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Abby Cavenaugh

Duplin County Partnership for Children helps parents get kids ready for school

Duplin County Partnership for Children helps parents get kids ready for school

KENANSVILLE — In preparation for the beginning of the new school year, Duplin County Partnership for Children along with nine other area organizations hosted a drive-thru Back-to-School Community Day in Kenansville on Aug. 19.

“Over 1,400 backpacks were distributed today,” Christy Jones, Duplin County Partnership for Children executive director, told Duplin Journal.

Christy Jones with Duplin County Partnership for Children, hands school supplies to participants of the Back-to-School Community Day drive-thru event held on Aug. 19 in Kenansville. Photo by Ena Sellers / Duplin Journal

The event, which took place in front of the Duplin County Partnership for Children office on Limestone Road, kicked off at 1 p.m. Vehicles trickled in throughout the day to receive free school supplies and backpacks.

“Everybody’s very thankful, very grateful for the event,” said Jones. “They seem to be very pleased with it.”

Approximately 20 volunteers braved the heat, joining Duplin County Partnership for Children until 7 p.m., welcoming parents and children alike as they pulled in their vehicles.

“Our partners collaborated with us and brought volunteers,” said Jones, adding that the event went well considering they had to reschedule the original date due to rain, and it involved some planning logistics to make everything happen.

The event was made possible with the help of their partners, which included Smithfield, NC Healthy Blue, Eastern Baptist Association, First Baptist Church of Teachey, Duplin County Ray of Hope, Adoram Baptist Church, Anna’s Angels, St. James, and First Missionary Baptist Church of Kenansville.

Area farmers participate in Watermelon Variety Trial Showcase

Area farmers participate in Watermelon Variety Trial Showcase

CLINTON — Located on Faison Highway, only a stone’s throw from the town of Faison, the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Clinton serves as a platform for agricultural research to bring new crop opportunities and provide farmers with proven methods of growing such crops for greater yields and desirable qualities.

Approximately 20 area farmers and growers participated in a recent field crop tour where they learned about new crop opportunities and some of the work staff, faculty and graduate students have been doing.

Jonathan Schultheis, a professor with NC State University Horticultural Science Department working with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, told Duplin Journal that they are looking at different cucurbits.

Journal Jonathan Schultheis, an NC State Horticultural Science professor working with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, talks to participants about canary melons and their unique flavors, some described from succulent and juicy to caramel-like. Photo by Ena Sellers / Duplin Journal

“In the cucurbit family, we have some new types of melons, like dino melons, canary melons, which probably most people don’t know what they are, and then we have a whole selection of watermelons. … We cut about a third of them with some people that were really interested in the watermelons earlier,” said Schultheis, explaining one of the goals was to see what kind of varieties or cultivars might work for their commercial operation.

“We do these sorts of cultivar tests annually. We interact with seed companies because they want to hear back what’s of interest to them, and get some feedback,” he explained.

The canary melons are part of the New and Emerging Crops Program, said Schultheis, explaining that they received a grant to look at that as an alternative type of crop.

“Most people don’t know what a canary melon is. We feel like we have some unique flavors and textures,” said Schultheis, adding that they believe the crop would do well here.

“We’re just trying to improve on some of the characteristics and things that we see with watermelons. And so, there’s some new varieties that are coming along there as well. And so, we are really excited about all that,” said Schultheis.

The melon varieties presented during the Watermelon Variety Trial Showcase came from seeds from international companies.

“We have close to 10 companies that may be represented here. All those are basically international seed companies that breed for these different crops across the world.”

“We love working with North Carolina growers and the industry, and we want to try to help them as best as we can,” said Schultheis.

He explained that the idea is if they can grow them well here, they would work with commercial growers and give them a couple of varieties that not only yield well but that taste great.

“Brazil is a big producer of canary melons, and it’s very limited here in the United States. Part of it is an educational process,” said Schultheis. “I think as you expose people more and more to that, and if you give them a good quality product, (the crop production) has a chance to really increase and more growers may grow (canary melons) to make those available to you as a consumer.”

Schultheis told Duplin Journal he would like to see canary melons at the stores and believes people will really enjoy them.

“We’re also working with Dr. Suzanne Johanningsmeier — she’s with USDA and one of the things she does is work with sensory analysis. We’re working with her and using her expertise,” he added, explaining they are hoping to do a sensory taste test next year. They are also planning on doing a taste test with a group of trained panelists.

“We sort of got into this because we had a fellow who was tasting every one of these different types last year,” said Schultheis, who said these varieties have some unique flavors described from succulent and juicy to caramel-like.

“We’re going to select four to six canary melons out of the 20 we’ve tested. And that’ll take some of the risk away from our commercial growers, and we’ll get them some plants,” said Schultheis, adding that they are seeing interest from some of the larger melon growers who are looking to expand their markets.

