Mad Dawg
    3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Listen Live

  • Join The Q Crew

  • TikTok

  • X

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

  • Mobile Apps

  • Home
  • Shows
    • Your Q Morning Crew
      • What You Missed
      • QDR Hometown Hero
    • Abby Leigh
      • Fursdays
    • Mad Dawg
    • Steve Maher
    • PineCone Bluegrass Show
    • QDR Homegrown Country
    • Country Countdown USA
  • Contests
    • View All Contests
    • Contest Rules
  • Features
    • Advice
    • Coupons
    • Crossword Puzzle
    • Daily Comic Strips
    • Fursdays
    • Gold Star Teacher of the Month
    • Horoscopes
    • Interviews
      • Exclusive Live Performances
    • News, Sports and Weather
    • Pet Adoption
    • QDR Hometown Hero
    • Live and Kickin’ Fridays
    • Recipes
    • Slideshows
    • Sudoku
  • Events
    • Station Events and Concerts
    • Community Events
    • Submit Your Community Event
    • Photos
  • Connect
    • Contact/Directions
    • 94.7 QDR App
    • Join The Q Crew
    • Advertise
    • Social Media
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • TikTok
  • search

Category Archives: Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero of the Week: Lieutenant Nicholas Cloninger, October 29th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Lieutenant Nicholas Cloninger, October 29th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Lieutenant Nicholas Cloninger, a 25-year veteran of the Durham Police Department.

Lt. Cloninger is a 25-year veteran of the Durham Police Department and one of the longest-serving watch Commanders in the history of the Department. Lt. Cloninger has always gone above and beyond to help the community and the officers under his command. He has earned his Advanced Law Enforcement certification in recognition of his training and experience. While serving the City of Durham, Lt. Cloninger made time to earn his Master’s in Public Administration from Penn State University. He also has experience in investigations, where he assisted in managing the Homicide Unit in the mid-2000s. A most humble servant, I just want to nominate him for recognition of his many years of loyal service.

Thank you, Lt. Cloninger, for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do. 

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is HeroButton.png

Hometown Hero of the Week: Sam King, October 22nd, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Sam King, October 22nd, 2025

Hometown Hero of the week is Sam King, Firefighter for the Four Oaks and Cleveland Fire Department. Sam was nominated by Hannah Horne, who says, “I would like to nominate Sam as a Hometown Hero. With over 20 years of service experience, including time spent in Virginia, Sam has shown true dedication to helping others.…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week: Jacob Norris, October 15th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Jacob Norris, October 15th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Jacob Norris, Johnston County EMS and Antioch Fire Department. Jacob has spent the last six years in EMS and fire, which basically means he’s seen it all—chaos, caffeine-fueled shifts, and the occasional “why did I sign up for this?” moment. Through it all, he’s stayed dedicated to…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week: Michael Hill, October 8th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Michael Hill, October 8th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero for 10/8/25 is Michael Hill, Veteran, Retired Sheriff’s Deputy, Current Firefighter. Mike was nominated by Laura Hill, who says, “Mike has dedicated his entire life to serving others. His 21 years with the USMC as a Corpsman, then served the Durham Co Sheriff’s Office for 19 years and has been a…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week: Joseph “Joey” Pepoli, October 1st, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Joseph “Joey” Pepoli, October 1st, 2025

Joey was nominated by Haley Bain, who says, “Joey deserves to be recognized because he does so much that often falls behind the scenes due to the nature of his job. Being a Wildlife Enforcement Officer has a stigma that surrounds it because everyone has the mindset that the “Game Warden was out to get…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week: Michaela Pavlik, September 24th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Michaela Pavlik, September 24th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Michaela Pavlik  Michaela is nominated by her children, Ansley and Granger. Michaela has been in EMS since she was 15 yrs old, starting out as a cadet. Once turning 18 yrs old she completed her EMT certification. Michaela then dedicated countless hours for almost 2 yrs taking care of a…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week: Brandy Hall, September 17th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Brandy Hall, September 17th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Brandy Hall, Paramedic with Johnson County emergency services. Brandy always is going outside of her way to be the best advocate for her patients and does anything she can to make sure she does her best and provides everything she can to anyone in need. Brandy is…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week: Shorty Jones, September 10th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Shorty Jones, September 10th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Shorty Jones, Paramedic with Duplin County EMS!  Shorty was nominated by his wife Jennifer, who says, “My husband is the definition of selfless service and community dedication. He wears many hats, not for recognition, but because he believes in showing up for others — every single day.…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week:  Tonya Pounds, September 3rd, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Tonya Pounds, September 3rd, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Tonya Pounds, Nurse Practitioner at Magnolia Healthcare and Aesthetics! Tonya’s nominator shared, “Before I met Tonya, she accomplished so many things within her career. During COVID she went to people’s homes to provide services that were not allowed in person. When she opened her medical practice in…… Continue Reading

Hometown Hero of the Week:  Ryan Wood, August 27th, 2025

Hometown Hero of the Week: Ryan Wood, August 27th, 2025

Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Ryan Wood, Senior Firefighter for the City of Raleigh. Ryan Wood, a seasoned firefighter with 19 years of dedicated service, exemplifies commitment both professionally and personally. Serving as a Senior Firefighter for the City of Raleigh, a member of NC-Task Force 8, and a Captain with the…… Continue Reading

← Older posts

Recent News

Nearly Impossible Trivia: Nashville Songwriters

Q It Forward: Bring Hope for the Holidays to Local Foster Children

Come Welcome Santa with QDR at Crabtree!

Gold Star Teacher of the Month: Sarah Huskey, November 2025

Fursday: Meet Taz from APS of Durham!

Hometown Hero of the Week: Lieutenant Nicholas Cloninger, October 29th, 2025

Composting Made Easy: Tips from the WPTF Weekend Gardener

Fursday: Meet Moose from Saving Grace!

Hometown Hero of the Week: Sam King, October 22nd, 2025

Fursday: Meet Gerard from APS of Durham!

  • La Ley 101.1FM

Copyright © 2025 WQDR-FM. All Rights Reserved.

View Mobile Site

  • Advertise
  • Contest Rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Public Inspection File
  • FCC Applications
  • EEO
Powered By SoCast