VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Public Safety officials urge caution ahead of possible wintry weather Duplin County Duplin County Public Safety encourages residents to monitor the National Weather Service for updates on a system that could bring wintry precipitation to eastern North Carolina this weekend, with potential impacts from Saturday into Sunday. Forecast models suggest snow, ice or a mix is possible, which could create hazardous travel conditions. Officials caution that small shifts in the storm’s track could significantly affect outcomes and encourage residents to rely on official forecasts for updates.
MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Robert Burns Supper brings tradition, festivity Philip Ross led the festivities as master of ceremonies at the 24th Annual Robert Burns Supper at the Country Squire Restaurant and Winery, celebrating the life, poetry and legacy of Scotland’s national bard with traditional music, haggis and community camaraderie. Turn to page A6 for more.
Police warn of phone scam activity Beulaville The Beulaville Police Department is warning residents about recent phone scams in which callers use spoofed law enforcement phone numbers to appear legitimate. Scammers claim individuals have outstanding warrants or missed jury duty and demand payment to avoid arrest, often requesting gift cards or reloadable debit cards. Police remind citizens that law enforcement agencies do not call to demand payment and urge the public to remain vigilant.
Free Adult Wellness Screenings offered Beulaville Free adult wellness screenings will be offered Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kingdom Partnership Christian Center, 3501 N.C. 24 in Beulaville. Screenings include body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol checks, along with health coaching. No preregistration is required. For more information, call 910-296-8836.
Sheriff’s office warns of jury duty phone scam Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers claim to be deputies and demand payment for missed jury duty. Scammers may use spoofed phone numbers, threatening language, deputy names or fake case numbers. The sheriff’s office emphasizes that deputies will never call to demand payment or request gift cards, prepaid cards or electronic payments. Residents who receive such calls are urged to hang up and report the calls.
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JSCC announces new president Shannon Hair was named the seventh president of James Sprunt Community College By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
Shannon Hair
KENASVILLE — James Sprunt Community College is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Shannon Hair as its seventh president, officially approved Jan. 16 by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. JSCC announced Hair will take the reins in early February.
Hair’s career spans more than two decades and bridges higher education, workforce development and regional economic growth. According to the announcement made by James Sprunt Community College last week, at Danville Community College in Virginia, Hair led initiatives that connected students with real-world skills, expanded fundraising efforts, and strengthened ties between the college and local businesses. Prior to that, Hair spent over a decade with Dewberry, Inc., helping communities in Virginia and North Carolina secure funding for major workforce
and infrastructure projects. A lifelong learner, Hair holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from National University, a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Nebraska, and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Old Dominion University, along with technical degrees from Danville Community College. “The Board of Trustees and James Sprunt Community College look forward to welcoming Dr. Shannon Hair to campus and beginning this next chapter of leadership,” stated the announcement.
Teachey board reviews new subdivision plans The developers seek townhome guidelines and eye a 2028 construction start By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal TEACHEY — Developers presented preliminary plans for a new subdivision in Teachey to the town’s board of commission-
ers at its Jan. 12 meeting. The plans call for townhomes and single-family homes to be built on a site located near the intersection of N.C. Highway 117 and Hunter Street on a 9.7-acre site. Chad Lambert of Bert Prop-
erties and his business associate Robert Stevens, as well as project engineer Jonathan Holmes, requested specific rules be adopted regarding building townhomes on the property within town limits. “As you know, there is a lot of building going on in Wallace and we see the growth in Duplin County, and we’re trying to
Audit of Rose Hill reveals healthy finances for 2024-25 The auditor praised the town’s $1.9 million undesignated fund balance By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal ROSE HILL — The auditor conducting a state-required audit for the Town of Rose Hill for its fiscal year 2024-25 gave the town a clean financial bill of health in a presentation given to the town board via a video conference during its Jan. 13 meeting. Austin Eubanks of the Wilmington office of Thompson, Price, Scott & Adams, CPA told the board he found no problems with Rose Hill’s finances in the audit. He referred to
their finances as “very impressive numbers.” Eubanks seemed most impressed with the undesignated fund balance of the town. “The minimum undesignated fund balance and percentage of expenditures minimum threshold is 34%,” he said. “Your undesignated fund balance is $1.9 million. You’re sitting at 151.47%, well over the minimum threshold.” The board was also pleased to learn they are in good shape for any unexpected situations. “As of June 30, 2025, if you did not collect any more additional revenue, you can still operate on a normal basis, not having to reduce any expenditures. You could still operate for See ROSE HILL, page A3
“Your undesignated fund balance is $1.9 million. You’re sitting at 151.47%, well over the minimum threshold.” Austin Eubanks
bring that growth to the town of Teachey,” Lambert said in opening remarks. “We have a plan for a small subdivision with townhomes up front.” Lambert said the property is currently zoned R-10, which allows for single-family and multifamily dwellings, including See TEACHEY, page A3