The town of Mount Olive announced on Monday that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has launched an investigation into possible misconduct on the part of two town employees. They were suspended without pay, effective Thursday, Jan. 30.
The names of the employees were later released. They are Watia Best, 37, water department office manager, and Rashonte Pettit, 31, water clerk and billing specialist.
During the regular monthly town board meeting on Monday night, one item on the agenda was for the board to consider authorizing Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland and Town Attorney Carroll Turner to seek a forensic auditor to assist in the SBI investigation. However, that item was tabled until a recessed meeting on Thursday night. At Thursday night’s meeting, the board voted to approve the request.
Turner said during the meeting Thursday night that he did not want to release the employees’ names, but was required to do so by state law.
Further details will be announced as they are made available.
Also at Thursday night’s meeting, the board agreed to contract with the Eastern Carolina Council (ECC) of Government on the search for a new town manager. ECC will handle the applications and guide the town through the search process, with a price tag of $6,000.
KENANSVILLE — Connie Jones, a nurse in the Emergency Department at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, was recently honored with the DAISY Award.
“Connie’s remarkable contributions to patient care and her unwavering commitment to our Emergency Department have left an indelible mark on our community,” stated an ECU Health Duplin Hospital spokesperson in an email to Duplin Journal.
Pictured from left to right are Christina Miller, Kenny Jones, Nikki Hines, Connie Jones, Kaye Parker and Kenita Judge at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, on Jan. 28. The group holds the DAISY Award honoree banner celebrating Jones exceptional care and commitment. Courtesy ECU Health Duplin Hospital
Jones, who has served the community for over three decades, received the award on Tuesday, Jan. 28, in recognition of her extraordinary efforts.
The DAISY Award recognizes nurses for their exceptional care and kindness toward patients. Recipients of this prestigious award are nominated by patients, family members, physicians, clinicians, or fellow workers who witness their outstanding compassionate care.
“Her compassionate demeanor, clinical expertise and leadership inspire us all,” said the spokesperson. “She went above and beyond to comfort a patient in need, showcasing her exceptional care and empathy.”
WALLACE — Last Friday, Wallace Police Chief Jimmy Crayton visited the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal and Principe de Paz congregations to dispel rumors after receiving reports of false information creating fear among residents.
Crayton reached out to these congregations to address the public and reassure everyone that the information is false. One such message, which was shared on WPD social media on Jan. 1, warned that Wallace police had orders to stop all Hispanic individuals and arrest anyone without a license. Law enforcement stated that the messages were seemingly intended to create fear among Latino residents, emphasizing that they were “baseless and deeply concerning.”
During the visit, attendees were encouraged to record Crayton’s message on their phones and share it with others to help alleviate their fears about law enforcement.
With the help of an interpreter, Crayton introduced himself and reassured the community that they should not be afraid to approach the police.
“I don’t want you to be scared of us. Not of the Wallace Police Department. Not any police in Duplin County,” said Crayton. “Our job is not to find out what your immigration status in this country is. My job is to serve you, to try to protect you, and to be there for you when you need us. I do not want you to be afraid of the Wallace Police Department. I know there’s been some messages being sent around your community lately that tell you differently —that we are out looking for you, and that we are going to arrest you and send you away. That is not the case. Again, I do not want you to be afraid.”
Crayton urged families to continue sending their children to school, going to work, attending church and engaging in their regular activities.
“Keep doing the things that you want to do as a family,” Crayton encouraged. He also addressed that the H.B.10 applies to individuals arrested for violent misdemeanors and felonies, and does not target people going to church or who may find themselves in a wreck.
Wallace Police Chief Jimmy Crayton visited the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal and Principe de Paz congregations to dispel rumors after receiving reports of false information creating fear among residents. Photo Wallace Police Department
“We’re not here to harass you. We aren’t looking for you. I can’t stress this enough. We are here to serve you and everyone else in Wallace. If you need help don’t be afraid to call. We don’t care what your immigration status is,” said Crayton. “No matter what’s going on nationally we are still here to serve you. We love you and we are glad that you are part of this community.”
Participants expressed their gratitude to Crayton for his transparency and for addressing the rumors that had been circulating.
The Wallace Police Department later shared Crayton’s address on their social media, thanking both congregations for their help. They encouraged people to help spread accurate information and foster unity within the community.
WARSAW — The Relax Inn, located on North Pine Street in Warsaw, was shut down last Thursday after town officials discovered that the sewage line at the back of the property had been tampered with, allowing raw sewage to flow onto the ground behind the establishment.
