Wendell News Outlet

Informational News of interest for the citizens in and around Wendell, North Carolina. Postings on this site are the property of Glenn Harris and cannot be copied without express written permission. Archives are listed at the bottom of the home page.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Friday Update

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

Friday, October 29, 2010

ITEM 1. INFORMATION SESSION ON BATTLE BRIDGE ROAD CLOSURE

NCDOT will hold a public information meeting concerning the closure of Battle Bridge Road that leads from Wendell Boulevard to Eagle Rock. NCDOT representatives attended a Board of Commissioners meeting and said the decision to close the road was based on the condition of the bridge. These officials said the bridge was deemed unsafe for trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles to cross. DOT said the bridge was too costly to repair and/or replace.

The Board has taken a position against the bridge closure as has the Planning Board and Chamber of Commerce.

NCDOT will hold a public information meeting for area citizens on Thursday, November 4 at 5 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Hephzibah Church to explain the state’s plans to permanently close Battle Bridge Road.

All citizens having an interest or who may be affected by this adverse decision should attend and share their concerns.

ITEM 2. HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. This way you can check for any problem candy.

Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car.

Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

Children should always go out trick or treating accompanied by a responsible adult.

Because of increased foot traffic and the many children out on Halloween, the potential for automobile related accidents with young pedestrians increases four times on this night according to a CDC (Center for Disease Control) study, so……

Pay extra attention, particularly to crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Kids tend to walk along the curbs, cutting across the street to get to other homes. Keep scanning all around you as you drive, whether as thru traffic or along with your kids as they trick-or-treat.

Drive below the posted speed limit in residential areas during trick-or-treating.

Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway, they could be dropping off children. This is more common in rural areas but can happen anywhere.

If you are dropping off or picking up your kids in an area, pull off the road into a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists.

More tips can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/

ITEM 3. LAST DAY OF SEASON FOR FARMER’S MARKET

The Wendell Farmer’s Market will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Wendell Woman’s Club at the corner of West Third and Cypress Streets. This Saturday will be the final farmer’s market of the season.

ITEM 4. PUBLIC MEETINGS HELD ON RECREATION/OPEN SPACE

The Recreation and Leisure Studies class from East Carolina held two public meetings this week in an effort to further identify the recreation, parks and open space needs for the citizens of Wendell. In both meetings the class received a tremendous amount of feedback from citizens that will prove to be valuable as they continue the development of the comprehensive master plan. The target date for the first review and rewrite of this important document is November 20. The Parks and Recreation Department hopes to be able to take advantage of future grant opportunities and having an adopted comprehensive master plan in place is one of the major items that most applications require. About 30 members of the community, in addition to town staff and the ECU students, took part in the meetings.

ITEM 5. BAND PLAYING TONIGHT DOWNTOWN

As part of its grand opening festivities Ty Grey Consignment & Resale will have a live band downtown. Cabin Fever will play from 7 to 10 p.m. at the store located at 16 East Third St.

ITEM 6. EASTERN WAKE COUNTY CRIMESTOPPERS

Eastern Wake CRIMESTOPPERS is offering $200 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved in the damage to property that occurred in the Wendell’s Downtown Business District. If you have information or know anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest, please call 366-2746 (CRIME).

Eastern Wake Crimestoppers is seeking individuals that are interested in serving. Anyone interested, contact Mike Anders at andersmike54@yahoo.com

ITEM 7. PARKS & RECREATION WEEKLY UPDATE

The Wendell Community Center hosted the Expressions of Worship dance classes on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, the Carolina Twirl Girls baton class on Wednesday. The Crimestoppers held a meeting on Tuesday night. On Thursday night the 10-11 Home Team Sports Baseball team celebrated their great fall season with a pizza party!

