VOLUME 9 ISSUE 9 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Duplin County bridge replacement project begins Calypso On April 29, NC DOT contract crews will close the northbound lanes of U.S. 117 North Bypass, near SE Center Street in Calypso / Mile Marker 32 heading north to replace the bridge over the railroad tracks as part of a large N.C. Department of Transportation project in Duplin County. Drivers will be detoured onto West Main Street, N.C. 50 and U.S. 117 Connector. The southbound lanes will remain open. According to the NC DOT announcement, when the new, northbound lanes reopen, the southbound lanes will close for improvements. The project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2026. DJS
NC Medicaid now covering more people Statewide Medicaid is now covering people ages 19-64 with higher incomes announced the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. A single adult earning $1,732 or less per month is now eligible. A family of two earning $2,351 or less per month and families of three earning $2,351 or less also qualify. Some non-U.S. citizens also qualify. Visit medicaid. ncdhhs.gov, for more details. DJS
Passenger rail study recommends proposed Wilmington to Raleigh train service take Goldsboro route Wallace A recent draft of the Southeastern North Carolina Passenger Rail Feasibility Study produced by WGI Inc, recommends the Goldsboro route due to lower construction and maintenance costs, as well as less travel time between Wilmington and Raleigh. The cost for the project, including rebuilding tracks from Castle Hayne to Wallace, is estimated to come in at $810 million. This is a $170 million cost savings. According to the release, the report calls for passenger stops in Raleigh, Clayton, Selma, Goldsboro, and Wilmington with two other additional sites to be chosen.
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ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Wallace Mayor Jason Wells and former Mayor Charley Farrior cut the ribbon on the new Farrior Park at Boney Mill Pond last Thursday surrounded by members of the Farrior family and Parks and Recreation Director David Bizzell.
Farrior Park at Boney Mill officially opens with a ribbon cutting The 200-acre park features a playground, walking trails, a pond, dog park and more By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — The town of Wallace now has a new place
for kids, adults and even dogs to run, walk, play and escape to nature, as the ribbon was cut to officially open Farrior Park at Boney Mill Pond on Thursday, April 18. “This is an exciting day for the town of Wallace,” Wallace Mayor Jason Wells said. “This has been a long time coming, and a dream and a vision that is
finally coming to reality.” The ribbon cutting signaled the dedication of Phase 3 of 200-acre Farrior Park, which was formerly known as the Boney Mill Pond Project, Parks and Recreation Director David Bizzell said. See FARRIOR, page 12
“(Wallace Mayor) Jason (Wells) said it’s a diamond in the rough; I think it’s a diamond in Wallace’s crown.” Charley Farrior
Pinwheels event Duplin receives funding highlights child abuse, for wastewater projects neglect prevention The county welcomed a new employee
Child advocates work together to prevent abuse and neglect By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Duplin County Partnership for Children, Duplin County DSS and Guardian ad Litem of Duplin County held their 2024 Pinwheels for Prevention Ceremony at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville, on April 12. “We stand together today in solidarity and commitment with a heartfelt belief that all children deserve to be loved, to be safe, to be nurtured, and to be heard,” said Christy Jeffers, Duplin Judicial District 5, Guardian ad Litem Supervisor, as she welcomed guests. According to data from Child Welfare in North Carolina, between July 2022 to June 2023, 799 cases were investigated in Duplin County for abuse and neglect, and it is an increase of 59 more cases when compared to the previous fiscal year. Christy Jones, Duplin County Partnership for Children director, told the Duplin Journal that the three agencies partnered to raise awareness. “We really wanted to focus on bringing awareness to child abuse and neglect, and just making everyone aware that it is not just those three agencies problem — it is a community responsibility. … Everybody has to work together to address it,” said Jones. At the event, Jones spoke about the symbolism of pinwheels and the importance of communities working together. “It is a positive emblem of the effect we can have when we work
“Welfare workers have to talk about firearm safety in every single home they go into, many people do not know that, but child welfare workers are mandated to do that in the state of North Carolina, and to help keep the community safer in Duplin County we provided (Duplin County Department of Social Services) with a free supply of gun locks that they can distribute.” Sean Kenny, head of DSS engagement for Trillium Health Resources together to prevent child abuse. Pinwheels are used to help educate communities about the importance of supporting children and families. Shining in the sun, the pinwheel is reflective of the bright future all children deserve and our belief that getting it right early is less costly than trying to fix it later,” said Jones. Serita Southerland, Duplin County DSS Social Work supervisor, spoke about the people involved in the process once a case of abuse or neglect is reported and the effort needed from the community to make that child, whose life has been torn into pieces, whole again. “Along with DSS, GAL, and See PINWHEELS, page 6
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners held a brief meeting on April 15, with a bulk of items approved in the consent agenda. Under road concerns, Commissioner Jessie Dowe spoke about an area on Cherry Road, right off NC 11, at the entrance to Greenevers that overflows when it rains. “It overflows on the side of the road. There’s a beaver dam that’s blocking the water, and it’s backing up, and then when it rains, it backs up over the roadway,” said Dowe, adding that the NC Department of Transportation is aware and will take care of it. Next in the regular agenda was County Manager Bryan Miller who provided several updates. The county has received USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) funding for a USDA Rural Development Search Grant Program for Log Cabin Road and Calico Bay Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Assessment. “We received $120,624 for Calico Bay and $106,889 for East Log Cabin Road.” He added that the next step in the process is to perform the Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Assessment. The information collected will be used by the state to secure grants to install the equipment. “This process does not obligate the county [to move] forward to any type of additional appropriations. It does not guarantee the residents of East Log Cabin Road or Calico Bay Road of wastewater services in the future. ... It does not entitle the residents of East Log Cabin Road
or Calico Bay Road to wastewater services or suggest that there will be free or reduced services associated with the installation of or services provided in the future,” Miller said. “There will be additional community meetings, and at those meetings we will make it perfectly clear what the expectations of the residents should be.” Miller also shared with the board that the circus at the Events Center turned out a $7,000 profit. He also spoke about upcoming agendas in which the Board will need to make decisions on an RFQ for the detention center, and another for an asset inventory and assessment for drinking water systems. “The assessment for drinking water systems is about $2,184,000, and the detention center is for the commissioning, the MEPS system commissioning mechanical engineering and plumbing systems,” said Miller. He also provided updates on a fuel spill at the bulk storage tank. Assistant County Manager Carrie Shields introduced a new employee, Jasmine Savage. “You’ll see her a lot with me and working and learning the ins and outs of Duplin County. ... She is from this area and a part of this community, gives back to this community, and we’re happy to say that she’s now an employee of Duplin County,” said Shields. The next meeting will be on May 6 at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville at 6 p.m.
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