Category: Sports

Governor Cooper Presents Coach Mike Krzyzewski with The Order of The Long Leaf Pine

Posted on by Press Release

Raleigh

Today, Governor Roy Cooper presented Coach Mike Krzyzewski with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the State’s Highest Honorary Society, for his significant impact on the State of North Carolina during his tenure as Men’s Basketball Coach at Duke University and in for his significant work in communities across North Carolina.

“Thank you for your dedication to the young people you’ve served on and off the court, and congratulations on joining the company of so many outstanding North Carolinians,” Governor Cooper said. “No matter what shade of blue you wear on game day, it’s impossible to deny the essential role that Coach K has played in uplifting education, preparation for life, Duke University and, of course, the greatest rivalry in sports history.”

“I’m a North Carolinian. It’s been an honor to be part of Durham and see Durham grow into the magnificent city it has become,” Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “It’s an amazing honor for me to accept the award, not only for me, but for my family and for Duke, because it’s a team award.”

“It means so much for us gathered here to honor the great Coach Krzyzewski,” Duke President Vincent E. Price said. “His name is not only on our court, it’s also on buildings across Durham, it’s in the minds of everyone who loves college basketball, and it’s in the hearts of loyal Duke fans around the world.”

During his 42 seasons as a coach, Coach Krzyzewski’s teams won 5 NCAA tournament championships, 15 ACC tournament championships, and 6 Olympic gold medal. He has had 1,202 career wins, the most in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history, 535 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) wins, the most in league history, has led his team to 13 Final Four appearances, the most in NCAA history, and has won 15 ACC Tournament championships, the most in league history.

In addition to his successes on the court, Krzyzewski has been recognized nationally for his philanthropic efforts, and is known for his efforts to mentor students. He is an honorary chairman of the Duke Children’s Hospital and on the board of the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. He also started his own charity, the Emily K Center, a non-profit organization in Durham that provides quality educational experiences to young students in the community.

Prior to his career at Duke, Krzyzewski served in the Army, directing service teams for three years and served as Head Coach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

 

Dove Hunting Season Opens September 3

Posted on by Anna Burton

Wildlife Commission officials remind hunters of regulatory and safety measures

  • 1 August 2022
  • Number of views: 696

The 2022-23 dove hunting season will be separated into three segments: Sept. 3 – Oct. 1, Nov. 5 – Nov. 26, and Dec. 10 – Jan. 31.

RALEIGH, N.C.  — The 2022-23 hunting season for mourning and white-winged doves opens on Saturday, Sept. 3. This is big news for hunters who enjoy hunting migratory game birds. It’s also an opportunity for officials from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to remind seasoned and novice hunters the importance of being properly licensed, to observe state and federal regulations and to follow safe hunting practices.

Dove hunting season will be separated into three segments: Sept. 3 – Oct. 1, Nov. 5 – Nov. 26, and Dec. 10 – Jan. 31. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning or white-winged doves, either as single species or combined, and shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Hunting of migratory game birds, including doves, by any method is not allowed on Sundays.  It is illegal to dove hunt with a shotgun that can hold more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.

Migratory game bird hunters, including lifetime license holders, are required to register in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). HIP is a survey method developed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to collect more reliable estimates of migratory game bird harvests throughout the country. New this year, HIP certification is available July 1 – April 1 and expires June 30 each year. Hunters can purchase or renew their license and obtain their HIP certification online for immediate use in the field. Licenses can also be purchased through a Wildlife Service Agent or by phone at 888-248-6834, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

It is a violation of state and federal law to take migratory game birds with the use or aid of salt, grain, fruit or any other bait. Additionally, hunters need to be aware that an area is considered baited for 10 days following the removal of all salt, grain or other feed. Migratory game birds may be hunted in agricultural areas where grain has been distributed as the result of normal agricultural operations. Information regarding agriculture and planting techniques may be obtained from a local N.C. State Extension Center. Visit the agency’s website to view an interactive map of game land dove fields.

