VOLUME 9 ISSUE 5 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Sheriff’s Office issues consumer alert about scammers on the rise Duplin County The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office issued a consumer alert for citizens to be aware of a phone scam that’s on the rise. People have been receiving calls from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer asking victims to pay a fine immediately to avoid being arrested. According to the Sheriff’s Office the scammers may use names of real law enforcement officers and spoof the phone number to make it appear legitimate. “No legitimate law enforcement officer or government official is going to call you to threaten you with arrest or other legal consequences,” stated the alert. Law enforcement is asking people to stay calm, hang up and call the agency’s number directly. Also to never use gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pay anyone. “It’s usually a scam. It’s understandably scary to get a call from a law enforcement officer telling you that you may be arrested, but don’t act out of fear.” If you receive a call from a scammer, report it to the Sheriff’s Office at 910-2962150 or file a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office at www. ncdoj.gov/complaint. DJS
State seeks public comment on proposed changes to disaster recovery plans Statewide The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to action plans for the use of HUD Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery for Hurricane Florence and Community Development Block GrantMitigation funds. Proposed changes include allocations to the Homeowner Recovery Program, Affordable Housing Development Fund, Homeownership Assistance Program, Infrastructure Recovery Program, and Strategic Buyout Program, among others. The public comment period closes at 5 p.m. on April 15. The public is encouraged to submit comments to publiccomments@rebuild. nc.gov or by mail to NCORR Public Comments, P.O. Box 110465, Durham, NC 27709. Visit rebuild.nc.gov for more information. DJS
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
10th graders meet industry professionals at career fair Students from Duplin County Schools visited the Duplin Events Center last Friday for the Career and College Fair Day. The event featured 22 booths with local and regional professionals who spoke about their trade. Above, students learn about careers in the military. Turn to page 3 for the story and photos.
Wallace citizens get a chance to give feedback on Clement Park plans An inclusive playgroundand tennis court refurbishment are two of the biggest aspects of the master plan By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — Residents of the Wallace area got a chance to look over a master plan outlining the future of Clement Park over the next eight to nine years during a public forum on Wednesday night, March 20. “We’ve worked very hard on
a parks master plan for Clement Park,” said Benjamin Simpson, a senior project manager with Benesch, a firm that helps towns and cities design and build projects like parks, as well as bridges, roads, and community developments. “These plans show a vision for the changes and the modernization of the parks that we would want for the future.” Since Clement Park is arguably the most used park in the town, Simpson said the master plan reflects that, and the proposed changes and upgrades are in line with the town’s expected growth
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor, left, explains some of the proposed aspects of the master plan for Wallace’s Clement Park to former Mayor Charley Farrior and Town Clerk Jackie Nicholson during a public forum on Wednesday, March 20. over the coming years. The two major changes coming to Clement Park as part of the plan are the addition of an inclusive playground, and moving and
upgrading the tennis courts. In addition to the overall See PARK, page 5
Duplin County Hall of Fame to induct four this year Banquet moves to April 9 By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
A new Dollar General Market is under construction on Highway 24 in Beulaville. The new store will offer more grocery items, such as fresh produce and meats, as well as other items usually found in Dollar General stores.
New Dollar General Market coming to Beulaville The store is set to open this summer By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — Since construction started at a site on NC Highway 24 in Beulaville, citizens have been wondering what new business is coming to town. Well, it turns out, it will be a second Dollar General store, though this one will be more of a grocery store, called DG Market. The new DG Market location is at 2976 East NC Hwy. 24 in Beulaville, next to the Subway restaurant. “At this time, a store opening is slated for early summer 2024,” a statement from Dollar General’s public relations office stat-
ed, “but understand that construction progress may alter this date.” Beulaville’s original Dollar General store at 416 N. Jackson St. will continue to remain open even after the new store is in business. The DG Market has more of a grocery store feel, something that may be needed in the Beulaville area. “Dollar General’s DG Market format offers expanded produce, refrigerated and frozen food offerings, dairy products and more, in addition to an assortment of fresh meats, alongside the general merchandise customers trust Dollar General to provide,” the statement read. “Each Dollar General, regardless of format, sells quality, name-brand and See DOLLAR, page 12
The Duplin County Hall of Fame will induct four new honorees this year during its annual banquet on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. The annual banquet has moved from its original date in November to the spring in hopes of working better with attendees’ schedules, said Marilynn Hroza, president of the Duplin County Hall of Fame board. The Duplin County Hall of Fame was first organized in Kenansville on Nov. 22, 1994 as a way to honor the contributions of the county’s most inf luential and accomplished citizens. The first meeting had three members present — Anne Houston, representing the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce; Anne Taylor, representing the Duplin County Historical Society; and Joyce Williams, representing the Duplin County Strategic Long-Range Planning Committee. The initial work of these three ladies led to the board expanding to 16 individuals from all over Duplin County. The first Hall of Fame Banquet was held in November 1996, with one living and one deceased nominee inducted. “The board gets together and chooses one living and one
“I think the history and how the Hall of Fame began are so important. There are so many people in the county that have served and are very deserving.” Marilynn Hroza, president of Duplin County Hall of Fame board
deceased honoree each year,” Hroza said. “The membership on the board is a cross-section of the county.” Members of the board are regularly rotated off and new members chosen, she explained. An independent group of judges makes the decision on who the Hall of Fame recipients will be, after nominations are gathered by the board. “I think the history and how the Hall of Fame began are so important,” Hroza said. “There are so many people in the county that have served See HALL OF FAME, page 2
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