Ena Sellers

MOUNT OLIVE — As North Carolina’s rural communities look toward economic revitalization, the University of Mount Olive and the Golden LEAF Foundation are working together to equip students with the skills and leadership needed to drive that change from within.

At a recent luncheon celebrating Golden LEAF scholarship recipients, UMO faculty and Foundation representatives reaffirmed their commitment to preparing graduates who will return home to drive progress in their communities.

At the event, Golden LEAF President and CEO Scott Hamilton commended UMO’s dedication to student success and rural advancement. He explained that the Foundation’s mission has evolved from providing college access to actively preparing students to lead in emerging industries such as advanced manufacturing, precision agriculture, healthcare technology, and entrepreneurship.

Hamilton challenged students to see themselves as “architects of opportunity” for their communities.

“Your journey is essential to North Carolina’s future, because if rural North Carolina doesn’t succeed, North Carolina doesn’t succeed,” Hamilton said. Each year, the program awards 215 renewable scholarships.

In addition to its scholarships, the Foundation offers hands-on learning and professional growth. Arlena Dongilli, scholarship program manager highlighted programs like the Rural Internship Initiative, which places students in paid internships across rural counties, and Golden LEAF Scholars Connect, an online platform connecting more than 2,700 current scholars and alumni. These programs, she noted, are designed to help students gain real-world experience while remaining rooted in the regions that shaped them.

Representing UMO’s scholarship recipients, Taylor Hall, a senior majoring in veterinary bioscience, shared how her Golden LEAF-supported internship solidified her career goals and opened doors to future employment. She expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s role in helping students not only succeed academically but also give back to their home communities.

“Each of us here today is eager to continue our education so that we may serve and strengthen the places we call home,” Hall said.

UMO President H. Edward Croom concluded the event by thanking the Golden LEAF Foundation for its partnership and investment in students’ futures.

“The Golden LEAF Foundation is making a difference in lives across our state, and we’re honored to be a part of that story.”

Commissioners move to United American coverage to protect retirees’ access to local doctorsKENANSVILLE — Duplin County officials have taken decisive action to safeguard healthcare access for retirees after learning that UNC Health would no longer accept Humana Medicare Advantage plans starting on Jan. 1, 2026. 

At Monday’s County Commissioners meeting, retirees voiced strong concerns about the changes in provider networks and rate increases. The commissioners responded by unanimously approving a motion to contract with United American for post-65 medical supplement coverage and to negotiate prescription drug coverage options. 

More than 90 post-65 retirees received notices last month from Humana, UNC Health, and the county’s benefits administrator, AmWINS, alerting them to the changes. Local pharmacies also informed retirees they would no longer be in-network for prescription coverage.

Judy Brown criticized the county HR department and AmWINS for failing to monitor the plan and stressed the need to periodically rebid retiree insurance plans.

“Never should we enter into any type of health insurance plan that does not include our local providers and our local pharmacies,” Brown said.

Evan Quinn, a retiree from the Department of Social Services, highlighted the economic impact on independent pharmacies, which would be excluded under the current Express Scripts-administered drug plan. Quinn noted that this will force retirees to travel outside the county and threaten small businesses that contribute to the local economy. Local pharmacists echoed these concerns. 

Jennifer Byrd of Kenansville Pharmacy explained that independent pharmacies cannot compete with nationwide chains like Walgreens or CVS and often fill prescriptions at a loss due to pharmacy benefit managers’ practices. 

“The pharmacy benefit manager is pretty much the middleman between us and your insurance,” Byrd explained. “This is the person taking a piece out of the pie, that’s not really doing anything other than negotiating contracts.”

Byrd explained they fall under a group called EPIC, which handles contracts for thousands of pharmacies to negotiate contracts with different insurance companies and EPIC is no longer contracting with Express Scripts because of unsustainable reimbursement rates.

She illustrated the financial strain this places on local pharmacies, noting that filling prescriptions at below-cost rates forces them to absorb losses, sometimes as high as $50 per prescription.

“There’s no way for a pharmacy to stay in business and accept reimbursement rates below the cost,” she explained. Byrd urged decision-makers to consider these issues when selecting healthcare plans, suggesting that input from on-the-ground providers should inform plan decisions rather than relying solely on insurance agents.

“I’ve contacted our patients personally to let them know this information since Medicare open enrollment is currently going on from now until Dec. 7,” said Jennifer Knowles, a community pharmacist at REALO in Beulaville. “Patients must pick a plan during this timeframe.”

Knowles explained that local pharmacies losing county plan participation would also affect businesses that employ local residents.

