electrician in Waxhaw, NC

WAXHAW – Much has changed since Blair Israel began studying pedestrian activity in Waxhaw more than 10 years ago.

The senior planner remembers how the town was about half the size it is today. Back then, Israel said he single-handedly drafted the Waxhaw Pedestrian Plan, which commissioners approved in 2012.

“Since then, we've grown tremendously,” Israel said. “There are there are new issues and much that needs to be addressed and updated.”

Many more people joined Israel to update the plan for 2023. Contributors included a steering committee of stakeholders, town staff, commissioners, planning board members, the N.C. Department of Transportation and experts from consulting firm VHB. They’ve been working on this since November 2021, beginning with a look at existing conditions.

One thing that hasn’t changed over time is the lack of funding for such projects.

The 2012 plan identified 40 sidewalk, 28 trail and 32 crossing projects. The 2023 plans notes about 13% of those projects have been fully or partially completed. Most of those completions were sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.

“Critical sidewalk gaps persist in the downtown, southeast of downtown, along N.C. 16, Waxhaw-Marvin Road, and the larger greenway network,” according to the plan.

“A plan is just a plan,” Israel told commissioners. “A plan is a series of recommendations that elected officials can consider and do project by project or not. So I would love to have seen the

2012 plan more carried out. The vision that's there and the projects that are there – if Waxhaw had been able to do all those projects, it would be a different town. And not just for pedestrians but for car traffic as well because there was a big emphasis in that former plan about road connectivity.”

Israel said these projects take time and money. He told commissioners that what happens with the plan is really up to them and their successors.

The plan explains some of the existing conditions of Waxhaw’s transportation network and evaluates projects for funding.

The projects that rank the highest include pedestrian access to High Rock Drive at Sharon Drive, sidewalk improvements on South Broome Street (from Caldwell to N.C. 75) and Caldwell Street (from South Church to South Providence), and a crossing improvement at N.C. 75 and South Broome Street.

The plan includes visualizations that show how a few of the top 25 projects can be addressed, including underpass greenway connections at Waxhaw-Marvin Road and Kensington Drive, the crossing at Cuthbertson Middle School and a crosswalk at Kinston Drive at N.C. 16.

“This is simply a photoshop exercise where you take the existing facility and say OK what would it be like if this was made safer,” Israel said.

The plan shows attitudes residents have about the current infrastructure.

When asked to rate the town’s sidewalk network, 44% rated them poor or very poor. Another 38% said they were fair.

Of the survey-takers, 46% walk a few times a month, 25% walk several times a week, 14% walk rarely, 12% walk daily and 3% walk never. Unsafe crossings, disconnecting network, unsafe vehicle behavior were identified as the top three barriers to walking.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Oh yeah, I’m writing this recruiting offer story from right across the street from Kinnick Stadium preparing for Oklahoma State vs. Iowa wrestling. Not too far from here in West Des Moines, Iowa Kyle Rakers is an All-State offensive lineman that is starting to attract a lot of recruiting attention in the class of 2024 and now that attention includes an offer from the Cowboys. Oklahoma State offensive line coach Charlie Dickey was on the phone quite a bit on Saturday as they expanded their offers for offensive line prospects to 13. That list now includes Raker as well as North Carolina native Kai Greer and Fort Smith Southside offensive tackle Kobe Branham.

Rakers helped Dowling Catholic High School to the Class 5A semifinals with a 10-2 record and then earned Elite All-State honors from The Des Moines Register as well as All-State from The Des Moines Register and Iowa Print Writers Sports Association. He was also All-Conference and All-District. Rakers is also a 3.81 GPA student.

Junior Season Highlights

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Watching him he starts his blocking usually with a big blow and stymies the defender. He shows great hustle to block multiple defenders on many plays and is able to get downfield. Maybe the best part of his technique is his finish. He puts his targets away the vast majority of the time.

The 6-4, 285-pound Rakers is athletic enough to be a tight end. He has offers now from Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami (Ohio), Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, and UNLV.

Kai Greer is from Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, N.C. The 6-6, 275-pound Greer is athletic and really locks up quickly on his targets and rarely loses them. He is also a big blow blocker on many plays stunning the defender and knowing them off their feet.

The All-Conference, All-County, and All-State honoree has offers from Oklahoma State as well as Appalachian State, Boston College, Coastal Carolina, UConn, Duke, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Penn State, Texas A&M, and Central Florida among others.

Oklahoma State has actually had a player from Waxhaw in the past with deep snapper Marc Yerry of Weddington High School back in 2007.

