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Wallace council sets new system development fees

The Wallace Town Council updated its system development fees at a continued meeting on Tuesday night, June 25, reducing water fees, while increasing sewer fees for new developments coming in to town.

The fees are charged for any new connection to the system, and are required to be updated every five years, Town Manager Rob Taylor explained.

The prior water fee started at $1,462 for a three-quarter-inch line, and increased as the line sizes increased. The newly adopted fee will be $553 for a three-quarter-inch line, a reduction of $909.

A one-inch line will now cost $923, while a two-inch line is $2,946, four-inch is $11,607, six-inch is $23,949, and an eight-inch line is $51,584.

As for sewer rates, the base fee for a three-quarter-inch line increased by $20 to $2,069. The sewer rates also increase as the line gets bigger, with the following costs for connection to sewer: one-inch line, $3,454; two-inch line, $11,025; four-inch line, $43,439; six-inch line, $89,629; and eight-inch line, $193,054.

“You can see how those rates really start to increase for sewer as the line gets bigger,” Taylor told the council. “We’ve just got way more cost in our sewer system plant than we do with water. … We have a lot of projects getting ready to start that will require a lot of capital, and these system development fees are made to help us cover some of that infrastructure that we have to put in.”

Mayor Jason Wells questioned how many customers use the eight-inch lines, which are the most expensive. Taylor said that there were no current customers using that size water or sewer line.

“When you get up to that size, you’re working with municipalities like Teachey, Greenevers, and we already have interlocal agreements with those folks, but this would be for some huge industry using a lot of water,” Taylor explained.

The new fees were available on the town’s website for public comment for 45 days, which is why the item was not ready for action at the council’s regular meeting on June 13. No public feedback was received, Taylor said.

The council voted unanimously to approve the new system development fees.

Also at the continued meeting last Tuesday night, the council unanimously approved a contract with Duplin County Schools to provide SROs (school resource officers) in the coming school year. Police Chief Jimmy Crayton was not present at the meeting, but Taylor reported that both Crayton and Town Attorney Anna Herring had reviewed the contract and recommended approval.

In one more item of business, the council had approved the sale of a piece of property at the corner of North Norwood Street and East Murphy Street at its April meeting. The property was advertised on GovDeals.com, with Mount Calvary Leadership Development Corporation bidding $25,000 to purchase the property.

The council voted unanimously to authorize the sale, and then the meeting adjourned.

The Wallace Town Council will next meet on Thursday, July 11, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

School board honors nationally certified teachers; Interim budget resolution approved as part of consent agenda

School board honors nationally certified teachers; Interim budget resolution approved as part of consent agenda

The Duplin County Board of Education honored two newly national board certified teachers at the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 18.

“National board certification is offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards,” explained Daren Tyndall, assistant superintendent for human resources. “It’s a way to recognize the accomplished teaching that is occurring in North Carolina classrooms. The certification process is based on high and rigorous standards that evaluate teaching practice through performance-based assessments.”

The ultimate goal of having national board certified teachers is to improve the performance and achievement for students, Tyndall added.

The two newly national board certified teachers are Kristen Kane, STEAMA beginning teacher coordinator, and Nicole Lane, family and consumer sciences teacher at East Duplin High School.

“It’s an honor well deserved,” Tyndall said.

The board also approved an interim budget resolution for the 2024-25 fiscal year as part of its consent agenda.

“The interim budget resolution, which was approved in the consent agenda, is an interim appropriation of an amount equal to the prior year’s budget,” explained Christy Johnson, executive director of public relations for Duplin County Schools. “This is necessary until the state approves a budget to allow us to continue operating.”

During a joint meeting with the county commissioners and school board in May, Duplin County Schools Chief Finance Officer Dawn George reported that the school system has requested a 10.66% increase in its budget this year, to $11,066,000. “What that represents is the increases to our recurring costs, which includes the state-mandated increase in salaries of about 3%,” George explained. “Retirement will go up approximately 1% and health insurance will go up about 7%.”

