VOLUME 9 ISSUE 40 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
Center left: Simon Thornton (left) and Mayor Billy Ward reveal the William Thornton Memorial monument on Nov. 22.
BRIEF this week
Top right: Faison Mayor Billy Ward welcomes guests to the unveiling of the William Thornton Memorial monument and courtyard.
Sheriff’s Office warns public about scammer Duplin County The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from citizens about a scam involving an unknown white male wearing a reflective vest and driving an unmarked white Ford F-150. The individual is approaching residents and offering asphalt paving services for $1,000. It has also been reported that he presents fake documents, claiming they are county permits to persuade potential victims. The Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be cautious and not to provide any personal information or make any payments before verifying the legitimacy of the service. The Sheriff’s Office also asks that persons who encounter someone matching this description report it to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office.
Kick off the holiday season with Christmas by Spotlight Mount Olive Start the Christmas season off at the University of Mount Olive’s Christmas by Spotlight event on Friday, Dec. 6. Show times are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Hazel Waters Kornegay Assembly Hall, located at 207 Wooten St. in Mount Olive. Designed to capture the true meaning of Christmas in a spirited and lively show, the production will feature a wonderful mix of cherished classics and contemporary holiday favorites. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for UMO students and individuals 18 and under.
Soldiers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base present the colors on Nov. 22 to kick off the unveiling ceremony of the William Thornton Memorial monument.
PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Faison unveils memorial honoring late astronaut William Thornton The 6-foot commemorative monument will stand as a source of inspiration, bringing light to the life of a boy from Faison who reached for the stars and accomplished his dream By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal FAISON — Beautiful clear skies set the background for a
very special celebration honoring Faison’s homegrown astronaut, William E. Thornton, last Friday. Approximately 75 people
gathered at the site of the old gym in Faison, now home to the William Thornton Memorial monument and courtyard. Mayor Billy Ward welcomed the crowd, thanking them for joining the town for the unveiling. Ward credited Carolyn Kenyon, former mayor, for getting the project off the ground and Anne Taylor for spearheading it.
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See MEMORIAL, page A5
Largemouth bass downstream of Lear contained PFAS levels 20 times higher than those in a section that led to a consumption advisory in 2023
GOOGLE EARTH
An aerial view of the sampling collection points and the outfall where the water is discharged by Lear Corporation near Kenansville. Lear discharges treated domestic and industrial wastewater to the Northeast Cape Fear River.
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Concerns about PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have plagued residents of numerous
Senior Christmas at Duplin Events Center Kenansville The annual Senior Christmas Event will be on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Duplin Events Center, 195 Fairgrounds Drive in Kenansville. Special entertainment will include the Duplin Dulcimers and the Duplin Sparklers. In addition to the entertainment, seniors can participate in the Ugliest Christmas Sweater competition or the Dressed to Impress contest and win prizes for first, second and third places. The event will feature health screenings, educational resources, music and a holiday meal. For more information, call the senior center at 910-296-2140.
He also acknowledged the Faison Library and Museum Committee, Faison Improvement Group, town employees who worked long and hard to make it a reality, and the support from generous citizens and businesses who contributed to funding the project. Colorful leaves danced in the
Residents hope to turn tap off on forever chemicals pollution
Small Business Expo at JSCC on Dec. 5 Kenansville James Sprunt Community College Small Business Center will host a Small Business Expo at the Boyette Building, room 113 on Dec. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the public.
Bottom: Billy Ward, Jesse Dowe, Jimmy Dixon, Simon Thornton, Anne Taylor, Mary Kay Thornton, Andrew Taylor, Jimmy Tyndall, Susan Johnson and Christy Allen stand in front of the William Thornton Memorial monument after its unveiling.
Trillium presents $150K to town of Wallace for inclusive playground “We commend you for building a place where everyone can belong.” Victoria Jackson, Trillium Health Resources
The playground will be open in late 2025 at Clement Park By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
of their abilities,” Jackson said. The project stems from a request made by the Parks and Recreation Department in December 2021 that emphasized the need for recreational opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities. “It started as a request for a handicapped swing,” Bizzell said, “and grew from there to include an entire playground.” The playground will feature updated equipment, rubberized flooring, fencing, and improved sidewalks and parking for ADA accessibility. The existing playground equipment at Clement Park will be relocated to Dobbins Park, giving the town one more playground area for local children. “When David first came to the town board a couple of years ago and started talking
WALLACE — The town of Wallace is one step closer to a brand new inclusive playground, thanks in part to a $150,000 grant from Trillium Health Resources. Victoria Jackson, vice president for Trillium Health Resources’ south central region, presented the check to Mayor Jason Wells and Parks and Recreation Director David Bizzell during a special ceremony on Nov. 20 at Clement Park. “This playground would not only be a place where children can play, it will also be a place where everyone can feel welcome and supported, regardless See TRILLIUM, page A6
communities along the Cape Fear River, and most recently, heads have turned to Lear Corporation, an industrial textile facility near Kenansville that See RIVER, page A6