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Ena Sellers

150 years of Rose Hill, wrapped in Christmas spirit

150 years of Rose Hill, wrapped in Christmas spirit

ROSE HILL — This Dec. 6, the heart of Rose Hill will come alive with the glow of parade lights  and the warmth of hometown cheer as the community gathers for Christmas by the Tracks — an annual tradition of togetherness and small-town magic.

This year’s celebration holds special meaning as Rose Hill marks its 150th anniversary. Participants can enjoy a craft fair beginning at noon, browse local vendors and food trucks, explore historic displays and old-town films in the former fire department.

Entertainment begins at 4 p.m., starting with a praise dance performance by The Vessels of Worship, followed by The Beatitudes, and solo performances by Rose Hill’s own Sydney Casteen (banjo), Adam Quinn (guitar), and Renee Hoxie (vocals).

After the parade, the music continues with local favorites Parade Marshal Harvey Arnold Jr., the 380 East Band, and The Johnson Boys.

“Our entertainment should be fantastic,” said Ronda Rivenbark, the event organizer. “We are so grateful and proud of our local talent.”

The parade lineup begins at 5 p.m., with the procession stepping off at 6. Organizers are “shooting for the moon and stars,” hoping for at least 75 entries, all decked out in their best illuminated Christmas décor. The route begins on Railroad Street, turns left onto Church Street, then left onto Oak Street, ending at Rose Hill Baptist Church.

Children are invited to join the Kids Zone, where they can decorate bikes, scooters, and ride-on toys and help lead the parade.

Six volunteers, along with support from town board members, have coordinated everything from parade entries to entertainment, with the event’s largest support coming from The Trading Company of Rose Hill. Roads along the route, including Church Street, will close for the festivities, but ample parking will be available, and no trains will run through town that day.

Rivenbark says she hopes this parade will be the “biggest one yet.” For Rivenbark, the best part of the parade is “the people and the joy it brings to our little hometown.”

Funding uncertainty dominates Warsaw board meeting

WARSAW — At last week’s November Warsaw Town Board meeting, Mayor-elect Wesley Boykin used public comment to thank the board for its service while urging a more formal and structured transition as new members prepare to take office in December. Boykin said that after meeting with Town Manager Lea Turner, he was told that managers and officials “learn as they go,” a characterization he challenged. He emphasized that elected officials must have a written, publicly available transition plan to ensure transparency, continuity of government, and adherence to established protocols.

Boykin also requested a change of venue for the December meeting, noting that a larger public turnout is expected and that Parks and Recreation facilities could accommodate the crowd.

“I was told that it would be too much work because we know that there would be a lot of people attending the Dec. 8 meeting and since the officers-elect are simply that, they cannot give directives,” said Boykin, adding that although officers-elect cannot issue directives, they may make reasonable requests. Boykin told Duplin Journal that the move would require minimal effort, likely involving only relocating microphones.

Following public comment, the town’s engineers provided a detailed update on Warsaw’s major water and wastewater infrastructure projects, emphasizing both current progress and long-term challenges. The first major effort involves a project to rehabilitate Well 3 and connect it to the town’s water treatment plant. This project aims to restore a critical water source that was previously removed from service due to high iron levels. According to the engineers, plans are completed, permits are pending, and once approved, the project will move to construction bidding.

A second, larger effort centers on a $7.5 million legislative earmark for water and wastewater system upgrades. Although the town previously applied for $33 million to expand and improve its wastewater treatment facilities, that application was not funded, in part because expansion projects typically do not qualify for grant assistance. The past proposal for a $33 million plant expansion is now estimated to cost $75–80 million and remains far beyond what grants are likely to cover.

With deadlines tied to ARPA funding, engineers recommended prioritizing immediate needs: replacing failing terracotta sewer lines on Frost Street, upgrading Pump Station 10, including new pumps and a required standby generator and rehabilitating 23,000 feet of aging sewer pipe to reduce stormwater infiltration. They also plan to install a new influent screen at the wastewater treatment plant.

“We met with the town and came up with a plan to first address a serious situation you have on Frost Street, where you’ve got old lines from the 50’s that are made of terracotta pipes. Those lines have collapsed in several places,” said the engineer. “We’re replacing lines from 24 on Frost Street down to where Julia Street extends to Frost Street and also on George Street, where there’s an undersized line that runs up George Street.”

A significant portion of the discussion focused on funding constraints and the difficulty of securing additional grants. Engineers clarified that most available assistance now comes as loans with limited principal forgiveness, usually no more than $500,000, primarily for towns classified as “distressed.” Warsaw is no longer designated distressed, which limits its eligibility for special aid.

