VOLUME 9 ISSUE 43 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Kraig Westerbeek, center, president of hog production for Smithfield Foods, loads up a car with all the fixings for a Christmas meal, including a Smithfield spiral ham, during a distribution event Friday morning.
BRIEF this week
County offices to close at noon Dec. 20 Duplin County Duplin County offices will close at noon on Dec. 20. Also, county offices will be closed Dec. 24-26 in observance of Christmas and on Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.
Smithfield partnered with Food Lion Feeds, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina to help provide ham and all the side dishes to needy families this holiday season.
Community meeting seeks input on solar energy projects Duplin County The NC Clean Energy Technology Center is hosting a community meeting on Jan. 13, at Duplin County Extension Center in Kenansville at 6 p.m. to provide a platform for residents to voice their perspectives on solar energy projects and learn about the Development Assistance and Siting Hub initiative. Any questions can be directed to Anna Weitz at akweitz@ncsu.edu.
Duplin County EMS offers a ride‑along program Kenansville Duplin County Emergency Management Services is now offering a ride‑along program for people interested in a career with EMS. Program participants will have the opportunity to observe EMS teams on duty tours, ask questions, and receive first-hand experience of the job. If interested, email dustin.swinson@ duplincountync.com. The next assessment for people interested in a career with EMS will be Jan. 15, 2025.
Application deadline for Neil Dierks Scholarship approaching Statewide Applications for the Neil Dierks Scholarship are due by Dec. 31. The $5,000 annual scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in a land-grant university pursuing a field of study that directly supports the pork industry. The recipient will be announced on March 2025. For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the National Pork Producers Council’s website at nppc. org/neil-dierks-scholarship.
eCourts to launch in Duplin County Duplin County The North Carolina Judicial Branch announced that eCourts will launch on Feb. 3, 2025, in Duplin County along with Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson and Sampson counties.
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Ham for the holidays Smithfield Foods hosted a drive-thru food distribution event in Kenansville By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Christmas season will be a little easier for many local citizens, thanks to a food distribution event held last Friday at the Duplin Events Center. Smithfield Foods, in partnership with Food Lion, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina,
ans, Smithfield’s vice president of community involvement. “We know that food insecurity is an issue throughout the year, but it becomes considerably more relevant and prevalent around the holidays when people are gathering and they don’t have all the basic necessities to fill the gaps.” One in seven North Carolinians are unsure where their next meal is coming from, according to Carter Crain, vice president of food procurement for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. “We want to alleviate that as much as we can, with partner-
See HAM, page A5
County commissioners approve Health Department, DSS consolidation The new agency will be managed by a director who will report to the county manager By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution to create a consolidated Health and Human Services Agency and
exercise its powers to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board on Monday night. This action will dissolve the Social Services Board and the Board of Health, forming a new consolidated Human Services Board. The Board of Commissioners will retain all responsibilities and establish an advisory committee. A Health and Human Services director will manage the
new agency. Chairman Dexter Edwards told Duplin Journal the next step is advertising the new position. He also explained that the current directors will remain in place. “The intent is not to change them,” said Edwards. “Same way with the boards. It’s the intent of consolidating the boards with the same people. “They will still be making decisions, advising, and running
Duplin Health director receives Exemplary Community Health Leadership Award Tracey Simmons-Kornegay was recognized for her leadership in advancing public health in the Latino community By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal DUPLIN COUNTY Health director Tracey Simmons-Kornegay was recently honored with the Exemplary Community Health Leadership Award from the Association of Mexicans in North Carolina (AMEXCAN). Simmons-Kornegay was recognized for her dedication and service to the Latino community in North Carolina during the 13th annual
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and Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern North Carolina, distributed 1,000 Christmas meals as part of a drive-thru event. Each household received one Smithfield hickory-smoked spiral ham, along with potatoes, stuffing mix, cornbread mix, and two cans of corn and two cans of beans from Food Lion. “Although it is a cool morning here in eastern North Carolina in Duplin County, we’re about to do some great work in warming hearts and homes for our neighbors that are in need during this holiday season,” said Steve Ev-
ships like Food Lion and Smithfield,” Crain said. “We’re not just here for the holidays. Thank you for the partnerships all year round.” Friday’s event was part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes program, said president of hog production Kraig Westerbeek. “It’s fitting that we kick off the holiday season with this event in southeastern North Carolina, which is the home of Smithfield hog production operations and many of our production facilities,” he said. “Smithfield hickory-smoked spiral hams are a classic centerpiece item for many of us on our holiday table or special occasions. If they’re not, they should be. They’re fantastic. But
See AWARD, page A2
COURTESY ASSOCIATION OF MEXICANS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Tracey Simmons-Kornegay was recently honored with the Exemplary Community Health Leadership Award during the 13th annual Association of Mexicans in North Carolina Community Leadership Awards ceremony.
their programs just like they’ve been.” He also confirmed that salaries will remain unchanged; both directors will be under the supervision of the consolidated department director. As for departmental budgets, Edwards shared that they “will be reviewed through the county, but at this point, not looking See COUNTY, page A2