Duplin Journal Staff

WARSAW — The Town of Warsaw held their monthly meeting on July 8. After the approval of the consent agenda, Mayor A.J. Connors swore in Commissioner Al Searles. He will fill the vacant seat left by the late Commissioner Russell Eason until the 2025 municipal election. 

Warsaw residents, Christine Dewitt and Marzella Morrisey, signed up for public comment. 

Dewitt addressed the board about code enforcement. She said it was good the town is looking to hire a code enforcement officer and asked the board that the businesses in town be held to the same standards as residents are when it comes to code enforcement. 

Morrisey expressed her disapproval for how the town’s budget was handled, stating that she felt the citizen’s opinions were not considered. 

“You did not allow any citizens’ input… It was as though we didn’t exist,” said Morrisey. “We are citizens of Warsaw, Duplin County, North Carolina, but we were not allowed to ask for a dollar to improve anything. You made it so we couldn’t speak during the budget, that we could only speak at the end once you had made a decision.” 

Morrisey also reiterated her request to establish committees so the people of Warsaw can get actively involved in helping the board improve the town. Morrisey has been persistent in her desire for the board to establish committees — a subject that has been brought up at about every town hall meeting for several months. Morrisey shared she is aware that commissioners have other responsibilities in addition to serving the town and feels having citizens who can volunteer in committees would be beneficial for everyone. 

“When you have good committees working with you, you can get more things resolved. And we have a lot of citizens here in Warsaw that have been here all their lives or have moved away and come back, and they see that the town is still the same and there could be some changes,” said Morrisey. 

After public comment closed, Town Manager Lea Turner, presented a request from Bryan Kennedy to approve a resolution for street dedication. This would extend Victoria Street and add Addilyn Circle as new streets to the Town of Warsaw. 

“These streets would be added to the Powell Bill so that we could receive state funding for those streets,” explained Turner. 

According to meeting documents, Kennedy purchased the land on Victoria Street and added Addilyn Circle to build more homes. “He has previously asked for the town’s assistance in paving his newly added street. He was told that he would have to complete the construction and dedicate the street to the town. He has now completed the subdivision and is requesting a street dedication.” 

Commissioner Ebony Willis-Wells excused herself from the conversation per Mayor Connors request due to a conflict of interest. 

The board discussed whether the improvements were to the Powell Bill standards. 

“It’s all rock road at this point and it’ll be included on the Powell Bill as rock, and any improvements made after that point would be up to the board to vote to pave,” explained Turner. “Some of you may remember when Scotty (Summerlin) was town manager, the Kennedys did ask that we pave the street for them, and they were told that construction had to be completed before paving could be done. But the town did agree that if they dedicated it, at some point it would be paved. And at this time, construction is complete, and they are requesting the dedication.” 

The town manager shared they are working on maintaining streets now that they are fully staffed and have a paving project open on Victoria Street for which they are waiting on quotes. 

“Victoria Street is for the simple fact that it was torn up so bad, especially around the manhole where they replaced the sewer,” said Turner. “We have tried to do the crushed asphalt, but it is not working around those manholes. It is going to have to be rebuilt and paved.” 

Commissioner Willis-Wells returned to her seat and addressed the public in attendance, stating that she wanted to be fully transparent with the public. 

“According to GIS statutes, the town is responsible for roads that are within the town’s city limits. …Victoria Street is within the town’s city limits,” said Willis-Wells. “I just want to have adequate access to my property… I just want equality for myself as a citizen, just as I fight for each and every citizen that elected me as their commissioner to serve them. So, I just want to make that clear to everybody… When I ran for this position, I ran for total transparency. So, if any citizens want to see any of the statutes of limitations or anything regarding this matter, I will be more than happy to go over that with anybody.” 

The board approved the resolution to accept Victoria Street and Addilyn Circle as new streets to the town. 

In other business: 

Turner reminded the board to review ordinances, so they can be sent to American Legal Publishing for legal review.  

