have said only the town manager and payroll clerk have access to personnel records. Boykin’s “Commit to Civility” initiative and proposed vision, mission, core values and goals statement both failed to advance after neither received a second. Hawes argued civility training should be put on the “back burner,” while Cheryl Smith said she would not support initiatives from leadership in whom she had no confidence. Boykin and Wills-Wells have called for greater records access and stronger financial controls, while the board majority has backed decisions they opposed. In other business, the Public Works Department reported 211 water service shutoffs in September.

DUPLIN SPORTS Tigers’ defense clip wings of 5A Golden Falcons JK thwarted CBA as a tuneup for stopping Princeton’s Teo McPhatter, the leading rusher in the state By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Amir Lamont, Jeremiah Monk, James Matas and the ED defense put the squeeze on Clinton during a 35-12 win at Brian Aldridge Field.

Panthers rip Horses in ECC showdown “Our defense played really well, stopping them and pinning them deep a few times.” Battle Holley, ED head coach

East Duplin burns past Clinton in search of its seventh conference title since 2015 By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — East Duplin’s defense set the tone early and the Panthers’ Wing-T attack revved up late in the third quarter during a 35-21 win over Clinton in a showdown for first place in the East Central Conference. The Panthers limited the Dark Horses to 15 yards and

no first downs in its first four possessions. After both teams scored a touchdown, Noah LeBlanc and Keeshon Mckinnie took control from that point forward as ED scored five unanswered times. “Our defense played really well, stopping them and pinning them deep a few times,” said ED head coach Battle Holley, who is two wins short of guiding the Panthers to their seventh conference flag since 2015. The Panthers captured ECC titles in 2015-17, 2021-22 and 2025. “Give credit to coach (Kev-

in) Sandlin, coach (Graham) Walker and coach (Jeremy) Joyner for their game plan and how they got our guys to carry it out.” Sandlin and company got everyone involved and on track as ED’s defense to shut down and discouraged Clinton’s offense. Defensive back Darwin Bonilla started it off by pouncing on a fumble that set up the Panthers’ first score. It came on the second play of Clinton’s third possession, and the lone score of the opening quarter came when LeBlanc scored from the 12. The senior and sophomore Zachary Cruz each had 10-yard pushes during the 35-yard march. A goal-line stand trapped running back Gavin Miller (18-143 and all but 18 yards of Clinton’s rushing total) on fourth-and-3 early in the second quarter, and its next possession ended with a missed field goal. See ECC, page B2

PIKEVILLE — How good is the James Kenan football team? Time will tell, yet more will be revealed shortly as the Tigers (6-1, 3-0) host Princeton on Friday and a week later travel to face archrival Wallace-Rose Hill. To date, JK is 1-1 against top-flight competition, with a key Swine Valley 3A Conference win over Midway (7-1, 3-1) and a loss to 4A rival East Duplin (7-1). In between were wins over teams that have compiled a 12-30 mark — Southern Wayne, Southern Nash, Rosewood, Goldsboro and C.B. Aycock. The bash against Princeton (4-4) at Bill Taylor Field is the Tigers’ “trap game” because of Johnston County QB/RB Teo McPhatter (1,959 yards, 29 TDs). It’s Princeton’s final chance to move into a position to nab a first-round playoff bye in the East. JK, meanwhile, could vault to the third by winning the SVC. It would also vault WRH into a first-round encounter. See TIGERS, page B3

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Terrell Allen ran for 30 yards in his only carry and caught his third touchdown pass this season during a 35-12 win over C.B. Aycock.

Carlton, Cole help Rebels grind out win over Spartans Union battled, but ND won for the ninth-straight time in the series

Quarterback Henry Pope, left, blocks for Cole Grady, who ran for a season-high 106 yards.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

Hugh Martin, ND head coach

CALYPSO — Rebuilding seasons don’t always offer the hope of a first-round bye in the state tournament, yet that’s the target for North Duplin, which captured its second-straight Carolina Conference win by knocking off Union 27-20 last Friday. Cole Grady and DJ Carlton each had 15 carries and 106 yards. Carlton scored three times and Grady once. ND (5-2, 2-2) travels to East

Columbus (3-5, 2-2) for its third long road trip Friday as it seeks to secure at least third place in the league. The Rebels close by hosting Hobbton (2-6, 2-2) a week later. “We’re still a work in progress,” said ND head coach Hugh Martin. “We played better defensively after their first score but then let them back into (the game) on a missed assignment near the end of the half.”

