VOLUME 9 ISSUE 32 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Duplin reaches out to western N.C. in wake of Hurricane Helene
BRIEF this week
After Hurricane Helene devastated western parts of North Carolina, Duplin County mobilized to help those in need.
Duplin County Candidate Forum on Oct. 8
The Wallace Police Department sent Capt. Weston Padgett, Sgt. Chuck Christiansen, K-9 Officer Taylor Meshaw and Capt. David Morgan to deliver supplies to Black Mountain. Teams from other law enforcement agencies, churches and organizations are also working to provide relief to those affected by the storm.
Kenansville A Candidate Forum will take place at the James Sprunt Community College Monk Auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 6:30‑8 p.m. The Candidate Forum is co-hosted by Duplin County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the NAACP of Duplin County.
ECU Health Duplin honors employees’ service, dedication Kenansville ECU Health Duplin recently hosted a banquet in honor of team members who have served with ECU Health Duplin for more than a decade. ECU Health celebrated Renae Byrd, Mary Carlton, Dana Rousay and June Thomas for 35 years of service; Amy Daniels and Ronald Hall for 30 years; Carolyn Best, Kimberly Brown, Jennifer Delacerda, Sharon Haney, Ray Kennedy, and Angela Tyndall for 25 years; Amanda Brock, Jeff Dial, Terry Grady, Paula Holmes and Edna King for 20 years; Dr. Abayomi Adediran, Dr. Mott Blair, Patricia Gonzalez, Amanda Jarman, Ashley McCartney and Crystal Price for 15 years; Nathaniel Barrett, Sharlene Blizzard, Dennis Buie, Alyssa Cruthis, Brittany Drew, Amberly Hall, Sarah Kelley, Jennifer Lanier, Jacqueline Mcfadden, Tara Mobley, Richard Norris, James Peters, Michele Rivenbark, Ciera Rodriguez, Julie Teachey, Clinton Thigpen, Kimberly Villanueva and Karen Williford for 10 years of service with ECU Health Duplin.
COURTESY JASON ROUSE
Duplin citizens rally to support Hurricane victims “Unfortunately, the Duplin County area knows all too well the devastation that these storms can bring.” Ashley Duff, Plan B Trucking and Logistics
UMO pioneers pathways to post‑secondary success Mount Olive Designed to create clear pathways for students to earn college credits while attending high school, the University of Mount Olive Academy Program has extended the program to several additional high schools, including South Johnston, Providence Grove, Liberty Christian School, Harrells Christian Academy and North East Carolina Prep. Students must pass college‑level courses with a grade of C or better, meeting the same standards as their on-campus peers. For more information, email JMatthis@umo.edu.
Multiple organizations are sending teams and donations to western NC By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal RESIDENTS OF Duplin County know a thing or two about the damage and heartache a tropical storm can cause. After all, in 2018, areas of the county experienced major flooding damage from Hurricane Florence, an event that some are still working to recover from. So it’s no surprise that Duplin citizens would band together to help the victims of Hurricane Helene. The storm has caused devastating flooding in western North Carolina and has so far attributed to the deaths of more than 100 people. You can connect with local churches, nonprofit organizations and law enforcement for more ways you may be able to help those affected by Hurricane Helene. Ashley Duff of Plan B Trucking, Inc. and Plan B Logistics, along with local churches and organizations, have set up a centralized drop-
off location for donations at the old Kramer’s Building in Wallace, located at 1504 N. Norwood St. The drop-off was scheduled for Thursday at 4-9 p.m., with more dates and times to be announced. “Unfortunately, the Duplin County area knows all too well the devastation that these storms can bring,” Duff told Duplin Journal. “Each time, we have been blessed with an outpouring of love and support from our neighbors and fellow North Carolinians, including those out west.” “Thank you to all who have and will continue to work to support our efforts, through time, resources, and equipment,” Duff added. The effort is a collaboration between Duff and Calvary Church, North East PFWB Church, Pastor Ross Cavanaugh and Poston Baptist Church. ASC Hauling & Services is also accepting donations of supplies to go to western NC. “We’ve prayed about this and it’s been heavy on our hearts,” the company wrote on its Facebook page. “The goal is to load our truck and See HURRICANE, page A5
Two first responders get hands-on training in a school-like environment during rapid deployment training at the Baptist Mission Center.
COURTESY DUSTIN SWINSON / DUPLIN COUNTY EMS
Standing ready at all times Sheriff’s Office and EMS conducted joint training By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
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THE DUPLIN COUNTY Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Duplin County EMS, recently conducted rapid deployment training at the DCSO training center in Rose Hill.
The annual training, a crucial component in the readiness of both teams, is designed to prepare them for potential active shooter scenarios, bomb threats and other critical situations. “We’re working in conjunction with each other, because we know that both our office staff and EMS are going to be on scene for critical incidents. So, we want to make sure that everybody is training See TRAINING, page A3
Warsaw first grader brings gun to school Authorities determined that the incident was an accident By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — A child brought a gun to Warsaw Elementary School on Tuesday. The incident was an accident and no one was harmed, claimed school officials. Pamela Murray, the principal of Warsaw Elementary, explained in a statement sent to parents and staff that a first-grade student had accidentally picked up his father’s bookbag, mistaking it for his school bag. When the parent realized the mix-up, he promptly went to the school and informed the staff. “The father came to the school immediately when he realized that his child had the wrong bag,” wrote Murray in the statement. The principal explained that the father’s bag contained his personal belongings and a legal firearm. She also shared that the school’s Resource Officer retrieved the bag and contacted the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office. According to Murray, it was determined that the first grader did not intend to possess a firearm on campus, harm anyone or pose a threat to the school. Murray mentioned that no charges had been filed at that time and thanked the parent for being diligent and cooperative. She also expressed gratitude for the support of the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office.