“We have 18 employees in Beulaville and 15 employees in Wallace. I, along with the majority of REALO employees, reside in Duplin County, where we not only work, but we raise our families and are tied deeply to our communities,” Knowles said.

Semeka Perry, Duplin County Human Resources director, proposed moving post-65 retirees from Humana to United American, a plan previously offered by the county. This option allows Medicare Parts A and B to remain primary, while United American acts as a supplemental plan. The change would preserve retirees’ current providers and expand access to additional healthcare options.

Perry explained that retirees would pay $196.15 per month, with the county matching it, raising the county’s contribution from $16,595 to $18,241 per month. Perry emphasized that the immediate priority is ensuring retirees maintain access to their healthcare providers.

She acknowledged that the issue of prescription coverage with Express Scripts, which excludes locally owned pharmacies, had not been fully addressed. 

“Unfortunately, I was not in a place that I could actually make that change with the short timing that Humana and UNC healthcare provided,” said Perry. She admitted that neither she nor AmWINS had information about the drug plan changes. 

“AmWins was unable to provide any answers,” said Perry.

The county has scheduled a post-65 retiree informational meeting on Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ed Emory Auditorium to provide guidance on Medicare options and answer questions regarding the insurance changes. 

When the National Agricultural Hall of Fame welcomed its newest members on Oct. 23, it wasn’t just honoring individual achievement — it was recognizing the power of innovation to reshape an industry. Among the honorees was Wendell Murphy, the Rose Hill entrepreneur whose forward-thinking approach to pork production transformed American agriculture.

Murphy was honored with induction into the prestigious National Agricultural Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of historic icons such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and John Deere. Murphy was inducted alongside former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and antique tractor preservationist Michael Hinton, each recognized for their unique contributions to the agricultural landscape. 

“I’m feeling many emotions – gratitude, humility, and truthfully, disbelief,” said Murphy during his acceptance speech. “To be inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame is an honor beyond anything I could have ever imagined. When I look at the names of those who came before me, I see pioneers of American agriculture – men and women who not only shaped our industry, but also our nation. To be counted among them feels almost unreal.” 

For Murphy, the honor reflected a lifetime devoted to changing how America raises and produces pork. 

“It is fair to say that no one in the history of U.S. agriculture has had a greater influence on swine breeding and raising swine than Wendell Murphy,” said NC Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff Zane Hedgecock. “Agriculture in North Carolina and the nation was changed for the better because of his vision.” 

Chartered by Congress in 1960, the National Agricultural Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose outstanding contributions have led to the advancement of American agriculture.

GREENEVERS — Public safety and infrastructure improvements topped the agenda at the Greenevers Town Board’s October meeting, where officials confirmed a recent police incident, approved major water project contracts, and discussed several community concerns.

A constituent inquired about reports of a shooting at the Community Center. The board confirmed that police responded to the incident; no one was injured, and no witnesses came forward, so no action was taken. The constituent requested increased police patrols, and Mayor Diane Brown stated that the town is considering adding officers to the payroll.

After public comments closed, a representative from McDavid Associates presented updates on the town’s water infrastructure project. The bidding process began in April for a new well control system, a well house renovation, and tank painting. However, the firm initially struggled to secure the required number of bids. Bids were finally received in September, and a contractor has been selected to complete the work. The total project cost exceeded the $3 million grant, so McDavid Associates agreed to reduce their fees by $50,000 to remain within budget. The board approved tentative awards to Cox Edwards and other subcontractors for the $3,025,000 in water and infrastructure grant funds, along with amendments and change orders recommended by McDavid Associates. Brown thanked the firm for their flexibility. McDavid Associates expects to finalize paperwork and begin work within the next month or two.

Town Clerk Emma Brinson provided an update on the subdivision ordinances. She stated that at the Sept. 29 Planning Board meeting, Carlton Gideon recommended revisions to the subdivision plan, which has since been updated and forwarded to Duplin County for review. The Town Board discussed meeting with the Planning Board at a later date to review the revised plan.

Under new business, the Brown inquired about a vehicle obstructing a town project. Brinson reported that the owner has been notified by letter but has not yet responded. She also presented financial reports and recommended releasing three accounts from the tax roll: one for a property where the building was relocated in 2022, another that has been sold, and a third qualifying for an elderly exemption. The board approved releasing all three accounts, totaling just under $250.

Brown announced the addition of new playground equipment. Brinson then reported complaints regarding free-range chickens roaming onto neighboring properties. Since the town currently has no ordinances addressing live-caged animals, the mayor suggested that the Planning Board draft appropriate regulations at its next meeting.

The board also discussed contract landscaping for town maintenance. Members expressed concern about the proposed costs, debris left behind by contractors, and the importance of including clear obligations in written agreements.

The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss personnel matters.