VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
PHOTO COURTESY OF CARRIE SHIELDS
PHOTO COURTESY OF BEULAVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Area chambers hold yearly banquets (Left) The Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual banquet on Feb. 22 at the Country Squire Restaurant. Pictured above from left to right are Kirk Tripp, Paul Phillips, Hannah Bell, Richard Barden, and Luis Arellano. (Right) North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall was the guest speaker at the Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Town Hall.
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BRIEF this week
Officer-involved fatality Duplin County The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating an officerinvolved fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on Cornwallis Road and Betholite Road in Duplin County on Thursday, Feb. 22. According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, the accident took place while the officer was responding to a domestic dispute. The driver was transported to ECU Health in Kenansville and passed away from his injuries. The deputy, who was also transported to ECU Health in Kenansville, was treated for non-lifethreatening injuries. DJS
Early voting ends March 2 Duplin County In-person early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m. Individuals NOT registered to vote in Duplin County may register and vote during the early voting period by showing proof of residence. Early voting sites are located at the American Legion Building at 529 E. Southerland St. in Wallace and the Lois G. Britt Agricultural Service Center at 165 Agriculture Dr. in Kenansville. DJS
Beulaville Chamber hosts OSHA Secretary of State Elaine Marshall investigates Butterball death Awards given to volunteers, retiring police chief By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
BEULAVILLE — The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Thursday night, Feb. 22, with North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall as guest speaker. Beulaville Chamber president John Weston called the meeting to order, and Beulaville Mayor Hutch Jones gave an update on various goings-on in the communi-
ty. Jones talked about various grants the town has received to work on improvements, including a PART-F grant, which will be used to revamp the town’s parks. After a dinner by Ezzell’s Catering was served, Chamber members elected officers for the coming year. The following awards were given out during the annual banquet: Retiring Police Chief Jamie Rogers, Police Officer of the Year; Matthew Maready, Firefighter of the Year; and Sally Houston Weston, Volunteer of the Year. Each award winner received a plaque and a check. Following the awards, May-
Airport terminal dedicated in memory of Futrelle Board of County Commissioners approves special commemoration unanimously By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners recently approved a resolution to honor the life and legacy of the late George Futrelle, former airport director and county assistant manager, who passed away
or Jones introduced the guest speaker, Elaine Marshall. In 1996, Marshall became the first woman elected to a statewide, executive branch office, and has served as Secretary of State ever since. Marshall previously taught home economics in the public school and community college systems, co-owned a book and gift store, and established an interior decorating business, while also practicing law, according to her biography on the N.C. Secretary of State website. “Secretary Marshall has been very active in many civic See BEULAVILLE, page 2
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA RAYNOR
Front row from left to right: A.J. Connors, Grey Morgan, Larry Debose, Joshua Raynor, Scotty Kennedy, Jerry Tysinger, and Roger Davis. Back row from left to right: Commissioners Jesse Dowe, Justin Edwards, Dexter Edwards, Wayne Branch and Elwood Garner. unexpectedly last May. Futrelle played an instrumental role in the growth and success of the Duplin County Airport where he served for more than three decades. “Mr. Futrelle not only contributed to the development of the Duplin County Airport, but
also served as a spiritual leader to his community, providing guidance and support to those around him,” said Joshua Raynor, Duplin County Airport director, as he read the proclaSee FUTRELLE, page 2
Contractor dies from injuries sustained at Mount Olive turkey plant By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE — A tragic accident at the Butterball plant in Mount Olive led to the death of a contractor on Thursday, Feb. 22. The contractor, whose name has not been released, died from injuries sustained during the accident. This incident is under investigation by the Department of Labor. According to Mindy Wharton, Butterball public relations manager, the person was an external contractor’s employee working on a project at the Butterball facility. The person died from injuries sustained during the incident. “We are deeply saddened, and we extend our sincere condolences to their family and friends,” wrote Wharton in an email statement sent to the Duplin Journal. “We will continue to coordinate closely with the relevant authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.” According to OSHA records, there were two previous fatalities at the Mount Olive plant, one in 2017 and one in 2021, both involving employees who died of electrocution. The cause of the Feb. 22 fatality is unknown, as no further details have been released as of press time.
Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce honors outstanding professionals for their service ‘Doing it right,’ Bryan Miller says By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Members of the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce, local leadership and special guests gathered at the Country Squire Restaurant on Feb. 22, for the Chamber’s annual banquet celebration. Duplin County Manager Bryan Miller and Assistant County
Manager Carrie Shields were the guest speakers. Miller said he was thankful for the warm welcome and the great deal of hospitality he has received since he came to Duplin County last October. The County Manager shared that he has found the real strength of Duplin County is the sense of community and its residents, adding that Duplin is “doing it right.” Miller shared that he is taking the lead of those who came before him, “and we are going to do it right.”
“Duplin created an incredible fund balance thanks to the Board of County Commissioners, and Duplin did that right… Duplin developed a master plan for Duplin Commons and did that the right way. Duplin had chosen strategically to focus on economic development and agriculture, and did that the right way,” Miller said. “It was great to see the Kenansville Chamber in action. It was great to see them honoring people from the community that do such a tremendous job, teach-
ers, farmers, firefighters, officers, medical personnel… to see them go out of their way to recognize everyday heroes was great.” See KENANSVILLE, page 12
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