Meth Lab Uncovered In Wilkes
Sheriff’s deputies received information earlier this week about a possible meth lab operating here in the county. After going to the Boone Trail residence, they asked the homeowner if a search could be done of the house and he agreed. Once inside, they found two men out in the open working with what turned out to be a homemade meth lab. Deputies also found trace amounts of marijuana and meth inside, along with small amounts being carried by the suspects. All five people inside were arrested and charged with manufacturing meth, maintaining a home for the sale of drugs, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. In addition, two small children were located inside the home and turned over to Social Services. 36-yr-old Earl Harding Benton, 48-yr-old Judy Gail Braddock, 30-yr-old David Louis Linton, 40-yr-old Anita Lafon Kinton and 32-yr-old Michael Edward Pennington were all charged and taken to the detention center.
Focus On Foxx
Last week here on 3WC, we told you about three illegal immigrants that were discovered working at Fort Bragg. If security lets undocumented immigrants slip through into military bases, what’s to stop others from exploiting the same loopholes? 5th District Congresswoman Virginia Fox will be talking about the subject with Brian later today during Focus on the Foothills. They’ll also be discussing the energy bills recently put before the Congress along with the money spent for hurricane relief. That’s all coming up at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.
Hit & Run Totals Two On River Street
A wreck on River Street totaled two cars Tuesday afternoon. A Taylorsville woman was trying to turn onto River Street from a side road but didn’t notice the oncoming traffic. She hit a car driven by a Wilkesboro woman, then fled the scene of the crime. It didn’t take Wilkesboro police long to track her down however, as the suspect soon after wrecked her own car and was placed into custody. No one was injured in the incident, however estimated damages were placed at $3000. In addition, Julie Elder Carter was arrested and charged with hit & run driving. Also the 36-yr-old employee of the Wilkes Health Department was charged with DWI after failing a breathalyzer test.
Wilkes Open Forum Running This Week
Coming up tonight, Wilkes Open Forum will be up and running, 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 tonight at the Wilkes County Library, beginning at 6pm.
Local Man Falls Prey To ID Theft
A man from State Road called sheriff’s deputies after getting two very large credit card bills in his name. The accounts had apparently been opened sometime in the last two years, with over a thousand dollars charged collectively between the two cards. There is however a suspect in the case and the information was turned over to the sheriff’s department, who is continuing the investigation.
Hunting Safety Class Coming Up In October
This next bit of news is for all the would be hunters out there. Coming up next week, there will be a class on hunting safety at the Kerr Scott Ranger Station. The class will last three hours and 20 minutes each night with a test at the end. Once participants pass the test, they can receive their certification. There is no minimum age to attend, however you must be at all three classes in order to take the exam. To pre-register for the class, you can call 919-733-7191. Or for more information, you can call Officer Mark Minton of the Wildlife Resources Commission. His number is 336-957-3061. And that will take place Tuesday through Thursday, October 18th-20th.
A Roaring River man called sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday after thieves paid a visit to his property. 16 boards of treated wood were stolen from the man’s yard and also two dogs, his Red Bone Hound and a black mixed breed dog. There are no suspects in the case however deputies are continuing the investigation.
3WC Healthwatch: Fishing For Brain Cells
Eating fish can be good for your brain, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. Rush University in Chicago did a study recently that found eating fish at least once a week can slow down the stress that aging puts on your brain. The reason being fatty acids in the fish, called Omega-3 tissues, boost brain functioning and also cut down the risk of a stroke. In studies done, the rate of mental decline dropped by an estimated 13% in people who ate at least one meal of fish per week. As for those who went without fish, their mental process continued to deteriorate at the regular pace. Basically that one meal a week will be the equivalent of going back in time four years and regenerating your brain.
Car Damaged At Millers Creek Residence
How can someone do so much damage without making a sound? That’s what a Millers Creek man is wondering today, after coming outside to find that someone had smashed his car during the night. $800 worth of damage was done to the vehicle, where it appears someone had repeatedly smashed it using a blunt object. Despite all the noise such an event would cause, neither the homeowner nor any of his family could recall hearing or seeing anything during the night. That investigation is ongoing.
