Latest news with #Ragsdale
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Next-level talents': Record-breaking Central HS relay team qualifies for nationals
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — To qualify for New Balance Nationals, you have to be one of the best in the country. Central High School's boys 4×100 relay team is. 'It's very rare. It's very rare you get a team like this, this good with this dynamic on the track at the same time,' said Central track & field head coach Byron Ragsdale. 'They're all next-level talents.' 14-year-old Maryville golfer one step away from US Open qualification None of the four runners had ever run the relay together coming into this season, but then the blocks lined up perfectly. 'It really happened during practice. We were just competing. We were all just like, 'wait a second, we could do something. We could build a 4×1 team.' So it's just been happening,' said junior Javaston Badgett. Ragsdale said they knew this group had serious potential when they started winning races by multiple seconds. 'Honestly, I feel like we just wanted it more. The chemistry is there,' said senior Niko Townsend. The Bobcats ran into the record books by breaking a longtime school best in the 4×100 and earning an automatic bid to the 2025 New Balance Nationals with a time of 42.2. Greenheck Group to invest $2 million in Carter High School engineering program 'It was really an eye opener of what we could really accomplish,' said Badgett. 'We all jumped around screaming with joy because we worked so hard for the moment so we deserve it,' senior Eric Moore said. Part of the reason the four have been able to be successful is by executing their roles within the relay. Out of the blocks, it's Caleb Harris. 'His reaction time is ridiculous. It's lightning quick,' said Ragsdale. After the first 100, the baton is in the hands of Moore. The second leg the perfect spot for the senior because of his 'top end speed, my ability to catch people,' he said. Then it's a changeover to Townsend. 'I feel like my curve, I run the best curve. Whether we're in last or in first, I'll make it up,' said Townsend. Finally, Badgett serves as the anchor. 'His top end speed is a lot better than a lot of the other kids that we compete against, so it makes sense to put him in that spot,' Ragsdale said of Badgett. The group has neared the 40-second mark in practice, but they're racing towards more. 'We got to 40 really just playing so I think we can reach down to the 39s,' said Badgett. ▶ See more top stories on 'To represent your school, to do something that has never been done before is pretty good,' said Harris. The 4×100 team looking to cross the finish line on making even more history before the end of the season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Timeline: How Cross Canadian Ragweed's members met, split up and reunited 15 years later
The long-awaited April 10-13 reunion shows for Oklahoma Red Dirt band Cross Canadian Ragweed have evolved into what's believed to be the state's biggest concert event ever. How did the band members meet, split up and reunite after a 15-year breakup? Here's a timeline of some major events in the evolution of the influential band, leading up to the sold-out "Boys from Oklahoma" concert run at Oklahoma State University's Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. 1991: Still teenagers, frontman Cody Canada, drummer Randy Ragsdale, guitarist Grady Cross and bassist Matt Wiedemann play their first show at their hometown venue the 50 Yard Line Club in Yukon. They take the band name "Cross Canadian Ragweed" from pieces of each member's last name. 1994: Cross Canadian Ragweed officially forms in Yukon, with bassist Jeremy Plato replacing Wiedemann in the band's definitive lineup. 1994: After graduating from Yukon High School, the members of Cross Canadian Ragweed relocate to Stillwater, the birthplace of Red Dirt music. 1998: The band records and releases its first album, "Carney," on its own independent label, Underground Sounds. More: 'Gives me chill bumps:' With Cross Canadian Ragweed's reunion, OSU hosts a historic event 1999: The group's first live album, "Live and Loud at the Wormy Dog Saloon," debuts, including Ragweed's cover of Gene Collier's song "Boys from Oklahoma." 2001: The studio album "Highway 377" debuts. 2002: Ragweed records and releases "Live and Loud at Billy Bob's Texas." 2002: Ragweed signs a major-label record deal with Universal South. 2002: The band releases its self-titled major-label debut album. It becomes known as "The Purple Album" because of its violet cover, a tribute to Ragsdale's sister, Mandi Ragsdale, 9, who died in a 2001 car accident and whose favorite color was purple. 2004: Ragweed releases the album "Soul Gravy" in March, and it debuts at No. 5 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. 2004: Ragweed organizes its first Family Jam, a benefit concert in memory of Mandi Ragsdale, in September at Oklahoma City's Zoo Amphitheatre. 2005: Studio album "Garage" debuts, including a bonus DVD with six videos, with one chronicling the band's 10th anniversary. 2006: Ragweed releases "Back to Tulsa: Live and Loud At Cain's Ballroom," the group's third and final live album to date. 2007: The band records and releases the studio album "Mission California." More: 'Boys from Oklahoma' concerts at OSU: What to know about parking, tailgating and showtimes 2009: Ragweed releases its studio album "Happiness and All the Other Things," marking the group's 15th anniversary. 