News & Sports For October 10th 2005
Monday, October 10, 2005 at 5:43AM
Gas Stolen From Local Trucks
With gas prices hanging around the three dollar mark, it’s no surprise that some people refuse to pay. What is surprising is the lengths local people are going to avoid paying at the pump. Over the weekend, thieves drained the gas out of three cars in the North Wilkesboro area. No one in the area, including the car owners, could recall hearing or seeing anything during the night. However despite that and the fact no damage was done to the vehicles, over $75 worth of gas was drained from the cars. Deputies are continuing the investigation.
Public Lands Day Brings Out Crowd
A crowd gathered in support of Public Lands Day this weekend. On Saturday, slightly under 200 volunteers came out to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir to do cleanup work, including members of Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club and also the Boy Scouts. In addition, portions of the Overmountain Victory Trail and a new bridge that crosses Fish Dam Creek were dedicated in a ceremony at noon. The new bridge helps to link the Yadkin River Greenway with the Overmountain Trail, giving easier access to hikers and bike riders who want to travel the entire circuit.
Presentation Coming Up On Medicare
If you’re confused about the new Medicare Plan D program, you’re not alone. Many people throughout the country are confused as to how exactly the new plan works. To help solve that problem, a presentation will be given at Center Baptist Church on Wednesday. The church, located in the Mulberry community, will host the meeting at 7pm, with representatives from Social Security and Medicare both on hand to explain and take questions. For more information you can call 670-3564.
One Car Totaled In Wreck On 421
One car was totaled in a wreck over the weekend on 421. A Durham man was driving down the highway when the cars in front of him all suddenly slammed on their brakes. He wasn’t able to stop his own car in time to cause a collision. The man’s vehicle was totaled, with estimated damage placed at $2000 and only minor damage done to the other car. Thankfully no one was injured in the crash.
Benefit For St. Jude Children’s Hospital Next Week
Coming up this Saturday you can have a good time and help a great cause. A benefit will be going on to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, beginning at 10am at the Bowman Branch Farm in North Wilkesboro. For a $5 donation, you can take part in a horseback scavenger hunt, pony rides, face painting and horseshoe painting. Also for an addition $5, you can enter in the Chili Cookoff, with a cash prize awarded for first place. For more information or to get directions to the farm, you can call 984-3862 or 838-8382.
Came In To Do Some Shopping
A Wilkesboro woman fell victim to thieves late last week. She returned home to find the front door kicked in and several thousand dollars worth of material missing. Included in the theft were over 200 music CDs, $5 in change and a CD player, among other things. There are suspects in the case and the investigation continues.
Coats For Kids Still Going Strong
A lot of people have coats in the closet that never get worn. If you want to give those coats away, Our House has somewhere that’ll take them. The organization, in connection with Christmas in Wilkes, is running their annual Coats For Kids drive. Any and all coats are welcomed, new or used, child or adult size, whatever you have to give will be used and appreciated. Two locations here in the area are accepting the coats, Wilkesboro Cleaners and Hourglass Cleaners in North Wilkesboro. Donations can be dropped off any day between now and October 28th. During the week, you can drop off coats from 11am til 7pm Monday through Wednesday, then from 9am til 5pm on Thursday and Friday. For more information you can call Sherry Mabry at Our House. The number is 667-5555.
Car Stolen From Millers Creek Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Millers Creek residence after thieves drove off with the homeowner’s car. The woman had gone to bed with the keys, she believed, in her pocketbook and the vehicle sitting outside. The next morning she woke up to find the keys and the car both missing, however there was no sign of a break-in and nothing to explain how the keys were taken. The woman’s car had been reported throughout the night being driven through the Moravian Falls community with three men inside. There are suspects in the case and warrants are pending.
Thieves Wanting To Do Some Yardwork
A Wilkesboro man called sheriff’s deputies over the weekend after returning home to find his tools had been stolen. Thieves kicked in the man’s front door, causing over $700 worth of damage. In addition, they walked out of the house with a push mower and a weed eater. Nothing else was bothered and no other damage was done to the home. That investigation is still ongoing.
Regional News
Appalachian Student Killed In Jonesville
A 19-yr-old college student was killed over the weekend after a wreck near Jonesville on I-77. The student, 19-yr-old Julie Nagel, had been going home to Maryland for fall break when her car was hit. She later died Saturday morning at Baptist Medical Center. Nagel was a member of the school’s field hockey team and the team cancelled their match this weekend, so other players could go be with the family.
