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Volume 117 • Issue 18
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
75¢
Huge tree falls on Cherryville home; no injuries reported by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
At 4:23 in the morning one day last week, homeowner Carolyn Petri and her family received a huge and not-so-pleasant surprise when a large willow oak that had stood for a long time outside the front of their home on W. Church St. in Cherryville, toppled over onto their house, crushing the front porch and the inside of the home. Ms. Petri said she has had the home since 1993 and they just moved back into the house after fixing it up. Her son, Ronnie, had debris on him from the front of the home being destroyed by the tree, which also tore up a section of the sidewalk in front of the home. “He was sleeping in the front room when it happened,” she said. “I am so thankful he wasn’t hurt, just
shaken up, as we all are.” The tree appears to be roughly 100 years or more old she noted. She called the tree trimming company of J. Douglas Tree Service, LLC, who came out and began trimming the huge tree back as quickly as possible without causing it to settle any more than it already had. Company owner Mr. Jeffrey Douglas and his crew had been working on the tree since lunch time, they said, trimming away the small and large branches and limbs. The tree trimmers were: Nick Jones (doing the bucket cutting work); Ian Spencer; and Robert Bowen. A friend of Ms. Petri, Richard Hopple, said, as did Ms. Petri, they had no idea about what the estimate of damages to the home is at that time, waiting on word from an insurance company. See TREE, Page 6
This huge, 100-plus year-old willow oak tree fell last week onto the front of the Carolyn Petri house on W. Church St., across from St. John’s Lutheran Church of Cherryville. No one was hurt in spite of the family being at home when the 4:30 a.m. accident happened. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
Ironman baseball player Kanon Willis signs to play at CCCTI Caldwell Community College is his choice after graduating from CHS
Ironmen football player Kam Bolin (sitting, center) at his Friday, April 28 LOI signing to officially play football for the Bluefield University Rams this fall. With him is his mother, Miriam Crawford, his dad, Darrell Bolin, and other family members and friends, Yakimia Crawford, Ja’Kiri Spikes, Kyrie Spikes, Christina Bolin, and Chance Hunt. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
CHS senior football player Bolin to play for Bluefield University CHS senior football player Bolin to play for Bluefield University by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Cherryville High School Ironmen senior football and track and field standout Kamarion “Kam” Bolin has officially signed an LOI (letter of intent) to play football with the Bluefield University Rams come this fall. The Rams call Mitchell Stadium, a 10,000seat field, their home. Bolin, who is known to CHS sports fans as a hardcharging, tough playing ath-
lete, sat at a table Friday, April 28, at the school, with his family and friends looking on, and penned his name to the paper stating he would play for the NAIA team. Ironmen wrestling coach and assistant football coach Matt Powers said of his talented student, “What can be said of Kam except that he is a very talented athlete, a great player and Ironman who gives his all no matter what sport he is involved in at the time. Also, he is a great kid that wants to keep getting better and better at what he does and in his life.” His mom, Miriam Crawford, said of her son, “I am not shocked at his signing. No. I am so, so proud of him.” That sentiment was echoed by his father, Darrell Bolin, who added. “I am glad he made my momma Loura Bolin proud. See BOLIN, Page 9
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info Ironman Kanon Willis, who came to play baseball at Cherryville High School, recently signed a letter of intent (LOI) to play ball for the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Cobras. Caldwell Community College , located in Hudson, NC, is a Division: NJCAA I college and, if all goes well for Willis, 18, he will add a little more pitching depth as well as batting ability to an already great program. The Willis family, it seems, are no strangers to sports activities as Kanon’s See WILLIS, Page 6
Kanon and his family and school staff and coaches at his signing of his letter of intent to play baseball for the Cobras of Caldwell Community College. Sitting with him are his dad, Brandon, and mom, Dawn. Behind him (L-R): CHS Principal Shawn Hubers, CHS AD Scott Harrill, CHS head baseball coach Scott Heavner, and former BCHS baseball coach and teacher, Stan Haynes. Coach Haynes has been a friend of the Willis family for many years. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
Ironman baseball player Will Fowler signs to play ball at CVCC For Will, it’s all about getting to that next level of play… by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
CHS Ironmen baseball player Will Fowler has signed to play baseball for the Catawba Valley Community College Red Hawks when he starts college in the fall. He had many family members and friends there last week to watch him sign his name on the dotted line to play ball for See FOWLER, Page 9
First row, sitting: Brother Kenan Fowler, dad, Jody Fowler, Will, and mom, Sarah Fowler. Back row (standing): Grandfather Louie Fowler, grandmother Joan Fowler, CHS Principal Shawn Hubers, CHS AD Scott Harrill; CHS baseball coach Scott Heavner; assistant baseball coach Brian Kiser; grandmother Barbara Crews, grandfather Billy Crews, assistant baseball coach Austin Treadway, aunt, Emilie Pope, and girlfriend, Karsen Queen. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
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