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
JULY 22-28, 2026 vol 48 no 30 | 1 section | 6 pages
Planning Board approves LDO amendments It did not take long for the Jamestown Planning Board to unanimously approve proposed text amendment updates to the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) at a public hearing held July 13. The updates relate to Articles 3 Definitions, 7 Permits and Procedures and 18 Flood Damage Prevention regarding Flood Damage prevention for
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Compliance and adoption of revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). The meeting lasted less than a half hour. “The proposed text amendment updates the Flood Damage Prevention regulations, related definitions, and references to incorporate FEMA and North Carolina Division of Emergency Management required language,” said Planning Director José
CompiLed By norma B. dennis RED, WHITE & GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITS FIRST RESPONDERS The Jamestown Park Ladies Golf Association is hosting its 1st Annual Member-Guest Charity Golf Tournament — Red, White & Golf — on Sept. 11 at Jamestown Park Golf Course. All proceeds from the event will benefit First Responders of the Triad. Members are looking forward to this special tournament play that helps others. “This is the first time our ladies have held such a benefit,” said Tami Eade, president of the group. But hole sponsors are needed to make the tournament a success. For a donation of $100, your business, family or organization will be recognized with a custom 18x18-inch sponsor sign displayed on one of the 18 tee boxes during the tournament. Sponsorship not only supports one of the largest amateur women’s golf leagues in the area and but also honors the brave first responders who serve their local communities. The deadline to participate as a sponsor is July 31. Contact Christine Sullivan at csullivan0524@gmail.com. SUMMER SATURDAY VENDOR POP-UP MARKET Cakes By B’s Blue House Bakery and Potent Potables, located at 113 and 115 East Main Street, Jamestown, will host a summer pop-up market July 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. In addition to live music, expect to find a variety of vendors, such as woodworking, apparel, artwork (drawings), handmade stickers, jewelry, seashell art and décor, permanent jewelry, mental health apparel and accessories, crochet art, handcrafted candles and wax melts, self-care items and chair massages. MARKET ON MAIN Weekly Market on Main events are held each Saturday in the parking lot of The Manor on Main, at 206 E. Main Street. Featured are fresh produce and several vendors selling crafts and other unique items. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Join your friends and neighbors at Wrenn Miller Park Aug. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. for the annual National Night Out. There will be food trucks available along with other activities. Come enjoy music, food and fellowship. The Jamestown Rotary Club will be collecting school supplies, canned food and backpacks for Jamestown schools. Bring your donations and drop them off at the Rotary tent that night. 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
Colón. “These updates are necessary for the Town to maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and remain eligible for participation in the program, including the availability of federally-backed flood insurance. “The proposed ordinance revisions include updates to the definition section, floodplain administration procedures, permitting requirements, development standards and enforcement
provisions to align with FEMA’s current non-coastal model Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for North Carolina communities. The amendments also incorporate updated terminology, revised floodplain management practices and administrative provisions recommended by the State NFIP Branch.” Failure to adopt the updated maps before Aug. 21, 2026, would result in suspension from the NFIP until the maps are adopted,
according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. The state required an approved amendment of the LDO and revised maps by the Town Council to satisfy the requirement. There were no public comments during the public hearing and very few comments by Board members other than approval. The Town Council held a public hearing July 21 during their regular meeting to consider the amendments. A hard copy of the
updated floodplain maps and study is available at Town Hall for anyone who would like to review them in person. They also may be viewed on www.jamestown-nc.gov under Documents, Planning or at https:// tinyurl.com/37aank3f. The amendments are also available in the July 13 Planning Board packet on the Town’s website. The meeting may be viewed at www.youtube.com/c/ TownofJamestownNC. Click on “Live.”