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Yet in front 20-12, the Rebels drove 70 yards in 12 plays with Carlton toting the pig five times, the final one from 2 yards away. It proved to be the winning score as ND stopped the Spartans on fourth-and-1 from the 45 with about two minutes to play. Carlton zipped for a first down on the first play, and ND ran the clock out by going into victory formation by taking a knee on the next two downs. On the same night, Lakewood (5-3, 4-0) nipped East Bladen (6-3, 4-1) to maintain control of the CC. Ironically, Lakewood, ND and See REBELS, page B2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, October 22, 2026

Darwin Bonilla recovered a fumble that led to ED’s first score against Clinton.

Rebels, Bulldogs, Tigers capture state tourney wins Four Duplin teams advanced to the second round of their state tournaments By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ECC from page B1 Panthers punter Cruz bobbled the snap to give Clinton the ball at the ED 15 midway through the second quarter. Three plays later, Elijah Bryant (6-18 for 74 yards) scored from the 6 to tie it at 7-7. Bryant had a 14-yard connection to Nick Brewington to give Clinton a first down at the 6. ED got its offense jump-started just before halftime, sparked by a 74-yard run by LeBlanc and a 28-yard rush by Mckinnie to take the pig to the 5. LeBlanc took it to pay dirt two plays later. Up 14-7, the tide had turned, but the Panthers’ power moves fueled a recharging momentum in the third quarter. Yet the Panthers (6-1, 3-0) defenders were hostile and aggressive toward the Dark Horses (5-2, 2-1). Lineman Semaj Scott had a pick-six. Jeremiah Monk forced a fumble. Amir Lamont had seven tackles, including a pair of sacks. Mckinnie, the ECC Defensive Player of the Year last fall, made 13 tackles. LeBlanc and Esiah Bennerman had nine takedowns apiece, and Bonilla had eight. ED cashes in on third quarter profits LeBlanc let Clinton and a packed stadium know the Panthers were super-charged by ripping off an 18-yard run on the first play of the third quarter. Quarterback Brayden Jones connected with Bonilla for a 40-yarder, and three plays later

it was 21-7 after a 4-yard score by Mckinnie. A Mckinnie punt return took the ball to the Clinton 47 after Scott batted down a Bryant pass on third-and-10. Four plays later, LeBlanc scored from the 38. ED’s final score came when a Clinton flea-flicker backfired as Scott picked off a floating pass and scored. The pass came after three handoffs in the backfield. And it was all over for the Horses, trailing 35-7 with 3:38 left in the third. Coming back was impossible as ED appeared to take the wind and will of the Horses, even though Clinton scored before the start of the fourth quarter, which was mostly chewed up by a 17-play Dark Horses drive that trimmed it to a three-score game. Clinton didn’t belong any closer given how the two teams played. Panthers paws ED won for the fourth straight time and has a 12-4 edge in the series since the arrival of Holley in 2011. Clinton leads the all-time series 30-16. Wins over Pender (3-5, 1-2) and South Lenoir (3-5, 0-3) serve up the ECC crown. ED has beaten the Pats the past four meetings and has toppled SL the previous 19 times. The Panthers are the No. 1 RPI school in 4A East and No. 4 overall. Clinton is No. 2 and No. 6 overall. LeBlanc (94-579, 11 TDs) is second in rushing in the Duplin Journal area to WRH’s Adrian Glover (111-1,088, 14 TDs), while Mckinnie (77-505, 8 TDs) is third and JK’s Keyshawn Murray (69-499, 6 TDs) fourth.

MVP OF THE WEEK DJ Carlton