Vaping — the silent killer

Vaping — the silent killer

WALLACE — Approximately 30 participants, including county and town leadership, gathered for the annual Opioid Town Hall at the Mad Boar Restaurant last week.

“We are trying to get our towns to think about what we can do to help the vaping and opioid crisis and give examples of what other counties are doing,” said Maury Castillo, Duplin County Health Department public health educator, adding that they hope some of those could be implemented locally.

Jamie Murray with the Duplin County Health Department Opioid Response Team opened the floor with an update on the Opioid Settlement Fund Distribution.

“We have been allocated $4,457,908,” said Murray. “We have already received $1,289,620.98. That’s almost 29% of our allocation.”

Murray spoke about some of the strategies that are being implemented in Duplin County, among them the distribution of free naloxone and medication safe lock boxes. Also, the Too Good for Drugs curriculum, which has been added for Duplin County Schools, starting with first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth graders. “When we did the pilot program, the kids loved it. They were very engaged.”

Addiction treatment for inmates is another strategy that the Opioid Response Team will be implementing at the Duplin County Jail. It will include medication-assisted treatment and medication coverage.

Guest speaker Ernest Watts with Southeastern North Carolina Tobacco League was next on the lineup.

“One-third of your students have used a vape; 32% of them are using a vaping product at the current time,” said Watts, adding that 15% of them are in middle school and officals are seeing it in elementary school children as well.

“We’re seeing a high percentage of those using a controlled substance; 13.4% of your entire student body, high school and junior, are using a controlled substance, and that’s usually opioid or THC,” said Watts.

“Vapes don’t have the traditional smoke that you see with cigarettes. … It’s invisible, but the gas is still emitted. For those people around vapes, they’re exposed to nicotine, small pieces of metal, micro-fractured particles of aluminum and tin, some of the carcinogens that we see in tobacco. Remember there are chemicals we find in tobacco leaves, which are transmitted to the vape fluid, and that’s insecticides, because these are plants,” he said, adding that the propylene glycol used for flavoring on vapes damages the lining of the lungs.

Watts spoke about the towns’ ability to use the unified development ordinance as a tool to restrict the proliferation of vape shops in certain areas which make them accessible to children. While the goal is not to stop legitimate merchants, the concern is that many of those vape shops selling to minors are in strip malls and near schools.

“Unfortunately, we find not only are they selling vapes and nicotine, but they’re also selling forms of THC and kratom. Kratom is hallucinogenic. It comes from a plant in the Philippines.

“And right now in North Carolina, anyone can purchase it and anyone can take it anywhere they want. It does not fall under smoke-free, tobacco-free laws. If a first grader went into a vape shop and purchased kratom, you’re not breaking the law. If a third grader took kratom on school campus, you’re not breaking the law. They can do whatever they want with it,” said Watts, adding that several laws have been brought before the legislature. “House Bill 391 was brought this last time. It got tied up in committee. They did pass a law that they have to have a list of every vape product that’s produced. And it’s going to be the secretary of state’s office in 2027.”

Watts emphasized there is no law regulating kratom, Delta 8 and Delta 9.

“You’re going against a well-endowed manufacturer who has better lawyers than we have and has much more influence. … When this bill came through, I could not call my senator or my representative and say, ‘We need this,’ because as a state employee, I’m bound against that. Yet the companies could spend millions of dollars toward the legislature to prevent it.”

Watts spoke about what other counties are doing to combat the opioid epidemic. He explained a county can’t ban sales, but they can restrict where vape shops are located.

“In 2023, Wake County passed a unified development ordinance — a UDO amendment. Wake prevented tobacco hemp retailers from establishing in the unincorporated areas of Wake County 1,000 feet from schools, parks, greenways and up 1,000 feet from other hemp retailers and residences. They did this through land use.”

Watts shared that an age check revealed that 23 out of 61 vape retailers in Jacksonville were selling to underage kids.

“I don’t like to compare counties because every county is different, but if they do it in a neighboring county, it’s going on here too,” said Watts. “They are preying on kids and they’re getting them addicted. … And not only that, but it also leads to other drugs such as opioids being used. Again, we don’t want to appear anti-business. We just don’t want them that close to our kids, parkways, our churches and our residential areas. As of Aug. 26, middle schools and high schools now have vape detectors. … Onslow is one of the three counties with the highest opioid rates in the state of North Carolina. You’re a different county, but you’re facing the same problems.

“I have an attorney, who is pro bono, will do any work to get this done for any municipality.”

The town hall concluded with a story about Solomon, a 15-year-old football player who was casually introduced to vaping, ultimately leading to his death.

