Duplin Journal

10/08/2025

Congratulations Superintendent Daren Tyndall!

KENANSVILLE — After more than three decades of service to Duplin County Schools, Daren Tyndall has been officially named Duplin County Schools Superintendent, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Education on Oct. 7. Tyndall, who has served as interim superintendent since Aug. 4, will assume

10/08/2025

The municipal election season is upon us, and Duplin Journal is excited to bring you closer to your local candidates through our in-depth Candidate Q&A series. This series will begin on Oct. 16, coinciding with the start of early voting. 📢 Candidates, please remember to submit your answers by Friday, Oct. 10. Participation is completely free. If you are a registered candidate and have not received your Q&A invitation, please email [email protected] to get the questions.

09/29/2025

Big News for House District 4.
After receiving an outpouring of support from constituents, colleagues and friends across North Carolina, Representative Jimmy Dixon has officially reversed his decision to retire — and will seek re-election in 2026.
Read Rep. Dixon’s Letter to the Editor and stay tuned for next week’s Q&A, where he’ll answer questions about his decision.

09/24/2025

Big decisions are on the ballot across Duplin County — from town board shakeups to hot-button issues like water infrastructure, public trust and local spending.
Whether your town is facing fierce competition or running on stability, your vote matters more than ever.
Mark your calendar: Early voting begins Oct. 16 ahead of the Nov. 4 municipal election.
Want to shape the conversation?
📋 Take our voter survey: tinyurl.com/duplinvotes25
💬 Tell us what matters. We’ll ask the candidates for you.

Early voting starts on Oct. 16 With early voting for municipal elections less than three weeks away, towns across Duplin County are gearing up for pivotal local races that could shape the future of water infrastructure, economic development and public accountability. From uncontested incumbents to

09/24/2025

BREAKING: Rep. Jimmy Dixon to retire after 16 years in NC House
Longtime NC Representative Jimmy Dixon announced he will not seek re-election after his current term ends — marking the close of a 16-year career in the General Assembly.
“I’ve always planned to take myself out of the game while I still have some game left,” Dixon told Duplin Journal in an exclusive interview.
His decision, made after “serious and prayerful consideration,” comes just weeks after signaling a run for a ninth term. Dixon says he plans to spend more time with family and church — but will serve out his term through 2026.

A major shift for one of NC’s most recognizable legislative voices.

09/17/2025

Your Voice, Your Town: Help Shape the Future of Duplin County
Now more than ever, your voice matters. As local elections approach, Duplin Journal is committed to giving you direct access to the people leading — and seeking to lead — our communities. We're launching in-depth Q&A features with local candidates, and we want you to help shape the conversation.
Take just a few minutes to complete our "Your Voice, Your Town" survey. Tell us what matters most to you, what issues your town is facing, and what questions you want answered by the people on your ballot.
This is your chance to be heard — before you head to the polls.
Be informed. Be engaged. Be empowered.

Thank you for taking a moment to share your voice. Tell us what issues matter most to you, what you think of local leadership, and what questions you'd like answered. Your feedback will help ensure our coverage reflects the concerns and priorities of your community. Let’s shape the future — toge...

09/14/2025

Beulaville is growing. New housing developments, a 40-unit apartment complex (coming 2026), and water/sewer upgrades are underway.

BEULAVILLE — Like other towns in Duplin County, Beulaville is experiencing residential growth, according to Interim Town Manager Lori Williams. “We’ve actually got a couple of new residential developments that are going through the process for zoning, and for water and sewer,” Williams told ...

09/13/2025

Big news for Duplin County! Construction for the N.C. Forest Service Region One HQ at the Duplin Airport, is slated to begin by year’s end. Plus, work continues on industrial shell buildings + short-stay rentals at the Airpark.

KENANSVILLE — Members of the Duplin County Economic Development Board received an update at their regular meeting last Friday on the N.C. Forest Service’s expansion at the Duplin County Airport and Airpark. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year on a new facility that will sign...

09/13/2025

Mount Olive citizens confronted town leaders Monday over the ongoing sewer moratorium, despite $30M+ allocated since 2020 to fix the issue. Residents called for transparency and accountability after years of delays and a damning state audit exposing mismanagement. Meanwhile, town leaders took steps to seek new funding for water treatment and hired a CPA to reconcile long-neglected finances.

MOUNT OLIVE — The ongoing problems regarding the state-imposed sewer moratorium on the town and the recent release of a scathing audit by the N.C. Auditor’s Office, which discovered numerous mismanagement issues within town government, were front and center during the public comment period at th...

09/12/2025

Duplin County could save $1.4M.
County Commissioners gave the green light to start looking into refinancing 2016 bonds used for school projects. If rates stay favorable, major savings are on the horizon. Also approved: a revised incentive deal for a $41M grain storage facility expansion in Rose Hill that will boost ag efficiency across seven counties. Also big congrats to Stella Simpson, who was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine at the September County Commissioners meeting.

KENANSVILLE — A proposal to refinance Duplin County’s 2016 Limited Obligation Bonds topped the agenda at the September Commissioners meeting, with officials approving the first step in a process that could save the county approximately $1.4 million over the remaining life of the bonds. In a unan...

09/12/2025

Local farmers are in the fields, and corn yields are looking strong this year — averaging 180 – 200 bushels/acre, says Extension Agent Della King. But while the harvest is good, corn prices are low, bringing mixed feelings to local growers. Meanwhile, soybean farmers faced setbacks from heavy rains earlier this summer, forcing some to replant.

KENANSVILLE — With fall knocking at the seasonal door, Duplin farmers are in the fields reaping what they have sown.According to Della King, Field Crops Agent with the North Carolina Extension Service in Kenansville, this year’s corn yield appears to be good. “As a county, overall, we’ve got...

09/12/2025

Grain storage just went next-level at House of Raeford’s Feed Mill Complex — with fully automated systems, VFDs, and cutting-edge Allen Bradley PLC tech powering the newest expansion. Phase One is live, and Phase Two will soon add 1 million bushels of storage — benefiting farmers across Duplin, Wayne, Lenoir, Sampson, and beyond.

ROSE HILL — When people hear the term "high tech," it's unlikely that a grain storage facility is the first thing that comes to mind. However, a recent addition to House of Raeford's Rose Hill Feed Mill Complex incorporates advanced technology available in the industry. According to Michael Newton...