VOLUME 10 ISSUE 36 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF
Wendell Murphy inducted to National Agricultural Hall of Fame
this week
Veterans Day Parade returns Warsaw The Town of Warsaw will host its 105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m., honoring the service and sacrifice of the nation’s heroes. Recognized as North Carolina’s official Veterans Day Parade and the longest-running consecutive Veterans Day Parade in the United States, the event draws participants and spectators from across the region. Highlights of the day include a memorial service, a parachute jump and an aerial flyover, followed by community activities such as a barbecue fund raiser and museum tours.
NCDOT temporarily closes Beasley Torrans Road Warsaw The N.C. Department of Transportation has temporarily closed both directions of Beasley Torrans Road near Perry Rivenbark Road to perform maintenance work on the bridge over Interstate 40. The road is expected to reopen Nov. 7. Motorists are advised to use Highway 117 to Highway 903 to Isham Fredrick Road as a detour.
Sen. Jackson honored as 2025 Defender of Public Safety Duplin County Sen. Brent Jackson was named a 2025 Defender of Public Safety by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. Jackson said it is a privilege to stand alongside the dedicated men and women who serve and protect North Carolina communities every day.
Kenansville Christmas Parade set for next month Kenansville The Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the fourth annual Kenansville Christmas Parade. The parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m., promising a festive celebration full of holiday spirit and community cheer. Local groups, businesses and individuals are invited to participate in the holiday tradition. To apply, contact the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce at 910-275-0323.
Concert by Curtis Hyler and Jubilation Quartet Albertson Curtis Hyler and the Jubilation Quartet will perform a special concert on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at Woodland Church, located at 2695 Tram Road in Albertson. The community is invited to attend and enjoy the performance.
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Concord Baptist Church celebrates 200 years Members honored two centuries of worship, missions and community with a service recalling the church’s roots dating back to 1825 By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal CONCORD BAPTIST Church was filled to overflowing last Sunday as members gath-
ered to celebrate the church’s 200th anniversary. Some wore long dresses, bonnets, overalls and straw hats reminiscent of the 1800s to honor the church’s roots. The service opened with
a time-honored roll call — a cherished tradition that echoed Concord’s deep and enduring history. Concord Baptist was formed in 1825 as an outreach of the Bulltail (now Wells Chapel) church. As it grew, Concord kept a mission mindset. In 1835, See CHURCH, page A3
Duplin County early voting off to modest start in first week More than 100 voters have cast ballots, with Warsaw, Wallace and Kenansville showing the highest turnout
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County voters are starting to trickle into the polls for
the 2025 municipal elections, with early voting now underway at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. According to Carrie Sullivan, Duplin County Board of Elec-
tions director, through the close of business on Oct. 23, a total of 108 voters had participated. Although overall turnout remains low, certain areas are showing stronger engagement. “So far, the largest turnout is coming from Warsaw, Wallace, and Kenansville,” Sullivan told Duplin Journal.
Rose Hill leaders approve Comprehensive Land Use Plan “Plans are typically done anywhere from a 10, 15, or 20-year time horizon. That’s how far forward we look.”
After months of review and public feedback, the town’s updated plan went into effect By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal THE ROSE HILL Board of Commissioners and Planning Board held a joint meeting and public hearing Oct. 14 to again consider approving the town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan,
which is required by state statute for towns to have and enforce zoning ordinances. The proposed plan was originally presented to the commissioners and planning board at the Aug. 12 meeting, but approval was tabled to allow more public feedback on the plan and to make a requested change. Ashli Barefoot of Insight Consulting Group in Wilmington, the group hired by the town to create the plan, again appeared See ROSE HILL, page A2 Ashli Barefoot of Insight Consulting Group gives an update to changes requested to the Rose Hill Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Ashli Barefoot, Insight Consulting Group
$2.00
Wendell Murphy, founder of Murphy Farms, was inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas, last Thursday. Murphy’s innovation and leadership transformed pork farming, earning him a place alongside agriculture legends. Murphy, second from left, stands next to, from left to right, Mike Fergus, Linda Murphy, David Hurrelbrink and Zane Hedgecock.See story on A2.
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Historic Concord Baptist Church celebrated its 200th anniversary last Sunday.
For those who have not yet cast their ballots, early voting is available Thursday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters are reminded to cast their ballots at their designated precincts. With only a few days remaining before the election, local election officials are encouraging residents to take advantage of early voting to ensure their voices are heard in this year’s municipal contests.