On Jan. 31, Warsaw Commissioner Ebony Wills Wells shared this photo on social media. She expressed her alarm, stating, “This is a major health concern and unfair to the residents who entrust their living at the hotel.” Photo Ebony Wills Wells
“The property owner was not aware that it had taken place, but he has been notified and he is making the corrections needed,” Town Manager Lea Turner told Duplin Journal last week, explaining that they were notified of the situation on Thursday and were not aware when it took place. “They would not tell us when it happened.”
Turner told Duplin Journal that the Relax Inn cannot operate until the problem is resolved, also the facility must be inspected before it can reopen. Turner stated that the business will face a fine and is responsible for all necessary repairs. Duplin Journal attempted to reach the motel owner for comment, but he was unavailable at press time.
According to Turner, as a result of this shutdown residents were relocated. “He provided a place for them to go while the repairs are done,” said Turner. “He’s got a plumber on it, so they’re supposed to come out Monday and reevaluate.”
Duplin Journal confirmed on Monday as of 10:40 a.m., that the hotel was open for business and reached out to Turner for an update via phone and email. As of press time, Turner had not confirmed whether the issues had been fully resolved or if an inspection had taken place.
On Feb. 1, Commissioner Ebony Wills Wells expressed her concerns about the conditions at the Relax Inn on social media.
“This whole hotel isn’t a livable environment,” she wrote. “There are (two) hotels that this owner owns at I-40 and he needs to move these people up there until this place is livable. … I walked this property again yesterday and last night. This is how these people are living.”
The local motel has been a subject of concern due to ongoing nuisance and criminal activities.
According to records obtained by the Duplin Journal, one unresponsive person required transport to the hospital for medical attention on Feb. 1, following the alleged shutdown of the motel. Last summer, two individuals died at the Relax Inn from suspected overdoses. In the last year, Duplin County 911 Communications received 148 calls which included reports of illness, breaking and entering, fights, bleeding profusely, and suicide threats, among others.
Update:
Turner provided the following statement to Duplin Journal via email on Wednesday afternoon:
“Relax Inn did pass inspection on Monday afternoon and has reopened their rooms that were previously occupied. I am still working on the fines they will be charged. Fine has not yet been issued, but the property owner has been advised there will be a fine coming. The Town does not have a building inspector to enforce minimum housing standards and unsanitary conditions.”
More to follow.
The following day, on Feb. 1, Wells shared photos on her social media showing the interior of the motel. One image depicts a drop cord running from the outside into one of the rooms, which Wells noted posed a risk of fire. Photo Ebony Wills WellsThe Warsaw commissioner also posted several photos showing mold on the walls, emphasizing that the motel is not a livable environment. Photo Ebony Wills Wells
Tyrek Dasha Melvin of Newton Grove, N.C., was arrested on Jan. 28 by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and charged in connection with the death of Latonya Tiska Corbett.
Authorities reported that on Oct. 19, 2024, at 8:41 p.m., Duplin County Communications received several calls regarding a shooting on Shine Road near Faison. The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and Duplin County Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the location and upon arrival discovered two individuals had been shot.
Investigators identified the victims as Russell Hines and Latonya Tiska Corbett. Authorities reported Hines sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while Latonya Tiska Corbett succumbed to her injuries. As a result, evidence was collected, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Melvin. He was charged with an open count of murder and possession of a firearm. He has been placed in the Duplin County Jail without bond.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance recently announced a 13.6% increase in homeowners’ insurance rates for Duplin County. This change is part of a settlement reached between the state and the NC Rate Bureau.
According to the announcement, under this agreement, Duplin County homeowners’ insurance rates will rise by 13.6% on June 1, and by an additional 13.5% on June 1, 2026.
In a press release, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey stated that he considered this settlement a big win for both the state and homeowners who will save millions in insurance premiums over the next two years compared to the increases the Rate Bureau initially asked for, which was a 71.3% increase for Duplin and Lenoir counties and up to 99.4% in beach areas located in Pender, Onslow, New Hanover, Carteret and Brunswick counties.
“This also protects homeowners from future base rate increase requests until June 2027,” said Causey. He emphasized that these rates are necessary for insurance companies to maintain sufficient funds to cover future claims, especially after they have paid out substantial amounts due to natural disasters and face increasing reinsurance costs due to national catastrophes.
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