Junior Season Highlights

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The “no brainer” offer was Kobe Branham of Fort Smith Southside in Arkansas. Branham is a big man at 6-6 and 320-pounds. He is a force and an emerging prospect that has amazing feet. He is big, but he is mobile as he specializes in going side to side and locking up with defenders as well as pulling or going downfield on screens to lay out defenders.

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His offer list is growing with Oklahoma State joining Air Force, Central Arkansas, Charlotte, and Texas A&M. The Power Five duo of Oklahoma State and Texas A&M tells you a lot and insures his list will grow as those are two of the schools well known for evaluations. Both the Cowboys and Aggies have show they will go out of their region and offer prospects that haven’t garnered a lot of offers from other schools early.

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BOONE, N.C. – Five App State student-athletes have been awarded the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) Finish Line Scholarship.

The scholarship was established to assist women student-athletes as they complete final years of competition and receive their degrees. Each recipient of the Finish Line Scholarship was nominated by their athletic program for exemplifying values of leadership, integrity and community. The recipients are McKenzie McCullen (softball), Mary Pierce Barnes (softball), Leah Hurwitz (field hockey), Elizabeth Fuller (cross country/track & field), and Jasmine Donohue (cross country/track & field).

"Working with North Carolina colleges and universities, Blue Cross NC is helping to level the playing field for women athletes," said Cheryl Parquet, Director of Community Engagement and Marketing Activation for Blue Cross NC. "The Finish Line Scholarship program will not only assist the recipient student-athletes, but also support healthier and more inclusive communities across the state."

"Thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina for their support of App State Athletics and our women student-athletes," Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said. "These five scholarship recipients are among the many Mountaineers who excel academically and athletically and pave the way for future generations of women leaders and role models."

Additionally, Blue Cross NC is awarding each scholarship recipients' high school alma mater with funding to support the next generation of women athletes in North Carolina.

McCullen is a senior infielder from Durham, N.C. In her first season with the Mountaineers in 2022 she batted .281 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs, starting in all 52 games for the Black and Gold. "I am so grateful to have received this scholarship from Blue Cross NC," McCullen said. "I am excited to be a leader as a female student-athlete to be a positive influence for those in my community and within my sport. I plan on using my major in psychology to work in the healthcare system once I graduate."

A native of Waxhaw, N.C., Barnes started every game in center field for the Mountaineers and was an All-Sun Belt selection in 2022. She was second on the team in batting at .313, while notching nine doubles and driving in 36 runs on the season. A four-year starter, Barnes returns to the Mountaineers as a graduate student for the 2023 campaign. "I am very honored to receive this scholarship from Blue Cross NC," Barnes said. "I am proud to shine light on the accomplishments of female athletes and I will do my best to be a positive role model."

Hurwitz helped App State Field Hockey to the program's first MAC Championship game appearance in 2022. The junior from Chapel Hill, N.C., played in 22 games this past season, helping the team to a program record-tying 14 wins, including a 10-game winning streak. "I am tremendously honored to have been selected for the Finish Line scholarship," Hurwitz said. "The prospect of being a leader to my teammates and other student-athletes at App State is exciting and I look forward to positively impacting the field hockey team, the art department and my community."

A senior from Broughton, N.C., Fuller was part of the 4x400-meter relay team that placed eighth at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships last spring. She also competed individually in the 400 meters and 800 meters. "I am extremely honored to receive this scholarship from Blue Cross NC," Fuller said. "It makes me even more excited to make a difference in my community, explore future healthcare professions, and lead my fellow student-athletes into the upcoming track season."

Donohue finished fifth at the Sun Belt Championships in the 1,500 meters last spring after posting top-10 finishes earlier in the season at the Charlotte 49er classic and the War Eagle Invitational. She was named the Sun Belt Track Athlete of the Week after clocking a personal best in the 5,000 meters at the Duke Invitational. "I am exceptionally grateful to have received this scholarship from Blue Cross NC," Donohue said. "My leadership contributions to the athletics program here at App State and being among the female athletes will be beneficial to my career in healthcare as a nurse after completing my education at App State. "

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), the leading not-for-profit health plan in North Carolina, is committed to making health care more affordable, easier to navigate and accessible for all. Since 1933, the health insurer has created programs and initiatives to provide North Carolinians the opportunity to be healthy. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Some players take different paths than the norm and it can pay off big.

Former NC State punter Trenton Gill walked-on with the Wolfpack from neighboring Hillborough (N.C.) Cedar Ridge and became an NFL Draft pick. Wide receiver Thayer Thomas hopes to hear his name called in the upcoming NFL Draft after walking-on at NC State from Wake Forest (N.C.) Heritage. He earned a scholarship after one semester.

