Duplin Sports

The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two Mount Olive residents in connection with a stolen vehicle investigation. According to authorities, the vehicle was reported stolen on Jan. 21 and located the following day on Tram Road by a DCSO patrol deputy.

Steven Daniel Hanchey, 34, and Jerry Mowery, 19, were allegedly involved in the theft. Both were charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle and felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Mowery also was charged with simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The investigation involved the DCSO Uniform Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division.

The Magnolia Town Board convened for its regular meeting on Jan. 13. Mayor Dawn Ward explained that the originally scheduled 2024–25 audit presentation was postponed after auditors identified late adjustments that needed to be corrected. The auditors requested additional time to revise the audit, prompting the board to remove the item from the agenda and replace it with a time-sensitive grant matter.

The primary item of new business centered on a request for additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Sun Valley Mobile Home Park sewer improvement project. Town Manager Charles Banks explained that although the town had previously been awarded grant funding for the project, recent bid openings revealed costs far exceeding expectations. According to Banks, bids came in roughly 200% higher than anticipated due to rising construction and material costs. Because the project involves a comprehensive sewer replacement, it could not be scaled back or completed in phases, making additional funding necessary to proceed.

After the town’s application for a new CDBG grant was denied, officials were informed that unused funds from a 2020 CDBG allocation could potentially be repurposed. To access those funds, the town was required to commit a modest local match of approximately $3,000 in exchange for an additional $525,000 in grant funding. Banks emphasized the value of the proposal, stating, “$3,000 for an additional $525,000 if we want this project to go through, I think is a good use of the funds.” He also noted that the matching funds would not be required immediately and could be budgeted in a future fiscal year.

Further discussion detailed the scope and importance of the Sun Valley sewer project. The existing system relies largely on outdated gravity-based lines that were installed decades ago.

“A lot of those lines were actually put in by previous owners that were not even contractors, they just owned the land years, many years ago,” Banks explained.

Poor grading, undersized pipes, and limited flow have resulted in frequent blockages and service issues for residents. The proposed project will replace all sewer lines and install a lift station capable of providing sufficient pressure to move wastewater efficiently to the town’s treatment plant. Officials said the improvements would significantly reduce backups, increase capacity, and improve reliability while also opening the southeastern portion of town to future development.

“They’re going to do all new lines through, down the right of way through Sun Valley  and all of those mobile homes and then come out to the main road there,” he added. “With that pump being at the end, everything that is on those roads, East Carroll, Polk, anything on that end should have better capacity because that pressure is pushing it towards the sewage plant.”

Following questions from commissioners, the board unanimously approved the $3,000 local match required to secure the additional CDBG funding. Banks confirmed that the necessary documentation would be submitted immediately to meet the grant deadline.

During departmental updates, Chief Jerry Wood provided a report detailing recent enforcement activity, speed control initiatives, and ongoing code enforcement efforts. Wood provided updates on traffic measures, including the installation of speed bumps on selected residential streets once required signage is in place.

“One location is on Sandy, you’re looking at one on West Carroll, West Bleeker, South Peterson, and North Peterson,” said Wood. Discussions also addressed junk and debris issues on private property. Officials expressed optimism that partnerships with county agencies would help improve compliance and neighborhood conditions.

Banks provided a financial update indicating that the town remains in stable condition. Liquid cash balances were reported at just over $81,000, with additional deposits expected before the end of the cycle. The Capital Management Trust continued to show steady growth, reaching approximately $590,000, generating monthly interest revenue that Banks said could help fund future projects, including community building renovations.

Banks also acknowledged that a recent CDBG application for housing and community improvements was unsuccessful due to competitive funding priorities statewide. Despite the setback, officials reiterated their commitment to pursuing future grant opportunities and alternative funding strategies. Banks noted that only six of 38 applicants were funded in the most recent cycle, with a significant portion of funds directed toward western North Carolina communities still recovering from hurricane impacts.

Plans for a mobile banking unit remain delayed. Officials said the provider was unable to provide a definitive start date, though they remain committed to serving the town. “This is not how they typically do business … These things can happen, and everybody wants to make sure it’s secure,” Ward said, adding that she hopes to have new information in the coming months.

WARSAW — A 41-year‑old Warsaw man was shot and killed Sept. 7, 2025, at the home of his longtime girlfriend by her adult son, authorities said. District Attorney Ernie Lee said after reviewing reports from the Warsaw Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation that the shooting was legally justified.