2010: The band shocks its followers in May by announcing an indefinite hiatus and canceling that fall's OKC Family Jam. Ragsdale cites needing to spend more time with his family — particularly his special-needs son, JC — as the reason for the hiatus. 2010: Ragweed plays what it seemed would be its final show in October at Joe's on Weed Street in Chicago. 2010: Oklahoma expatriates Canada and Plato, who have long lived in Texas, play their first shows with their new band, Cody Canada & The Departed, in December. 2011: Cross opens Yukon's former 50 Yard Line Club, the first venue where members of Ragweed performed, as Grady's 66 Pub on Jan. 1. 2011: The Departed releases the first of several albums, "This Is Indian Land," a collection of covers of songs by Oklahoma songwriters, in June. 2011: Ragsdale plays drums with fellow Red Dirt standout Stoney LaRue until 2013 and shifts into oil and gas consulting. 2022: Cody Canada & The Departed release a rerecorded version of Ragweed's hit 2004 album "Soul Gravy." 2024: The band sets off frenzied reunion speculation among fans by updating Ragweed's long-dormant Facebook page in September. 2024: Ragweed announces on Oct. 1 a one-night-only "The Boys from Oklahoma" reunion concert, featuring co-headliners Turnpike Troubadours, along with fellow Red Dirt acts The Great Divide, Jason Boland & The Stragglers and LaRue at OSU's Boone Pickens Stadium. Within a week, the reunion has been expanded to four April concerts that sell out in hours, with more than 180,000 tickets sold. 2024: The members of Ragweed reunite in person for the first time in about 12 years at OSU Homecoming, where the band is introduced to the crowd at the Cowboys' Nov. 2 football game vs. Arizona. 2024: Ragsdale's son, JC, dies at home in Yukon on Nov. 23. JC, 25, had a rare form of epilepsy called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, and people with it sometimes die suddenly and unexpectedly. 2025: The reunited band thrills fans with a short impromptu set Jan. 23 at Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida. 2025: The group announces in February another "Boys from Oklahoma" concert, set for Aug. 23 at Baylor University's McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. The show quickly sells out. 2025: The Departed plays a March 1 show at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, where Ragweed is surprised with the news that the band will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame during its April OSU concerts. The reunited quartet also plays a few songs together. 2025: Ragweed will officially reconvene to play their first full concerts together in a decade and a half — and their first stadium shows ever — April 10-13 at OSU in Stillwater. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: See a timeline of Cross Canadian Ragweed up to its reunion
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Jackson man sentenced for illegal possession of machinegun
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A Jackson man was sentenced to three years in federal prison for illegal possession of a machinegun. According to court documents, Johnny Ragsdale, 21, was found in possession of an illegal machinegun after an attempted traffic stop on a vehicle in Jackson. ICE detains 18 during Mississippi operation Prosecutors said Ragsdale, who was the driver, failed to yield to law enforcement and led Capitol police on a high-speed chase. The chase ended after Ragsdale collided with a train car on Mill Street. A Glock pistol was recovered from the vehicle, and a machinegun conversion device, also known as a switch, was attached to the pistol. Ragsdale was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 21, 2024, for illegal possession of a machinegun. He pled guilty on October 24, 2024. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Capitol Police Department. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EDP Renewables North America Launches Ragsdale Solar Park in Mississippi in Collaboration with Amazon
Ragsdale is EDPR NA's second utility-scale project in the state. CANTON, Miss., Feb. 19, 2025 /CNW/ -- EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA) is proud to announce the launch of its Ragsdale Solar Park (Ragsdale) in Madison Country, Mississippi. The 100 MW project, which went operational in late Q4 2024, will provide power directly into Entergy Mississippi's transmission system while distributing economic benefits to the surrounding community. Amazon has contracted for all 100 megawatts (MW) through a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA). This newest project solidifies EDPR NA's position as a leading renewable energy developer in the southern United States. Development of Ragsdale was initiated in 2016 by Acadian Renewable Energy (Acadian), a joint venture between SunChase Power and Eolian, L.P. EDPR NA acquired Ragsdale from Acadian in early 2022 and subsequently completed development of the project. In addition to generating enough energy to power the equivalent consumption of more than 15,700 Mississippi homes each year, Ragsdale will boost the local economy through a variety of local benefits. Approximately $34.6 million will be paid in taxes over the life of the project to local governments and will go towards enhancing schools, roads, and other essential services. Approximately $15 million will also be paid to local landowners, who lease a portion of their land to host the solar park's infrastructure. Ragsdale employed more than 100 people to construct the projects and will fill up to 3 full-time positions to safely operate and perform routine maintenance on the solar park throughout its multi-decade