VOLUME 11 ISSUE 6 | THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
AgFest brings agriculture to life AgFest at the University of Mount Olive brought the future to Duplin County with hands-on experiences, industry connections and a closer look at the careers driving one of North Carolina’s largest industries. Turn to A3 for more.
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BRIEF this week
Wallace Christian Academy to add middle school by August
Sheriff’s office executes drug, gambling bust
Growth in enrollment and community support is driving the next phase of expansion
Chinquapin The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, in coordination with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, executed a search warrant at Munchies Mini Mart in Chinquapin on March 25, seizing marijuana, psilocybin products, cash, suspected illegal gaming machines and counterfeit merchandise. According to authorities, warrants have been issued for the store’s owner, Ameer Amin Ali Alsumairi, on multiple alleged drug and gambling-related offenses. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the DCSO at 910-296-2150 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202.
By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal
Tax office payment disruption notice Kenansville The Duplin County Tax Office will be unable to process credit and debit card payments from April 24 through May 1 due to a software upgrade. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and use cash or check during this period.
Hospital offers free childbirth class Kenansville ECU Health Duplin Hospital will offer a free childbirth class on April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for expectant mothers between 28 and 35 weeks. The session provides hands-on guidance and education on labor and delivery.
$2.00
WALLACE Christian Academy (WCA) is expanding to include a middle school starting August 2026.
“God gave Poston Baptist Church the vision in January 2021 to start a private Christian school in our community,” Headmaster Steve Le Roux said. “Since then, members of the church and the lo-
Big plans take flight The runway expansion is set to begin this fall By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WALLACE — Exciting developments are underway at the Wallace-Pender Airport, as town leaders and aviation officials work together to position Wallace as a key player in eastern North Carolina’s growing
regional economy. Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz, who also serves on the airport commission, says the momentum behind the airport’s expansion reflects a broader vision for the town. “This isn’t just about aviation,” Rivas-Diaz explained. “It’s about preparing Wallace for the future.”
cal community have continued to invest their time, talents, resources, finances, and prayers to help bring this vision to reality.” WCA has successfully built the school in phases with funding able to pay off each phase as it progresses. Phase one, six elementary school classrooms, was completed in August 2022
for $365,000 and paid in full. Phase two, eight additional elementary school classrooms, was completed in August 2024 for $910,000 and also paid in full. Phase three is the current phase. It plans to build a new middle school building with eight classrooms, four
Town leaders are advancing plans for a major expansion of the Wallace-Pender Airport, a project they say will boost economic growth and improve regional connectivity. “The commission — working closely with Airport Director Ben Jones and the Wallace Town Council — is moving forward with several major projects,” said Rivas-Diaz. The next phase of development includes extending the airport’s runway from 4,150 feet to 5,500 feet, allowing it to accommodate larger aircraft. According to Jones, construction
could begin as early as August or September and be completed by October without closing the runway. Following the extension, crews are expected to begin work on a parallel taxiway and a new apron. The taxiway will improve safety by eliminating the need for aircraft to backtrack on the runway. Officials aim to complete those upgrades by April 2027. Plans also call for a new terminal and additional hangars, including 10 T-hangars and two larger corporate or community
Farmers face drought, shifting crop prices as planting season begins An Extension agent says weather, markets and regulations are shaping early decisions By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal AS PLANTING season approaches, local farmers are weighing crop prices, dry conditions and evolving regulations that could shape decisions in the months ahead. Della King, an N.C. Cooperative Extension agent specializing in field crops, says those factors are already influencing how growers prepare for the season. One early indicator this year is crop prices. King says corn
prices may inspire some local farmers to change what they are growing. “Soybean prices have gone back up, so some may make a switch and reduce some of their corn acreage and plant more soybeans,” King said. One thing local farmers are hoping for as they gear up to start planting is some rain. “We’re a little on the dry side,” King said. “So we could stand a little rain, especially since growers are getting ready to gear up and start planting, especially corn.” King says farmers make a lot of decisions when it comes to improving their yields. See PLANTING, page A2
“Soybean prices have gone back up, so some may make a switch and reduce some of their corn acreage and plant more soybeans.” Della King
See SCHOOL, page A2
See AIRPORT, page A2