Guest speaker Charlene Zorn, Salomon’s stepmom, shared that when they first found out it was vaping that caused his death, Solomon had been dealing with health issues no doctor could figure out. Upon visiting a pediatric pulmonologist and running some tests, the doctor immediately knew.

“She looked at my son and said, ‘So you’ve been vaping, haven’t you?’ … Solomon had popcorn lungs,” said Zorn. “Things just kept getting progressively worse. … This was a kid who would be in the weight room at school every morning, pumping weights with his buddies, you know, standing ready for football. … We’re not talking about a kid who vaped for years. We’re talking about a kid who did sporadically for a year, year and a half. Al (Solomon’s father) caught him with a vape once, took it away from him, had a conversation, never thought anything about it again. … Nowhere would have someone thought that within four days, my son was going to be dead.

“And I tell you it is the most earth-shattering experience I’ve ever been (through). … Nothing is like watching your 15-year-old child die.”

For more information, contact ernest.watts@hth.co.robeson.nc.us.

Mount Olive native champions for hog farmers across the state

Mount Olive native champions for hog farmers across the state

MOUNT OLIVE — Agricultural roots run deep for NC Farm Families executive director, Chad Herring.

The third-generation pig farmer who raises newly-weaned pigs on his family farm in Mount Olive has been championing to educate people about the pig industry.

“My uncle got nine feeder pigs in 1965 on a 4-H project and over the years we’ve grown into what is now about 15,000 nursery spaces,” Herring told Duplin Journal.

For nearly a decade, Herring has been welcoming colleges and universities interested in educational opportunities and opening his doors to members of the media to see for themselves the day-to-day operations of a hog farm.

Growing up on a farm, Herring learned about the trade from his dad.

“We were growing pigs and row crops at that time. I got to drive tractors and plow corn, pick corn and soybeans. That was my childhood, and it was wonderful. I wish my kids could have grown up during that time,” said Herring.

“The farm is kind of the nucleus of our family unit,” Herring told Duplin Journal, pointing at the different homes where his family members live. “We built the farm and then we moved in around it… My grandmother lived here, my uncle, uncle, aunt, my father, other aunt and we kind of surrounded the farm. That’s why it’s so important to me the sustainability of it. Because it is part of our family.”

Herring likes to lead by example. As a hog family farmer himself he has a vested interest in sustainability of the industry. He believes transparency and education are key so people who may not be very familiar with the industry can learn the facts and not become easy targets of misinformation.

“We want people to see who we are and see that we’re just like them. We’re volunteer firefighters, we’re tee ball coaches, whatever it may be,” said Herring.

“If we see something that the media does that’s not right, we want to respond to it. And that’s where NC Farm Families is at,” said Herring as he spoke about a recent article by the New York Times about Tropical Storm Debby.

“They had a picture of a lagoon from six years ago, and the flood water is up to it, and the banks, obviously, it wasn’t inundated, so the lagoon was doing its job. But they were talking about flooding issues and whatnot, and it just wasn’t so,” said Herring, explaining this was just one example of the type of misinformation that is out there.

“We’ve seen our farms perform, and we get ready for hurricanes like we are supposed to,” said Herring. “We’ve learned over the years how to prepare for them.”

“Continuous improvement is in a pig farmer’s DNA and nowhere is that more evident than the progress made in the industry’s environmental footprint over the past 50 years,” Herring told Duplin Journal, explaining that now it takes 78% less land, 41% less water, and about 35% less carbon emissions per pound of pork produced.

“One of the biggest, probably the biggest technological advances that we’ve been implementing is the renewable natural gas piece,” said Herring, adding that the state ranks third in the nation with the most potential to become a leader in renewable energy. “Especially in eastern North Carolina we’ve got a lot of opportunity with all the hog farms to build those digesters and capture that gas.”

Herring also explained how the use of renewable natural gas technology is helping hog farms reduce emissions and minimize odors.

“There is a 51% decrease in odor unit emissions due to covered anaerobic digesters, and a 90% decrease in methane emissions due to collection from digesters,” said Herring. “The DEQ in North Carolina stated in their study that 34% of the state’s gross greenhouse gas emissions were sequestered by agricultural lands, natural lands and forests, which is a testament to what we’re doing in agriculture, especially on our farms.”

Herring is happy with the life he and his family members have built in their family farm, which is a testament that responsible hog farming practices do not pose a health risk.

“I’ve raised my family here. If I knew there was an environmental concern or it was going to impact my family, we wouldn’t be here. My goal is to protect my family and that’s why I decided to raise my family here,” said Herring. “We play in these creeks behind our farm — it’s a great place.”

Warsaw commissioner encourages businesses to sponsor kids’ sports

Warsaw commissioner encourages businesses to sponsor kids’ sports

WARSAW — Marbella Ascencio was among the residents who signed up for public comment at the Warsaw town hall meeting last week.