Current NCSU punter Caden Noonkester could be another success story for the Wolfpack out of Waxhaw (N.C.) Marvin Ridge. Cornelius (N.C.) Hough senior punter

Owen Fehr

is fluid with both Gill and Noonkester’s paths to NC State, and is forging his own.

“They definitely have a history of amazing specialists,” Fehr said. “The majority of places will bring guys in as a walk-on, and you have to work and compete. NC State has an amazing room and group to learn and grow from. It’s a very good opportunity.”

Fehr averaged 45.4 yards on 35 punts with 16 landing inside the 20-yard line and a long of 80. He was one-half of a dynamic kicking duo with Clemson-bound junior kicker Nolan Houser at Hough High.

“Nolan and I go out every day and work out and kick together,” Fehr said. “We played soccer together since we were little kids. He’s the one that helped me get into this, the start of my sophomore year.”

Air Force had offered him and Florida State, Iowa, Elon and Auburn were all trying to get him to unofficially visit and become a preferred walk-on at their programs.

“It was definitely a mix of best opportunity academically and where can I get on the field as soon as I can,” Fehr said.

Fehr is one of several preferred walk-on’s that have joined NC State’s program. The Wolfpack had an unofficial visit set up for players looking to go down that path Jan. 29.

Some had offers from FCS and FBS programs, but elected to attend NC State. Tight end

of Matthews (N.C.) Weddington High had at least 19 offers, and also officially visited Coastal Carolina and new coach Tim Beck, the former NC State offensive coordinator, along with Mercer.

“I wanted to stay close to home and my parents, so that was a big part of it,” Reimer said. “I got into all the recruiting stuff late because it was my first year playing tight end. I was late to the whole thing, but I was blessed with an offer to be a PWO.

“I am going to a big program and will get to work. I will bet on myself. I know I’ll eventually be their guy.”

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Reimer had all three military programs offer him — Air Force, Army and Navy — plus Ivy League offers from Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth and Brown. Charlotte and Old Dominion joined Coastal Carolina in offering him from the FCS.

Reimer broke out his senior year with 53 catches for 651 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games played for Weddington. He had played linebacker at around 215 pounds in the past for Weddington, but then had a growth spurt.

New offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who also coaches the tight ends and inside receivers, definitely intrigued Reimer. Another key person who helped in the process was former prep teammate Will Shipley, a rising junior running back for Clemson.

“Shipley and I are pretty close and he’s kind of guided me through it,” said Reimer, who will major in business. “We have a lot of family that lives in that area [Raleigh].”

Several key players for NCISAA Division I state champion Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day elected to bypass on FCS offers to walk-on at bigger programs such as NC State, Michigan or East Carolina. Two in particular picked the Wolfpack — outside linebacker

Keyaan Abdul-Rahim

and wide receiver

Jayden Hollar

. The latter was offered late by the new staff at Charlotte, after he caught 34 passes for 529 yards and six touchdowns.

The 6-foot, 205-pounder Abdul-Rahim was offered by Boston College early in the process, and then ultimately picked NC State over offers from Army and Presbyterian. He wanted to play at the highest level of football, and his uncle Aazaar Abdul-Rahim knew NC State defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Tony Gibson, so trust was already there. His uncle was the coach at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C.

Abdul-Rahim's grandfather played at Kansas State, three of his uncles played college football respectively at Maryland, San Diego State and Kansas.

“It was definitely a process,” said Abdul-Rahim on his recruitment. “There was some high’s and some low’s.

“I learned that even if you aren’t in a place you want to be in, to continue on through the everything. I’ll continue to do my thing and keep working hard.”

The Boston College offer proved frustrating, partly because it didn't lead to more offers. Abdul-Rahim called it a "dry spot."

"Even when things aren't going my way, I still have to work hard and keep my head up," Abdul-Rahim said. "Then things will get better."

Abdul-Rahim, who has enrolled for the spring, had 132 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five saves for the 12-1 Chargers.

“Providence Day has prepared me a lot for the college experience,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I think I have acclimated well.”

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EAST GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T softball will enter its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with interim head coach Diego Ibarra. Ibarra replaces Patti Raduenz, who resigned from her post last fall after three seasons.

"I'm very excited for the season," Ibarra said. "I'm very confident in the group of ladies that have been recruited to play here. I think they are a talented bunch, and it's our job as a staff to teach them to reach those higher goals they can achieve."

A&T went 13-35 overall last season but went 10-15 at home. The Aggies posted a 3-21 record in the Big South Conference.

