VOLUME 9 ISSUE 28 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Fire on North Gum Street leaves family displaced Warsaw A fire that destroyed a home on North Gum Street in Warsaw, leaving a family displaced on Aug. 26, is under investigation. The fire required multiple agencies to respond. There were no injuries reported.
Man wanted by Wallace PD Wallace The Wallace Police Department is asking the public for assistance with any information about the whereabouts of Tuquwan Tyre Henry of Warsaw. The Tuquwan Tyre individual Henry is wanted for the following charges: Possession Stolen Firearm, Carrying Concealed Gun, Simple Possession Schedule VI, Resisting Public Officer. If you have any information, contact the Wallace Police Department at 910‑285‑2126.
Duplin ambulances to carry Carter Kits Duplin County Duplin County Emergency Medical Services recently announced that area ambulances will be stocked with Carter Kits, also known as pediatric sensory bags. These bags are meant to comfort children who are on the autism spectrum, as well as other children who may find themselves impacted during a traumatic event. Visit CarterKits.org to learn more about the pediatric sensory bags.
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Amirah Loveless, junior at James Kenan High School, was surprised with a $40,000 BigFuture scholarship on Aug. 28.
Gary Boney resigns from Rose Hill town board Boney also serves as the town’s fire chief By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal ROSE HILL — Longtime Rose Hill Commissioner and Fire Chief Gary Boney turned in his resignation from the town board on Aug. 26. Town Administrator Angela Smith said, “It was a big shock” for her and other town officials. Boney’s resignation letter stated he was resigning for personal reasons, but he did not elaborate. Calls for comment from Boney were not returned as of press time. Boney has served on the Rose Hill Board of Commissioners on and off for nearly 40 years, Smith said. He has also previously served as mayor and worked with the town’s EMS for many years. “I hate to see him go,” Smith said. “He’s been wonderful for the fire department and the town.” She added, “The town is grateful for his time serving
“The town is grateful for his time serving on the board Gary Boney and wishes nothing but the best for him.” Angela Smith, Rose Hill town administrator
on the board and wishes nothing but the best for him.” The town board will vote on accepting Boney’s resignation at the September meeting and will discuss a replacement to serve out the rest of his term at the October meeting, Smith said. Mayor Davy Buckner said he could not comment on Boney’s resignation because the board hasn’t acted on his resignation yet. However, the mayor did say, “If we vote to accept his resignation, he will be greatly missed.”
JKHS junior surprised with $40K scholarship BigFuture rewards hundreds of students for taking action in planning for their future By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — Smiles shone bright at James Kenan High School on Aug. 28, as Amirah Loveless was surprised with a $40,000 BigFuture scholarship in front of hundreds of classmates. Amirah’s parents, Kimberly Rose and Charles Whitfield, were just as surprised with the announcement. According to Michael Holton, James Kenan High School principal, the school asked Amirah’s parents to come to the school, telling them that it was good news but didn’t explain what it was about. “They begged us to tell them why we wanted them to be at the school this morning for
Duplin Agribusiness Fair coming Sept. 12-14 The fair will feature rides, livestock shows, exhibits and a rodeo By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The annual Duplin Agribusiness Fair is returning to Kenansville next week, Thursday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 14. The fair will feature tons of exhibits, amusement rides, livestock shows and the good family fun folks have come to expect. Drop-off for exhibits is Tuesday afternoon, 3-6:30 p.m., and Wednesday morning, 8-11:30 a.m., with judging taking place Wednesday afternoon. The fair will officially open at 5 p.m. Thursday night and will last until 10 p.m. A pig show will kick off the livestock portion of the fair at 6 p.m. Thursday night. On Friday, Sept. 13, fair hours are 5-10 p.m. with a goat show at 6 p.m. The fair will be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, with a lamb show at 10 a.m. and a heifer show following.
PHOTO COURTESY DUPLIN EVENTS CENTER
The Duplin Agribusiness Fair is scheduled for Sept. 12-14 at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville. The annual fair is an opportunity for youth and adults to win prizes for their exhibits, show livestock and have fun riding rides or watching a rodeo. A rodeo will cap off the fair’s events, at 7 p.m. Saturday, with a rain date of 7 p.m. Sunday. Exhibit categories include youth
and adult arts and crafts, needlework and clothing, as well as pickles, relishes and salsa, jams and jellies, fruit preserves, canned and dried foods, culinary sauces, cakes and pies, flower arrangements, potted plants, container-grown herbs, honey, homegrown fruits and vegetables, and field crops. There will also be public education and art exhibits from Duplin County Schools. Admission for the fair will be $6 for adults. Youth ages 15 and under will be admitted free. The fair will be held at the Duplin Events Center and fairgrounds, 195 Fairgrounds Drive in Kenansville. For more information on the fair and how to submit exhibits, visit duplinfair.com.
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two or three weeks now — they just had no idea,” Holton told Duplin Journal. “It was a neat thing to see their reaction.” Holton said the school was excited to have the opportunity to participate in the surprise with Amirah receiving such a huge scholarship, and she was completely unaware of what was going on. “It was a great honor,” said Holton. “We are still surprised,” said Charles Whitfield with a huge smile, adding that Amirah was very much deserving of the scholarship. “It’s truly a blessing to be able to be a part of it,” said Whitfield. “She is a good child. I’m very proud of her.” Kimberly Rose echoed the sentiment. “It means a whole lot. She’s been working hard,” she said. “This is a big blessing.” The surprise announcement took place in the school’s gym, See SURPRISE, page A6