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
SEPT. 2-8, 2026
Vol 48 No 36 | 1 Section | 6 Pages
Main Street Corridor Committee meets, plans BY CAROL BROOKS FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com
What could Main Street in Jamestown look like in the future? What can be done to attract not only shoppers but businesses as well? Do you envision trees, a roundabout at Guilford Road, a lower speed limit? That was the topic of the Main Street Corridor Study Steering Committee project kickoff meeting Aug. 27. Led by Adam Fischer and Travis Cook, project manager and deputy project manager respectively with Stantec. The purpose was to align the Town and consultants on goals, scope, decision-making, data needs, engagement, schedule, deliverables and immediate next steps.
Committee members include Alison Falls, Susan Stringer, Andrew Edmonds of the HPMPO, Planning Technician Gordon Holton, Councilmember Jim Westmoreland, Public Services Director Paul Blanchard, Town Manager Matthew Johnson and Planning Director José Colón. The study was approved in March of this year but a similar study also was done in 2020-21 by Jamestown’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Some committee members were also on an earlier Main Street Corridor Committee. Similar plans were the 2010 Pedestrian Plan, 2022 Bicycle Pedestrian Committee and 2023 Vision Comprehensive Plan. The corridor study encompasses both sides
of East and West Main Street, from Teague Drive (including Jamestown United Methodist Church) to properties at the intersection with Ragsdale Road. Fischer planned to go over several agenda topics but committee members began discussion without looking at his agenda. Agenda topics included: Project Purpose, Background & Measures of Success: Scope of Work & Deliverable Expectations; Existing Conditions, Data, & Field Review; Stakeholder & Public Engagement Strategy; Technical Approach & Alternatives Development; Schedule, Milestones & Quality Control; and Immediate Next Steps. “This is something to further identify James-
town,” Fischer said. Cook noted when he came into town from Raleigh and crossed the railroad, he knew he was in Jamestown. “Jamestown is quaint,” he added. There are several obstacles to Main Street planning, including the downhill slant, lack of trees and parking for visitors and shoppers. “There is plenty of parking but people won’t walk,” said Susan Stringer of The Soap Lady. She mentioned the two curves in the street that often obstruct motorists’ views of pedestrians crossing at those points. Fischer said the town would need to educate people where the parking is located. SEE STREET, PAGE 2
Murder in Grandover COMPILED BY NORMA B. DENNIS FRIDAY NIGHT KINDERGARTEN LIGHTS The Ragsdale High School Friday night football game on Aug. 28 was truly a night of celebration. The first class in the school’s newly established Hall of Fame was introduced. They included Bill Clarke, Coach Brian Braswell, Coach Tommy Norwood, Coach Andy Chappell, Coach Mike Raybon, Jacob Creed, Jesse Creed, Kathy Dick, Mark Dixon, Toney Baker, Prince Deese, Shorty Rickman, Siri Mullinix and Rickey Adams. The graduating class of 2039 was also recognized. All kindergarteners from Millis Road Elementary School and their families received free tickets for the night’s game. Before kickoff, the students were able to warm up with the football team, meet the cheerleaders and marching band and run through the tunnel with the team. The idea for Kindergarten Night was a way to begin building connections among students and get families excited about being future Tigers. FUN ON THE FARM A Moment In Time celebration on Sept. 15 is all about the farm as participants enjoy special music by Alan Teichman and Molly Stoutman. There also will be lots of “Down on the Farm” activities to highlight the month’s theme. SEE ABOUT TOWN, PAGE 6
BY CAROL BROOKS FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com
Most days, the Grandover neighborhood adjacent to Jamestown is a nice, quiet upscale neighborhood with two golf courses. But gunfire recently erupted on a calm evening resulting in the death of two residents. Greensboro police responded to 15 Creswell Court Aug. 23 around 6:45 p.m. Police discovered the body of Kathryn Binkley of the home and a seriously-injured Margaret Collins. Collins died the next day of her injuries. The women were friends and were talking in Binkley’s front yard. Michael Wade Hargett, Collins’ neighbor, was charged with the murders. After a standoff and negotiations, Hargett, who had barricaded himself in his house, was taken into custody. He was treated at a
Parkinson’s Disease Gathering scheduled for October BY NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
Old Mill of Guilford sold
Photo courtesy Greensboro Police
Michael Wade Hargett was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. hospital for a self-inflected gunshot wound. His condition was unknown at this writing. Hargett was charged with first-degree murder. He had received a misdemeanor domestic violence in June. That charge was dismissed in July. He also had a violation of a previous domestic violence protective order. No motive for the shootings was given.
BY CAROL BROOKS FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com
It is an icon along Hwy. 68 near Oak Ridge in Guilford County. The historic Old Mill of Guilford (or Bailes’ Old Mill) has stood on that site since 1822. The grist mill is powered by an overshot wheel, painted red like the building’s trim. For 50 of those 204 years,
Jamestown’s Annie Laura Perdue has worked at the grist mill, most of them as manager and 19 of those as miller with owners Amy and Darrell Klug, who purchased the mill in 2008. Perdue recently retired. (See Jamestown News Aug. 19, 2026.) But now the mill has new owners – but they are probably familiar to the mill’s patrons. SEE MILL, PAGE 2
Support for cancer patients is as close as Cancer GPS BY NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
When Carol Kerr had the idea to create a walk to benefit Parkinson’s research in memory of John “Bulldog” Hamil, a fellow church member at Jamestown Presbyterian Church who dealt with Parkinson’s for six years, it is not likely she envisioned how far that Photos courtesy of www.hkcfoundationforparkinsons.org idea would go. Now, the PD Gatherings offer exercise, activities and an opporwalk that started in 2006 on tunity to connect with others who face the challengthe track at Ragsdale High es of Parkinson’s. School has grown into a challenge featuring a walk, run and bicycle fundraiser to benefit local Parkinson’s patients, as well as provide free monthly support meetings and quarterly gatherings. The next gathering, which includes those with Parkinson’s and their care partners, will be held Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m at Jamestown SEE GATHERING, PAGE 6
Photo courtesy Old Mill of Guilford
The Old Mill of Guilford as seen through the culvert under Hwy. 68.
Life is a journey. But a diagnosis of cancer becomes a detour along the way that no one expects or wants, one that, none-the-less, must be navigated. Cancer GPS can help direct that detour, guiding one through the unexpected twists Photo by Norma B. Dennis and turns that suddenly Mike Jones and Winnett become part of life’s norm. Ellen recently gave a Many people are presentation to familiar with the GPS that members of the helps travelers find their way from one destination Jamestown Rotary Club about Cancer GPS, a nonto another. This GPS profit that supports cancer patients, survivors and (Guide Posts of Strength) caregivers through their cancer journey. helps cancer patients from their first diagnosis to treatment and “GPS makes sure no one has to face to handling side effects and survivorship, cancer alone without a guide,” said providing patients and caregivers alike with Ellen Winnett. “It focuses on all types of encouragement and hope. cancer and includes caregivers as part of Dr. Bernard Chinnasami, a board- the journey. GPS cannot take away the certified oncologist and medical director challenges of cancer, but it can make it at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist easier.” Hayworth Cancer Center in High Point, started the 501(c)(3) organization in 2009. SEE GPS, PAGE 4
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