CAA Preseason Watch List

Two Aggies were selected on the CAA preseason watch list in sophomore Dezianna Patmon and senior Jai Deese. Patmon had an outstanding freshman season, playing in 47 with 44 starts. Patmon batted .322 with 37 hits, the second most on the team last season. She also ranked second on the team in home runs (7), RBI (24) and doubles (4). In doing so, Patmon earned a spot on the Big South's all-freshman team.

Deese played only one game last season, but in her sophomore season, her first at A&T, she batted .262 with 21 runs scored, eight doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBI. She played and started in 36 of the 42 games in 2021.

In the CAA preseason poll, head coaches predicted the Aggies to finish 11th. CAA voters expect UNC Wilmington to repeat as champions with five first-place votes for 95 points, followed by Delaware with 91 points and five first-place votes. Hofstra was the only other team to receive a first-place vote in third place with 80 points.

Returners

Kendall Macauley, the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rookie of the year, returns for her third season at A&T. Last season, she batted .327 and led the team in triples (5) and runs scored (27). She also recorded nine RBI with two home runs and three doubles.

Macauley played in and started 35 games and led the Big South in triples while ranking 21st nationally. Alyxx Estrada also returns for her third season at A&T, coming off a season where she batted .240 with 15 runs scored, five doubles and 19 RBI. She started 47 of the 48 games she played.

Graduate catcher Jocelyn Bennett returns for her final season at A&T. She comes into the season with four career home runs. In addition, Latianna Langley and Moriah Terry return for their senior season. In 23 at-bats, Langley batted .304 and scored eight times. Terry has been a valuable pinch runner for the Aggies.

Kayla Taylor and Kiara Richards return as juniors. Taylor has four home runs in two seasons, and Richards is a valuable hitter and pitcher with 64 career at-bats, and 96.2 innings pitched in her career.

In the circle, the Aggies return seven pitchers. Sophomore Mariah Headen led A&T last season with a 3.98 ERA and posted a 2-7 record. She appeared in 14 games, with eight starts and three complete games. Sophomore Joey Barkhimer recorded the most wins in the circle, going 5-6 with a 4.02 ERA. She appeared in 24 games with 12 starts, four complete games and a shutout. She recorded the second most strikeouts on the team with 48.

Richards appeared in six games with one start, and junior Kayla Douglas appeared in 14 games with six starts. Junior S'Nyiah Stinson appeared in 16 games with 13 starts, and sophomore Amaya Kearse appeared in four games. Junior Sharla Kirkpatrick appeared in one game.

Letterwinners Lost

Freshman Icess Tresvik transferred to Auburn in the offseason after posting a .323 batting average with 40 hits, 10 home runs and 31 RBI. She earned second-team Big South accolades and made the conference's all-freshman team. In the circle, she appeared in nine games with eight starts and three complete games. She led the team with 52 strikeouts and went 3-4 with a 5.10 ERA.

Freshman Jailyn Tineo transferred to Gaston College in the offseason. She played in 38 games with 36 starts. She led the team with eight doubles and batted .266 with eight runs scored. She also recorded a triple, two home runs and 22 RBI.

Jazzmaine Hammond came to A&T last season as a graduate transfer from Norfolk State. She played in all 48 games with 45 starts. She batted .236 (29-for-123) with 25 runs scored, three triples, three home runs, a double and seven RBI. Her three triples ranked third in the Big South. Seniors Eternal Fuller and Vivica Boyd completed their collegiate careers in 2022. Fuller played in 109 career games with 104 starts. Boyd played in 96 career games with 85 starts.

Freshmen

A&T welcomes five freshmen this season, including Megan Ellis (INF, 5-foot-7, Creedmoor, N.C., South Granville HS), Katriel Williams (OF, 5-6, Waxhaw, N.C., Marvin Ridge HS), Makayla Layton (INF, 5-8, Edgewater, Fla., Winter Springs HS), Camryn Caldwell (C, 5-8, Atlanta, Ga., Heritage HS) and Sierra Baldwin (C, 5-8, Lawton, Mich., Battle Creek Central HS).

Schedule

A&T starts with a home tournament with Youngstown State and Norfolk State on the first weekend of the season at Lady Aggies Softball Complex. The following 14 games are away from Greensboro in South Carolina and Georgia before returning home to face Detroit Mercy in a doubleheader on March 8 starting at noon. It opens an eight-game homestand.

"I've been in the CAA my entire career," Ibarra said. "This is my seventh year in the CAA now, and I'm very familiar with the style of play in the CAA. For me to now lead a team is incredibly exciting because I'm familiar with all of them. I'm excited to see how this conference unfolds. The conference has become much stronger now. The playing field has become more level, and I'm sure it will come down to the end."