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Duplin Journal Staff

Teachey accepts water/sewer grants totaling nearly $400,000

Teachey accepts water/sewer grants totaling nearly $400,000

TEACHEY — The Teachey town board voted unanimously to move forward with procuring two grants for water and sewer services, which total $399,975, at the regular monthly meeting on Monday night, July 8.

Joe McKemey with McDavid Associates appeared before the board to explain the two grants and the scope of work involved. The grant-funded projects are for AIA, or asset inventory and assessment of the town’s water and sewer systems. McKemey said that the funding is part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2020 and was offered by the N.C. Department of Environment Quality. “They’re both grant projects so there’s no loan associated at all,” he explained. “The water project is $188,000 and the sewer project is $211,975.”

First, McKemey talked about the sewer AIA, which will involve McDavid Associates employees using the GIS system to locate and identify all manholes in the town. An interactive map will allow town officials to click on each manhole and see what material and size it is. The project also includes having a contractor come in and clean the lines. The purpose is to discover any issues that might cause problems down the line for the town’s sewer system.

“After you’ve analyzed everything in the town, you’ve got to prepare a report,” McKemey said. “Any deficiencies that are noted, we would create an assessment and include any costs for repairs.”

The town could later apply for grants to help make any needed repairs as well.

The scope of work for the water AIA project includes rate evaluation, short-term and long-term evaluation of the system, and an electronic mapping of the water lines within town.

“We have to analyze every stretch of pipe there is,” McKemey said.

The board unanimously adopted resolutions to approve both projects.

“I think it’s great that we’re able to apply for that and identify where the problems are, so we can know where the problems are and how to fix them,” Mayor Bobby Jones said.

In other business at the July 2 meeting, the board approved the hiring of a new public works employee, Bryan Mecenpadilla.

“For 19 and a half years, James has been by himself in public works for Teachey,” the mayor said. Mecenpadilla is the new assistant public works associate.

Also at this month’s meeting, the board discussed a request from Cameron Adams to rezone a four-acre lot across from Town Hall from R-20 to R-10, which would allow him to divide the tract of land into smaller lots and thus, build more homes.

Adams was scheduled to appear before the board to plead his case, but was not present at the meeting.

“If you look around the surrounding area, everybody around them is a half-acre or more,” said Public Works Director James Parker. “It just looks better for this specific area to stay like it is.”

Mayor Jones said, “We definitely want to stay consistent with what the community surrounding it is. We want to be a desirable place to build, not just for quarter-acre lots, but also just for someone who may want to have a larger yard.”

The board verbally agreed to keep the zoning as is, but said Adams can address the board at a future meeting, if he so desires.

The board also set a public hearing on the annexation of the Mill Creek subdivision for the next meeting on Aug. 12 and approved an addendum to the pet ordinance approved last month, enacting a $50 fine for pet owners who do not keep their dogs on a leash within town limits.

The Teachey Board of Commissioners will next meet on Monday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

‘The Singing Senator’ documentary coming to PBS; Free screening/ Q&A with Charlie Albertson set for July 17 at EDHS

‘The Singing Senator’ documentary coming to PBS; Free screening/ Q&A with Charlie Albertson set for July 17 at EDHS

Prolific Duplin County singer/songwriter/senator Charlie Albertson is the subject of a new documentary short film that will premiere on Thursday, July 25, on PBS North Carolina. Denver Hollingsworth, who lives in Wilmington now but grew up in the Pin Hook community, has been friends with the former state senator for a number of years, and decided Albertson would be a fascinating subject for a documentary film. 

“I’ve been doing filmmaking off and on for most of my life,” Hollingsworth told Duplin Journal. “About two years ago, I came up with the idea of a documentary about Charlie Albertson and his life.” 

There’s a 60-year age gap between Albertson and Hollingsworth, but the two meet for lunch at least once a week, Hollingsworth said. “He’s always telling me stories, and they’re always so interesting,” he added. 

Albertson is a Beulaville native who has been a country music singer and songwriter, once performing at the Grand Ole Opry, a U.S. serviceman, and a state senator, serving Duplin, Harnett and Sampson Counties from 1993-2010. He’s played music with country legends Loretta Lynn and Charlie Pride, and was one of the longest-serving members of the North Carolina Senate. 

“We were sitting down one day and I just told him, ‘Wow, these are amazing stories. You should tell people these stories,’” Hollingsworth said, adding that Albertson’s life “covers an incredible span of history.” 

“He was born in 1932, and had several brothers serve in World War II,” he said. “Then in the senate, he became part of politics at an interesting time. There was the hog farm moratorium, legalizing the lottery, all of that happened during his time in the senate. It’s interesting to hear his perspective on those events.” 

Albertson, despite all of his amazing experiences, remains humble about all the attention. “It was something I wasn’t expecting,” he said of the documentary. “I had no idea they’d want anything to do with my stories.” 

“He’s very humble,” Hollingsworth said. “When I brought up the documentary idea, he said, ‘I don’t think anyone will be interested in that.’ He’s been pleasantly surprised that PBS picked it up and they’ve done a lot of marketing for it.” 

Albertson admits that he’s had some pretty interesting experiences. “I have had a lot of experiences,” he said. “I think during my time in the service and touring, seeing the rest of the world, and people with different customs, it really opened my eyes. Serving in politics was also a great honor.” 

