VOLUME 10 ISSUE 5 | THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Duplin County joins statewide burn ban effort to prevent wildfires Duplin County An Open Burning Ban is in effect for Duplin County due to dry conditions and a heightened wildfire risk. The ban applies to all unincorporated areas and is part of a statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service covering all 100 counties. The ban prohibits all open burning, including previously issued permits, with new permits also suspended until further notice. Violations may result in a $100 fine and additional court costs. For questions, contact the Duplin County ranger at the N.C. Forest Service at 910-289-2735.
Police seek information on shooting incident Wallace The Wallace Police Department is seeking information regarding an incident that occurred last Thursday at Camino Real, located at 607 N. Norwood St., at 9:52 p.m. The incident involved a middle-aged male who sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the police department at 910-2852126. Preliminary findings indicate the wound may have been self-inflicted, however, the investigation remains open. Law enforcement confirmed the man is not a resident of Wallace.
Beulaville employee arrested for drugs, embezzlement Beulaville Joseph Willis, an employee of Carlie C’s IGA in Beulaville, was arrested and charged with embezzlement, larceny by employee, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He received a $15,000 secured bond and is being held at the Duplin County Jail. According to the Beulaville Police Department, last Thursday, they investigated a report of employee theft involving Willis, who had failed to show up for work or return home. Local police located him in Warsaw, where he was allegedly found in possession of the stolen currency, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Law enforcement reports that approximately $6,900 was stolen from Carlie C’s IGA.
PHOTOS BY K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Members of the Wallace Town Council and Fire Department break ground at the future site of the town’s new fire station, March 24.
Wallace breaks ground on new fire station The town was awarded $5 million toward its construction
“This is a long time coming.”
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
Mayor Jason Wells
WALLACE — Officials and public servants came together Monday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of Wallace’s new fire station, an undertaking nearly 10 years in the making. “This is a long time coming,” said Mayor Jason Wells in his opening remarks, explaining that
the lot for the new fire station was purchased back in 2006. “I don’t want to say that was the easy part, but that was the cheap part, I guess I would say,” he said, eliciting laughter from those gathered for the ceremony. “You know, building See FIRE DEPT, page A2
Proposed campground clears zoning hurdles Conditional zoning for the travel trailer campsite expands Warsaw’s recreational opportunities By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WARSAW — Wheels are in motion to develop a travel trailer campground in Warsaw. During a recent public hearing, the Warsaw Town Board approved a conditional rezoning of a parcel on Pete Quinn Road, which is located on the edge of Warsaw’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Austin Brinkley with Insight Planning & Development pre-
sented an overview of the proposed Smith Family Campground project, which would be developed on 117 acres in four phases. The project will ultimately create a facility with 625 units, offering recreational and tourism opportunities for Warsaw. “This proposal will contribute toward recreation and tourism in Warsaw and should have an overall positive effect on the economy,” Brinley said. “And it would provide a benefit both to the county and region as well through the provision of facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, families, and travelers.” Brinkley explained that the
“It would provide a benefit both to the county and region as well through the provision of facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, families, and travelers.” Austin Brinkley, Insight Planning & Development campground will be family-oriented and open year-round from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., although hours may vary by season. There will be a full-time on-site manager available, and the campground is expected to employ 30 people when fully operational. The campground is affiliated with the Jellystone Group. “The first phase is propos-
Duplin trial ends with life sentence in long-running rape investigation A Kenansville man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sex offenses By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
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Golden shovels glimmered in the sunlight at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the much-anticipated new fire station in Wallace.
A HIGH-PROFILE rape trial came to an end last week as a Kenansville man was sentenced to life in prison. The sentencing took place in Duplin County Superior Court after Delmus Foss Jr., 67, plead guilty to rape charges dating back to 1977 and 1984, and two counts of indecent liberties with a child from 2020. According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, as the trial unfolded on its second day with district attorneys from the 5th Prosecutorial District presenting evidence, Foss’ defense attorney approached the prosecution, expressing that Foss wanted to end the trial and plead guilty. The investigation began in November 2020 in Beulaville when Foss’ granddaughter, 6, reported Foss’ improper sexual conduct. According to law enforcement,
during the investigation it was also discovered that similar activity took place to the victim’s sister, another juvenile, age 12. Foss was arrested in 2021 and charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child. The Sheriff’s Office reported that when the news of Foss’ arrest became public, two more victims came forward. The third victim was Foss’ cousin, a 54-year-old woman, who alleged she had been repeatedly raped by Foss during her childhood. Authorities later determined the rape occurred in the summer of 1977. The DAs announcement stated the fourth rape victim was Foss’ niece, a 44-year-old woman who also came forward after the initial investigation came to light. According to law enforcement, it was determined that the woman was raped in December 1984. The victims were 8 and 11 years old at the time of the offenses. Foss was arrested on May 2021 and charged with second degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1977, and first See TRIAL, page A5
ing 100 units and then 175 RVs in phases two, three and four,” Brinkley explained. “The campground is proposing to provide a lot of amenities, such as the clubhouse, the pool, cabanas at the pool area and some recreation areas.” Phillip Smith from Smith See WARSAW, page A5