“The information shared at the joint meeting was planning information that will be used to build our budget, which will be based on how much we will actually receive from state and local entities,” Johnson said.

Since it was part of the consent agenda, the budget resolution was approved with no public discussion.

Also at the June 18 meeting, the school board approved service contracts for the upcoming school year. Most of the contracts were approved as part of the consent agenda, save for the contract with Edwards and Associates Physical Therapy, Inc. for a maximum of $80,000. This contract was voted on separately so that Board Member Pam Edwards could recuse herself from the vote, since her family members run Edwards and Associates Physical Therapy.

The other contracts that were approved included:

  • Compass Speech, PLLC (maximum of $155,000);
  • Invision Services (maximum value of $125,900);
  • Jennifer Carter (maximum value $95,000);
  • ProCare — interpreter (maximum of $116,500);
  • ProCare — teacher of deaf/hard of hearing (maximum $45,000);
  • John E. Sexton & Associates (maximum $35,000);
  • Psychological and School Services of Eastern Carolina (maximum $150,000);
  • IntelliChoice Home Care (maximum $90,000);
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (maximum $14,628).

There were also several memorandums of understanding approved as part of the consent agenda, including the MATCH Wellness program, the Duplin County Health Department, Communities in Schools of North Carolina Services Group, LLC, the Jobs for North Carolina Graduates program at Wallace-Rose Hill High School, and James Sprunt Community College for the continuation of the Duplin Agribusiness Academy.

After an executive session, the board voted to approve Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan’s personnel recommendations, with the exception of Chairman Brent Davis, who recused himself from the vote.

During his report to the board, Dr. Obasohan thanked all of the staff and students who helped the county’s Pre-K students graduate. “To go send them out into their new world prepared is key, so kudos to all the staff who work with these kids and will continue to work with them,” he said.

Corn yields at risk due to abnormally dry weather

Corn yields at risk due to abnormally dry weather

It’s been about a month since Duplin County saw significant rainfall — and area farmers are starting to feel their hopes for a successful yield dry up like the corn stalks in their fields.

“Basically, we are a bit on the dry side and it is starting to affect crops,” said Della King, field crops agent for Duplin County Cooperative Extension. “With the lack of rain and the heat, especially from a corn standpoint, you don’t get pollination of the ears that you need.”

Since the beginning of June, the county has totaled just 0.26 inches in rainfall, and on top of that, temperatures are inching in to the low to mid-90s most days. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of eastern North Carolina as abnormally dry. (Up-to-date maps can be viewed at drought.gov.)

“A lot of crops are burning up in the field,” King said. “When that happens, the corn is not going to make. The plants will just shut down.”

And even though the area saw a spattering of rain on Friday and possible storms on Monday, it may be too little too late. “When crops get to a certain point, they will not recover even if we do get rain,” King said.

Frank Williams, who farms corn and soybeans in southwestern Duplin County, said it’s been a frustrating corn season so far. “It’s dry,” he said. “You get a rain prediction and it fizzles out before it gets to you. Right now, it’s been about three or four weeks since we had a rain that really mattered.”

“It’s not good,” farmer and county commissioner Justin Edwards said of the 2024 corn crop so far. “The majority of my crop has less than two inches of rain on it. The dry weather and heat are killing us.”

Unless farmers have irrigation systems, the lack of rain can be devastating for crops, Williams said. However, some farmers simply can’t afford irrigation systems, which can run $1,000 to $4,000 per acre. And then, there are many small fields in Duplin County in which irrigation systems just aren’t possible.

Edwards said some of his fields have irrigation systems, but it’s a very small percentage of his overall acreage.

“The most important time for rainfall and moisture in the soil is when the corn pollinates — that’s when you can see the tassel,” Williams explained. “You’ve got only a short period of time where the corn needs to kernel.”

Anyone driving around the county has probably noticed that the crops are beginning to dry up and that the corn is tasseling, meaning now is the time for a good, soaking rain. “We’re talking about an inch or even two,” Williams said. “We don’t really want a storm, but it’s almost to the point where we need one.”