The Church League Basketball Tournament concluded Thursday night. At 6:30pm the Disciples defeated Northside Community 50-43 to advance to the finals. The second semi-final matchup was at 7:30pm between Knightdale Baptist and Central Baptist came down to who would hit their free throws in the end. With less than twenty seconds left in the game Knightdale Baptist made two free throws to give them a three point lead. Central Baptist inbounded the ball, advanced to half court and called a timeout to setup the final attempt to push the game into overtime. The final shot was taken from behind the arc in the corner and as the buzzer sounded Knightdale Baptist took the hard fought victory 56-53 to advance to the finals against the Disciples. In the finals the game was close throughout. During the final seconds of the game the Disciples put up a buzzer beater to claim the Championship by a score of 52-50! Congratulations to the Disciples on the victory!

As for the outdoor programs, the youth tennis class hosted by Kelley Connolly met this week for their final week of practicing and learning new tennis techniques! There were several youth softball teams that held practices this week as they prepare for the last tournaments of the year.

This week the Wendell Parks and Recreation Department and the ECU Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies held two public meetings to gather public feedback on current and future parks and recreation programs and facilities. On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the meeting was held at Wendell Town Hall at 7:00pm. There were twenty two people in attendance. On Thursday, October 28, 2010, there were 33 people in attendance. The student from ECU led the meeting and asked a series of questions. The data was documented and will be used for the development of the Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan. Each citizen shared there opinions on the Wendell Parks and Recreation Department. They discussed the current programs and facilities, as well as what programs and facilities they would like to have.

We welcome you to join us on Saturday morning at Wendell Park as East Wake High School and Wendell Parks and Recreation will be hosting the 2010 NCHSAA 4A Regional Cross Country Championship! According to the latest report we will be having athletes from over 26 high schools representing the Mideastern, Mid-South, Southeastern and Greater Neuse River Conferences coming into our community this Saturday! The coaches meeting will be held at 9:00am, the men’s race will be at 10:00am, the ladies race will be at 11:00am and the awards ceremony will be at 12:15pm.

The Wendell Community Center will be hosting a Quinceanera this Saturday evening, October 30, 2010. There will also be a free girl’s fast pitch softball clinic by Phil Hocutt on Saturday from 10am-12pm at Carver Field 1 for girls ages 7-10.

In more Wendell Parks and Recreation news, it is once again time for the men to step up to the annual challenge of the Polar Bear Men’s Slow Pitch Wood Bat Softball Tournament. The 2010 Men's Slow Pitch Softball 5th Annual Polar Bear Wood Bat Tournament is set for November 13-14, 2010! Are you a great hitter? Do you hit home runs like no other? We invite you to put your skills to the test and prove that you can do it with the wood bat! That's right, no aluminum, no titanium and no composite bats allowed! Every fall we take a step back into time and host the only tournament where defense can win championships in the game of slow pitch softball. Give us a call at 366-2266 to get your team in today! Entry fee will be $200 and all proceeds go to upgrades within the Wendell Parks and Recreation Department. Every year participants say they had the best time playing in this tournament! It is fun, exciting and a challenge! Play Ball and hear the "CRACK of the Wood Bat"!

ITEM 8. PARKS & REC SCORES FROM THIS WEEK

Weekly Scores for Church League Basketball

Monday, October 25, 2010

7:00pm Northside Community 40 Zebulon Baptist 26

8:00pm Knightdale 55 VS Green Pines 46

Thursday, October 28, 2010

6:30pm Disciples 50 Northside 43
7:30pm Knightdale 56 Central Baptist 53

9:00pm Disciples 52 Knightdale 50

ITEM 9. DOWNTOWN INFORMATION EXCHANGE

On Monday, October 18th, the Wendell Police Department held a second Downtown Information Exchange. Approximately 15 citizens/business owners were in attendance.

Each item discussed at the August meeting was reviewed with progress given on each item. Citizens noted the increased patrols downtown and also were familiar with the $200 reward made possible through the Eastern Wake Crime Stoppers concerning property damage. A PowerPoint presentation concerning crime statistics and juvenile crime/victimization was also presented.

