VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Incumbent Jesse Dowe snags District 4 race by one vote Duplin County Election results for the primary were certified by the Duplin County Board of Elections on March 15. The final results call attention to the power of one single vote as incumbent Jesse Dowe wins the contended Democratic race for District 4 County Commissioner with 304 votes against his opponent Mary Williams-Boykin, who lost with 303 votes. Dowe will be running unopposed in the Nov. 5, general election to keep his seat. DJS
ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL
Spring Fling brings fun-filled day to Warsaw Children and adults alike gathered at Warsaw Parks and Rec last Saturday for an exciting day at the park. Kids enjoyed bouncy houses, balloon art, games, food, a magic show and an epic Easter egg hunt, collecting a total of 5,000 eggs. Turn to page 6 for more photos.
Wallace PD charges 30 people on Saturday Wallace The Wallace Police Department hosted a checking station on NC Highway 41 near Raleigh Road last Saturday, resulting on 30 charges issued. Among the charges issued four were for driving while impaired offenses and one possession of a firearm by a felon.
Wallace street renamed after late council member Jordan served 36 years on Wallace Town Council
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New food assistance program available for school-age children North Carolina The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program known as “SUN Bucks,” will provide $120 per eligible child in grocery benefits starting this summer. If your child receives free and reducedprice meals at school, you have until March 28, to update your address at your child’s school to receive their SUN Bucks card at the correct mailing address during the summer months.
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal A Wallace street has been renamed in honor of longtime Wallace Council Member and educator David Edward Jordan. With 36 years on the town council, more than 30 years in education at Charity Middle School and Wallace-Rose Hill High School, and a heart for his community, many say they couldn’t think of a better person to be honored with a street in his name. A street renaming ceremony was held on the corner of Gra-
“[David Jordan] truly was a strong advocate for all of the citizens of Wallace.” Former Mayor Charley Farrior ham and Powell (now Jordan) streets on Friday afternoon, with local officials, family members and friends of Jordan in attendance. “I knew Mr. Jordan at a couple of key moments in my life,” said Wallace Mayor Jason Wells. “Once, when I was a middle school student at Charity Middle School in seventh grade. Mr.
ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL
Former Wallace Mayor Charley Farrior talks with Nancy Jordan, wife of longtime Wallace Council Member David Jordan, at a street renaming ceremony on Friday, March 15. Jordan was, at that time, a larger than life figure. I remember him being on the playground, and bringing the kids that were having an argument, or like I call
Law enforcement raises awareness of Illegal parking in Magnolia
Town adopts 4-day operating hours starting April 1
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See STREET, page 5
Magnolia board discusses water and sewage rate increase for FY25
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Magnolia The Magnolia Police Department is reminding residents that it is illegal for any vehicle to park between the stoplight and railroad tracks on E. Main Street (NC 903). Law enforcement is asking people to park on the west side of the railroad tracks instead to avoid a costly citation. Parking is permitted in W. Main Street and it’s safer.
it a heated discussion, he would get those kids together and 20
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL
Niccoya Dobson stands next to longtime attorney Reginald Kenan who spoke in support of the public defender’s office and the need for adequate representation for defendants who can’t afford a lawyer.
Concerned citizen highlights need for better medical awareness, treatment at Duplin County Jail District 5 Public defender’s office to be located in Kenansville By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE – Luciana Barksdale, who had signed up for public comment at the March 18 County Commissioners meeting appeared in front of the board to express concerns about the neglectful care her nephew Dyson Fryer, who is diabetic, received at the Duplin County Jail. “He stayed from [February] 18th to the 21st on charges that he had been cleared on previously,” Barksdale told the board. “During his time at the facility, Dyson repeatedly requested access to his prescribed diabetic medication. Despite his urgent
“There’s probably only two or three lawyers in this county that take the high-class felonies. I stay on the list because I think a poor person deserves adequate representation too. I particularly got 60 or 70 cases of felonies just by myself.” Attorney Reginald Kenan pleas and alarming readings [on] the facility glucose monitor, he was denied proper treatment… See JAIL, page 5
“You have to charge what it costs you to operate that enterprise fund, just like you would a business, so we’re going to need to raise the rates this next budget year, July 1.”
MAGNOLIA – The Town of Magnolia discussed water and sewer rate increases for the upcoming fiscal year during the board’s regular monthly meeting Magnolia Town Manager Charles held on March 12. “Twig” Rollins Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins told the Duplin Journal is to present the recommended that the town’s water and sew- budget at the Tuesday, May 14, er fund is struggling right now regular board meeting. “But the because rates have not been in- budget is not final until the board creased in 11 years. According to actually votes on it. And that’s the town manager that was a de- after a public hearing,” said the cision made by the prior adminis- town manager. tration, and during that amount of time inflation went up 31%. In other business: “It was costing more to produce The Town of Magnolia will be water and process our wastewa- operating on a four-day, 10-hour ter, so we kind of got behind the schedule starting April 1. eight ball and we are needing to Rollins told the Duplin Jourraise rates,” said Rollins, explain- nal this will extend the hours that ing that by state law an enterprise they are open to the public, giving fund has to be run like a business. them more time to come in and “You have to charge what it costs do business. The new hours will you to operate that enterprise be Monday through Thursday, 8 fund, just like you would a busi- a.m.- 6 p.m. ness, so we’re going to need to “One of the big things that all raise the rates this next budget local governments are struggling year, July 1. We’re cranking final numbers and everything for that and to see how much that will be.” See RATE INCREASE, page 2 The town manager will present a recommended budget in May to give the public plenty of time to review it. A public hearing will be scheduled after that to give the public a chance to comment before the budget gets adopted at the end of June. Rollins shared that the plan
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