State News
SBI Investigating Winfall Mayor
Accusations of fraud have brought the SBI to one small North Carolina town. The mayor of Winfall, a town in Perguimans County is being investigated for receiving double payments for government expenses. Fred Yates was reimbursed by the state for town expenses, being given $572 to pay for his travel back and forth from Raleigh for meetings he had to attend. But now it turns out that Yates had already been paid by the town for those meetings, money that he never gave back. If the SBI finds enough evidence, criminal charges could be filed against the mayor.
Construction Can Lead To Delays On I-40
For anyone heading toward Raleigh on I-40 the next few days, you can expect to be a little slow in getting there. Over the weekend, officials noticed some flaws in the pavement, meaning that portions will have to be ripped out and replaced. That will go on over the next few weeks on I-40 at a ten mile stretch from US 15 to the Durham Freeway. In addition, two eastbound lanes near the NC Highway 55 interchange will also have repairs done.
State Of Emergency In Beaufort County
While most people were happy to have rain falling over the weekend, portions of the state find themselves still struggling to recover. In Beaufort County, the area is still in a state of emergency. EMS workers were called in, people had to be rescued from their homes by boat and shelters were opened to house the suddenly homeless citizens. Also in Wilmington, a new record was set for October with over eleven inches of rain since Friday.
Officials Still Sorting Out Major Pileup
A massive wreck Friday in Alamance County is still under investigation today. Over 70 cars were involved in the wreck on I-85, in what appears to be a chain reaction. DOT workers have determined that several cars slowed down on the road, to look at some cars stopped on the side. Then the domino effect happened, as drivers behind them couldn’t slow down and caused the pileup. Several people had to be taken to the hospital, but none of the injuries proved fatal. The section of highway wasn’t reopened until late Friday night.
Problem At High Point Plant Solved
A potential problem with a school bus plant in High Point was solved over the weekend, after an agreement was reached between the business and the union. This past June, the 1300 workers at the plant voted to join the United Auto Workers union and as such, wouldn’t work unless an agreement was in place. That issue was solved on Friday, as the union and Thomas Built Buses agreed in principle on a deal, which now goes to the union workers to be ratified. Thomas makes buses for most of the schools in North Carolina.
Sports Headlines
Friday Night Football
Taking a look around the high school scene, it was North Wilkes in our 3WC Game of the Week falling to Ashe County 42-7. Penalties and turnovers were the major problem for the Vikings, who fall to 17 with the loss, while Ashe County moves up to 5-2, taking sole possession of first place in the Mountain Valley Conference. Coming up later tonight, East Wilkes will be at home, playing host to Elkin in a game rescheduled from Friday. Also West Wilkes goes on the road, with a doubleheader. The JV team takes the field at South Stokes at 5pm, while the varsity will take over at 7:30pm. ‘
NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college football scene, it wasn’t a good weekend for ACC teams from North Carolina. Wake Forest got blown out by Florida State 41-24, dropping to 24 on the season. By the end of the third quarter, the Deacons had cut the lead down to three, but couldn’t generate a defensive stop and the Seminole offense exploded. Meanwhile, the news wasn’t any better for Tarheel fans, as UNC went on a painful trip to Louisville and ended up surrendering the most points in their 117 year history. UNC lost 69-14, falling to 2-3 on the season and ending a two game winning streak. The Duke Blue Devils however would just like to get on a winning streak, no matter how small. They fell against Miami 52-7 on Saturday, giving up three touchdowns in a five minute span. Freshman quarterback Zack Assack had a rough game, going 4 of 15 for eight yards passing and six yards rushing. The 1-5 Blue Devils had one bright spot, as running back Ronnie Drummer broke away for an 81-yard touchdown in the first half, the longest play given up by Miami in 29 years. In other scores, Appalachian State fell to Furman 34-31, dropping to 3-1 on the year, while East Carolina pulled off the 41-28 win over Rice, improving to 203 on the season.
Panthers Pull Out Win Over Cardinals
In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers overcame a slow start to beat Arizona 24-20. Jake Delhomme tossed for 243 yards and two touchdowns, while Steve Smith caught 8 passes for 119 yards. With the win, Carolina improves to 3-2 on the season and get set to go on the road against Detroit next weekend.
Martin Drives Away With NASCAR Win
On the Nextel Cup circuit, it was Mark Martin taking the checkered flag during Sunday’s Banquet 400. Greg Biffle was second, Carl Edwards third, points leader Tony Stewart came in fourth and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five. Next up drivers head down to Charlotte for the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowes Speedway.
Hurricanes Fall To Islanders
Coming off a major win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Carolina Hurricanes fell back to Earth this weekend. They lost to the New York Islanders 3-2. The loss drops Carolina to 1-2 on the season.
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