Hunting safety is priority when in the field. Free hunter safety courses are available through the Wildlife Commission, and the agency’s  Home from the Hunt campaign offers hunter’s online resources focused on being safe during time spent outdoors.

Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers advise dove hunters to follow these safety tips:

  • Adhere to established safe zones of fire.
  • Ensure you have the correct ammunition for your firearm.
  • Keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed in a safe direction
  • Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
  • Do not shoot at low-flying birds.
  • Do not place decoys on utility lines.

View more information about doves and download the 2022-23 North Carolina Regulations Digest.

 

World Golf Hall of Fame Returns to North Carolina

Posted on by Press Release

USGA, World Golf Hall of Fame Collaborate to Bring New Visitor Experiences to Pinehurst

Raleigh
Jul 20, 2022
Today, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the World Golf Hall of Fame announced that the World Golf Hall of Fame will be moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper joined the announcement today, where the two organizations detailed the new visitor experience at the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst campus set to open in 2024. The Hall of Fame will relocate its physical collection from Florida to North Carolina.

“North Carolina is home to legendary golf courses and it makes perfect sense to have The World Golf Hall of Fame here in Pinehurst,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “Golf brings communities together, increases tourism and creates good jobs, and I’m excited to continue working with the USGA to grow the game and our economy here in North Carolina.”

“There’s no better connection to golf’s past, present and future than Pinehurst, and no organization that works harder than the USGA to preserve the history of this great game. We look forward to celebrating the greatest moments, and golf’s greatest athletes, by including the World Golf Hall of Fame as an important part of our new Pinehurst home,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “Simply put – it just makes sense, and together with the Hall of Fame, we’re more committed than ever to delivering experiences that build even deeper connections between golf fans and those who have truly led the way in this great game.”

“For nearly 50 years, the Hall of Fame has honored the history and legacies of those who have made golf great,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO, World Golf Hall of Fame. “Much like the USGA, the Hall of Fame is committed to connecting with fans around the world to highlight the greatest moments and legends of the sport. This expanded partnership will create an exciting new opportunity in Pinehurst – where the Hall of Fame originated – to celebrate Hall of Fame members and their contributions to golf.”

“We’re proud to be a part of the U.S. Golf Association’s continued growth and preservation of the game of golf’s long legacy here in North Carolina,” said North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “USGA’s investment in Pinehurst means new jobs and millions in tourism dollars for the region and state for generations to come.”

Governor Cooper also stopped by the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 6. This is a new national championship that showcases the world’s best golfers with disabilities. Pinehurst will also host the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open next July, as well as five future U.S. Open Championships between 2024 and 2047.

The USGA is the governing body of golf for the United States and Mexico for golf courses, clubs and facilities. The organization was established in 1894, to help establish a national amateur championship.

The World Golf Hall of Fame was founded in Pinehurst in 1974. It moved to St. Augustine, Florida in 1998, but is returning to North Carolina in 2024.

According to a 2017 study, golf generated $2.3 billion in direct spending and a total economic impact of $4.2 billion in the state, including nearly 53,000 jobs and total wage income of $1.3 billion.

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Making Laps with Bruce Wayne

