VOLUME 9 ISSUE 15 | THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Duplin honors local heroes Dustin Swinson, Abby Cannon, Neal Mobley, Ryan Schallock, Justin Chapman, Luis Arellano and Canaan Weston were honored with the EMS Lifesaver Award at the County Commissioners meeting in Kenansville on June 3 for their heroic actions. Stay tuned for a story in next week’s newspaper.
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Left to right, front row Dustin Swinson, Abby Cannon, Neal Mobley, Ryan Schallock, Justin Chapman, Luis Arellano and Canaan Weston. Back row, Brandon McMahon, Jonathan Kornegay, Commissioners Jesse Dowe, Wayne Branch, Wayne Garner and Dexter Edwards.
the
Beloved Warsaw commissioner passes at age 70
BRIEF this week
Eason will go down in history as the mastermind behind the Warsaw Veterans Mural, leaving a legacy to be remembered
Deadline for NCDA Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant applications June 15 Statewide North Carolina farmers, food hubs and small businesses interested in applying for the NCDA Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, can visit carolinafarmstewards.org/ event/rfsi-grant-informationsession/ to attend a webinar about the grant process. Applications for equipment only and infrastructure grants are due June 15. DJS
Applications for 2024-26 cohort of North Carolina AHEC Scholars Program being accepted Statewide Eastern Area Heath Education Center is accepting applications for the 2024-26 cohort of the North Carolina AHEC Scholars Program through June 15. The Eastern AHEC Scholars Program recruits, trains and supports a diverse group of students enrolled in health professions programs across the state in a 23-county service area. With an emphasis on underrepresented minorities, rural and first-generation college students, the program aims to improve the diversity and distribution of all health professions. This program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students as long as they can commit to the full two years. Students must be enrolled in a health professions program during the duration of the program and graduate in 2026. Visit easternahec.net/student.../ nc-ahec-scholars-2/or more information. DJS
N.C. gets $19M for electric school buses The EPA awarded school districts in North Carolina $19 million to purchase 56 electric school buses. This was part of nearly $1 billion in nationwide grant awards announced this week. The Clean School Bus Program grants were funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which authorized a total of $5 billion for electric and low-emission school buses. $3 billion has already been allocated across several years of grants. Freightliner, the parent company of Thomas Built Buses, has significant operations in North Carolina and manufactures electric school buses at its facility in High Point.
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Sen. Ted Budd’s regional director Sam Shumate presents a flag to Renee P. Futrelle, George Futrelle’s widow, during the Duplin Airport terminal dedication ceremony on Tuesday in Kenansville.
Airport terminal dedicated in honor of George Futrelle Duplin County celebrated the former airport director and assistant county manager with a special ceremony By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Last Tuesday marked an incredibly special milestone for Duplin County as more than 60 distinguished guests, including local, regional and state leadership gathered at the Duplin County Airport to celebrate the memory and legacy of George Futrell, the former airport director and assistant county manager who died in May 2023 after post-surgical complications. The ceremony marked a special occasion for the county and for the Futrelle family, who were honored with the unveiling of Duplin County Airport’s George Futrelle Terminal. Sally Futrelle Gillis, Futrelle’s mother, told Duplin Journal the dedication meant a lot to her, and she just wished George were here to help with the celebration. “This was his whole life,” said Sally about the airport. “He came here at the very beginning when they had just a little trailer and a short runway and so he saw this go from that to this and this is a
“Let this place be a beacon of excellence, a hub of connection and a symbol of the tireless effort George brought to Duplin County.” County Manager Bryan Miller great day to celebrate this.” Futrelle’s wife, Renee P. Futrelle, echoed the sentiment. “It means the world. He would not think that he was worthy,” Renee told Duplin Journal. “I think you agree, and we all know that this airport is what it is mostly because of him. He loved this place.” Renee spoke about Futrelle’s love for the airport and his desire to make it the best it could be. “He knew every blade of grass on this place,” said Renee with a smile, reminiscing how he considered every detail about the airport, from the grass blade length to how it compared to other airports, and after each trip he was ready to come back and make the airport even better. See FUTRELLE, page 6
WARSAW — The Town of Warsaw is mourning the loss of Commissioner Russell Eason, who passed away on May 27 at his home in Warsaw. Russell Eason Eason, a U.S. National Guard veteran and former Warsaw Mayor (2013-17), was known for his kind spirit and involvement in the community. He was in his second term as town commissioner, and served a bit over five years in that capacity. Today, Eason’s legacy stands tall at the corner of College and Front streets in Warsaw, reminding onlookers of the town’s deep military roots. The late veteran spearheaded the funding and commissioning of the veterans mural, a 70-footlong wall art that he envisioned to represent the people of Warsaw and the town’s pride — the oldest consecutive running Veterans Day Parade in the state of North Carolina. Eason’s brainchild was unveiled in 2022 and was the culmination of a dream come true. “When I met him he was serving as mayor, and during that time he was striving to improve the town. He had a desire for the town to grow as well as the infrastructure to be repaired and updated as much as possible,” Mayor A.J. Connors told Duplin Journal. “His desire was to make Warsaw a better place to live. He really loved Warsaw.” Eason was a dedicated public servant who served his community in many capacities. “He served as a police officer here in Warsaw many years ago. He became an entrepreneur, and he owned a land-clearing business hauling materials and debris, and he sat on the county planning board,” said Connors as he reminisced on Eason’s career as a public servant. He volunteered time and resources at the Warsaw Veterans Memorial Museum where he served on the board. From fundraising to outreach efforts, he advocated for upgrades and renovations at the museum, helping secure funding needed to preserve the town’s rich military legacy and provide more accessibility to those visiting the museum in a wheelchair. The humble veteran was proud of his hometown and was the first one to help in his community. “I remember one of our storms that we had See WARSAW, page 5
Beulaville board approves FY 2024-25 budget A concerned citizen spoke on a road closure By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — The Beulaville Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-25 during the regular monthly meeting on Monday night, June 3. The budget includes an average 2.5% pay increase for town employees, with police department employees receiving a 10% increase, in order to stay competitive with other towns in the county. The increase keeps the budget balanced, Town Manager Lori Williams said. General fund appropriations total $1,587,350, with general fund revenue ex-
“I am concerned about the safety of our community and the safety of the people that walk back there.” Gwen Mercer, Beulaville resident pected to also total $1,587,350. The tax rate will remain at $0.48 per $100 of taxable property. The board adopted the budget with very little discussion. In other business at the June 3 meeting, the board heard from citizen Gwen Mercer, who addressed the board with concerns about the recent partial closure of Deer Run Lane inside the town limits.
“I’m concerned that our 23 homes back in that subdivision — the only subdivision in town that pays taxes and votes — was not notified in some way by a letter or a phone call that that was going to be brought up,” Mercer said. “I heard since then that it was put in the newspaper, and I know that’s the way it was supposed to be dealt with. “But with the community feel, I just feel like it could’ve been handled better. I am just saying something about that in the hopes that if another situation arises like that, it will be handled better for the next people. I don’t know that any of us were mad about the situation. I think we were upset that we didn’t know anything about it until it was done.” She also voiced concerns for
the children, elderly people and young mothers who walk the road, considering that bears have been reported in the neighborhood, as well as some criminal activity. “I am concerned about the safety of our community and the safety of the people that walk back there,” Mercer said. Although the board took no action on the item, Mayor Hutch Jones said the town aims to be in See BEULAVILLE, page 5
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