WALLACE — Travis Sean Walker, 24, from Willard, was arrested on Feb. 28 in connection with the murder of Antwan Joseph Strickland.
According to authorities, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the Wallace Police Department responded to a report of a possible deceased individual in a car at 250 Mail Route Road in Wallace on Feb. 27. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the victim’s body, who was later identified as a man reported missing in Pender County.
Detectives from DCSO’s Criminal Investigation Division identified Walker as a suspect in connection with the murder of Strickland. After further investigation and collaboration with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office and Wallace PD, law enforcement arrested Walker on an open count of murder. He is currently being held in the Duplin County Jail without bond and is due in court on April 4. The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office at 910-296-2150 or the Duplin County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202. The investigation is still ongoing.
BEULAVILLE — The Town of Beulaville has been awarded a grant in the amount of $2.7 million for sewer replacement and lift station rehabilitation, announced Town Manager Lori Williams Monday evening at the town’s monthly Board of Commissioners meeting. Josh Outlaw with the Adams Company congratulated the town on securing funding but emphasized that the process would take time. “This is the beginning of a long process,” said Outlaw, estimating the town would see approximately two years pass before any actual construction begins. “We got a bunch of paperwork between here and there.”
As part of the meeting’s new business, the board unanimously approved hiring The Adams Company to provide engineering services for a Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) project. The $950,000 grant was the last received from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and will support the rehabilitation or replacement of four Beulaville houses. Williams noted that requirements have increased as far as training and paperwork regarding the new grants; town representatives will be required to attend two separate compliance and environmental training sessions.
The board also voted to finalize an agreement with the Department of Transportation to reimburse the town up to $8,700 annually for quarterly street sweeping services along Main Street and Jackson Street on NC 24 and NC 41/111, respectively. The funding will enable the town to resume street sweeping services and ensure that storm drains and gutters remain free from pine straw, dirt, and debris that could lead to more expensive issues down the road. As Beulaville doesn’t own a street sweeper, the town will contract out for services for which the Department of Transportation will reimburse.
“We did reach out to Wallace and try to contract with them, but due to staffing issues we just couldn’t get a schedule worked out,” said Williams.
Commissioner Gene Wickline suggested looking to whether another local municipality would be interested in purchasing a sweeper for shared use, but Director of Public Works Ricky Raynor advised against it.
“You have to have one person run that piece of equipment. If you put two or three head on it, you’ll spend more money fixing it than you will sweeping,” said Raynor.
Chief of Police Karl Mobley began his report by welcoming Officer Bryan Sexton to the Beulaville Police Department. Mobley also provided updates on recent law enforcement actions:
-Authorities have taken Justin Pittman into custody as a suspect in a credit card fraud case involving the theft of over $1,400.
-Natesha Cheeks was apprehended after spreading over $2,100 in counterfeit bills between two businesses in Duplin County, mainly in fake $50 bills. The department has been working hand-in-hand with other agencies, including the Secret Service who oversees counterfeit investigations. The suspect used fake bills to purchase gift cards and has been active from Virginia all the way down to Leland, according to Mobley.
The town recorded its highest-ever sales tax return in the amount of $48,003.98, an increase of $8,000 from last year, according to Williams.
In other news, the location for the town’s annual Hog Wild festival set for April 15, has been moved to the Superior Metals building on NC 41 to accommodate in-door activities in the event of inclement weather.
Beulaville residents will soon have the option to make utility and tax payments online as the town works to locate a reliable vendor for online payments. Though residents are presently able to utilize online automatic draft payments for utilities, the new system should allow residents to make individual payments for both utility and tax bills online. “With good luck, we should be going live hopefully in April,” said Williams.
MAGNOLIA — Last week the Magnolia town board reconvened for a special meeting in preparation for the board’s budget retreat scheduled for March 17, during which they will discuss the fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
One of the highlights of the meeting was an announcement made by Town Manager Charles Banks, who shared that Magnolia was awarded $6.9 million for water and infrastructure projects.
“That is going to be a big catapult to really get us headed in the right direction,” said Banks, with excitement. “I’m not gonna lie; I got a little teary-eyed. It is phenomenal that we got that.”
The five projects awarded grants totalling $6,964,570 include: $1,968,050 for sewer rehabilitation, $999,890 for the Newberry sewer pump station replacement, $980,000 for Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements, $634,855, for the automatic meter infrastructure project and $2,381,775 for the water supply well replacement project. Each of these projects contributes to enhancing the quality, efficiency, and reliability of the town’s water and wastewater systems.
Banks also announced that the town was able to recover a grant they thought was lost for the library, which will provide between $14,000 to $15,000 for improvements.
“We can do some flooring, put a new roof, do some things that we can make that space usable. And that is something that we can actually do pretty quickly,” said Banks.
