VOLUME 9 ISSUE 10 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Beulaville man wins $25k a year for life Beulaville Harold Eubanks of Beulaville is celebrating a big win after a $2 Lucky for Life ticket won him a $25,000 a year for life prize last week. The North Carolina Education Lottery announced Eubanks won his prize with a ticket he bought from 365 Stores LLC on North Jackson Street in Beulaville. The Lucky winner claimed his prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, choosing a $390,000 lump sum instead of $25,000 a year for the rest of his life. After required state and federal tax withholdings, Eubanks took home $278,853. The odds of winning are 1 in 1.8 million.
DJS PJ WARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Duplin Rotary Club president receives scouting award Kenansville Michael Stempek, Duplin Rotary Club President, was recently presented with the Scouting Rotarian Award.
Record crowds attend NC Pickle Festival Dylan Rinker (center) won the Pickle Eating Contest in the male division after eating 13 pickles in five minutes on Saturday, April 27 at the North Carolina Pickle Festival. Thousands of people from across the country attended the annual festival, which according to organizers had record crowds in attendance. Turn to page 6 for the story and photos.
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Duplin Coalition for Health asks residents to take health needs survey Duplin County Duplin Coalition for Health is asking Duplin residents to take a survey to help them identify and address the health needs and challenges in our community. Visit the Duplin Coalition for Health Facebook page to take the survey.
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Man wanted for involuntary manslaughter Beulaville Antonio Santes is wanted for his involvement in the death of Melana Villafranco, 18. According to authorities, on Sept. 14, 2022, Santes gave Villafranco what he believed to be a Xanax; however, Villafranco’s toxicity report later confirmed her death was due to a fatal dose of Fentanyl. Santes is 5’10” tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has long brown hair, green eyes and multiple tattoos along his neck, chest, and arms. He is believed to be in the Kinston area. If you have any information, call the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Tip-line at 910-372-9202 or 910-296-2150.
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Garden Gala kicks off Carolina Strawberry Festival in style Carolina Strawberry Festival is this weekend, May 3-4
Popular convenience store will open in August
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WILLARD — For the first time in its long history, the Carolina Strawberry Festival kicked off a week early with the Garden Gala, held Saturday, April 27, at the Gardens at Johnson Nursery in Willard. “The main thing is we want to have an event kind of like the Azalea Festival Garden Party to kick off the festival,” said Kristyn Padgett, who handles advertising and social media for the Strawberry Festival. Nearly 300 people turned out for the event, which included live entertainment from The Catalinas, food and beverage vendors, and self-guided tours through the lush, picturesque gardens at Johnson Nursery. “It’s really important to have events like this,” said Johnson Nursery owner David Johnson. “The mission of the Gardens is a nonprofit. We started this to
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal DUPLIN RESIDENTS without health insurance have jumped at the opportunity to have health coverage through the Medicaid expansion, reaching a total of 2,317 beneficiaries to date according to Annie Murrell, Duplin County Social Services director. Murrell told the Duplin Journal that they have also seen an increase of people applying for other programs, like food assistance and help paying electric bills. “We have had increases in other programs, such as our food
Johnson, David’s daughter, who also works at Johnson Nursery. “Our grounds are really beautiful, and it’s exciting to display them and have people see the gardens.” Plein air painters were dotted throughout the gardens during the event, painting scenes that played out in front of their eyes. Painter Patrick Raynor said the artists were
WARSAW — Popular convenience store chain Sheetz is opening a new location on NC Highway 24 in Warsaw, just off I-40. The convenience store chain is known not only for its fuel, beverages and snacks, but also for its made-to-order meal items like burgers, pizzas, chicken sandwiches, fries and breakfast sandwiches. Sheetz stores also feature espresso bars with made-to-order coffees. According to Sheetz, the stores also have the lowest prices on tobacco and cigarettes that are allowed by law. The Warsaw Sheetz will be located at 2543 W NC Highway 24. Construction is well under way and town officials say the store will be open in August.
See GALA, page 12
See SHEETZ, page 12
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor, left, chats with David Johnson, owner of Johnson Nursery, at the Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala on Saturday, April 27. display what we grow, and to improve lives by helping people learn about what grows here.” In addition to calling attention to the Gardens for people who might have never seen them, Johnson said he also agreed to host the event because it was a great way for the Carolina Strawberry Festival organizers to thank the festival’s sponsors with a fun garden party. “It’s exciting,” said Annie
Medicaid expansion in Duplin County reaches 2,317 beneficiaries DSS still losing employees to other counties
Warsaw will be home to Duplin County’s first Sheetz store
58.1% Of Duplin County Medicaid beneficiaries are females.
and nutrition. We’ve seen an increase in applications there, and our crisis program,” said Murrell, explaining that a lot of beneficiaries are applying online and learning about other programs available. Data from the NC Medicaid, Division of Health Benefits shows that 58.1% of those curSee MEDICAID, page 5
Authorities investigate Rose Hill fatal fire Despite lifesaving efforts, the 88-year-old man succumbed to his injuries By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal AUTHORITIES are investigating the cause of a fire that led to the death of Morrell Chasten, 88, of Rose Hill on Sunday. According to the Department of Emergency Management, the Duplin County 911 Center received a call about a fire in the area of 390 Clinic Circle Drive, Rose Hill on April 28 at 11:54 p.m. After responding units conducted a primary search of the structure, they found the man who was later identified as Chasten and removed him.
Officials reported that despite medical personnel lifesaving efforts, Chasten succumbed to his injuries. He was later transported for an autopsy that will be conducted by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. “Out of respect for the family of the victims and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, no further details about the investigation will be released,” stated the report.
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