News & Sports For October 11th
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 6:04AM
More Counterfeit Money Pouring Into The Area
Wilkesboro police are investigating two separate cases of counterfeit money coming into the county. The incidents happened over the weekend, first at Wal-Mart and additionally at BB&T. At Wal-Mart, cashiers discovered two fake $10 bills when turning over the night’s receipts. The video tapes were turned over to police in hopes of locating the suspect. At the Wilkesboro BB&T branch, some money was returned from a local business after the store owner found that it was fake. Over $500 in fake bills were turned back over to the branch. Bank officials believe the fake money was brought in during a night deposit and are trying to identify the person responsible. Both of those investigations are ongoing.
Prison Inmate Attempts To Escape From Wilkes
Sheriff’s deputies had to track down an escaped inmate over the weekend. The man, 25-yr-old Randy Elijah Gilleland, was being taken to the detention center of the prison, when he suddenly took off running, attempting to get away. Deputies quickly tracked him down and placed him back under arrest. Now in addition to the other charges, he was charged with attempted escape.
Wilkes Open Forum Running This Week
Coming up this Thursday, Wilkes Open Forum will be back in action, presenting a film and also discussing treatment of the earth. The film “In Light Of Reverence” will be shown, starting at 6pm and then afterwards Judith Teele will be on hand to talk about protecting the natural resources of the planet. Once again that’s free to the public and will take place this Thursday at the Wilkes County Library, beginning at 6pm.
Vehicle Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Always lock up before you leave. A North Wilkesboro man found that out the hard way over the weekend, after returning to find his car had been stolen. The vehicle had been parked in the man’s garage, which had been left unlocked. As the man went inside to call and report the stolen vehicle, it whizzed by his house and he was able to identify the man driving it. After a short investigation, the man was arrested and the car returned to its’ owner. 29-yr-old Shawn Edward Nunn was charged with second degree burglary and larceny of a motor vehicle.
Needs At The Kitchen
When people can’t afford to buy food, who do they turn to? Here in Wilkes, the Samaritan’s Kitchen lends a hand. The Kitchen, which has been in operation for over six years, is involved with several different programs throughout the week.
Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in Wilkes over the weekend, this time targeting Foster’s Grocery in Ronda. A man pulled up in a white van, pumped $69 worth of gas into the vehicle and then drove off down the road. A description of the van was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.
WCC Holds Program For Business Leaders
There can be a lot of headaches if you run your own business. What’s the requirement to qualify for overtime? What’s an appropriate amount of time to set aside for rest and meal breaks? How can you legally fire someone without putting your business at risk of a lawsuit? All those questions and more will be answered November 1st during a seminar at Wilkes Community College. The event lasts from 1-4pm and will be held in Room 1112. For more information or to register, you can call the WCC Joblink Center at 651-2550.
Wreck On 421 Over The Weekend Totals Three
Always make sure your light is green before passing through. A man from Sneads Ferry learned that the hard way over the weekend, after causing a three car pileup. He was traveling down 421, but didn’t notice that his light was red. Instead he plowed straight on, hitting two vehicles being driven by men from Wilkesboro. Estimated damages were placed at $17,500. That first driver was taken by EMS to Wilkes Regional and an update on his injuries were not available at this time.
Spots Still Available At Head Start
For any parent who wants to get their child started early on their education, Head Start has some available spots left. There are currently two openings in the program for new students, after that the kids will be put on a waiting list. Classes started in August for this year’s program and will run until May of 2006. Students can enroll at any time up until March of 2006. After that they’ll have to wait until the next term. The classes run from 8:30am until 2:30pm Monday through Thursday. The students are admitted based on their family income, as those in the lesser income bracket get taken first. For more information or to enroll your child, you can call Judy Mitchell at the Head Start office. Her number is 667-7174.
State News
Gas Companies Dragged Into Court
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper is putting his money where his mouth is this week, filing a lawsuit against McLeod Oil Company and Home Oil Incorporated. The two companies have been charged with fixing prices and forcing stations to raise the cost of gas artificially. The state attorney general’s office is demanding that each company pay a $5000 for each violation and be forced to give up all additional profits made from the illegal hike. In Durham, the price of gas shot up 40 cents on September 28th at all the company stores except one. The A&P Mini Mart in Durham refused to go along with the increase, so company officials came in and padlocked the gas pumps. After the lawsuit was brought, officials apologized and removed the locks from the pumps.
