Eric Potts does all the little things to bring DCCC Storm success.
Inside Today
THOMASVILLE
Columnist Marilyn Taylor pauses to reflect on the significance of the Greensboro sit-in.
Times
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
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Welcome firefighter honored by state
Reports show progress in lowering dropout rate BY ERIN WILTGEN
BY ERIN WILTGEN Staff Writer
Staff Writer
In a profession charged with saving the lives of citizens, Welcome resident Jonathan Sowers developed a firefighting training program aimed at protecting the lives of his own comrades. And he has been honored for it by the state. Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin announced Wednesday that Sowers, a training specialist in the Department’s Fire and Rescue Training and Inspection Division, received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Innovations. “Congratulations to Jonathan for his great work in educating and training our first responders,” Goodwin said. “The course he developed will go a long way in helping firefighters understand what they’re dealing with when they enter a burning structure.” The training program, called Understanding Building Construction, focuses on the different types of building structures and the strategies for fighting fires in each type. It also covers how to read smoke, advanced fire behavior, fire protection systems and the engineering of building construction. “Buildings that are built today are built with engineer construction which falls a lot quicker now,” said Sowers, a three year-
lot of what the bigger guys can’t handle.” One of those bigger guys is Larry Walker & Sons, Inc., located at 5915 Surrett Drive in High Point. Robbie Walker, one of the shop’s co-owners, said his business has already repaired five vehicles damaged from weather-related accidents and expects more to come in over the next week. Some of the repairs Walker has seen so far includes damaged bumpers and quarter panels, realignments and busted headlights. “A lot of them have fender benders or where someone went into a ditch and had to be pulled out,” Walker said. “People are
The Davidson County Board of Education met Wednesday to assess school progress and discuss issues focusing on the improvement of academic achievement. A significant decline in the number of students labeled W2 — or students who have left school with the intent to drop out — has left administrators pleased with efforts to improve student success. “I want to commend our principals and our guidance counselors in all that they are doing with students,” said Sandi Lee, assistant superintendent for curriculum. “We are very proud of this data.” For all seven Davidson County high schools, the number of W2-coded students recorded in the fourth month dropped from 117 in the 2008-09 school year to 104 in the 2009-10 school year, moving from 1.93 percent of the student body to 1.72 percent. West Davidson High School and South Davidson High School both have less than 10 dropouts. “Looking internally as well as externally at who we are and who is providing exemplary performance is an important part of our initiative,” said DCS Superintendent Fred Mock. High school guidance counselors have worked hard to tailor individual programs for struggling
See STORM, Page 12
See PROGRESS, Page 12
See HONORED, Page 4
TIMES PHOTO/ELIOT DUKE
Ronnie Walker of Larry Walker & Sons Body Shop Wednesday inspects damages on a vehicle wrecked during last weekend’s winter storm.
Storm Aftermath Area body shops busy after weekend snow and ice BY ELIOT DUKE Staff Writer Icy roads and driving never mix. With state and local officials reporting dozens of weather-related traffic accidents from this past weekend’s winter snowstorm, the number of banged up vehicles in the area is plenty. For every busted bumper or smashed quarter panel, there is a body shop ready to do the repairs. In the aftermath of this past storm, work is beginning to trickle in at several area body shops who are eager for the extra work. “I could sure use it,” Rodney Thrift, owner of Rodney Thrift Body and Paint on Ball Park Road, said. “Its been kind of
slow lately, but I expect to be getting some calls once people start getting out more.” Road conditions are gradually improving as city workers continue scraping and plowing what is now more of a slushy, icy mix. Thrift, whose shop has operated in Thomasville for almost 50 years, feels business will pick up once people feel more comfortable getting back on the roads. While he doesn’t expect a lot of business to come his way, Thrift said that with only two employees, a little can go a long way. “I’m too old to be working that hard,” said Thrift. “Twenty years ago, I would’ve taken every job I could get my hands on. Most of my customers have been with me for a long time. We’ll get a
Local man brings big city hot spot to downtown BY ELIOT DUKE Staff Writer
Thomasville native Zac Rickard saw firsthand how a classy night spot can improve a city’s downtown. While working as a Disc Jockey in Greensboro, Rickard witnessed the transformation of a relatively dead downtown into a revitalized district where night life flourished. Rickard hopes the same will happen in his hometown. Last month, Rickard, 27, opened the Greyhound Lounge at 18 Salem St. and on Friday will be
‘I just want to bring a big downtown atmosphere night spot to a small town.’ — Zac Rickard Greyhound Lounge owner holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Chair City’s latest hot spot for those who enjoy having a good time after hours. “I thought I could hope-
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fully help Thomasville out and do the same thing for it that others have done in other cities,” Rickard said. “I just want to bring a big downtown atmosphere night spot to a small town.” Rickard came up with the idea after selling his share of a phone company he founded. In May 2007, Rickard began leasing the property that was once an old pawn shop that had been vacant for years. Nearly three years and just about every major renovation imaginable later, the Greyhound
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LIL’ BIT PREDICTS
Lexington’s Lil’ Bit did not see her shadow on ‘Groundhawgs’ Day, meaning springlike weather is on the way. Puxatawny Phil, however, expects six more weeks of winter. Which will offer the best prediction? Only time will tell.
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