Hollingsworth said that he feels the documentary is a validation for all that Albertson has experienced during his 92 years. “One of the most fascinating things to me is that he is still writing and recording songs,” Hollingsworth said. “He’s still doing music videos. A lot of people at 92 years old may want to close the book and relax a little, but not Charlie Albertson.” 

The documentary is 30 minutes long and covers key aspects of Albertson’s life, while also following him as he writes and records a new song. “I specifically kept it short so it would be good for PBS,” Hollingsworth said. 

“The Singing Senator” will premiere on PBS North Carolina Thursday, July 25, at 10 p.m. EST.  Viewers nationwide can stream the film online at video.pbsnc.org or on the PBS App. The PBS App is free and available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku and more. 

Hollingsworth will also host a free screening and Q&A with Albertson at the East Duplin High School Fine Arts Building on Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. 

A preview for the documentary can be viewed at video.pbsnc.org/video/preview-the-singing-senator-3rcdmb/. 

When asked what he hopes people get out of the documentary, the ever humble Albertson said, “I don’t really know, quite frankly.” Hollingsworth, on the other hand, stated, “I’m most hoping people will get his perseverance, his ambition and his hope for change. I hope people will say, ‘Wow, here’s a person who’s still trying to create a positive influence on the world, even at 92 years of age.’”    

I-40 accident near Wallace sends man to hospital, firefighter injured during rescue

A man was rescued this morning after Fire and EMS units responded to a call requesting help for an overturned vehicle with a person pinned inside at approximately 7:30 a.m. 

The single-vehicle accident occurred on I-40 westbound lane near the 382-mile marker during a heavy downpour. The driver of the red pickup truck ran off the road and struck a tree. Units working on the patient extrication had to remove the top of the pickup truck to rescue the man.

“It was a prolonged extrication due to the way the vehicle came to rest on its side in the wood line,” Brandon McMahon, Emergency Medical Services director, told Duplin Journal, adding that the extrication of the patient took approximately one hour.

The patient was transported to ECU Health Duplin Hospital and later transferred to ECU Medical Center in Greenville. He is in critical condition. 

During the rescue, a firefighter was injured while trying to extricate the patient from the vehicle. The firefighter received an electrical jolt when lightning struck the downed fence he was touching. He was wearing protective equipment at the time he was injured. 

“Lightning struck away from us on that fence and it ran the fence. He felt it in his hand,” Chief Boney told Duplin Journal, adding that the firefighter went to the hospital to get checked and he is doing fine. 

During the rescue, a firefighter was injured while trying to extricate the patient from the vehicle. The firefighter received an electrical jolt when lightning struck the downed fence he was touching. He was wearing protective equipment at the time he was injured. 

“Lightning struck away from us on that fence and it ran the fence. He felt it in his hand,” Chief Boney told Duplin Journal, adding that the firefighter went to the hospital to get checked and he is doing fine. 

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol there is an ongoing investigation.



 

 

Update: Rose Hill Fire Chief Gary Boney, who is at the scene told Duplin Journal that it was a lightning pop. Fortunately no one was electrocuted. Crews are still on scene working on the patient extraction.
Breaking News: A firefighter has been electrocuted while working on a patient extraction at an accident on I-40 at the 382 mile marker.
According to David Miller, Fire News director it is unknown whether the firefighter was struck by lightning or by other electrical source. More information to follow.
Warsaw welcomes new town commissioner

Warsaw welcomes new town commissioner

Warsaw Mayor A.J. Connors (right) swears reads the oath of office to Searles, who was accompanied by his wife Jan.

WARSAW — Albert G. Searles was sworn in as Warsaw town commissioner on July 8, during the regular town hall meeting. Searles was appointed by the board last June to fill in the seat left vacant by the late Commissioner Russell Eason until the 2025 municipal elections.

 

New DMV rates in full effect

The NC DMV is also now charging processing fees for all credit and debit card transactions

Last week, rate increases announced by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicle went into effect, with the most significant increases in the cost of regular and commercial driver licenses, driver improvement clinic and restoration fees.

The cost of a regular driver license is now $32.50 for a five-year license and $52 for an eight-year license. Learner’s permits and provisional licenses increased $4, now costing $25.50. Duplicate licenses can be obtained now for $16.

Fees also increased for commercial driver licenses. The cost of an application for a CDL increased $8.25, now costing $51.50. A class A, B or C CDL, which is valid for five years, now costs $127. The annual CDL endorsements went up between $2.50 to $3.75.

Other fees such as driver improvement clinics and DL restoration went up as well with driver improvement clinics going from $70 to $83.50. The fee for a non-alcohol related DL restoration is $83.50 and $167.25 for alcohol-related restorations.

The annual fee for regular private passenger vehicle registrations is now $46.25. A title application now costs $66.75. Registrations for commercial vehicles, motorcycles, for hire vehicles, house trailers, low-speed vehicles and electric vehicle fees are among others that saw an increase. 

Additionally, as of the beginning of this month the NC DMV is charging a processing fee on all transactions paid for with a credit or debit card. The fee for in-person transactions is 1.22%, online transactions are 1.85% and self-service kiosk transactions are 2%.

According to the NC DMV, the new fees are part of an adjustment required by law every four years. The adjustment is based on the percentage change in the annual Consumer Price Index.

Visit ncdot.gov for a complete list of fee changes.

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