And then, there’s the heat. When the temperature gets above 95 degrees, the corn’s pollen is no longer viable. “That diminishes your yield in a hurry,” Williams said. “You’ll end up with a cob with little nubbins of kernels.”

Some of Williams’ corn hasn’t gotten to the tasseling stage yet, which means there may be hope for it, if the area does get the needed rain in a timely fashion. “I’m hoping it may get 75% of its potential,” he said. “Hopefully, if we get a little rain, some crops might be OK.”

Edwards said some of his late-planted corn might make it, but that’s only if the weather pattern changes — and quickly. “Soybeans should be fine, cotton should be fine, but the corn is really bearing the brunt of it right now.”

Of course, farmers know going into it that they’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. “The bottom line is,” Williams said, “agriculture is very dependent on the weather. You just have to do the things you can control and just hope Mother Nature and the good lord will provide the rest.”

Edwards agreed with that statement. “This profession is not for the faint of heart,” he said. “All you can do is put your seed in the ground in the spring and the man upstairs will have His way, whether we like what He does with it or not.”

Town of Magnolia offers free food throughout summer months for youth ages 18 and under

Town of Magnolia offers free food throughout summer months for youth ages 18 and under

Starting this week and throughout the summer months, the Town of Magnolia in partnership with the Duplin County Schools Summer Food Program, will be providing free hot meals for children and youth up to 18 years of age.

Meals can be picked-up at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Magnolia Town Hall located at 110 Carroll St. Every Thursday participants will be able to pick up frozen meals for the weekend.

“We’re asking people who want to participate to either call town hall at 910-289-3205 or they can just stop by to sign up,” said Magnolia Mayor Dawn Ward, adding that she does not believe there is a set limit of meals that can be provided. 

“I don’t think there is a limit per se. It is more that we need to know how many meals to ask for in advance to ensure we can accommodate those who show up each day,” said Mayor Ward. “That is why it is really important people call or stop by town hall to sign up so we can provide an accurate count to Duplin County Schools for the numbers of meals we need.”

According to Mayor Ward, the idea came about as several people put their heads together to address food scarcity when school is out.

“It actually started with one particular young man and his courage. And I don’t want to go beyond that to protect his privacy, but he spoke with Jess Melton, who is a local resident and owner of Magnolia Dreams Inn here in town. And after he spoke with her, she reached out to me and it just kind of went from there,” Ward said. 

She explained that while Duplin County Schools offer the food program, part of the issue was the kids in Magnolia being able to get to the food when school is out, and while plans are underway to turn the former library building into a food pantry, their immediate concern was finding a way to address the situation right away and bring food to the children. 

“And so, you know, several passionate people put their heads together, did some research, made some phone calls, etc. And God just worked out the details better than we could have hoped,” said Ward. “The fact that we can actually get those meals delivered here to Magnolia, so that we can then in turn hand them out to hungry children is a huge blessing.”

Mayor Ward told Duplin Journal that they are also planning to have a blessing box stocked with non-perishable items set up in front of the former library building by the end of the week. She also shared that this was a notable example of what they had in mind when they rebranded Magnolia with their new town seal and the slogan: People, Passion, Purpose.  

“Passionate people coming together for the purpose of ensuring our children in Magnolia, who need food this summer have access to it,” said Ward.

“Jesus came to serve and cause his followers to be servants. And the purpose of government is to serve the people. I feel humbled and privileged to be a part of what God is doing here in Magnolia, from the board to the staff, to the residents. We are coming together to make a difference, beginning with our children this summer. And it just warms the heart… I can’t think of a greater service that we can provide than making sure that kids have food.”  

To sign up for the free meals at the Magnolia Town Hall, call 910-289-3205. For questions about the Duplin County Schools Nutrition Program call 910-296-8786.

Duplin County Board of Elections welcomes new director 5 months before presidential election

Duplin County Board of Elections welcomes new director 5 months before presidential election

WARSAW — The Duplin County Board of Elections recently welcomed its new director, Carrie Sullivan, who took over the role left by former director Jasmine Gadsden. Sullivan was sworn in on June 6.

