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aUGUSt 13-19, 2025 Vol 47 No 33 | 1 Section | 6 Pages
sheriff’s Office to begin GPs tagging By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
photo courtesy of StarChase, LLC
starChase VX vehicle-mounted gPs launcher.
Speeders and those attempting to flee from law enforcement will have a harder time in the next few weeks as the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office installs GPS tagging equipment on several patrol cars. These GPS tags are shot from a launcher on the grill of the deputy’s vehicle and attach to the speeding vehicle. With GPS, the Sheriff’s Office dispatchers can then track the vehicle’s location without having to engage in a dangerous high-speed chase. “Each year, U.S. law enforcement agencies engage
in an estimated 68,000 vehicle pursuits (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2012–2013), with nearly 1 in 3 ending in a crash — often putting officers, suspects, and bystanders at risk,” according to www.safewareinc.com. “In response, many departments are adopting restrictive pursuit policies, limiting chases to violent offenders or imminent threats [to public safety]. “That’s why a growing number of agencies are adopting restrictive pursuit policies. The shift is clear: departments are prioritizing risk mitigation and exploring smarter, safer ways to apprehend suspects.” StarChase Technology, the manufacturer, states these are
proven tools that reduce risk, save lives and protect communities. The company is the only one in the United States making this kind of technology. No tax dollars will be used to pay for the devices. Rather, federal forfeiture funds will pay for the equipment, installation, three-year warranty and three years of the StarChase tracking system. If this trial period is successful, more vehicles may be equipped with the system in the future. Law enforcements across the country have already started using these devices and have found injuries, fatal crashes and property damage have dropped.
Climbing the ladder to career in baseball
aNNUal fall lITTeR SweeP Mark you calendars now to participate in the annual Jamestown Fall Litter Sweep on Sept. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet others from the community at the Food Lion parking lot on the corner of West Main Street and Ragsdale Road to receive your designated location to clean. Plan to wear bright colored long sleeve shirts and high top shoes to protect against unforeseen hazards. Bring gloves to fit your hands for easier pick up. RSVP to 336-454-1138. fall feSTIVal Once school starts calendars fill quickly with all sorts of activities. A fun one will be the Fall Festival presented by the Jamestown Business Association on Oct. 12 from 1 to 7 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, local craft vendors, music and more in the heart of downtown Jamestown. More information will come, but save the date now. To participate as a vendor, contact JBA President Victoria Jones at 336553-8380. Have an event that you think needs to be included in About Town? Email Norma B. Dennis at ndworddesign@gmail.com or Carol Brooks at cab1hp@gmail.com
animal Shelter lowers adoption fees By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com If a furry companion is in your future, now is a good time to visit the Guilford County Animal Shelter as pet adoption fees have been reduced. Adoption fees have been cut from $75 to $25 in August as part of the Clear the Shelter campaign, a national push to find loving homes for animals in need by waiving or reducing adoption fees and promoting the importance of adoption. Since it began in 2015, Clear the Shelters has helped over a million pets find forever homes. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is once again the lead national sponsor and NBCUniversal Local is teaming up with hundreds of shelters across the country to host the event this year. Lower fees mean more adoptions. “We are excited to participate in the Clear the Shelter campaign for an eighth year and offer our community the
photo by Carol Brooks
scarper was adopted by the writer from the guilford County animal shelter in July 2024. He loves his new home and watching television. 980 Guilford College Road in Greensboro just a few miles from Jamestown. It is open daily from noon to 4 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays. The phone number opportunity to adopt a pet,” said is 336-641-3400. Animal Services Director Jorge Ortega. “Our goal is to reduce How to donate online the number of cats and dogs curClear The Shelters, in partnerrently at the animal shelter and ship with Greater Good Charihelp them find the forever homes ties, will host digital fundraisers they deserve.” to raise money for participating Check out GuilfordCoun- animal shelters. tyNC.gov/AdoptAPet for picVisit www.cleartheshelters. tures of the available animals. com/clear-the-shelters/howAppointments are not neces- to-donate-to-nbcuniversalsary but there may be long lines. l o c a l - c l e a r - t h e - s h e l t e r s The Guilford County Animal campaign/1922292/ for several Resource Center is located at donation options.
