Duplin Journal

07/07/2025

The N.C. Department of Transportation will close the section of U.S. 117 near SE Center Street in Calypso to refurbish the deck of the bridge built in 1958, beginning Wednesday, July 9. Crews will conduct work on weekdays, daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The repairs are expected to be completed by Friday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m. A detour will be available using S117 to NC Hwy 50 to NC403. Motorists should remain alert when traveling near the area. Visit DriveNC.gov for real-time travel information.

Real time traffic and travel information for North Carolina. Provides information about road closures, accidents, congestion, traffic cameras, weather events, and work zones.

06/20/2025

TOWN OF MAGNOLIA WATER OUTAGE

****UPDATE #2–IMPORTANT—4:17pm!!!*** We anticipate water service being restored in approximately one to one and a half hours. A BOIL WATER ORDER WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.****

****UPDATE: A fire hydrant was hit and damaged the water infrastructure. Repair crews are en route to assess and do repairs.

At this time, we do not have an estimated time for the restoration of service. Please check back here for updates as we continue to learn more.***

We are aware of a water outage.

Public Works is triaging the issue right now, and we will update as soon as we have more information.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to remedy the issue.

CORTE DE AGUA EN LA CIUDAD DE MAGNOLIA

****ACTUALIZACIÓN #2–IMPORTANTE—¡4:17 p.m.!*** Anticipamos que el servicio de agua se restablecerá en aproximadamente una hora a una hora y media. UNA ORDEN DE HERVIR EL AGUA ESTARÁ VIGENTE HASTA NUEVO AVISO.****

******ACTUALIZACIÓN: Una boca de incendios fue alcanzada y dañó la infraestructura hídrica. Equipos de reparación están en camino para evaluar y realizar reparaciones.

En este momento, no tenemos un tiempo estimado para la restauración del servicio. Por favor, vuelva a consultar aquí para obtener más información.***

Tenemos conocimiento de un corte de agua.

Obras Públicas está evaluando el problema y actualizaremos la información en cuanto tengamos más información.

Disculpen las molestias y agradecemos su paciencia mientras trabajamos para solucionar el problema.

06/18/2025

Magnolia is hosting a community day this Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at
Magnolia Park.

Good afternoon, Magnolia! Mayor Dawn here. I want to personally invite you to our Community Resource Day THIS Saturday. June 21st, from 10am-2pm at Magnolia Park.

The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of resources that are available throughout Duplin County in the event residents ever have need of them.

Below is a list of confirmed organizations/partners:

**WIOA/NCWorks - connects individuals with the skills and resources they need to succeed in the labor market and helps businesses find qualified workers.
**Faith Independent Baptist Church
**Duplin County Sheriff's Office - will have bilingual services available at the event
**Hoving Home - drug and alcohol addiction and recovery services for women
**James Sprunt Community College Latino Center
**Coastal Horizons R**e Crisis Center
**Magnolia Global Methodist Church - Celebrate Recovery Program
**Marine Federal Credit Union - MOBILE BRANCH COMING TO MAGNOLIA LATER THIS SUMMER!!!
**Food produce distribution courtesy of JSCC Hydroponics

There will also be two food trucks on site, as well as FREE NOTARY SERVICES courtesy of Gloria M. Borja Leon.

Please make plans to join us for this free community event.

¡Buenos tardes, Magnolia! Les habla la alcaldesa Dawn. Quiero invitarlos personalmente a nuestro Día de Recursos Comunitarios este sábado 21 de junio, de 10:00 a. m. a 2:00 p. m. en el Parque Magnolia.

El propósito de este día es dar a conocer los recursos disponibles en todo el condado de Duplin en caso de que los residentes los necesiten.

A continuación, una lista de organizaciones/colaboradores confirmados:

**WIOA/NCWorks: conecta a las personas con las habilidades y los recursos que necesitan para tener éxito en el mercado laboral y ayuda a las empresas a encontrar trabajadores calificados.
**Iglesia Bautista Independiente Faith
**Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Duplin: ofrecerá servicios bilingües en el evento.
**Hoving Home: servicios de recuperación y tratamiento de la adicción a las dr**as y el alcohol para mujeres.
**Centro Latino de James Sprunt Community College
**Centro de Crisis por Violación Coastal Horizons
**Iglesia Metodista Global Magnolia: Programa Celebra la Recuperación.
**Marine Federal Credit Union: ¡¡¡LA SUCURSAL MÓVIL LLEGARÁ A MAGNOLIA A FINALES DE ESTE VERANO!!!

