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New Duplin County Detention Center marks ‘a new era’

New Duplin County Detention Center marks ‘a new era’

KENANSVILLE — With the ceremonial shoveling of dirt by county officials, construction is officially underway on Duplin County’s new detention center. The much-needed center will replace the county’s current overcrowded and outdated jail.

At the start of the groundbreaking ceremony, County Manager Bryan Miller called the new detention center “a new and essential addition to our community.”

The new detention center will allow Duplin County to house inmates not only from this county, but will have space for other counties’ inmates as well. Currently, Sheriff Stratton Stokes said, 38 inmates are being housed outside the county, which is not ideal.

“It’s going to be very important for us to be able to keep inmates here,” the sheriff said. “Plus, … we can actually house inmates from out of county so that will be a benefit to taxpayers where we can save money and actually make a profit so we can offset the cost of running this facility.”

The new detention center will be more than just a building that houses inmates, Miller said. “It’s a symbol of progress, safety and responsible government,” he said. “It underscores our commitment to upholding justice, and ensuring that our law enforcement has the resources necessary to maintain order and security.”

Miller pointed out that the construction and operation of the new facility will create jobs, and will also boost the local economy. “The influx of construction workers, suppliers and future employees will stimulate business and local merchants, restaurants and service providers, further invigorating our community’s economic health,” Miller said. “This new detention center is designed with efficiency and cost-effectiveness in mind. It will eliminate the overcrowding in our current facilities, thereby reducing the strain on our law enforcement and judicial systems.”

Perhaps most importantly, the new detention center will not cost Duplin County taxpayers a dime. “This is not going to cost our taxpayers any money,” Stokes said. “We’re thankful to the legislators for getting that money for us.”

Rep. Jimmy Dixon had made a ceremonial check presentation of $80,206,000 to the Duplin County Board of Commissioners in February, which represented the cumulative total of the funding secured for Duplin County over the last two General Assembly budgets.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Dixon said, “This and other journeys actually began about 14 years ago when there was a political change that took place in Duplin County. Because of the political change that took place 14 years ago, in the last three budget cycles, we in Duplin County have been the beneficiaries of approximately $88 million from other North Carolina citizens, for which we should be grateful.”

Miller and Stokes thanked the state legislators who helped the funding become available, as well as other community leaders, law enforcement and the county’s taxpayers.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone,” Miller said. “It marks the beginning of a new era for our community, one that prioritizes safety, economic growth and the efficient use of public resources. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on our community for years to come.”

County Commissioner Wayne Branch also thanked Rep. Dixon, as well as Sen. Brent Jackson, who was not present. “This has been an effort that has been ongoing for quite some time,” Branch said. “This jail is something that I’ve walked in and out of in my days as a highway patrolman many, many, many years ago. As life transitions, and as teams come and go, an understanding for what is important to the people becomes a reality.”

“Detention centers such as this is something we can truly be proud of,” he continued. “At the end, it’s a win, because we all come together to do what is right, what is necessary, and what’s in the best interest of all.”

The sheriff summed up the event by expressing appreciation for all who made the new detention center a reality. The detention center is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026, Assistant County Manager Carrie Shields said.

“Right now, our jailers work in a facility that’s outdated,” Sheriff Stokes said. “It has served its purpose, and we’re thankful that we’ve had it, but now our inmates will be safer, our employees will be safer and the community will be safer.”

Wallace teen faces first degree murder charge

Wallace teen faces first degree murder charge

WALLACE — A juvenile charged with the Dec. 15 murder of Anthony Deshaun Murray is now facing first degree murder charges as an adult. Jamel Xavier Keith, who was 17 at the time the murder was committed, was transferred from a juvenile facility to Duplin County Jail on Monday, July 22, following his 18th birthday, Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes said. 

The Wallace Police Department responded to a shots fired call at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2023. When they arrived at the residence at 125 Poplar St., officers found a male with an apparent gunshot wound, as well as a shell casing on the floor. Murray was later pronounced deceased by EMS personnel. 

Police arrested Keith on Jan. 26 and charged him with murder. He was placed into custody by the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

“During the arrest process, the juvenile temporarily escaped from custody,” a statement from Wallace PD on Jan. 26 read. “After a brief search, the juvenile was located and taken into custody without further incident.”  

The statement continued, “The investigative unit at Wallace PD has done a tremendous job building this case. We would like to thank the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their assistance with the search and arrest of the juvenile.” 

Athlete of the Week: Jamarae Lamb

Athlete of the Week: Jamarae Lamb

Jamarae Lamb, WRH, football

Here’s a safe bet, Wallace-Rose Hill’s Jamarae Lamb is going to shake up the ECC this fall. He ran for 839 yards and eight TDs as a sophomore, all of which came as a third option.

Corbin Kerr (2,252 yards, 26 TDs) has graduated, while Irving Brown (1,696, 23 TDs) returns, meaning Lamb is about to showcase his talent more this fall.