The citizens were urged to form a Downtown Business Community Watch as well as to seek involvement in the Eastern Wake Crime Stoppers Board.

Quarterly meetings were agreed upon with the next meeting planned for the end of January 2011 (Date TBA).

ITEM 10. DOWNTOWN GRAFFITI

The downtown district was vandalized with graffiti this past week at Wendell Printing and Teddy’s Pizza. The town’s gang officer, Larry Franklin, has talked with merchant’s downtown. The Police Department continues to work the case.

The Police Department asks that people are especially aware of any suspicious activity in the area. For any information regarding the graffiti or other vandalism downtown, contact the Wendell Police Department at 365-4444.

ITEM 11. NCDOT ASKS FOR FEEDBACK ON PRIORITIES

Starting next month, citizens can help the N.C. Department of Transportation decide how to improve its project priority process.

NCDOT will hold four meetings across the state in November where the public can offer suggestions on the way the department’s 10-year work program for transportation projects is determined. The input gathered at the “listening sessions” will help shape an updated strategic prioritization process that will set criteria for deciding which projects will be included in future work programs.

Input will be received both through an online survey (due back to NCDOT by November 16) and/or through attendance at one of the regional listening sessions. The Raleigh-area session will be held November 8 at 9 a.m. at the RDU Airport Authority, 1000 Trade Drive. When entering the airport, follow the signs for rental car return. At the stop sign turn left and then the RDU Center will be the first building on the left.

For more information, including how to sign up, contact Alpesh Patel at agpatel@ncdot.gov or (919)715-8717.

ITEM 12. TTA RIDERSHIP NUMBERS

Ridership on the Zebulon-Wendell Express bus service was 1,667 for the month of September 2010. The Triangle Transit Authority service runs from Zebulon and Wendell to Wake Med hospital. Currently service runs Monday through Friday.

ITEM 13. STEP LIVELY BENEFITS HOSPICE

Join more than 250 other walkers for a 2-mile stroll in beautiful west Raleigh. The mid-point of the walk is Hospice of Wake County's new 8.7 acre campus on Trinity Road. To register online, visit www.StepLivelyForHospice.com and click one of the "Register" links. Registration will be open until the morning of the walk, November 6.

In just the past five years, Hospice of Wake County has cared for almost 9,900 patients. In addition, they cared for approximately 4,000 family members through the Horizons Grief Center, their bereavement program.

For more information or to register by phone, contact Kelly Hughes or Patricia Denz at 828-0890.

WALK FAST FACTS

When: November 6, 11 am (festivities begin at 9 am and last 'til 2 pm)

Where: Town Square at Wade - across from the RBC Center in Raleigh

What: 2-mile walk to, from, and for Hospice of Wake County

How: Participate as an individual, team or enjoy the festivities

Who: Adults and Children. Service animals welcome.

Food: Coffee offered in the morning; post-walk a pork barbeque sandwich will be available with fixings and a drink for only $5.

ITEM 14. CHAMBER EVENTS

November 5, The Kila Company will host Friday Night Jazz at 28 N. Main. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.

November 6 there will be a ribbon cutting at The Little Bakery & Café on Main Street at 11 a.m. Also that day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wits End will hold its holiday open house. The Flower Shop is also scheduled to hold its open house that day.

November 9 is the Wendell Chamber Annual Banquet. The event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center. Call the chamber office for reservations.

November 10, Wendell Town Commissioner Christie Adams will speak for the Wendell Chamber Women in Business at El Cerro at noon.

Wendell t-shirts and hoodies are available from the chamber. T-shirts are $15 and hoodies (with zipper) are $30.

ITEM 15. UPCOMING EVENTS

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

11/8 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting Town Hall

11/15 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting Town Hall

11/22 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting Town Hall

posted by Administrator # 10:00 AM

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