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Wilson This Week -- Nov. 25, 2024 |
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Wilson Warbirds set for spring 2026 debut
Wilson's minor league baseball team has a name -- Wilson Warbirds! The Milwaukee Brewers made the announcement Friday afternoon at Wilson Industrial Air Center.
Hundreds of people turned out to the event, which included a flyover by vintage 1940s military aircraft and a performance by a swing orchestra.
“Today represents the next major step in bringing professional baseball back to Wilson," said Milwaukee Brewers President – Business Operations Rick Schlesinger. "We are grateful to all of those who have committed to bringing the Warbirds to life, and to developing this beautiful new downtown stadium and associated private development including a new hotel, multifamily project and nearby retail. We have enjoyed becoming part of the fabric of Wilson and look forward to even more excitement as we fly toward 2026.”
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Warbirds – a reference to vintage military aircraft that continue flying long after their service days – serve as a patriotic tribute to American history and military might. The Warbirds name carries a special connection to the city of Wilson and Wilson County, starting with native son Vollis Simpson, a WWII serviceman-turned-artist. Simpson’s first whirligig was created during his service years, built to serve as a washing machine for troops and created out of spare parts from a WWII bomber.
The event featured three Brewers prospects Eric Bitonti, Josh Knoth and Braylon Payne modeling the Warbirds uniforms.
The team will play a final season in Zebulon as the Carolina Mudcats, but then change over to Warbirds when they start play in Wilson in spring 2026 in the Carolina League, which coincidentally also was created during the WWII era. Today the league features 12 minor league teams for the Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles, among others. The season is 132 games, meaning Wilson will host around 66 games during the 2026 season.
Warbirds merchandise will soon be available locally at the Whirligig Park Museum or can be ordered online at the Warbirds website (link below).
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City closed Thursday, Friday for Thanksgiving
City offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday so our employees can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Here's how it affects city schedules:
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Trash and recycling routes: Today's and Tuesday routes are on schedule. Thursday routes will be collected Tuesday afternoon, and Friday pickups will be done Wednesday. There are no special pickups Wednesday.
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Customer service will be closed Thursday-Sunday and will reopen Monday, Dec. 2. You can pay bills online at our website, via the automated phone system or in the kiosk in the drive-through lane in the Nash Street office.
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Wilson RIDE will not operate on Thanksgiving Day but will be on the road Friday and Saturday, although the driver pool might be reduced. Book rides through the app.
All utilities will be staffed and emergency services will respond as usual throughout the weekend. We wish everyone a happy, safe holiday weekend!
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City conducting inventory of water lines; here's how to help
The city is conducting an inventory of water service line materials to comply with federal rules. Many City of Wilson water customers received a letter about this project and the actions that need to be taken. We understand it is a complicated issue and you may have questions about what to do.
Why did I receive this letter?
The EPA is requiring water systems to conduct an inventory of water service line materials. While we know the materials used in the last decades, some older homes could have galvanized lines either on the city service line or the line serving the home. Most water systems do not have accurate records of the type of materials used when homes were constructed in the early to mid-1900s. If you received the letter, we do not have a record of the material of your service line. It may be constructed of lead or galvanized iron, but we need more information to appropriately determine the material. We do not expect many homes in Wilson to have lead or galvanized lines, but we must have a thorough investigation to know for sure. Lead in drinking water can cause significant health effects, so it is necessary to inventory all lines now.
What should I do next?
Please read the letter thoroughly or view it at the link below. The letter explains how to identify service line material, the health effects of lead exposure, and steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.
Why didn’t I receive a letter?
If you did not receive a letter, it is because we know your service line material. If you did not receive a letter, you do not need to take any further action.
There is a map available to check the status of your water service line. https://trinnex.cloud/leadcast/publicMap?tenantName=WilsonNC
Please call 252-399-2299 with additional questions about this project.
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Wilson's Christmas Cheer Challenge is (almost) On!
Wilson always knows how to show the Christmas spirit, but it seems a little extra spirited this year already. We've seen the Christmas trees going up, wreaths on doors, and lots of Christmas cheer staging. And if you needed a nudge to finally outdo your neighbor's merry display, we have your sign!
This Christmas we've issued Wilson's first Christmas Cheer Challenge! If you decorate, this will allow you to enter your house as a verified Cheer Station. The elves at the city's GIS Department will be creating maps to allow everyone to drive around the city and see the most festive and fun displays.
The contest starts right after Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve so stay tuned for the full announcement very soon on social media and the city's website. And get ready to join the illumination celebration! Let's light this city and get on Santa's radar!
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