“I do need you to be reviewing those diligently and preparing comments. We have to send a response back to them by Sept. 1… At this time, I am not requesting a special meeting, but I do think that we will need at least one special meeting to discuss just the ordinance portion. What I am seeing so far is a legal review. This is not adding to any of the ordinances. This is not changing the ordinances. It’s just making sure that they are legal and valid as they are presented. Also prior to full adoption I do think there needs to be a public hearing on these ordinances as well,” said Turner. “If you see changes that need to be made during this process this is the time that you would bring those changes up and this board would have to vote on any changes to the ordinances.” 

Turner updated the public about the sewer issues on Cross Street 

“I do want to advise the public that we realize we have an issue on Cross Street. We are going to do our best to keep it where it is safe for travel. Please bear with us,” said Turner. “We do have an RFP out for an emergency sewer repair.” 

Turner told the board that she did not have an exact amount for the budget amendment yet, but the RFP is out for bidding. “Bids will be coming in hopefully within the next two weeks so that we can go ahead and get this work done immediately.” 

Mayor Connors provided various updates and shared about a drainage problem on Frisco and Hill Street. 

“One set of contractors have looked at that and there’s some areas in there where it’s starting to cave in and have some problems that they are looking at,” said Connors, adding that they may have to work on it soon. “As you proceed down, it is East Hill Street and make a left on Frisco, it is the very first drainage area there. It has been there probably since the 1950s or early 1960s and it is deteriorating greatly.” 

The next town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.

KENANSVILLE — In a relatively brief meeting on July 15, the Duplin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a franchise agreement with StellarMed of Jacksonville to provide non-emergency ambulance service within the county.

Brandon McMahon, the county’s emergency services director, made the request, stating that there are currently two ambulance services in the county, CAST and Elite Medical. “However, they cannot keep up due to staffing issues,” he said. “This causes the hospital a problem to get patients out.”

StellarMed will only perform non-emergency transports, such as hospital discharges and dialysis appointments in which a stretcher is needed, McMahon said.

The commissioners approved the agreement, 4-0, with Commission Chair Dexter Edwards absent from the meeting.

Also at the July 15 meeting, the commissioners honored Kay Nichols, who worked in the tax office for nearly 30 years.

“Kay started to work in the tax office about November 29, 1994, about the same time I did,” said Tax Administrator Gary Rose, who presented a retirement plaque to Nichols. “She has been there a long time, and we miss her. She mostly worked with real estate transfers and did it her way, which was the right way. She wasn’t afraid if a deed had an error in it to call up the attorney and tell him he made a mistake.”

Commissioner Jesse Dowe stated that he admired Nichols’ work ethic. “It’s such a milestone for someone to bank 30 years with the county, and we thank you for your service,” he said.

Rose added that Nichols had agreed to help the tax office with the upcoming revaluation.

In other business at the July 15 meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved the renaming of a road in the 900 block of Old Wilmington Road to Ronald Ann Lane.
• Approved a LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant from the State Library of North Carolina in the amount of $19,402 to create story walks at parks in Kenansville, Warsaw, Rose Hill and Faison. The county’s match was $2,307. “These are aluminum stands with acrylic faces where books are separated into sections so the families and children can walk through the area reading books, all the way around the park area,” explained Duplin County Library Director Laura Jones.
• Appointed Commissioner Wayne Branch as the voting delegate and Commissioner Dowe as the alternate for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners annual conference on Aug. 20.

Assistant County Manager Carrie Shields reported that the animal shelter is open one Saturday a month for adoptions, and that adoptions are free for military (retired or active duty) and first responders with proper identification through July 31.

Shields also reported that an elected officials ethics course will be hosted by the town of Magnolia on July 31, 6-9 p.m. Dinner will be served by the Magnolia Fire Department. The event is only required for newly elected or re-elected officials.

The county commissioners will next meet on Monday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m.

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 — 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.” 

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.