VOLUME 10 ISSUE 37 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Christmas gift drive underway Magnolia The Magnolia Police Department is collecting Christmas gifts for local children, with a collection box now located at the Dollar General in Magnolia. Gifts can also be dropped off at the police department or town hall during business hours, Monday through Thursday. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 16 and distributed in the days leading up to Christmas.
Bingo night to benefit Duplin’s furry friends Wallace Pet Friends of Duplin County will host a Bingo Night on Nov. 7 at Coley Hall at Poston Baptist Church in Wallace. The event will feature a children’s contest and concessions. Doors open at 6 p.m., and games begin at 6:45 p.m. Proceeds will support Pet Friends of Duplin County, a small, all-volunteer nonprofit that provides spay/neuter assistance, free rabies clinics, pet food for families in need and support for local shelters throughout Duplin County. Admission is $10 and includes games and entry into drawings for cash and gift door prizes.
NC Pickle Festival vendor applications open early Mount Olive Vendor applications for the 2026 North Carolina Pickle Festival are now open. With this earlier release comes an earlier application deadline of Feb. 1. Vendors are encouraged to submit their applications at ncpicklefest. org/vendors to secure a spot. The 2026 NC Pickle Festival will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Veterans Day office closures Mount Olive The town of Mount Olive offices will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day and will reopen on Nov. 12 at 8 a.m. The recycling center will also be closed and reopen Thursday, Nov. 13 at 8 a.m. Household garbage collection will remain on its regular schedule. Yard waste collection will follow the regular schedule on Monday, Thursday and Friday, with Tuesday’s collection moved to Wednesday. For water or sewer emergencies, residents can call 919-658-5031, option 0, to reach nonemergency dispatch.
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Warsaw marks 105th Veterans Day Parade with time-honored traditions The Sudan Drum and Bugle Corps from Wilmington added their signature sound and spirit to the 105th North Carolina Veterans Day Parade in Warsaw on Saturday. Turn to B6 for more.
Duplin acts to protect retiree health coverage amid Humana changes UNC Health’s decision to drop Humana forces Duplin leaders to act fast to keep care local By Ena Sellers For Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County officials have taken decisive action to safeguard health care access for retirees after
learning that UNC Health would no longer accept Humana Medicare Advantage plans starting on Jan. 1. At Monday’s County Commissioners meeting, retirees voiced concerns about the changes in
county’s benefits administrator, AmWINS, alerting them to the changes. Local pharmacies also informed retirees they would no longer be in-network for prescription coverage. Judy Brown criticized the county’s HR department and AmWINS for failing to monitor See HEALTH, page A2
UMO breaks ground on livestock center The ceremony, moved indoors by rain, kicked off the construction of the university’s 34,000-square-foot facility By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — The weather did not cooperate for a traditional groundbreaking ceremony, but the rain did not
dampen the spirits of the estimated 100 guests attending an indoor version to celebrate a new 34,000-square-foot educational livestock facility that will be See UMO, page A5
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Representatives from the state, agricultural leaders and faculty from the University of Mount Olive held an indoor version of a groundbreaking when weather didn’t cooperate at last week’s celebration for the construction of a new 34,000-square-foot Educational Livestock Facility at the university’s farm on Shady Grove Road near Mount Olive.
Surprises take flight at Duplin Airport Commission meeting Wendell Murphy and Joseph Bryant were recognized for their contributions to the airport By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal
$2.00
provider networks and rate increases. The commissioners responded by unanimously approving a motion to contract with United American for post-65 medical supplement coverage and to negotiate prescription drug coverage options. More than 90 post-65 retirees received notices last month from Humana, UNC Health and the
KENANSVILLE — Last week’s Airport Commission meeting was full of surprises. Following the traditional dinner together, prayer and approval of the minutes, the board took time to honor two people who have been instrumental to the airport’s development. Wendell Murphy received a special resolution recognizing his life and legacy. Board Member Grey Morgan shared personal memories and acknowledged Murphy’s family in attendance, calling him a “visionary farmer and entrepreneur” who consistently supported infrastructure and economic development. “You’ve always run your business the way one ought to be run,” said Morgan. “I have fond memories of listening to your
dreams and doggone if they haven’t come true. With the airport, you’ve always seen the vision for why we needed an airport here, and you always helped us find money when we needed it.” After Morgan read the resolution, the full room erupted with applause. Murphy, one of the integral founders of the airport in the 1960s, reflected on his long-term involvement, including being able to allocate $50,000 in discretionary funds to the airport in the 1980s when he was a politician. “I am proud of the airport and privileged to have been a part of its history,” Murphy said. Following Murphy’s award, all but one knew that a second surprise was coming. “Tonight is a night of celebration,” Chairman Jack Alphin began. “We got a retired board member that we want to recognize as well.” Joseph Bryant was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s See AIRPORT, page A3