Commissioners raised the possibility of redirecting funds, particularly the $3 million allocated for sewer relining, toward more urgent upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. Engineers said this may be feasible, but only if the town can secure a formal extension of the 2026 federal spending deadline. Without that extension, the town risks losing ARPA-funded grant money. At the board’s request, engineers agreed to draft a letter on the town’s behalf seeking permission to reallocate funds and extend the timeline.

Finally, engineers reported that a separate study evaluating whether the wastewater plant can be expanded to two million gallons per day is underway, with seasonal sampling nearly complete. Depending on the results, expansion may be possible, but would require significant loan financing due to the lack of grant programs for capacity increases. The board agreed to continue advancing immediate repair projects while pursuing written guidance from federal and state authorities on whether timeline flexibility and fund reallocation are possible.

Judge Gilmore enters 2026 race with key endorsement

Judge Gilmore enters 2026 race with key endorsement

Last week, District Court Judge Robert H. Gilmore announced his intent to run for North Carolina’s Judicial District 5 Superior Court; he is endorsed by Superior Court Judge Henry L. Stevens IV, who announced he will not seek reelection to his seat in 2026.

“I am looking forward to passing the baton to another person to fill this great responsibility. I can think of no one more qualified, with greater integrity, fairness, and knowledge, than Judge Robert Gilmore. He embodies the values this office demands — legal skill, humility, diligence, compassion — and I am confident he will carry forward the legacy of impartial justice and service to our communities,” said Stevens, whose family has a long lineage of judicial service.

Gilmore accepted the endorsement with gratitude, noting Stevens’ exemplary tenure.

“Judge Stevens has set the standard of fairness, professionalism and unwavering dedication to the law to which each of us in the judiciary should aspire. In a role that demands diligence, Judge Stevens has always been a workhorse for the judiciary. I am humbled by his confidence and this opportunity,” said Gilmore.

In announcing his campaign, Gilmore pledged to honor Stevens’s legacy and expressed his commitment to fairness and diligence.

“If elected to the Superior Court, I will honor his work, uphold the dignity of the judiciary, protect the rights of all citizens, and serve the people of Eastern North Carolina with the same devotion that has defined his tenure.”

Gilmore’s background reflects deep roots in Sampson County and a strong academic and professional record. A native of Keener and graduate of Campbell University, he distinguished himself at Campbell Law School by graduating as valedictorian. Before becoming a District Court judge for North Carolina’s Judicial District 5 (Sampson, Duplin, Jones and Onslow counties) in 2020, he practiced law in Clinton and served as a prosecutor, handling major felony cases such as murder, rape, and armed robbery.

In his judicial career, Gilmore has earned recognition for a clear-minded approach. He plans to continue focusing on timely case management, accessibility, and an unwavering commitment to administering justice.

“The past five years serving as a District Court Judge have been among my highest honors. I hope to have your support to continue serving the State at the Superior Court level,” said Gilmore in a social media statement.

Veteran educator returns to Duplin

KENANSVILLE – Duplin County Schools is welcoming back a familiar face to its leadership team. Last week the Board of Education announced the board approved Superintendent Daren Tyndall’s recommendation to appoint Felicia Brown as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.

Brown, a longtime educator and leader, brings nearly three decades of experience in public education, including a decade of service in Duplin County Schools. She most recently served as Director of Human Resources for Wayne County Public Schools, where she led strategic initiatives to support recruitment, retention, and professional development.

According to Duplin County Schools officials, before her tenure in Wayne County, Brown held multiple leadership positions within Duplin County Schools from 2007 to 2017, including principal, executive director of human resources, chief officer, and assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development. Her leadership at Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School and Duplin Early College High School left a lasting mark on both students and staff.

“Brown is an experienced leader who understands our district’s values and dedication to serving students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent Daren Tyndall. “We are thrilled to welcome her back to Duplin County Schools. Her deep understanding of our culture, combined with her proven expertise in human resources, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our district team.”

Brown will assume her new role following her transition from Wayne County Public Schools.

Unofficial Duplin County election results show tight races, new faces

Unofficial Duplin County election results show tight races, new faces

Several towns saw races decided by just a handful of votes as Duplin logged a modest 19.7% voter turnout.

KENANSVILLE — Duplin County voters turned out in modest numbers for last week’s municipal elections, with unofficial results showing a 19.70% turnout — just 1,479 ballots cast out of 7,509 registered voters.

Last Friday, the Duplin County Board of Elections (DCBOE) held its provisional ballot meeting, approving 16 of 22 provisional ballots submitted during the election.

Carrie Sullivan, DCBOE director, said updated results have been posted to the State Board of Elections dashboard and confirmed that no additional ballots remain to be counted. Since no military or overseas absentee ballots were requested, the current totals are likely to reflect the final certified results.