According to the DA’s office, investigators concluded that Eliecer Luna’s actions created an apparent threat to the lives of the son and other occupants of the residence, including six children. Law enforcement stated the son acted after receiving a call from his younger sister reporting that Luna was allegedly assaulting their mother and told her to call the police.

Law enforcement said the son retrieved a handgun and went to the home where he found his mother badly beaten. The son fired multiple times after Luna allegedly approached him with a raised fist. Police found Luna dead inside the home.

Authorities said the mother sustained injuries, she “had an excessive amount of blood on her head, chest and legs,” said the report. “The victim had suffered a head injury causing the bleeding and there was a substantial amount of long, dark hair, consistent with the victim’s hair near the blood on the floor.” According to authorities, two children were upstairs and four others were found hiding in the closet. According to the DA’s office, SBI interviews and statements from the mother reportedly corroborated the son’s account of events. The autopsy confirmed Luna died from multiple gunshot wounds. Officials said they found no evidence of criminal intent and cited Luna’s prior history of domestic violence and the immediate threat to residents as justification for self-defense.

KENANSVILLE — After repeated state citations and public scrutiny, the Duplin County Animal Shelter received an approved compliance inspection from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Animal Welfare Section last week, indicating documented improvements across multiple operational areas.

The Facility Compliance Inspection, approved on Jan. 13, evaluated the shelter under the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act and related administrative codes. The shelter received an overall approved status, with most areas fully compliant and only minor corrective actions noted.

County Manager Lisa Hughes acknowledged the shelter’s history of violations and said the county is focused on long-term improvements.

“We want to make sure that we get it right and the changes made are permanent and in the best interests of the animals we protect and house temporarily at the Animal Shelter,” Hughes said.

State inspectors noted significant improvements in cleanliness and facility conditions. The shelter “was much cleaner and had improved smell throughout the facility,” the inspector noted.

According to the AWS report, animal care practices were found to be compliant during the January visit. “All animals had water during inspection,” and “all animals with medical concerns had proper documentation and veterinarian records,” the inspector reported.

Inspectors also noted that “no animals were present in the play yard during this inspection.”

The inspection report found recordkeeping to be compliant. “Medication records have proper reason noted from shelter veterinarian treatment recommendations or shelter treatment protocol.” Inspectors further noted that “record keeping has been updated and have been consistently being filled out daily with proper details required.” Adoption documentation was also compliant, with “adoption records reviewed had legal ID for adopters and proper documentation for adoption,” the report states.

Veterinary oversight met regulatory requirements. “During this inspection I reviewed new documentation of veterinary care and treatment plans from the shelter vet,” the inspector wrote, adding that “treatment plans set by the shelter vet have been followed and properly documented.”

Indoor conditions, including ventilation, were found to be compliant. Inspectors noted one area requiring improvement: the absence of a functional thermometer in the cat room to verify temperature monitoring. The issue was documented with corrective action recommended.

Additional improvements to water access and sanitation are underway. “Water bowls have been added to the outdoor portion of kennels for animals when animals are moved there during cleaning,” the report states, and “the facility is working on water line cut off values to ensure water bowls can be more easily sanitized daily.”

Inspectors observed that there were county workers working on the water lines while they were there for the inspection.

“Overall, the shelter has improved with deep cleaning and verifying all animals have consistent access to water,” wrote the AWS inspector.

Inspectors also cited improvements in staff oversight and daily monitoring. “Facility has implemented walk-throughs first thing in the morning by supervising staff to monitor for any medical concerns and ensure all animals have water.”

The inspector also noted that the facility has been in consistent contact regarding policies and plans to send the inspector copies as they are completed for review.

When Duplin Journal asked Hughes whether any rescues or volunteers will remain banned from the facility, and about the timeline for completing the improvements suggested on the inspection, she stated that policy revisions remain in progress and those updates will include increased accountability measures.

“All of the Shelter’s policies, procedures and forms are being reviewed and revised appropriately for more accountability, including documentation,” Hughes told Duplin Journal. “We will go through a vetting process for rescues and a process for volunteers that includes background checks.”

As for the timeline for completing the improvements suggested on the inspection, Hughes said the county is evaluating best practices and consulting with other shelters before finalizing changes.

“While we are doing the things as expeditiously as possible, it is more important to us that we take the time needed to do the research and make sure it is right. We are talking with other Shelters and visiting other Shelters as well.”