He expressed optimism about the town’s future, especially with these new funding opportunities. Banks shared that while the town won’t have brand-new infrastructure immediately, these improvements will get the town much closer to where it needs to be.
During the public input session, resident Jess Melton shared her ideas with the board on how they could make the town better.
“The first thing that stood out to me is continuing to support the Christmas tree lighting in the same way that we did last year,” said Melton. “It felt like a really important event for the community, and I think it makes a lot of sense to continue to fund that. It really brought a lot of people together.”
Melton also suggested providing a dedicated space for activities at the community center, and spoke about how certain ordinances have raised questions among residents,indicating that they may require updates. She suggested the possibility of hiring someone to help identify which ordinances need updating.
Additionally, she recommended integrating more structured outreach efforts or activities for seniors into the town’s budget to ensure their voices are heard. She also advocated for initiating small improvements at the park by inviting community contributions while seeking larger funding.
“I know we’re hoping for funding someday for the park, but I think having that park space updated, even if it’s in small ways, where we look for donations of time or bushes … just to show that we’re starting to do something to that space and even just using that opportunity to bring people together to kind of put in some of the sweat equity into that space until we’re able to get greater funding,” said Melton. “The park plan that we have is beautiful and it’d be wonderful to get to someday, but it would be nice if we could start to do some of that … maybe a little bit of funding could get us started in that direction.”
The meeting concluded with Mayor Dawn Ward publicly thanking everyone who assisted with the grant applications and reminding the public that the budget planning retreat will be an all-day event in the conference room at the Duplin County Airport.
KENANSVILLE — A tearful Dexter Edwards smiled broadly as he was surprised by family and colleagues with a special recognition at the County Commissioners meeting on March 3. The longtime county commissioner and chairman was honored for his recent induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame.
During the meeting, Vice-chair Elwood Garner welcomed the Edwards family to share in the recognition. After a brief motion to approve the resolution, the commissioners officially presented the honor to Edwards, and Garner read the resolution acknowledging his long-standing contributions to the pork industry.
Commissioner Elwood Garner (right) presents Chairman Dexter Edwards (left) with a resolution honoring him for his induction to the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame at the County Commissioners meeting on March 3. Photo by Ena Sellers / Duplin Journal
“The North Carolina Pork Council Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the organization. It recognizes individuals with long and outstanding service to the North Carolina Pork Industry and to the North Carolina Pork Council,” said Garner as he read the document.
The resolution emphasized the North Carolina Pork Council’s significance as the oldest state pork producer organization in the nation. It also outlined the criteria for induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame, which includes lasting contributions to the pork industry, community involvement, recognitions, certification in industry standards, and a record of environmental compliance.
Edwards’ journey into the industry began on Feb. 23, 1962, on his sixth birthday, when he received his first hog as a birthday present from his dad.
In an interview with Duplin Journal, Edwards fondly recalled that memorable morning when his dad took him to help feed the pigs before school. As they approached the pen, his dad told him to look inside for his birthday present.
Pictured from left to right are Nicholas Edwards, Allie Edwards, Arden Kildow, Pam Edwards, Dexter Edwards, Gage Kildow, Brittainy Kildow and Kurt Kildow. On the back are Commissioners Jesse Dowe, Justin Edwards, Wayne Branch and Elwood Garner. Photo by Ena Sellers / Duplin Journal
“He said, ‘your birthday present is in that pen right there,’” Edwards reminisced.”Being just six years old, I’m looking in the pen to see what in the world I got for my birthday and I said, I don’t see anything.” He recalled his dad encouraging him to ”open his eyes,” and that’s when he noticed four or five gilts in the pen. His dad told him to pick one, and that would be his gift. Edwards chose the gilt, and when he returned home from school, she had eight little piglets.
“I went from a one-hog man to a nine-hog man in one day. When those pigs were big enough to wean away from mama, I traded those pigs to daddy for calf cows,” said Edwards, adding that from that point on, he has been involved in both the hog and cattle businesses.
“Daddy always had hogs and I ran some hogs with him,” he said, explaining that he worked alongside his dad, but he kept his involvement to a minimum until he turned 16.
Once he reached that age, his dad allowed him to buy half of his hogs. This marked a significant turning point, as it initiated their partnership in the hog business.
County Commissioner Dexter Edwards was honored for his induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame on Monday at the County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ena Sellers / Duplin Journal
Edwards shared that he earned his associate’s degree in science with the intention of returning home to expand their hog operation. However, in 1976, he was recommended for a farm manager trainee position at Carroll’s Foods. He embraced the opportunity to learn and grow within the industry, even though it wasn’t part of the original plan to stay with them for nearly five decades.