“Where the votes lie now is pretty close to what we anticipate the final totals to be,” Sullivan told Duplin Journal.

The Duplin County Board of Elections will meet on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. to officially canvass and certify the results.

Among the tightest contests was Calypso’s mayoral race, where Mayor Pro Tem Marvin “Marty” Taylor edged out JoAnne Bowden-Wilson by just three votes, 39 to 36. The town’s two-seat commissioner race was similarly close, with Larry Cashwell leading at 43 votes, followed by Rodney Lambert Jr. with 31 and Willie Wilcutt with 30.

In Warsaw, a shift in leadership is on the horizon as newcomer Wesley Boykin secured 57.54% of the vote, leading with 206 votes, while longtime Mayor A.J. Connors received 151 votes. The two commissioner seats also drew strong competition. Cheryl Smith led with 192 votes, followed by incumbent Ebony Wills-Wells at 168. Al Searles, Sheree Shepard, and Kiara Smith trailed with 113, 97, and 70 votes, respectively.

Voters in Wallace turned out in greater numbers than most towns. Mayor Jason Wells was reelected with 308 votes, while newcomer Glenn Price led the race for two council seats with 218 votes, followed by incumbents Jason Davis with 210 and Tasha Herring-Redd with 165.

In Beulaville, residents opted for consistency, reelecting all incumbents. Mayor Michael “Hutch” Jones secured another term with 103 votes, while commissioners Delmas Highsmith and Gene Wickline held their seats with 98 and 89 votes, respectively.

Faison voters also favored familiar faces. Mayor Billy Ward was reelected with 97 votes, and the race for three commissioner seats shows Ken Avent Jr. on the lead with 85 votes, Sandy McCarty follows with 82, and Juan Carlos Quintanilla with 80. Joanie Babcock and Alane Brewer Floyd trailed with 24 and 21 votes.

Greenevers also saw all incumbents return for the three commissioner seats, with Gregory Carr and Roszena Devione-Bivens each earning 48 votes and Timothy Murphy receiving 36.

Kenansville also saw steady support for its current leadership. Mayor Stephen Williamson Jr. was reelected with 94 votes, while Linda Tyson led the commissioner race with 69 votes. The town recorded 86 total write-ins, with Michael Maddox receiving 52, James Costin 21, and Brandon Hobbs 13.

Magnolia’s three-commissioner seat race shows Incumbent Perry J. Raines kept his seat with 55 votes, followed by incumbent Jeanine Cavenaugh with 44, and write-in candidate Janice Wilson, who captured 37 out of the 51 write-in votes cast. Michael Glenn Chestnutt trailed behind with 23 votes.

In Rose Hill, Mayor Davy Buckner was comfortably reelected with 140 votes. For the two commissioner seats, Perry Tully leads with 94 votes, followed by Tashau Mathis with 69 and Randy Barrios with 64.

Newcomer Danny Sutton and incumbent Patrick Williams tied at 38 votes each in Teachey’s commissioner race for two seats, leaving Ethylen Carlton Powell behind with 25 votes.

Duplin County’s results remain unofficial until the Board of Elections meets to complete its canvass and confirm the winners.

“There are a few things that we are looking at right now, like deaths and felony convictions, to make sure that no one showed up on those lists in the last week of election that would have been ineligible to vote,” Sullivan told Duplin Journal.

Wallace Begins phase one on inclusive playground at Clement Park

Wallace Begins phase one on inclusive playground at Clement Park

WALLACE — Phase one of Wallace’s new inclusive playground project is underway at Clement Park, bringing more than five years of planning and fundraising to life with accessible play opportunities for children of all abilities.

“We are very excited to get this project started. It has been a very long process,” David Bizzel, Wallace Parks and Recreation director told Duplin Journal.

Phase one includes relocating the current playground at Clement Park to Dobbins Park as part of the Dobbins Park Renovation Project, which will also feature a picnic shelter and walking path. Once the playground is reassembled at Dobbins Park, construction will begin on the new inclusive playground at Clement Park. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to use the Farrior Park playground while construction is ongoing.

“We hope to have the entire project completed by Thanksgiving, with both playgrounds up and ready for use,” Bizzel said. “That is of course depending on weather and any unforeseen problems we may run into.”

The Parks and Recreation Department has been busy with several other initiatives, including renovations of the old Clement School building, now home to the department offices and a community building with a cardio room open to the public.

Designs are also underway for a soccer complex at Farrior Park, along with new soccer fields at Clement Park.  Future projects include a tennis and pickleball facility at Farrior Park and the potential addition of a splash pad at Clement Park.

“We have a lot going on, and we are very excited about the future of our department,” Bizzel told Duplin Journal.

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