He averaged 6.7 yards-per carry and is as much of a threat in the open or in the flat with a screen as Roberts. The two combined for 17 catches for 326 yards and three TDs.

Most fans believe Lamb, a first-team all-Duplin basketball player, will be a player that will take off this season, even though WRH has to rebuild its line after graduation.

Authorities investigate second death at Warsaw motel

Authorities investigate second death at Warsaw motel

WARSAW — The Relax Inn, located at 509 N. Pine St. in Warsaw has been a topic of concern for Warsaw residents and public officials alike due to nuisance and criminal activity.

This year alone, from January through June, Duplin County 911 Communications received 63 calls for assistance including medical and law enforcement to be dispatched to the Relax Inn. Most recently, Commissioner Jack Hawes brought up his concerns to Warsaw Chief of Police Patrick Giddeons, during the Warsaw town hall meeting on July 8.

“You’ve had another person who died at that hotel … What are we going to start doing to start putting pressure on that owner?” Hawes asked Chief Giddeons. “I think his negligence is getting too far.”

Chief Giddeons explained that due to the nature of the investigation involving an overdose at the Relax Inn, he was not able to provide further details at that moment, but reassured the commissioners that he would bring them up to date over the following week.

Chief Giddeons told Duplin Journal that recently a woman died on the premises.

“It is speculated that it may be due to a drug overdose, but we don’t know. So, obviously, we’ve got to wait for an autopsy and toxicology reports,” said Chief Giddeons.

“I want to say she was in her 30s, but I don’t have her information with me. I can tell you that we will be following up with the medical examiner to determine what exactly was the cause of death. Right now, we just don’t know.”

When asked about the owner allowing criminal activity at the Relax Inn, as the commissioners emphasized negligence on the owner’s during the meeting, the chief responded: “I think there’s a concern that maybe the owners of the property are not doing their part to keep trouble out of there, such as drug dealing and stuff like that.”

The chief told Duplin Journal that it was a separate issue he was not able to discuss at the moment due to the nature of the investigation.

Chief Giddeons confirmed there was another death at the property — which is also believed to be overdose related. He is unable to comment on the cause of death until he reads the reports from the medical examiner.

“We have had some suspected overdoses in town. Well, and all around the county, not just in town. And we do think some of those may be related to fentanyl overdoses,” said Chief Giddeons. “But they all have to be processed through the medical examiner’s office as far as the findings. We would be out of turn to speak if it is for sure related to fentanyl. We are aware that fentanyl is in Duplin County. …My fear is that it is coming through the use of illicit drugs. So, that stuff that is being sold on the streets and how do you combat that? — It is really challenging.”

The police chief added that they will know more details when they get the report from the medical examiner, which could take anywhere from a month to a year.

“Like everybody else, they’re inundated and understaffed too.”

According to a report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as of May 20, there have been 14 opioid overdose ED visits in Duplin County. Visit NC DHHS: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for more data about opioid overdoses in NC.

Wallace joins Main Street initiative

WALLACE — Members of the Wallace Town Council and Mayor Jason Wells asked only, “Where do we sign up?” after a presentation by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street Initiative and Rural Planning Program during the monthly meeting on July 11.

Samantha Darlington, community economic development planner, explained that the initiative works all over the state with towns, cities and communities to help with strategic planning and historic preservation. “Our whole goal is to help communities prepare for economic growth,” Darlington said.

The Main Street initiative provides strategic planning services, implementation services, technical support, and training and education.

“Economic development happens intentionally,” she said. “It is not something that happens by accident. Because of that, we want to be intentional in how you are growing by creating a plan. These plans are not something you put on a shelf and you never touch it.”

She further explained that working with Main Street helps towns and communities see their goals, tasks and action items come to fruition.

In addition to helping foster growth, the planning can also create a foundation for a stronger downtown. Though it can help downtown, the rural planning program will “focus on the entirety of Wallace,” she stressed. “If you have a stronger downtown, you have a stronger town. If you have a stronger town, you have a stronger downtown.”

The program is free of cost, and can start as soon as the town council approves a resolution and memorandum of understanding.

The council verbally committed to taking part in the program, and will likely pass the resolution and memorandum of understanding at the next meeting, Aug. 8.

Also at Thursday night’s meeting, the council got a first look at a proposed pedestrian and bicycle plan, which outlines what sections of town need more sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes.

“It’s a good starting point for us,” said Planning Director Rod Fritz. “The reason we need this is so we can get on DOT’s radar and ask for grant money to get better pedestrian and bicycle links.”

With the Backstreet Music Festival coming up Aug. 3, and a Latino festival planned for October, the council also discussed festivals in town, and whether the town should waive permit fees for certain events to help the process go more smoothly.

Police Chief Jimmy Crayton suggested offering a refundable fee as a way to help ensure that festival organizers follow through with their responsibilities. However, Fritz stated that the $300 fee currently charged may not be enough.

