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Happy 2021. I hope your new year has started in a positive manner. This column is a collection of random thoughts, loose ends and updates while I await the premier of Clay Johnson’s documentary on Amazon Prime Video later this month.

In case you missed it earlier, Johnson and his team put together a five part series on the James Jordan murder case that happened in 1993. James was Michael Jordan’s father, and the tragedy was a huge story at the time. Johnson has been producing quality work for WRAL-TV in Raleigh for a long time and this project should be outstanding. Really looking forward to it. I’ll let you know the exact premier date when I find out.

Updates: the big ole boat that I wrote about in October is back at the Washington waterfront for an extended stay. The captain confirmed that the 84 foot yacht is still for sale for a cool $2 million bucks, so step right up. He also told me that he has an interested buyer, so you better hurry. I was surprised to learn that there is such a thing as a boat mortgage, which is the suggested way to pay. You boaters are laughing at me, which is fine. I’ve learned something new almost every day since I started this gig, so there you go.

The building that housed La Perla Panaderia bakery on Water Street could be gone by the time you read this. You’ll recall the Chavez family lost their business in an early morning fire almost a month ago. The city has signed off on demolition and the building owner is waiting for the insurance company’s okay.  It will be nice to have the street open again. It’s also nice to know that the GoFundMe donation total is almost $10,000. Rachel Jordan of Rachel K’s Bakery started it to help the family.

There’s a lot going on the sports world, nationally and locally. I feel bad for the Washington High School girls and boys basketball teams. Their season opener against state powerhouse Kinston High School set for Wednesday was postponed because of contact tracing within the Viking program. Spirits were high at practice last week and all involved were very much looking forward to finally starting the season. Too bad, but they will have to wait until Friday. There are so many lessons to learn from COVID-19, but patience is probably the hardest one. Hopefully, further disruptions will be few, but I’m not counting on it.

A tip of the cap goes to all area athletes. They deserve a little bit of recognition for just showing up, since that requires wearing a mask while playing and practicing. I’m impressed that they want to compete badly enough to adapt. I know there are many who opted not to because of the mask requirement and I would probably join them if I had eligibility remaining.  Although maybe not if I was a senior. It’s a tough call that will prepare them for those difficult choices that definitely lie ahead.

I mentioned in one of my first columns that I was taking the year off from following collegiate and professional sports. I’m still sticking to it, but it’s really hard right now. I’ve always enjoyed this time of year when college football is ready to crown a champion, the pros are ready for the playoffs and college basketball is into the conference season. Not having cable helps, but I’m struggling.

Maybe Clay will help me out and get his documentary premier date moved up. The popcorn won’t take long to pop.