State News
Republicans Call For Drop In Energy Taxes
State lawmakers called for some changes in North Carolina’s energy taxes on Wednesday, asking Gov. Easley to roll back certain sections of the law. Included in that cutback would be a lowering of the gas tax by 2.5 cents a gallon and a cap to prevent it increasing by another five cents in January. Also a proposal was put forth to eliminate consumer taxes on home heating fuels, which would cost state and local governments an estimated $100 million a year. So far Easley has refused, saying that even a temporary cutback would damage state run programs.
With fuel costs staying around the $3 range, schools in Gaston County are looking for alternative ways to fuel up. The school system has installed a bio-diesel fuel system in its’ buses, meaning that they can run off recycled vegetable oil. Aside from being safer for the environment, the oil can be collected from school cafeterias and local restaurants, saving Gaston County an estimated $150,000 each year.
Paddling Under Attack At Robeson County School
Parents are criticizing the Robeson County School System, after a teacher was allowed to paddle one of her seventh grade students. Local parents are calling for charges to be filed, while showing bruises that the paddle left on the child. The student at Rowland Middle School had been misbehaving when the teacher pulled him aside and paddled him. School officials say the teacher followed county policies, which allow paddling in certain circumstances.
More Jobs Coming To Forsyth County
Good news for people in Forsyth County, as more jobs are headed to the area. Hayward Pool Products announced on Wednesday that the company plans to add 75 new positions in its’ Clemmons plant over the next three years. Average weekly pay for the new positions will be $990 plus benefits. The added jobs were made possible thanks in part to a grant of $100,000 from Gov. Easley’s One North Carolina Fund.
The Department of Commerce is helping a Hickory business use the global market to its’ advantage. Instead of bringing products in, the company is sending its’ hosiery products overseas to new markets. A grant of $397,000 made the move possible by allowing the Hosiery Technology Center to develop new training and research abilities, along with new avenues of operating via the internet. The Hickory company will be sending products out to companies in Japan, Singapore and Eastern Europe over the next three years.
15 counties in North Carolina will be the site of a training exercise for students wanting to become Special Forces operatives. The two weeks of training start this Saturday and will continue until October 29th in Alamance, Anson, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly and Union. To avoid any accidents, all students in the exercise will be wearing armbands, identifying themselves as special forces soldiers.
Sports Headlines
NC State Player Faces Deportation
When the college basketball season starts, one member of the NC State team may be watching the games from another country. Sophomore guard Gavin Grant was charged with being an illegal alien this week by the INS, after information was released proving that he had been smuggled into this country before his freshman year. Now depending on the outcome of a hearing on the subject, Grant could be deported before the end of the month. Regardless of what happens, Wolfpack officials said that Grant would have a spot with the team when this all gets sorted out.
Appalachian Picked To Come In Second
More preseason polls have been released in college basketball and it’s a case of good news/bad news for Appalachian State. The good news is that the Mountaineers are expected to contend in the Southern Conference and are considered one of the elite teams, returning players from last season’s 18-12 run. However they fell just short in the voting, finishing in a tie for second place with UNC Greensboro. Just ahead of the two were Chattanooga and Davidson, both tied for first place.
The news was good for UNC’s basketball team, as the Tarheels announced yet another commitment for their 2006 squad. 6-9 Alex Stepheson, a high school center from California, agreed to play for Roy Williams. Stepheson averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds during 2004, while also getting rave reviews for his defensive skills. He’s currently ranked as the 58th best player in the nation.
Football Prospect Commits To Duke
On the football field, things haven’t exactly gone well for Duke. However the news was better on Wednesday as 6-7 Robert Drum committed to play for the school. Drum, a 270 lb. offensive lineman, turned down offers from Georgia Tech and South Carolina to put on a Duke uniform, saying that it was a good fit and he looked forward to helping the program turn itself around.
Charlotte Bobcats Score
In the NBA, preseason basketball got underway this week and the Charlotte Bobcats fell just short. They lost to the Atlanta Hawks109-105, being led by Gerald Wallace’s 22 points. Rookie Raymond Felton added 20 for Charlotte, who was playing without Sean May or Emeka Okafor.
Carolina Hurricanes Score Blowout Win
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes improved to 2-2 on the season with a blowout 7-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Eric Staal recorded his fifth goal of the season while rookie goalie Cam Ward kept Washington out of the nets. Next up this Saturday, the Hurricanes will take on New Jersey.