YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
weekly edition
June 11-17, 2025 Vol 47 No 24 | 1 Section | 8 Pages
Holder is new Ragsdale athletic director By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com Deborah Jones was all smiles on May 28 as she was winding down her tenure as Ragsdale High School athletic director on May 31. She was looking forward to her new position as a materials planner for Lydech but also smiling because she knew she was leaving the job of athletic director in good hands. Michael Holder was named the school’s new athletic director in April and officially took over June 1. “I am very excited to continue to
be an integral part of the Ragsdale family,” he said. “Our vision is to utilize the foundational strengths and stability built by Debbie Jones and expand our facilities to encourage success.” Holder will not be a new face on the Ragsdale campus. He served as assistant baseball coach to his cousin Donnie Maness since 2012 and a teacher of engineering since 2016, and assistant AD since 2020. When the school searched for a new AD, officials eventually promoted Holder, someone from within who already knew the routine. Before joining the school system, Holder spent several years
Sheriff contract still not settled By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com The May 28 meeting was announced as being the Jamestown Town Council’s fourth budget meeting but very little was discussed budget-wise. The majority of the 40-minute meeting concerned the town’s contract with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. The contract does, however, have an impact on the budget. “It appears we’re paying for the whole department [in Jamestown],” said Finance Officer Faith Wilson regarding the charges for uniforms, insurance, vehicle, repairs, fuel, furniture, equipment, education and training, etc. listed in the contract. “We should just be paying the deputies’ salaries,” said Councilmember Martha Wolfe. “It’s an equity issue,” said Town Manager Matthew Johnson. “We’re not getting what they offer.” Discussion about the contract has been going on for several years and was a major topic at the previous year’s budget meetings. Jamestown does not have a police force. When trouble arises, the town relies on the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office to come to the rescue. The Sheriff’s District 3 office is located at 211 Hillstone Dr., moving here in 2013 from a location on the campus of Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). It is led by Capt. Latoya Howell and is staffed around the clock. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office website states, “The primary function of District 3 is uniformed patrol and the criminal investigations of crimes related to assaults, burglary, theft, fraud, forgery, vehicle theft, possession or receiving stosee contract, page 2
working in surveying and project engineering as well as coaching youth baseball. But at Ragsdale, it seems he is always on the campus. “You won’t find someone that truly enjoys doing stuff and it’s not always money-bound,” he said. “I like to show up and the field’s green. That means more to me than the money. You see something that needs to be fixed. I’m going to go do it and be done with it.” Holder already has several goals in mind as athletic director, including improving the facilities. “We need a field house with a see ragsdale, page 2
Photo by Carol Brooks
Michael Holder
Compiled By Norma B. Dennis
By NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com Haynes-Inman Education Center in Jamestown hosted four special Teachers of the Year guests on May 15. Included were Heather Smith, 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year; Will Marrs 2024 Piedmont Triad Teacher of the Year; Chanel Jones, 2025 Piedmont Triad Teacher of the Year, and Leah Carper, 2023 North Carolina Teacher of the Year. Smith has taught for eight years and is currently an eighth grade math teacher at Waynesville Middle School in Haywood County. She also is a National Board Certified Teacher who is known for her dedication to student growth and innovative teaching methods. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that positive relationships are essential for student success. She strives to create an environment where students feel loved, valued and challenged. Marrs is a career technical education teacher at Davie High School. He teaches drafting and is known for his dedication to students, treating them with respect and fostering their confidence. Students describe him as a mentor who genuinely cares about their success. Jones teaches sixth grade social studies and has spent her entire seven-year teaching career at Broadview Middle School, where she fosters a sup-
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Heather Smith, 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year and 8th grade math teacher at Waynesville Middle School, chats with a student during a recent tour of Haynes-Inman Education Center. portive and inclusive learning environment. Her commitment to her students extends beyond academics – she prioritizes their emotional well-being and selfconfidence, ensuring they feel valued and supported in her classroom. Carper taught English II at Northern Guilford High School. She is known for her innovative teaching methods using literature to help students become empathetic, contributing members of a global community. She engages with educators across the state, and advocates for education at various levels. Carper currently serves in Guilford County Schools administration. Haynes-Inman Principal Kevin Carr led the four guests, along with several North Car-
olina Department of Public Instruction educational leaders, on a tour of the classrooms and other special areas of the school. “They were very interested in the various communication systems and devices used by the students throughout the 17 classrooms,” said Vicki Simmons, former adaptive PE teacher at Haynes-Inman, who helped coordinate the tour. Simmons was impressed that the educators connected so well with the students. “I think it is important that all these educational leaders visit our school and meet the students in their learning environment. When state-level discussions come up, they can provide input based on their personal experiences with students with significant needs.”
Scholarships awarded to JPC seniors By NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
Family fun June 21 will be an exciting day for girls from the greater Jamestown area. Little Miss Jamestown will be crowned during a special pageant at Peters Quarters, 665 N. Main Street in High Point. The pageant is open to girls from birth to age 18. The pageant will be held in conjunction with a car and bike show. Gift cards, cash prizes and trophies will be presented to winners. The event also includes live music, food truck, bounce houses and more. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and will be held outside weather permitting. Magic Feet Dance Company in Jamestown and O’Reilly Auto Parts are sponsors of the event. Girls entering the pageant do not have to be a member of the dance company to participate. 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
Town receives a clean audit By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com
Lane Pleasants
The 2025 Lane Pleasants Memorial Scholarship winners included, left to right, Owen Robinson, Caroline to receive information about Van Thillo, and Madison Salthouse. They are shown the latest. with the 2024 scholarship recipient and presenter “For a church the size Jordan Smith. of Jamestown Presbyterian ily and Jamestown Presbyand a youth group that is and me so proud.” The scholarship program terian Session created the seldom more than 20 indiwas established in 1999 in scholarship from memoviduals, our youth stand out memory of Lane after her rial contributions made by as leaders ready to make a difference in this world both passing following a lung church members, family, academically and socially,” transplant due to cystic Clarajo said. “It makes Bill fibrosis. The Pleasants famsee jpc, page 3
As in years past, the Town of Jamestown received a clean, or unmodified opinion, audit for fiscal year 202324. Nick Wicker, of Strickland Hardee, PLLC, CPAs, presented the summary at the May 27 Town Council meeting. “We did not assess any material weaknesses and we did not assess any significant deficiencies,” Wicker said. “We also made no other recommendations and internal controls to the Town.” Wicker said management’s estimation of depreciation is a key estimate in the audit and that it has been consistent with prior years. He praised the Town staff as being cordial and hospitable. The Town’s General Fund increased $1,689,393 compared to the previous year. All other funds decreased $317,642 so combined funds increased $1,372,751 compared to the previous year. Unassigned fund balance of $5,141,251 is available to be used.
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see audit, page 2
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Clarajo Pleasants is amazed at the caliber of seniors who have passed through the youth group at Jamestown Presbyterian Church during the past 26 years. Students who are bright, engaged in school, community and church activities and exhibit strong leadership skills. During this time, 39 young people have received a total of $76,500 through the Lane Pleasants Memorial Scholarship. The latest scholarships were awarded during Senior Day at the June 8 JPC worship service. A display board highlighted pictures and news articles of past recipients, waiting
about town
Haynes-Inman hosts special guests