Ascencio addressed the board voicing her concerns about the recent increase in registration fees for sports at the Parks and Recreation Department.

“As a parent and a long-time resident of Warsaw, I’ve been proud of the community and the opportunities it provides our children. However, the fee increase has raised significant concerns among parents,” said Ascencio. “I was able to speak to a few town leaders and members of our community who regularly use the Park and Recreation facilities. These conversations were insightful, but I must express that at times my efforts have been misunderstood. I’ve occasionally encountered responses suggesting that the fee increase is set in the annual budget and therefore unchangeable. While I fully understand the constraints of the budget, it’s disheartening to feel that my activism may have been perceived as an attack rather than an effort to collaborate and improve our community. My intent has always been to work together toward solutions to serve all the families, ensuring that no child is left out due to the financial barriers.”

Ascencio stated that she has been going door-to-door, speaking to neighbors — many who were unaware of the fee increases but showed support for her efforts.

“The issue is about more than just the fee increase. It’s about ensuring that our town’s recreational programs remain accessible to all families.”

Commissioner Jack Hawes later explained that the town costs have gone up significantly and they weren’t breaking even with the way their fees were set.

“One reason why fees were low, and we can’t continue to depend on this, is that the department head, the manager over there, her friends and family were doing a lot of volunteer work that we can’t expect them to continue to do. They were doing all the cleaning, all the washing of uniforms… everything,” said Hawes.

“Growing up I used to play Dixie Youth Baseball, Little League. We had business sponsors. And I challenge business leaders to start sponsoring kids to play,” said Hawes. “I already did the first step. I paid for every child to play basketball, the girls, I paid all their fees. And I challenge every single business owner to do the same… Even parents, where you work, challenge your employer to help the kids play ball.”

In other business:

The board moved to postpone the deadline for the code of ordinances draft response to Oct. 31, the ordinance was due for legal review by American Legal Publishing on Sept. 1. The new date will allow time for the planning board to meet and provide an update to the town board by the Sept. 9 meeting.

“The review that the consultant did takes a stab at updating the language and getting it into compliance with the laws that exist today,” explained Commissioner Al Searles. “I think if we would all really emphasize looking at that first, get it legal, and then if we want to change it, start that process as a secondary step. My gut tells me that if we try to do both of those things, we will never complete the task. “

Searles suggested updating the ordinance language, getting it into compliance with the state’s general statutes before making any changes. He explained that the process of changing ordinances is a very cumbersome one, as there are legal requirements implicated with changing it.

During the town manager’s update, Lea Turner, Warsaw town manager provided a brief recap from Tropical Storm Debby.

“For the most part, Warsaw fared very well. We had a few trees that were down in a few areas with some flood concerns. However, the flood water was down by the end of the day,” said Turner, explaining that if the outfall is full the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. “As soon as our outfall started going down, our water receded.”

Thanks to the town’s forward vision preparing ahead of the storm, the flooding was more manageable.

According to Mayor A.J. Connors, Public Works cleaned ditches on both sides of South Gum Street, North Cross Street, and from Hill Street to College Street.

Commissioner Ebony Wills-Wells shared that she had the opportunity to ride across town during the storm to observe the challenges they were experiencing.

“I will say that it was very eye-opening. And we do have a lot of work to do within our town… It truly takes a village to be able to conquer the challenges,” said Wills-Wells.

Books & Friends closes its doors

Books & Friends closes its doors

Books & Friends in downtown Wallace is now officially closed.

Mark Grady, author and owner of Books & Friends, announced the closing of the bookstore located at 113 N. College St., in Wallace, last week. Originally Grady had planned to keep the bookshop open until Aug. 31, however on Monday he announced the change of plans.

“Things are changing and happening much faster than I anticipated after announcing the closure of the bookshop. Since the next few weeks will likely result in bookshelves and large items being moved, I believe it would be safer to go ahead and officially close,” wrote Grady.

The Wallace business owner made the initial announcement on a social media post explaining the reason for his decision.

“It was not an easy decision at all. I opened the bookshop almost two years ago. I have met many great people and have become a mentor of sorts to several young folks in town. That last part was the most difficult in making my decision,” wrote Grady, explaining that the bookshop never had a profitable month since its opening in 2022.

“I kept the bookshop operating with funds from my other income. That was seriously affected after the writer’s strike the end of last year,” wrote Grady. “I’m sad, but also a little frustrated. This small town supports six vape shops, but rarely buys a book. What a sad reflection on our society.”

In his announcement Grady thanked the support of patrons who were regulars at the bookshop and closed asking parents to encourage reading.

“Please encourage your children to read. It’s one thing that can definitely change their lives for the best,” Grady wrote.

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