VOLUME 9 ISSUE 23 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
inside Fisher Blanton celebrates finishing a kayak trip down the Northeast Cape Fear River with Boy Scout Troop 35 of Wallace in November 2023. Troop 35 has gone on multiple adventures over the past year. Read more on Page 6. COURTESY HENRY L. STEVENS IV
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BRIEF this week
Annual Prayer at the Flagpole in Kenansville Kenansville Duplin County faith-based leaders will hold the annual Prayer at the Flagpole on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The event will take place at the Duplin County Schools Board of Education beginning at noon. Everyone is invited to attend as DCS leaders pray for blessings in the upcoming school year.
Free healthy food distribution Wallace Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development in partnership with Tate Farm by the Pond is offering free locally grown produce from their community garden every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at their Wallace office located at 414 N. Norwood St. in Wallace. Produce is free to the community, while supplies last. Please call 910-665-1352, for more information. Persons needing to request a produce basket for delivery can do so online at mcleadership.org/ community-garden by filling out the form.
All-way stops popping up across Duplin County A total of 12 new all-way stops are planned By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, seven of the planned 12 all-way stops throughout Duplin County were installed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT). The most recent all-way stops are at the intersections of N.C. Highway 11 and Bay Road, N.C. Highway 11 at Register’s Crossroads (Register Road and Stocking Head Road), and Charity Road and Bay Road. Earlier in July, all-way stops were put into place at the following intersections: Tram Road at Bethel Church Road, Tram Road at Bennetts Bridge
“After studies were conducted at these intersections, NC DOT determined an all-way stop would be a cost-effective way to improve safety.” Lauren Haviland, NC DOT Communications Officer Road/Scotts Store Road, Tram Road at Red Hill Road, and Bowdens Road at Revelle Road. Those still to be determined include: N.C. Highway 41/N.C. Highway 111 at Jackson Store Road, N.C. Highway 50/N.C. Highway 403 at Warren Road,
Warren Road at Solomon Street, Liddell Road at Drummersville Road, and N.C. Highway 403 at Beautancus Road. Many motorists are wondering why the stops are needed. To answer that, NC DOT Communications Officer Lauren Haviland told Duplin Journal, “After studies were conducted at these intersections, NC DOT determined an all-way stop would be a cost-effective way to improve safety.” According to NC DOT’s website, converting intersections into all-way stops has been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries by 77%. “The N.C. Department of Transportation recommends an all-way stop only after a thorough evaluation of the intersection,” the See ALL-WAY STOPS, page 3
Sheetz in Warsaw opens this month Warsaw The new Sheetz in Warsaw joined the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce and, according to Warsaw Town Manager Lea Turner, is on schedule for a grand opening this month. “This will be a complete shopping experience in one store with 24-hour food options, a truck stop, gas and general merchandise,” said Turner, adding that the store is taking applications for employment and will be training at an off-site location. Stay tuned to find out the date of the grand opening.
Duplin County EMS reported there were no injuries during the incident By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal SEVERAL DUPLIN County emergency crews responded to a corn silo explosion at the Nash Johnson & Sons Farms Rose Hill Feed Mill, located at 3362 S. US 117 Highway on Monday morning. Duplin Emergency Communications Center received the call about an explosion at approximately 11:15 a.m. According to Duplin County Fire and Emergency Management officials, no one was injured during the incident. According to Dave Witter, House of Raeford Farms Manager, there was no pre-warning of the explosion, so employees were evacuated immediately after it happened. “Currently making sure the See EXPLOSION, page 3
Homeowners should prepare now for future flooding
Mount Olive man arrested, charged with breaking and entering Faison The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michael Sauls, 42, of Mount Olive, on July 11 for breaking and entering the storage units at 114 NW Center St. in Faison. He was placed in Duplin County Jail under a $70,000 secured bond. According to the Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement responded to calls for breaking and entering with larceny on July 3 and July 9 at the storage units. Items taken included hand and yard tools, and assorted kitchen items. After a search of Sauls’ residence, many of the listed items were found and recovered.
Authorities investigate Rose Hill corn silo explosion
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Danny Hilton, president of the Andrew Jackson Chapter of the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution, presents a wreath at the Battle of Rockfish celebration on July 27.
Duplin’s DAR, SAR honor Battle of Rockfish patriots Revolutionary War battle decimated Duplin militia By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — Members of the local chapters of Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered Saturday to remember the patriots who lost their lives at the Battle of Rockfish on Aug. 2, 1781. After the presentation of arms by SAR members in full period dress, an invocation mentioned the bravery of the men who fought against the British near the site of the Battle of Rockfish monument on Highway 11 outside Wallace. Winifred Jenkins, regent of the Battle of Rockfish DAR,
“Your town can be proud of these patriots that risked their own safety for the greater good.” Susan Corliss-Bland, Battle of Rockfish DAR read a written account of the Battle of Rockfish Creek in Duplin County by J.O. Carr. She related that a militia of about 400 were gathered from Duplin under the command of Colonel James Kenan. On June 28, 1871, Gen. Alexander Lillington sent a dispatch from Richlands to warn Duplin that British troops were coming with 800 men. “Col. Kenan had no powder or
ammunition, not one round,” Jenkins read. “They had no ammunition and could get none.” Nevertheless, Col. Kenan fortified himself at Rockfish Creek. “He awaited the approach of the British,” Jenkins said. “On the second of August, 1781, without ammunition, there was little hope for success. They used this entire force, but they were defeated, outnumbered and ill equipped as they were. There is now in existence an old cannonball about 3 inches in diameter. It was much superior to anything used by the Duplin militia.” After Jenkins’ reading, Wallace Planning Director Rod Fritz addressed the audience to share details about a project to refurbish and renovate the memorial. “It’s not only a place of remembrance; it’s a symbol of our dedication to our national heritage,” Fritz said. “It honors the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for America’s independence and freedom.” See PATRIOTS, page 12
Flood insurance policies can take 30 days to go into effect By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WITH HURRICANE season in full swing and heavy rains prompting flood watches for Duplin County, now is the perfect time to make sure your home and property is protected. Flood insurance can be expensive, yes, but the cost is worth it if the unthinkable happens. “The vast majority of people do not have flood insurance, and they need it today,” Wallace Realtor Curt Simpson said. “If there’s a hurricane out there brewing in the ocean and people get nervous and say, ‘Oh, I need flood insurance,’ that’s not a good thing. You’re supposed to have flood insurance all the time. So they are not going to protect you from the hurricane that is five days away. See FLOODING, page 6
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