“I think the biggest thing is you’ve got to make it standardized across the board, whether it’s the Strawberry Festival with 20,000 people or somebody showing up with 500 people,” Mayor Wells said.

The council agreed they couldn’t take action at Thursday’s meeting, but Fritz and Taylor planned to send them the current special permit wording and go from there.

In other business at the July 11 meeting:

  • A public hearing was scheduled for the next monthly meeting on Aug. 8 to consider rezoning of a 6.08-acre parcel on Highway 11 from R-20 to Highway Business. The parcel is the site of a planned Royal Farms gas station, convenience store and car wash, and this rezoning would cover the remainder of the property that has not yet been zoned Highway Business.
  • The council updated the Depot Commission’s bylaws to reduce the number of commission members to 12, require attendance at meetings and clarify rentals of the Depot and Depot property.
  • The council updated its memorandum of understanding with Pender County so that Pender can continue its water services contract.
  • The council renewed the town’s fire contract with Duplin County.
  • Sarah Cailler of the River Landing community spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting to voice complaints about ongoing “brown water” at her home. She talked with the town manager about upcoming changes to the lines that will hopefully alleviate the problem.
  • The council approved a $2,500 budget amendment for the police department for training.

Rose Hill board approves CDBG neighborhood revitalization application

The Rose Hill town board voted unanimously to move forward with an application for a community development block grant (CDBG) for neighborhood revitalization at the board’s regular monthly meeting on July 9.

The town could apply for the NC 2024 CDBG neighborhood revitalization program for a potential of up to $950,000, Town Administrator Angela Smith said. “Direct benefit project activities must benefit 51% of low to moderate income persons,” she explained. “For an area-wide project, 100% must be low to moderate income households. Low to moderate income households are defined as less than 80% of the median income of the county. Direct benefit includes activities that directly benefit individuals like housing rehabilitation, and area-wide projects benefit the entire community, like parks and things like that. Other types of activities that receive funding include housing rehabilitation, period relocation, reconstruction, emergency repairs, housing development, and administration for any of those projects.”

Once the town approved making an application for the funding, Smith was selected to establish a housing selection committee, which will be made up of three individuals from the community who are not town employees or affiliated with the town board.

The committee will choose projects in the community that would be funded by the CDBG, Kevin Amory with with Insight Planning and Development explained. Those applying to be considered for funding would need to provide information about themselves, such as their age, income, property information, and so on, Amory said. “Our general recommendation is based on age, income and severity of need. So severity of need may not just be that my income’s low. It may be that my roof’s leaking, my septic system is backed up and I can’t pay to fix it, or my walls are not structurally sound.”

Amory’s company would hire contractors to inspect the potential properties and then provide recommendations to the committee. Once those properties are chosen, there will be a second public hearing held during the town board meeting.

A deadline has not yet been set for applications for CDBG neighborhood revitalization, Amory pointed out, but he encouraged the town to go ahead and start the process, which they did by approving the funding application.

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Street paving priorities set

Also at the July 9 meeting, the board approved a priority listing for paving of streets. “This year, we currently have $290,000 budgeted for street paving,” Smith said. “That’s 7,090 linear feet. Last year, we had $330,000 that we spent in paving, which was 8,200 linear feet.”

Smith suggested that the town pave priorities 1-6, which include: East Church Street (Highway 117 to Walnut and Walnut to Newton), West Main Street (Railroad to Maple and Maple to South West), East South Street (Highway 117 to Oak), North and South Newton Street, South Pine Street (Charity Road to West Church Street), and Fussell Street.

Smith also suggested that the town wait until fiscal year 2025-26 to pave North and South Walnut Street and East South Street (Elm to Railroad Streets).

The board approved Smith’s recommendations unanimously.

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Four-way stops to be added to several town streets

There had been some discussion among town officials whether to use four-way stops and three-way stops versus speed bumps to control speeding on some town streets. Smith said that Public Works Director Blake Parker and Police Chief Michael Tyndall have been through town, and presented the board a map that shows where all the new stops would be. They include four-way stops at the following intersections: at the railroad tracks and Main Street, Main Street and Elm Street, Church Street and Bay Street, Church Street and Elm Street, and Newton and Main Streets. There will also be three-way stops at Southerland Street and Church Street, and Herring Street and Main Street.

The board unanimously approved the new stop signs.

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In other business the town board:

  • Adopted ordinance amendments to Chapter 74 of the parking schedule, which establishes that a zoning permit must be issued before an area of town is a designated parking area; establishes a $50 fine for violations; and restricts any truck, semi-trailer or vehicle exceeding more than three axels or 20,000 pounds from parking within town limits.
  • Approved the renewal of a contract with Crowder Gulf for disaster debris removal and management services.
  • Learned that the town was approved for a StRAP (Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program) grant to install a catch basin on the corner of Charity Road and Elm Street. The grant totals $18,000.
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