VOLUME 9 ISSUE 50 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF
Finding your way in Wallace
this week
In October, the Carolina Strawberry Festival awarded a $2,500 grant to the town of Wallace for new wayfinding signs. The first of these signs was posted last week in front of the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library. “This first phase of this project will install two wayfinding signs on Main Street at each end of the historic downtown district as well as parking signage at the train depot,” explained Town Manager Rob Taylor. “Future signs will be strategically added throughout town in the coming years.”
Persons who work with live animals encouraged to get flu shot Kenansville Health officials are recommending people who work with live animals to get the flu vaccine. Free flu shots are available Monday through Friday from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at the Health Department located at 340 Seminary St. in Kenansville. Avian influenza viruses can be transmitted to other animals and potentially to humans from infected birds, viruscontaminated environments and through an intermediate host.
Applications for NC State Extension Summer Internship are open Duplin County The 2025 NC State Extension Summer Internship program is now accepting applications. From crop protection to 4-H livestock projects, Extension internships offer a firsthand view of a career making a positive difference in the community. There are 40 internships available across the state. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply. Visit tinyurl. com/ncsuext to learn more and apply.
Mt. Olive Pickle Company Gift Shop moving downtown Mount Olive The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the Mt. Olive Pickle Company Gift Shop is moving downtown this summer.
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Wallace police chief visits Latino congregations to dispel rumors “No matter what’s going on nationally, we are still here to serve you. We love you, and we are glad that you are part of this community.” Jimmy Crayton, Wallace police chief
Applications for Governor’s Page Program now open Duplin County High school students and recent high school graduates in good academic standing are encouraged to apply for the Governor’s Page Program. Participants will visit Raleigh for a week of hands-on participation in their state government. Participation in the program is an excused absence from school.
NC Tobacco Trust Fund 2025 grant cycle opens Duplin County Applications for the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund 2025 grant cycle are now open and will be accepted until March 7. These grants will go toward agricultural projects that support the industry, impact rural communities and stimulate economic development. Visit tinyurl.com/tobaccotrust to learn more.
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WALLACE — Last Friday, Wallace Police Chief Jimmy Crayton visited the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal and Principe de Paz congregations to dispel rumors after receiving reports of false information creating fear among residents. Crayton reached out to these congregations to address the public and reassure everyone that the information is false. One such message, which was shared on WPD social media on Jan. 1, warned that Wallace police had orders to stop all Hispanic individuals and arrest anyone without a license. Law enforcement stated the messages were seemingly intended to create fear among Latino residents, emphasizing that they were “baseless and deeply concerning.” During the visit, attendees were encouraged to record
Crayton’s message on their phones and share it with others to help alleviate their fears about law enforcement. With the help of an interpreter, Crayton introduced himself and reassured the community that they should not be afraid to approach the police. “I don’t want you to be scared of us. Not of the Wallace Police Department. Not any police in Duplin County,” said Crayton. “Our job is not to find out what your immigration status in this country is. My job is to serve you, to try to protect you and to be there for you when you need us. I do not want you to be afraid of the Wallace Police Department. I know there’s been some messages being sent around your community lately that tell you differently — that we are out looking for you, and that we are going to arrest you and send you away. That is not the case. Again, I do not want you to be afraid.” Crayton urged families to continue sending their children to school, going See WALLACE, page A2
Controversy continues in Mount Olive over town manager “We need to come together and just voice our concerns, our challenges, and see if we can work it out so we can move our town forward.” Jerome Newton, Mount Olive mayor
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Jimmy Crayton urged families to continue engaging in their regular activities
Citizens packed a town board meeting to ask for unity and fairness By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — The Mount Olive Town Hall was packed for the Board of Commissioners regular monthly meeting Monday night, with many citizens having to stand in the lobby or along the walls of the meeting room. Many of those in attendance spoke during the public forum portion of the meeting, asking that the town become more transparent and work together to find a new town manager. Former Town Manager Jammie Royall was fired by the board in a 3-2 vote — along racial lines with Commissioners Delreese Simmons and Vicky
Darden opposed — at a special meeting Jan. 13. Simmons and Darden are both black, as is Royall. Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Kornegay and Commissioners Danny Keel and Tommy Brown, all of whom are Caucasian, voted for Royall’s dismissal. David Bone, executive director of the Eastern Carolina Council (ECC) of Government, appeared before the board and gave a brief presentation on how he could help with the search for a new town manager. “The ECC has been successful in helping towns across eastern North Carolina find experienced town managers,” said Keel, who represents Mount Olive on the ECC board. “I hope we would consider to approve and have their See SEARCH, page A6
Warsaw shuts down Relax Inn due to raw sewage spill The facility was banned from operations until repairs are completed By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — The Relax Inn, located on North Pine Street in Warsaw, was shut down last Thursday after town officials discovered that the sewage line at the back of the property had been tampered with, allowing raw sewage to flow onto the ground behind the establishment. “The property owner was not aware that it had taken place, but he has been notified and he is making the corrections needed,” Town Manager Lea Turner told Duplin Journal last week, explaining that they were notified of the situation on Thursday and were not aware when it took place. “They would not tell us when it happened.” Turner told Duplin Journal that the Relax Inn cannot operate until the problem is resolved, and the facility must also be inspected before it can reopen. Turner stated that the business will face a fine and is responsible for all necessary repairs. Duplin Journal attempted to reach the motel owner for comment, but he was unavailable at press time. According to Turner, residents were relocated See SPILL, page A5