Bird Flu Possibly Headed To North Carolina
Officials from the state’s poultry industry are meeting this week, to try and figure out how to protect the animals and people here in North Carolina from the deadly Asian bird flu. Already in Asia, 60 people have been killed by the virus, which was found over the weekend in portions of Europe. Disease specialists from across the state are suggesting that vaccines be handed out, especially to the workers in North Carolina’s 5000 poultry plants. A decision as to what to do hasn’t been made yet.
Big Merger For Insurance Companies
One of the biggest insurance companies in North Carolina announced plans for a merger on Monday, as Jefferson Pilot Corporation will be bought out by Lincoln National for $7.5 billion dollars. The move will create one of the largest insurance companies in the country. The board of directors will be split between seven members from Jefferson Pilot and eight from Lincoln. The deal will become official in the first quarter of 2006, after being ratified by both parties.
Woman Missing In Orange County
Officials in Orange County are asking for help today after the disappearance of a local woman. 34-yr-old Alishia Gayle Moore disappeared over the weekend in Durham and was last seen driving down the road in her 2000 black Dodge Neon. The vehicle has the license plate TRH-5472. Miss Moore is described as being 5’7 and weighing 110 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. The Orange County sheriff’s department is asking that you give them a call if you have any information at (919) 644-3050.
High County Needs More Qualified Workforce
Bad news coming out of Watauga, as the High County Workforce Development Board has released their report and believe they know the reason why new jobs aren’t coming to the mountain counties. The report comes after 15 months of research and preparation, as the board tried to determine why jobs are leaving. The major problem appeared to be a lack of skilled workers, according to the board’s report. People don’t have the ability needed in most new jobs, which usually deal with technology. As it stands, retail jobs are responsible for nearly 55% of the employment in the area and new demands are growing in construction and professional services. The board suggested that those either unhappy with their present job or out of work return to some type of college and get more education, so that they can apply for better paying jobs.
State’s First Turnpike Coming Up Soon
Within the next five years, North Carolina will join the list of states with a turnpike. The NC Turnpike Authority is planning to create possibly as many as nine toll roads across the state, to solve traffic congestion and also provide North Carolina with more income. The first one will be put up in Durham, stretching from the local freeway to Morrisville and current plans have that one set to open in 2010.
Sports Headlines
High School Football From Monday
Taking a look at the high school scores from Monday, it was West Wilkes beating South Stokes 28-0. The Blackhawks improve to 5-2 with the win, good enough for fifth place in the Northwest 1-A conference. Meanwhile the news wasn’t so good for Cardinal fans, as East Wilkes fell to Elkin 48-0. The loss drops East to 3-5 on the season.
Wake Forest Rusher Moves Up ACC Chart
In college football, the news wasn’t all bad for Wake Forest despite getting blown out this weekend by Florida State. Running back Chris Barclay had 125 yards on 21 carries, putting him at 3491 for his career. That’s good enough for 14th all time in ACC history, just ahead of former Virginia Cavalier and current New York Giant Tiki Barber. If he gains 63 more yards this season, he’ll pass former NC State running back Tremayne Stephens for 13th.
UNC Receivers Walking Wounded
Up the road in Chapel Hill, a member of the UNC Tarheels went under the knife this week. Wide receiver Jarwarski Pollock had to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, the same procedure that former Tarheel basketball player Sean May recently underwent. Due to the fact damage was less severe to Pollack’s knee, team doctors expect him to be able to play October 22nd when the Heels host Virginia.
France To Break Up Super Teams
Bigger than the result of Sunday’s race, a major announcement was handed down over the weekend by Brian France of NASCAR. He plans to break up all of the so called super teams in the sport. That means teams like Roush Racing, who have more than three drivers would see their garage get a little smaller. France said he decided to make the change because he feels that super teams prevent new owners from getting involved with the sport, a problem he wants to solve as plans go forth to add more racetracks in Canada and New York. The first stage of the plan will be put into motion next season, although he gave no indication as to what that might be.
Retirement Might Not Be Final For Wallace
In other NASCAR news, Rusty Wallace might not be calling it quits after this season. While still planning to retire, Wallace said that he might step into his car a few times, but not race a full schedule. One of the reasons is the fact his son Stephen will make his Busch Series debut in two weeks and if he gets a call up to the Nextel Cup Circuit next season, Rusty is thinking about having a father-son race, if his sponsors will let him.
Reader Comments (1)
Finding college scholarship information information is a difficult process. Thanks for helping others find more information about college scholarship information.
Davehttp://www.donhansen.com/college-scholarship/" REL="nofollow">college scholarship information