County offers Ragsdale students among recipients of White Scholarship low-income By norma B. dennis FreeLanCe writer ndworddesign@gmail.com Braylon Louis and Kyle Maness, recent graduates of Ragsdale High School, are among 15 recipients of the 2026 William J. White Scholarship. The scholarship fund was established in 1980 following White’s death from cancer. In 1965, White was responsible for starting Colt baseball for local rising high school players. He was inducted into the 2010 Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame for his various contributions to youth. The scholarships are awarded to former Colt Leaguers who are entering a college or university. The criteria include academic excellence, exemplary citizenship and financial need. Bobby Dawson was the first recipient in 1981 and since then 345 additional scholarships have been awarded, including those this year. For Louis, the son of Jesse and Morgan Louis, organized baseball is pretty much a thing of the past. But it is something he will always remember. “I enjoyed my teammates and coaches,” he said. “They made the expe-
rience fun. Sports in general are a great way to get your mind off things going on in the world. You get to meet others that enjoy the same things you do who you would not meet otherwise.” Louis has played baseball since he was in kindergarten. Through the years he also participated in football and basketball. “Whatever sport I was playing at the moment was my favorite,” Louis said with a laugh. “But of all of them, I probably liked baseball best.” As a freshman at Ragsdale, Louis played first base, but was later moved to right and center outfield. He played Colt baseball the summers of his junior and senior year. In the fall, he will be attending North Carolina State University where he plans to major in mechanical engineering. “I am thankful for the opportunity to get the (White) scholarship for something I enjoyed doing,” he said. “It will be useful, especially going to State.” Having a dad as a baseball coach at Ragsdale High School, an uncle who
homeowner assistance By CaroL BrooKs FreeLanCe writer cab1hp@gmail.com
Photos submitted
(above) Braylon Louis has fond memories of his past participation in baseball, but looks forward to a new chapter in his life as he begins studies at north Carolina state University. (Below) Kyle maness loves the game of baseball and is excited at the prospect of continuing to play the sport for Guilford technical Community College.
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The Guilford County Department of Social services is accepting applications for a grant program to provide support to low-income homeowners. Grant funding will be provided to qualifying homeowners to help address rising homeownership costs and their impact on low-income homeowners. Applicants who meet the criteria will be eligible for a onetime grant payment paid directly to the homeowner. Qualifying residents whose county tax bills increased over a certain period would be eligible to receive a grant for the difference. As an example, a home whose tax value increased from $200,000 to $250,000 between 2021 and 2025 would get a check for $356 — the amount that a property owner's county tax bill went up during the period. Grants will be available to residents 65 and older for the first 30 days of the program, which began July 15. After that, then all qualifying residents may apply. Funds will be granted in the order in which complete applications are received until funds are exhausted. Qualifying residents age 65 and above may apply July 15-Aug. 15 and all qualifying residents may apply Aug. 16-Oct. 31. To be eligible, several criteria must be met: see HomeoWner, paGe 2
Planning Board approves LDO amendments By CaroL BrooKs FreeLanCe writer cab1hp@gmail.com It did not take long for the Jamestown Planning Board to unanimously approve proposed text amendment updates to the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) at a public hearing held July 13. The updates relate to Articles 3 Definitions, 7 Permits and Procedures and 18 Flood Damage Prevention regarding Flood Damage prevention for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Compliance and adoption of revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). The meeting lasted less than a half hour. “The proposed text amendment updates the Flood Damage Prevention regulations, related definitions, and references to incorporate FEMA and North Carolina Division of Emergency Management required language,” said Planning Director José Colón. “These updates are necessary for the Town to maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and remain eligible for participation in the program, including the availability of federally-backed flood insurance. “The proposed ordinance revisions include updates to the definition section, floodplain administration procedures, permitting requirements, development standards
look at the driver
Photo by Carol Brooks
Wonder if the cat driving this car was taking himself to the veterinarian. i sat behind this car for several minutes at the stop light and the head turned several times. still looked like a cat. When the light changed i managed to get up beside the car at the next light. it was a woman with a cat ears headband! she must really love cats. that would have been a really big cat!
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By CaroL BrooKs FreeLanCe writer cab1hp@gmail.com