**Distribución de productos alimenticios cortesía de JSCC Hydroponics

También habrá dos food trucks en el lugar, así como servicios de notario gratuitos cortesía de Gloria M. Borja León.

Acompáñenos a este evento comunitario gratuito.

06/10/2025

The winner of the instant jackpot has been identified as Marcella Ho**er! She claimed her prize Monday. After required federal and state tax withholdings she took home $654,596! Congrats!

06/06/2025

Someone from Warsaw won a $912,326 jackpot playing The Lamp: Dark Arts online on June 4. NC Education Lottery told Duplin Journal that as of noon today the prize has not been claimed.

06/04/2025

“I took that burden off of (my parents), knowing that I can go to school for free and study something I want to study..Then, ultimately, come back and give back to my community.”-Marquez-Chavez

MARQUEZ AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION by e.graham

On May 13, 2025, at the monthly Town Hall Meeting, Magnolia's Mayor Dawn Ward presented a CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION to Elier Marquez, a graduating Senior from Wallace Rose-Hill, for his outstanding scholastic achievement.

Marquez-Chavez, a resident of Magnolia, after applying to 18 colleges, including Yale, Harvard, and Columbia, received 14 acceptance letters and earned over $4 million in scholarship offers.

With so many offers, Marquez decided to stay within the state of North Carolina and attend Duke University in Durham in the Fall, after being awarded the prestigious Gates Scholarship and the Benjamin N. Duke Scholarship, which was named in honor of Duke, who funded scholarships to equip North and South Carolina students to “think for themselves and become leaders in the highest and best things in life.”

Elier Marquez is a true example of "Small Towns" producing "GREAT PEOPLE."

WELCOME TO THE TOWN OF MAGNOLIA

"People, Passion & Purpose"

05/30/2025

⚠️ SEVERE WEATHER RISK UPGRADED ⚠️

The Storm Prediction Center has increased our risk level to a 3 out of 5 – Enhanced Risk for severe weather this evening. This means there is now a higher confidence in more widespread and potentially more intense storms impacting our area.

⏰ Timing: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🌬️ Primary Threat: Damaging wind gusts of 60+ MPH
🌧️ Secondary Threats: Hail and a low chance of an isolated, brief tornado

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to move west to east through the region this evening. With the upgraded risk, these storms are more likely to produce scattered wind damage and pose a greater hazard to outdoor items, trees, and power lines. For more information, please visit www.weather.gov/mhx.

🔔 Please take this risk seriously. Stay weather aware, charge your devices, and make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts, including weather apps, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media.

📡 We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed.


US National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC

05/30/2025

A portion of Sarecta Road near N.C. 41 will temporarily close on June 2 at 8 a.m. for a pipe replacement. The road is expected to reopen on June 6 by 5 p.m.
The NC Department of Transportation advices motorists to use an alternate route such as N.C. 41 to N.C. 241. Drivers should allow extra travel time, and use caution around the work zone.

05/29/2025

Celebrate the achievements of our local graduates with Duplin Journal’s special Graduation Edition — honoring the Class of 2025! Pick up your copy today at Speedway and Dollar General stores across Duplin County. To subscribe to Duplin Journal, call 910-463-1240.

05/21/2025

*****UPDATE*****

Thanks to tips from our community, the driver of the red Chevrolet involved in the recent incident has been identified and charged.

Steven Christopher Hewitte of Pender County admitted to driving and is facing the following charges:

• Failure to remain at the scene of an accident
• Failure to report an accident involving property damage over $1,000
• Driving while license revoked (DWLR)
• Failure to maintain lane control

We’d like to extend our gratitude to Wallace Fire and Wallace Public Works for their assistance with traffic control—and to our citizens for always stepping up and helping us keep our community safe.

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Around 7:15 this morning, the red pickup truck struck a light pole and two road signs on NC 41/W. Main St. Both signs and the light pole were broken in two. The truck fled the scene prior to the incident being reported The truck appears to be a 4-door GM product (Chevrolet/GMC) with chrome step rails. The vehicle should have some pretty noticeable front end/passenger side damage. If you recognize the truck, please let us know.

05/14/2025

The Carolina Strawberry Festival is a celebration of community, heritage and growth drawing thousands of people each year to Wallace, NC.

WALLACE — Dating back to the early 1930s, the Carolina Strawberry Festival is a symbol of local pride and historied tradition. Today, it represents the heart and soul of Wallace, celebrating the town's people and its agricultural roots. The festival has become a tool for giving back, a driver of e...