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
JanUarY 22-28, 2025 Vol 47 No 4 | 1 Section | 6 Pages
EPa issues action order, could step in to reduce 1,4-dioxane By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com A wastewater discharge permit case in Asheboro could have a future impact on the Triad’s water supply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling for tougher state action to limit 1,4-dioxane, a cancer-causing chemical, into the state’s drink-
ing water. The action follows the proposed wastewater discharge permit for the city of Asheboro. The Agency recently sent a letter to Richard Rogers, director of the Division of Water Resources of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and copied to Michael Rhoney, water resources director of the City of Asheboro, demanding “the reinstatement of
strict effluent limits,” according to WRAL. If the DEQ does not comply with a revised permit request within 90 days, the EPA could step in. NCDEQ had submitted a permit request for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) on Oct. 7 of last year. After an initial review, the EPA objected to the permit later in the month.
“The original permit contained a water quality-based effluent limit (WQBEL) for the toxic pollutant 1,4-dioxane,” the EPA letter read. [Effluent means wastewater.] The new permit deleted the WQBEL. “In his decision, the [N.C.] Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) Administrative Law Judge determined ‘the 1,4-dioxane effluent discharge limitations is VOID AND UNENFORCE-
ABLE. All other conditions remain enforceable,’ (capitalization, bolding and underlining contained in original decision). The proposed permit currently under review by the EPA implements the OAH decision and does not contain a limitation on the discharge of 1,4-dioxane.” The EPA remarked that removing the 1,4-dioxane effluent limits could violate the Clean Water Act, which
“effluent limits as stringent as necessary to meet state water quality standards.” The Clean Water Act states, “the concentration of toxic substances, either alone or in combination with other wastes, in surface waters shall not render waters injurious to aquatic life or wildlife, recreational activities, or public health, nor shall it impair the see ePa, PAGe 2
rotary members honor parade winners BUDGET MEETING The Jamestown Town Council will begin the budget process for fiscal year 2025-26 during a special meeting Thursday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. in the Civic Center at Town Hall, 301 E. Main St. The purpose of the meeting is for the Council to discuss updating the Town’s Strategic Plan, to set goals for the upcoming fiscal year and to begin discussions on the budget. The public is invited to attend. SHERIFF’S OFFICE CITIZENS ACADEMY The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is offering a Citizens Academy every Thursday Feb. 13 to April 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Subjects covered include gang awareness, mental health, drug addition, K9 training, traffic stops, identity theft/ fraud and scams, firearms simulator, crime scene investigations, detention and SERT team. Contact Stg. Almonor at aalmono@ guilfordcountync.gov or 336-641-5313. 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
By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com It is probably safe to say that by midJanuary most people are no longer thinking about Christmas and have moved on to other holidays. But Christmas was very much on the minds of Jamestown Rotary Club members as they gathered at the Jamestown Park Clubhouse on Jan. 14 to celebrate winners of the 2024 Christmas parade. Judges at the parade included Jamestown Council members. Mayor Lynn Montgomery and parade Grand Marshal Martin Senell presented plaques to representatives from winners in four categories. Magic Feet Dance Company won the Best Decorated Float award, which was accepted by owner Kody Farrington. Located in the Jamestown Shopping Center, the studio has 11 instructors – including Farrington – and 300 students, 220 of which participated in the parade. “We had three floats in addition to students who danced their way down the street,” Farrington said. “We created a jazz routine specifically for the parade.” Magic Feet Dance Company has been in business in the area for 23 years, but moved its location to Jamestown two years ago. It has participated in the Jamestown Christmas parade both years since moving and has won each year. New Bethel Baptist Church on Montlieu Avenue in High Point garnered the Best Holiday Spirit award. Stephanie Mason, whose husband Sherman is pastor of the church, designed a float using a candyland theme. Joyce McBride, one of the youth advisors at the church, accepted the award and acknowledged some of the many youth participating in the parade who were at the awards celebration. The youth serenaded the crowd with Christmas songs as the float traveled the parade route. Some youth also carried a banner sharing the name of their church. It was the second year the church participated in the parade. “Last year we just used our church bus,” McBride said. “For this parade (2024) we opted to use a float. Next year we plan to enter another float.” see PaRade, PAGe 2
Parade photos submitted
Martin senell and Lynn Montgomery presented Christmas parade winners with plaques at the Jan. 14 Rotary Club meeting. Best Holiday spirit — new Bethel Baptist Church, Joyce McBride and senell (at right).
Best Holiday Performance — Jamestown Pipes and drums, suzann Hedgecock and senell (at right).
Best decorated Float — Magic Feet dance Company, Montgomery and Kody Farrington (at right).
Best decorated Vehicle — Tommy davison’s Red Volkswagen with decorated trailer, Montgomery and Billy dye (at right).
Law school student attended inauguration
railroad moved the center of Jamestown
By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
A presidential inauguration only happens every four years. While anyone can get up early and join the masses in Washington, D.C., for the swearing in or to line up along the parade route, photos taken will be of tiny figures in the distance. But for those fortunate to receive an invitation to the
Had it not been for the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR), Jamestown as we know it today would never have existed. The town would most likely have stayed centered in its original location, west of Deep River around the West Main/Scientific streets intersection. Without the railroad bringing business and com-
see sCHOOL, PAGe 2
Award photos by Norma B. Dennis
Photo courtesy of Georgia Nixon
Georgia nixon (right) attended the Inaugural Ball with students from Campbell Law school and friends from Georgetown.
see RaILROad, PAGe 4
Photo courtesy Lynn Montgomery
Jamestown Mayor Lynn Montgomery once drove the rebuilt J class steam engine 611, which she says was a wreck when it arrived at spencer shops. The engine still rides the rails at times, announcing its arrival in communities with a noisy whistle and smoke.
adVErtisE in tHE JamEstOWn nEWs! We offer great, affordable packages to fit any budget. Call 336-316-1231.
50¢
COMPILed By CaROL BROOKs