While Sullivan is new to the role, she is not new to the Board of Elections or the electoral process.  The Wallace resident started her journey with the Duplin County Board of Elections in 2020 working her way up to deputy director. She was named interim director in April when Gadsden announced her resignation to pursue other interests.

“I came into the position of deputy director about two and a half years ago and then, after Jasmine left, I stepped into this role,” Sullivan said. 

When asked how she felt about stepping into the director role only five months away from the presidential election, Sullivan said she felt confident about it.

“I worked in a precinct on election day for the last presidential. So, I have been out there and experienced that portion of it,” Sullivan said. “There are a few other duties that were not part of my wheelhouse before I had this position. But being that I have worked in the elections now for a couple of years, I feel confident.”

“I have a great relationship with all our precinct officials because I was the one that was over all the training, the correspondence with them. … I am confident that we are going to get through it, nervous just because it is a big presidential election to really have my name on for the first time.” 

Sullivan shared that they are seeing an abundance of voter registrations. 

“There are a lot of people out doing registration drives, so we are seeing an influx of them,” Sullivan told Duplin Journal, adding that the state is also seeing a huge amount to the point that they are sorting them every day.

She also shared that they are having a lot of correspondence with voters, answering questions. 

“We are in a very big presidential year, so we all remember how the last one went — there was a lot of confusion. What we want to do is make sure that we don’t allow that confusion in Duplin County. We want to make sure that we are open and available for them.”

There are many processes that go on behind the scenes as officials prepare for election day. Among them is ensuring that anytime new streets are added in the county, that they are entered into the system so those voters are placed in the correct precinct so when the ballots are made, each one is assigned to the correct voter.

Another important weekly process is list maintenance, for which they monitor new felonies and deaths.

“We remove the felons off the list. If there are any deaths, we have to process that and remove them off just so that we are making sure that we have the most active registration so that there is nothing that anybody can worry about. Nobody can vote on anything that is not their own,” she said, adding that it used to be a monthly task, but the state requires it now to be done weekly so everything is maintained and up to date. 

Another task they are focusing on is getting precinct officials ready. Sullivan shared that they have a strong group of people that have been coming back year after year to work at the precincts.

“It is a big year for them too. They only see us once a year,” said Sullivan. “Our big thing right now is working through our training process and identifying anything we may have missed last time so that we can adjust it this time and make sure that we are really hitting on the things that they need to know so that they can get through it and have a successful day.” 

Among the training precinct officials receive to get ready for election day, are things like understanding what types of IDs can be accepted and how to deal with certain eventualities, like an expired ID. 

“So even if you just forgot to renew it this year, you can still go to the voting polls and use that as identification because all we are looking at is to make sure that the person you say you are matches the face we’re looking at,” said Sullivan. “So that is really important for them to know. But also, if something is wrong with your ID, we are not going to turn you away at the polls.” 

She explained that people could still vote on a provisional ballot and either bring their ID later or fill out an ID exception form at the polls and still be able to vote. College students can use their James Sprunt Community College ID. 

“So, our whole thing is to make sure that everybody knows if you go, you’re going to get the opportunity to vote.” 

Visit the state website at ncsbe.gov for more information about the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Sheriff confirms inmate died at Duplin County Detention Center

Sheriff confirms inmate died at Duplin County Detention Center

Christie Alexandria Bell, 42, an inmate at the Duplin County Detention Center was found unresponsive on Tuesday, June 11, at approximately 2 a.m. Sheriff Stratton Stokes said jailers

administered CPR until EMS arrived, however despite live saving attempts Bell was pronounced dead approximately 30 minutes later. 

Sheriff Stokes said they called the State Bureau of Investigation following standard protocol and they are awaiting the autopsy results to determine the cause of death.

The Sheriff told Duplin Journal there was no indication of any type of trauma. Bel, who was arrested on June 9 on second-degree trespassing charges, was in the main holding cell where all the females are housed when she was found unresponsive. 

SBI officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information is available at this time.

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