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Wilson This Week -- July 30, 2025

Meet first responders at National Night Out

Wilson residents are invited next week to come for an evening of fun, music and a chance to meet the men and women working year-round to protect our community. The 2025 National Night Out will be Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m. in Toisnot Park, 1500 Corbett Ave. The raindate will be Friday, Aug. 8, same time and location. National Night Out has been held for more than 20 years in Wilson as a way to promote a safer community. The City of Wilson’s Human Relations Office is partnering with the Wilson Police Department to plan the event, and multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies will be on hand with display vehicles and interactive booths, including police, fire, sheriff, and emergency services.

There will be around 25 different vehicles will be on display and open for children to see inside. There will be music and entertainment; attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets. (Pictures are from the 2023 event; last year's was cancelled by a tropical storm.)

Human Relations Director Billy Woodard says the event is a great way for residents to gather information and build relationships with those that serve residents at critical times. The goal is to heighten crime prevention, build support and raise awareness of all the emergency agencies ready to assist Wilson residents.

“National Night Out is another opportunity for us to partner with public safety officials and nonprofits groups to reach all citizens,” said Woodard, a former police officer. “We strengthen relationships with neighbors and youth, and educate the community of resources available in time of need. This helps to provide for a better quality of life under favorable circumstances. Community outreach and uplifting citizens are vital parts of increasing community development, safety, and awareness.”

Here are some details about the event:

PARKING will be available within the small lots in and around Toisnot Park.  Curbside and parallel parking will be allowed along Lawndale Drive. Extra parking will be provided in the grassy area across from the playground. Parking will also be open around the ball fields on the far side. Attendees can cross the bridge to attend events.

FOOD VENDORS will include Everette’s Concessions, with hot dogs, hamburgers, pork BBQ, fries, nachos and funnel cake; Taste of Texas, with Mexican Street food and sno-cones; Lady Bugg’s Kettle Corn; and a fish fry held by Mt. Hebron Masonic Lodge. Prices will be posted at each food truck.

ENTERTAINMENT will include DJ music and line dancing; the National Anthem sung by retired police officer Steven Gardner; messages from the mayor, chief of police, fire chief, Sherriff Woodard and members of the Human Relations Commission. The Wilson Police Department K9 unit will give a demonstration and the Loyal Leisure Senior Citizen group will provide a cheer performance.

KIDS ACTIVITIES will be run by the Wilson Youth Council and include a bounce house, water slide and Wilson Parks & Recreation games. 

FREE CHILD SAFETY IDENTIFICATION CARDS will be offered by the Human Relations Commissioners. Parents fill out a simple card with basic information, we snap the photo and then print the card on site.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION -- Approximately 30 different community agencies and non-profit organizations will also be attending, sharing information about services and programs. New groups participating include Dress for Success, the Civil Air Patrol, and Waymakers of NC. Each participating organization will provide a door prize. Attendees are encouraged to register at the Human Relations Office tent to enter the drawing.

PORCH LIGHTS ON -- For the evening of National Night Out, all Wilson residents are encouraged to turn on their porch light, showing their support in the fight against crime. Neighbors are encouraged to get out of their houses and meet neighbors. The message behind the program being that if neighbors get to know each other, they are more willing to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood rather than “look the other way” when they see something noteworthy.

Approximately, 38 million people in 16,000 communities around the world participate in National Night Out. To learn more about the National Night Out community safety event contact the Human Relations Office by calling 399-2308 or search online at WilsonNC.org.

Congratulations to our first class of summer interns!

The City of Wilson hosted eight teenagers last week for a summer internship program at four city departments. The teens were embedded for several days with the Human Relations, Greenlight/Gig East Exchange, Parks & Recreation, and Wilson Police Department. They had a chance to talk to staff, residents and others, plus they got a behind-the-scenes look at how these departments work to build a stronger community. The teens produced pictures, videos, graphics and other materials that will be on the city's website and social media. They graduated Friday.  Our thanks to Anna Henely, Brea Wilson, Easton Ragle, Giannelly Borja, Ivy Shelley, Kayden Daugherty, Kevin Santiago Jimenez and Manny Santiago Juarez Jr.! We hope you all return to join us as city employees one day.

Good riddance, hot, hot July; here's to cooler temps

We are only days away from August, and most of us won't be sorry to see this summer coming to an end. July 2025 has been one of the hottest months on record in Wilson with many days in the upper 90s and heat indexes well over 100 degrees. According to Accuweather, we have only had four overnight lows in the upper 60s all month.  For many (most? nearly all?) of us, that has meant the air conditioning has run non-stop for a month. It will be a relief when we finally get a cooldown of sorts beginning Friday. Reminder -- you can avoid sticker shock when you open your utility bill by going to MyWilson where you can track all utility usage and also review weather data. If you monitor it closely, you will realize times when you can adjust your thermostat and realize big savings. Join the nearly 25,000 other City of Wilson customers who have already enrolled in MyWilson and are making better energy decisions. Enrollment information is on our website.

Florida sweep both TOSC, but home team earns raves

The 2025 Tournament of State Champions, 9-11 division, ended today with Chaires, Fla., edging out Northwood, S.C., 7-6 in extra innings. The Florida team, Tampa Bay, also won the 8-10 TOSC that was played at at Southern Bank Stadium at Gillette Sports Complex last week. Today's game was the finale of 30 Little League baseball games played over two weeks, most under a blazing hot sun. Our Parks & Recreation Staff welcomed 16 visiting teams from seven southeastern states., all with parents, grandparents, etc. in the stands. As always, our crews were trying to keep everyone in the flow, entertained and safe; they treat Little Leaguers like Major Leaguers; and they worked long days. And, as always, they earned rave reviews. One Tennessee parent wrote on Facebook, "Special shoutout to Wilson City Little League for allowing our families extra time after the game for photos and letting the boys mess with the video board. The way they conduct this tournament and what they pour into it is truly special." We want to thank everyone who assisted with the TOSC and also everyone who just said hello or gave a friendly wave to cars with Georgia or West Virginia license plates. It's a big deal to host these tournaments, which are little brothers to the Little League World Series.