“I decided that I would go to work for Carroll’s to learn,” said Edwards. “I could further my education and get paid for it. And so that was my intent still to come home and become an independent producer, it just didn’t work out that way. I stayed there for 48 years. I retired on Aug. 30, 2024.”
Edwards has been an active member of the community through civic activities, youth programs, and religious commitments and served as Smithfield Foods general manager of the central region.
“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is a great honor, and I am very proud to receive it. But you’re not supposed to surprise me like this,” said Edwards, who was inducted last week.
“We’ve got a great county and we have been very blessed in agriculture. I think it’s been good for a lot of us — it definitely has been good to me,” he said, adding that receiving this award while he is here to see it happen made this moment even more special.
County Commissioner Dexter Edwards smiles at his daughter Brittainy Kildow. Surrounded by family and friends, Edwards was honored for his induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame on Monday at the County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ena Sellers/Duplin Journal
As part of our continuing Q&A series with local leaders, Duplin Journal recently sat down with County Commissioner Wayne Branch so that he could provide insights into what it’s like to serve on local government, as well as shed some light on the African-American experience in Duplin County, in honor of Black History Month. Branch was raised in Franklinton, graduated from the Franklin County Public School System, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Fayetteville State University. He has served as a law enforcement officer, an educator, coach, entrepreneur, in local and state government administration, Christian ministry and now, serves District 5 on the Duplin County Board of Commissioners.
Q. What made you want to be a county commissioner? A. Our community needs people who care to advocate for our needs. Duplin County is home to me and my wife. Therefore, after much thought, prayer and speaking to people in my community, I decided to run for county commissioner to be a contributor in the decision-making process that improves the lives of everyone living in Duplin County. I genuinely care about people and believe that people need someone who is committed to speaking intelligently about the issues and willing to work diligently and collaboratively with others, to actually resolve issues. I continue to believe I am the right person because I strongly believe in the importance of putting people’s needs before political theatre. This belief, combined with both my life experiences and challenges, have equipped me with the characteristics best for the role of statesmen, particularly as a county commissioner. I have the courage, desire, knowledge, and understanding to be a county commissioner. I will be fully committed to doing what is right for everyone, without reservation, every day.
Q. Why do you think it’s important for people of all backgrounds to take part in local government?
A. I encourage the people of Duplin County to take the opportunity to become familiar with the political process by attending the board’s monthly meetings. Our meetings are held at the Duplin County Administrative Office, located at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville, the first Monday of each month. Additionally, take the time to get to know those who have been elected as your district’s county commissioner. Ask them questions! Tell us what you need, how we can help and tell us how we are doing representing you.
Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about being a county commissioner?
A. We hear the requests of the community; however, there must be a level of understanding, trust, compromise, as well as respect between both the commissioners and the citizens that fosters a working relationship which allows us to work together for the good of the citizens.
Q. How would you describe the African-American experience in Duplin County?
A. To be clear, the African-American experience in Duplin County has been pretty much the same as I have experienced in any other place I lived in North Carolina. There have been disparities in education, health care, economic opportunities, community engagement and the like. However, in spite of this, I have not allowed myself to be deterred from reaching goals I have set for myself and becoming entrenched in the community in which I live. As proud as I am of my African-American heritage, it does not dictate or determine my existence and relevance, it is being a decent person who cares about their fellow man regardless of race that matters. I would welcome the opportunity to see the day where we as a community can move forward collectively as Americans to eradicate the disparities and make our county a model of unity for others to aspire to attain.
Q. Why is it important to observe Black History Month?
A. Now, more than ever before, it is imperative we observe Black History Month. There are lawmakers openly attempting — and some with success — to eliminate teaching of black history in our public schools. They want to rewrite history not to include the “ugly, degrading and shameful parts.” In spite of the African-Americans’ plight and systemic racism endured, African-Americans have and continue to make major impacts and have influence in every sector of originalities be it innovations development; socially, politically, academically, culturally, economically, all to the benefit of our nation and our nation’s history. We cannot and should not requite and bury the accomplishments of African-Americans. Those accomplishments should be celebrated every day while encouraging us today to do something that others can celebrate in years to come that was done to better our society. We must know where we came from, to know where we are going and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
Q. On a more personal note, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A. Family is everything, what we do isn’t as important as the fact we are spending quality time together.
Q. What is the last book you read?
A. The Holy Bible.
Q. What, in your opinion, is the best thing about living in Duplin County?
A. Meeting my wife, who is a native of Duplin County, who exposed me to the community that I now call home. As a result of becoming exposed to the community, I have become totally connected. I now serve in the following capacities: North Carolina Community Foundation, Kappa Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Youth Pastor Adoram Baptist Church, President of Duplin County Fayetteville State University Alumni Chapter, Duplin County NAACP, Duplin County Commissioner and various other organizations.
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