Town Council to meet By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
The Jamestown Town Council will meet Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Thomas C. Ragsdale, Sr., Council Chambers, formerly the Ragsdale Civic Center, 301 E. Main St. There will be a public hearing to consider amendments to the Land Development Ordinance (LDO), a fluid document, meaning it can change as situations warrant. An amendment to 24.6-1, Section 2.132 — Fences and Walls was unanimously approved in July by the Planning Board. The change relates to fences in agricultural zoning districts. The current fence standards include exceptions for fences in commercial zoning districts but not agricultural (AG). The requirement adds to the materials allowed for fences within properties in the AG district. It does not include the Scenic Corridor Overlay District, which is currently Main Street and Guilford College Road. It also created a specific height standard for clarity. The amendment is only for new fences. Additionally, the original Section 5 has now become Section 6 and now reads, “Galvanized wire, barbed wire, welded or woven wire, livestock/cattle fences are allowed in properties within the Agricultural
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zoning district if the proposed fence does not face right-of-way designated as a Scenic Corridor Overlay. Electric fencing is allowed, provided warning signage is installed per Jamestown sign standards (Section 17.6-1). Additionally, a Type C Buffer Yard shall be required on the exterior side of the fence when adjacent to any residential district.” A new section was added to the (C) Height section regarding the AG district. Section 6 of that section now reads, “Fences located along any property line abutting a public right-of-way or street, and along side property lines within the required 35-foot front setback, shall not exceed five feet in height. Fences along all other interior side and rear property lines shall not exceed eight feet in height.” The Council also will consider approval of the contract for services with the Historic Jamestown Society. Mayor Lynn Montgomery will present a special resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of the Jamestown Baptist Church, now First Baptist of High Point, which was constituted Sept. 3, 1825, in old Jamestown. The Town Council meeting may be viewed at www.youtube.com/c/ TownofJamestownNC. Click on “live.” It will also be available after the meeting.
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“It is not what you know, but who you know,” may have contributed in some part to Scott’s opportuniStrike one … Strike two ty to pitch in the minors. … Strike three … You’re Josh Pike, a former pitcher out. at N.C. State working as a Those are words no pitching coach at San José batter wants to hear, but State, encouraged Scott to music to the ears of basetransfer there to receive ball pitcher Mark Winfield more playing time. Pike’s Scott. Although he has a best friend Cameron Cotbachelor’s degree in busiter played for the Rockers ness administration with a before being picked up by concentration in marketing the Giants. from North Carolina State Former Ragsdale baseball photo submitted University and has taken Coach Zac Apple is a friend classes toward a master’s Win scott is shown on the field at Truist Point stadium in High of the director of player perdegree in advanced com- Point with his parents Mark and Marcia. sonnel with the Rockers. He munications and research put Scott in touch with the his vision has always been to play major The road to the minor league has been director, leading to the opportunity for league baseball. filled with encouragement from his par- Scott to try out for the team. From his earliest days playing tee ball ents, Mark and Marcia, and hard work. Connections may have gotten him with the Jamestown Youth League to his When it was evident Scott displayed noticed, but it was skill that enabled Scott time as a star pitcher on Ragsdale High skills beyond those his age, his dad asked to proceed through the cuts. Arriving late School’s baseball team where he pitched if he could possibly play for a coach with in the season, which runs from the last a “perfect game” his senior year, to play- a baseball background to better acquire of April to the first of October, Scott ing baseball for N.C. State University and all the fundamentals of the game and saw other pitchers being released as some San José State University in California, his also move to a team with older kids who returned to the team from the injured list. ultimate goal has remained the same — a matched his skills. The league allowed the There were also pitchers being signed to pro baseball career. transition. the majors. That possibility crept closer than ever “I played baseball in middle and high “It is like a revolving door to the MLB,” when on July 11 Scott signed as a pitcher school primarily as a pitcher,” Scott said. Scott said with a smile. “There are some for the High Point Rockers, a minor-league “I also played other sports in school, but former major league players on the team, baseball team based at Truist Point Stadium baseball was my favorite. In 2020 I com- either playing for the joy of the game or in in High Point. The team is a member of the mitted to play for N.C. State University.” Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. see BaseBaLL, PAGe 2 Although a skilled athlete, the old adage, By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com