operational life. The construction and operations of Ragsdale will continue to increase local spending, seen primarily at restaurants, hotels, and retailers near the projects, currently amounting to over $2 million. Additionally, the project will yield environmental benefits - including saving more than 127 million gallons of water each year - which is the amount of water that conventional generation sources would need to produce the same amount of energy as the solar park. Ragsdale has also committed to a net-zero future with an expected 3,200+ solar panels – approximately 120 tons of damaged or discarded panels – to be recycled with Close the Loop Program partner, SOLARCYCLE®. "Ragsdale signifies EDP Renewables' ongoing commitment to Mississippi, its communities, and local businesses. The opportunity to develop utility-scale solar and contract directly with customers like Amazon, who are also committed to expanding their own presence in Mississippi, has been invaluable. We are proud to aid the state's commercial and industrial growth with homegrown energy solutions," noted Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America. Participating in local events and opportunities to strengthen the community, EDPR NA's development team contributed to a variety of activities throughout central Mississippi. Ranging from donating a "Jaw of Life" rescue tool to the local fire department and participating three years in a row in the neighboring county's Pearl River clean-up to sponsoring a bass fishing tournament, Ragsdale team members have been dedicated to the deep, long-standing relationships that have to date ensured Ragsdale's success. During the development of Ragsdale, EDPR NA collaborated with Signal Energy and Beta Engineering to educate community leaders and stakeholders on how renewable energy can stimulate economic growth in communities. "The team at EDPR NA is passionate about effecting positive growth within the communities where they build," says Lindsey Launius, Director of Market Strategy for Beta. "Often, this means engaging with the community directly throughout the project lifecycle to ensure transparency and buy-in from the landowners and nearby residents. It's an honor to collaborate alongside clients like EDPR NA and their stakeholders to help them tell their story and present a unified approach to the energy transition." Signal Energy and Beta Engineering provided high-voltage engineering, procurement, and construction services to interconnect Ragsdale to the grid. EDPR NA continues to remain an active player in Mississippi's growing renewables market. Ragsdale Solar Park is the company's second utility-scale project in the state after Pearl River Solar Park (Pearl River). Pearl River has an installed capacity of 175 MW and generates energy equivalent to the consumption of 26,000 Mississippi homes. The solar park is projected to pay $50+ million to local governments in the form of tax payments and save 222+ million gallons of water annually. Multimedia resources include: EDPR NA: Fact Sheet Ragsdale Solar Park: Fact Sheet Ragsdale Solar Park: Website Ragsdale Solar Park: Community Outreach Video About EDP Renewables North America EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), its affiliates, and its subsidiaries develop, construct, own, and operate wind farms, solar parks, and energy storage systems throughout North America. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 61 wind farms, 26 solar parks, and eight regional offices across North America, EDPR NA has developed more than 12,000 megawatts (MW) and operates more than 11,400 MW of onshore utility-scale renewable energy projects. With more than 1,000 employees, EDPR NA's highly qualified team has a proven capacity to execute projects across the continent. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. Logo: View original content: SOURCE EDP View original content:
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cobb County School District improving security with ‘cutting edge detection capabilities'
The Cobb County School District is adding a new layer of protection for students and staff with two new K-9 officers. 'What's different about the vapor wake dogs is they can alert on a moving object. meaning if a person has a weapon in their backpack and they are walking down the sidewalk the K-9′s can pick up on that scent,' Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said. Channel 2 Action News Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell spoke exclusively with Ragsdale about this new safety initiative that he believes will help prevent school violence. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'They can pick up that trail up to 15 minutes after the item has gone through the area,' Ragsdale said. On Thursday, Superintendent Ragsdale introduced the vapor wake canine detection team to board members and the community. Unlike traditional detection dogs, these K-9′s are trained to sample the air for concealed firearms, explosives and more. TRENDING STORIES: 'A legacy of dedication:' Community mourns sudden death of Duluth officer Ex-GA sheriff lieutenant submitted timesheets for off-duty work. Officials say he never showed up 'Real Housewives' Teddi Mellencamp says she has 'multiple tumors' on brain, undergoes surgery The district partnered with Global K9 Protection Group to get the K-9′s. The company provides hundreds of K-9′s to sports teams, hospitals and more. They cost the district about $40,000. School officials hope to get the K-9′s in Cobb Schools as soon as possible. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