Posted on by Anna Burton
Hello small town friendly,
Welcome to another season of making laps with Bruce Wayne, as I showcase another year of Harris speedway .
As for myself this off-season has had it’s twist and turns to say the least, I’ve had to step away from the sport I’ve come to love due to ongoing health issues that are not in my control at the moment so my level 5 racing will be Jared Dysart and Keylon Tate to keep my spirit going strong down at Harris speedway.
On top of the health issues race fans I’ve also been cited 4 times this past few weeks with driving without a license. I keep saying it’s ok because I’m a race car driver but have also had brought to my attention that it does not make a difference lol. ..so off to court I go…
maybe the judge is is a level 5 fan ..
Anyhow I wanted to touch base with my readers to let them know of what’s coming from Bruce Wayne this season …I will cover the weekly results and mix in a few driver interviews and hopefully get my readers closer to their favorite drivers this season.
When I started this column I never expected my readers to be into the thousands, but never say never I guess.
Thanks to my readers I’ve not only been able to share something I love with you, I’ve also come to grow in this stage of my life that I’ve needed so much …
my life is hanging in the balance this season and I want to stress to everyone reading this column to not only embrace life and always give your best effort, but also to cherish the time you are blessed with to have this life and love your family like no other because if something ever comes up that will stop you on a dime, it will challenge your heart to give up or keep going.
So for the record Bruce Wayne is never giving up and will continue to live my life to the fullest (except driving.) (May need to stop that) and I’ll always give my best…
I pray for the citizens of Rutherford county as we go thru a election and also pray for my fellow drivers at the track as we kick this 2022 season off..I hope to be back behind the wheel soon as possible,  but until then level 5 racing will bring you all the action from Harris speedway from the sidelines…
have a great week race fans and hopefully we will see you Saturday night at the greatest show on dirt…..
Your favorite driver,
Bruce Wayne#5

Making Laps with Bruce Wayne

Posted on by Staff Reports
 Hello small town friendly,

             Would like to first say thank you to all of my readers in. Rutherford and surrounding  counties for all of your prayers and thoughtful messages I’ve received during this awful time I’m having in my life.
Level 5 racing is alive and somewhat well and without your prayers I would be in A very dark place today..
We are still in the off season from Harris Speedway and as always I thought I’d just say some things needed said in order to make this town friendly again..we have seen our county flooded with deaths from Covid and now more so of overdoses from pressed pills.
Growing up as a child I seen a lot of grown up stuff in my days to fill Chase High stadium 10 times over and even tho it shaped me into o the person I’ve become today ,it also taught me of the do and don’t of life..now we all like to point fingers and blame others for the troubles we face in every day life(Francis and others ) but listen readers that is just a way to justify the fact the we as parents or gaurdians either did not pay attention or just flat out dropped the ball somewhere down the line and therefore our children are now becoming pharmaceutical idiots / zombies…
we need to stop blaming the sheriff because our child or loved one has fell victim to the streets of everyday life…last time I checked the  sheriff did not  Forget to pick my son up from school and that leading to him tripping and landing on a pile of pressed pills..no actually it would fall square on my shoulders because I forgot to go see him In the little league games or the basketball games that he played in…My fault as a parent for not paying attention to the signs of addiction or better yet troubles of everyday life children face…we now can’t even let our children get arrested and hoping they are now off the streets and safe but instead overdosing at the jail just as quick as on the streets….
I’m not taking political sides here I’m just stating facts from myself a recovering  addict who understands  some of these issues we face…but at the end of the day it’s not the sheriff’s fault of the jail problems with inmates bringing  that junk thru the jail….trust me they have all kinds of  unique  ways to smuggle past officers…they do their best at the jail  and I never thought I’d ever say such because at one time I stayed there more than I did my home.(currently retired ) my point today readers is let’s take our community  back and stop blaming the world around us and the ones that protect us to the best of their ability  and x this problem as parents and help our children instead of blaming  people…this has got to stop or we are heading for destruction in all the ways possible…
take your kid to a movie ,ask them  what’s going on that needs addressed and make this town great again..there is a pandemic of covid 19 but the real pandemic is the fools that press those pills..I’ll pray that God sees you and puts unto your heart some love to get you or your loved one on the right path…
I have grandchildren Dawson and brayden  and if I ever seen them given a pill  I’d take the currently  retired part off of my name because we going to the dance….so to all of you pill dealers out here  we are begging you as a community  to please stop this madness…go away…we do not welcome you and also I want to say to sheriff Chris Francis, thank you for all you do and your officers do to protect us.  We may not see eye to eye on certain things in the past but you do the best you can with what u have…and the officer from the jail..hey I’ve been there enough to already know the troubles y’all face daily and hats off to you for the job you do … again I’m just speaking from my heart on how I think we could fix this problem out county now faces…  until next week readers, level 5 is on the mend and will see you at the track soon….
  Your favorite driver,
  Bruce Wayne#5