VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 | THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
‘The Singing Senator’ documentary coming to PBS “I hope people will say, ‘Wow, here’s a person who’s still trying to create a positive influence on the world, even at 92 years of age.’” Denver Hollingsworth, filmmaker
Free screening/ Q&A with Charlie Albertson set for July 17 at EDHS By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal PROLIFIC DUPLIN County singer/songwriter/senator Charlie Albertson is the subject of a new documentary short film that will premiere July 25 on PBS North Carolina. Denver Hollingsworth, who lives in Wilmington but grew
up in the Pin Hook community, has been friends with the former state senator for a number of years, and decided Albertson would be a fascinating subject for a documentary film. “I’ve been doing filmmaking off and on for most of my life,” Hollingsworth told Duplin Journal. “About two years ago, I came up with the idea of a documentary about Charlie Albertson and his life.” There’s a 60-year age difference between Albertson and Hollingsworth, but the
two meet for lunch at least once a week, Hollingsworth said. “He’s always telling me stories, and they’re always so interesting,” he added. Albertson is a Beulaville native who has been a country music singer and songwriter, once performing at the Grand Ole Opry, a U.S. serviceman, and a state senator, serving Duplin, Harnett and Sampson counties from 1993-2010. He’s played music with country legends Loretta Lynn and See DOCUMENTARY, page 3
Duplin under moderate drought
the
BRIEF this week
Rural Family Medicine Residency Program graduates first cohort, brings physicians to Duplin Duplin County ECU Health and Brody School of Medicine recently announced the first graduates of their Rural Family Medicine Residency Program. The special milestone highlights graduates who trained specifically to provide family medicine care in rural communities. Among the graduates is Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez, who will start a new family medicine outpatient practice at the ECU Health Multispecialty Clinic in Kenansville. Porquez will provide hospitalist coverage at ECU Health Duplin Hospital. The new Rural Family Medicine Residency Program class will bring three new resident physicians who will train in Duplin County. They are Dr. Andrew ManchenoRubio, Dr. Shelley Matthews and Dr. Jaya Purathur. DJS
Department of Emergency Management officials advise residents to be cautious and monitor weather conditions By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Erica Jones, Duplin County Schools director of CTE/9-13 curriculum, updates the Board of Education on new graduation requirements during the monthly meeting on July 2.
School board updates graduation requirements The three-year accelerated graduate program is open to rising freshmen By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
Cabin Lake rate increases are now effective Pink Hill Cabin Lake announced rate increases went into effect July 1. Previous reservations will not be affected by the rate changes. Cabin Lake officials remind the public that July 13 is customers appreciation day and admission will be free for all customers. DJS
Free app helps consumers detect PFAS Countrywide Two nonprofits have released a free app/browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, named Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases. DJS
Summer Feeding Program Duplin County Duplin County Schools announced the start of its Summer Feeding Program at all Duplin County School sites excluding Warsaw Elementary, North Duplin Elementary and Chinquapin Elementary. DJS
KENANSVILLE — Two policy updates were approved at the July 2 meeting of the Duplin County Board of Education that change graduation and promotion requirements for high school students and eighth graders. Erica Jones, director of CTE/9-13 curriculum, made a presentation to the board, filling them in on all the changes for upcoming school years. “The first thing we’re going to be looking at are the new promotion requirements that are tied to our career devel-
“(House Bill 259) also required that we develop a sequence of courses and outline a process that we must make students aware of, where we allow them to graduate in a three-year period of time if they desire to.” Erica Jones, DCS director of CTE/9-13 curriculum
from eighth grade to ninth grade. And then we have to revise that plan to be promoted from 10th grade to 11th grade.” She added that this wasn’t a huge change for Duplin County Schools, since most students already have career development plans in the eighth grade. The school system will use a software system that parents will have access to, she added. House Bill 259, another recently passed piece of legislation, states that local boards cannot require any additional credits beyond those mandated by the state Board of Education for high school graduation. “It also required that we develop a sequence of courses and outline a process that we
opment plan,” she explained. “Senate Bill 193, which passed in March, requires that all middle and high school students have to have a career development plan within 90 days in order to be promoted See REQUIREMENTS, page 5
Man sentenced to 32 years in prison for 2020 Beulaville shooting murder The homicide took place in Beulaville, however none of the parties were from Duplin County
“This was an effort made by all those involved to help remove this violent offender By Ena Sellers from our community Duplin Journal and seek justice for ACCORDING TO the office of the victim’s family.”
District Attorney Ernie Lee, last week Antonio Murphy, 29, pled guilty to the murder of 21-year- District Attorney Ernie Lee old Michael Deangelo Bryant Jr., along with various charges stemming from the events that trans- Beulaville and called the North pired in Beulaville the night of Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for help with the homiFeb. 6, 2020. The Beulaville Police Depart- cide. According to the DA, the SBI ment responded to a shooting at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the investigation revealed that Murparking lot of a McDonald’s lo- phy, Bryant and 19-year-old cated on West Main Street in Randy Anthony Rolla Jr., none of
whom were from Duplin or knew each other, agreed to meet in Beulaville for a transaction. When Bryant and Rolla arrived, Murphy and another individual got in the back seat of the car where the two victims were sitting and attempted to rob them at gunpoint. When Bryant reached for his gun, the two individuals in the back seat opened fire, striking Bryant and Rolla. According to the DA, the assailants ran to a separate vehicle driven by a third person and fled from the scene. Bryant and Rolla were transported by EMS to the hospital in Kenansville, where Bryant was treated for a gunshot wound to the back which fractured his shoulder blade. Rolla suffered a gunshot wound to the head and a second to the tor-
NORTH Carolina THE Drought Management Advisory Council last week issued a drought advisory showing Duplin County as one of 69 counties under moderate drought conditions. According to Matthew Barwick, Department of Emergency Management director, despite the recent rainfall it is important for people to monitor the weather and remain vigilant when conducting outdoor activities. “Residents should be aware constantly of hazardous conditions that can contribute to fire spread, but especially during times of drought,” said Barwick, adding that while open burning is a particularly useful tool for natural debris clearing and soil conditioning, it can be dangerous and should not be taken lightly. “Conditions such as low relative humidity, high or gusting winds, and high ambient temperatures alone create a recipe for disaster,” Barwick said. “When these types of conditions intermingle with drought, we have the potential for seemingly harmless and controlled fires that can quickly become uncontrolled peril, causing damage to property and endangering lives.” Barwick recommends people See DROUGHT, page 3
so. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was transported to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville (formerly known as Vidant Hospital), where he was pronounced dead. “The NC SBI worked diligently during the investigation to determine the identity of the suspects. Evidence obtained tied the defendant to the homicide. This evidence included forensic evidence, video surveillance footage, phone records, social media records and internet browser records. The FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team assisted the investigation and prosecution,” wrote the DA in a news release, highlighting FBI Special Agent Harrison Putman for obtaining MurSee MURDER, page 3
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