A planned meeting of the North Wilkesboro town board had to be put on hold Thursday night, after a court order. Superior Court Judge Michael Helms issued a restraining order hours before the meeting was supposed to take place. He ordered that no member of the hospital nominating committee be removed until the hospital board has a chance to present some suggestions as replacements. North Wilkesboro mayor Steve Foster had originally called the meeting to remove several members of the nominating committee and vote on their replacements. The cause of conflict came due to the fact the town board had asked the committee to submit some new names to serve, but instead got names of old members. Out of the four names submitted, three were old members and one was new. The three old members were rejected by the town, because the majority of the board said it was time for new blood to have a voice. Judge Helms has ordered the nominating committee to select three new people and have them ready to present by Nov. 9th at noon.
Local Restaurant Missing Money
Wilkesboro police are investigating how some money disappeared from the local Burger King late last week. A manager from the store left for the bank, set to deposit $1820. That money never made it to the bank in question and the manager hasn’t been heard from since. A description of the suspect was turned over to police and that investigation is ongoing.
Wilkesboro Man Reappointed To Commission By Easley
A local man was reappointed to the Commission on Children With Special Health Care Needs. Gov. Mike Easley selected Danny Staley to return as part of the commission, which helps to monitor and evaluate the availability of health care to special needs kids in the state. Staley is also the health director for the Appalachian District Health Department in Boone.
Always Look Before Turning
A Greensboro man learned over the weekend why it’s a good idea to look both ways before turning. He was heading down River Street in Wilkesboro, looking to turn into the Run-In’s parking lot. However he failed to check and see if other cars were in the area, instead slamming into a vehicle driven by a North Wilkesboro man. There were no injuries in the crash, however estimated damages were placed at $14,000.
Gas Thieves Re-Emerge In Wilkes
Gas thieves hit another Wilkes County business over the weekend, this time targeting the Fast Track in Millers Creek. A man pulled up in a red sportscar, pumped just over $34 worth of gas and then drove off down the road. Employees inside were able to get a description of both the man and his vehicle, which were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.
Thieves Break Into Ronda Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Ronda home late last week after thieves paid a visit. The homeowner returned to find a window open in her living room and a plastic chair leaning up against it outside. Nothing was damaged in the home and the only things taken were several medications from her cabinet. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.
Wreck On Curtis Bridge Road Totals Two
A Millers Creek woman was trying to turn into the sheriff’s department parking lot late last week, but couldn’t avoid a collision. She had turned directly in front of a Purlear man, who slammed into her vehicle. The man was injured in the crash but turned down medical attention. Estimated damage was placed at $15,000.
Break-In At Moravian Falls Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home in Moravian Falls late last week, after thieves came by to do some shopping. Gone from inside was a set of golf clubs, a drill set and a scope rifle. All total the estimated value of the stolen merchandise was $2380. There is however a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.
State News
In God We Trust Under Siege
Davidson County commissioners are facing a legal battle to keep “In God We Trust” on their building. The motto was engraved several years ago on the county’s government center, but last year a lawsuit was filed saying that it violated the First Amendment. That suit was denied by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals but the people involved are trying to get it revisited. As such, Davidson County officials have taken their case to the Supreme Court. It’s unknown however when or if the court will hear the case.
The Dell computer company is helping military families stay in touch with their loved ones overseas, thanks to a project called Operation Homelink. 150 computers were given to families of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg. The setup will allow soldiers and their families to correspond via email. The volunteer organization, which began in 2003, has been working ever since to keep the lines of communication open between soldiers and loved ones back home.
Less than a month after North Carolina approved a lottery, already problems are popping up. Information has come to light that members of the lottery commission, including a former staffer of House Speaker Jim Black, have ties to lottery company Scientific Games. As a result, commissioner Kevin Geddings said that he wouldn’t vote on issues that involve the gaming company and an investigation has been launched into staffer Meredith Norris, who still serves as the political director for Speaker Black.
Hoping to save some money, Win Dixie got their plans approved to shut down a distribution center in Charlotte. A federal judge okayed the move, which, combined with several other closings, will save the company $700,00 a month. So far this year, the company has sold over 100 stores and rejected leases for another 200 as they look to climb out of bankruptcy protection.
Cherokee History Uncovered In North Carolina
An archeologist in western North Carolina has uncovered evidence that the Trail of Tears came through this part of the state. Brett Riggs has uncovered the remains of 30 Cherokee Indian farms in Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties, also discovering evidence that North Carolina roads were used to evict the Indians some 160 years ago.
For the fourth time in the past month, a church in High Point has been vandalized. Churchgoers came in Friday morning to Peace Christian Church, only to discover the damage. Someone had taken rocks and thrown them against church windows and other parts of the building. Earlier this month, the gas lines were cut on the church van and someone had attempted to break into the nearby storage shed. Despite all the damage, nothing was taken from the church and High Point police are asking for help in finding the vandals.
Sports Headlines
Friday Night Scoreboard
Taking a look around the high school scene on Friday, it was North Wilkes falling to North Surry 20-6. Now both teams are tied for last place in the Mountain Valley Conference at 1-8. Meanwhile West Wilkes continues their resurgence with a 43-0 blowout of Alleghany at homecoming. West improves to 6-2 with the win, heading into next Friday’s showdown with Mt. Airy. In our 3WC Game of the Week, Wilkes Central’s homecoming was spoiled by Surry Central, as the Golden Eagles pulled out a 27-7 win. Now Wilkes Central falls in the standings to 1-7, taking over 6th place in the 7 team conference. Also in regional action, Elkin moves up the ladder to a perfect 8-0 with a 62-0 win over South Stokes and Mt. Airy set the stage for Friday’s game with West Wilkes, beating Bishop McGuiness 28-26. With the win, Mt. Airy stays at 7-1, ½ game ahead of West in the Northwest 1-A conference.
ACC Scoreboard
It was a weekend of missed opportunities and blowouts for college teams from North Carolina. Wake Forest almost upset Boston College, but fell just short in the 35-30 loss. Cory Randolph is proving to be the answer however at quarterback for the Deacons, as he tossed for 193 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 14 more. Next up Wake Forest goes to NC State. Meanwhile the Duke Blue Devils managed just 10 points against Georgia Tech, being blown out 35-10. Freshman QB Zack Assack continues to have some growing pains for the Blue Devils, as he tossed for one touchdown and two interceptions.
Around the rest of the college scene, it was Appalachian State beating Georgia Southern 24-7. Richie Williams threw for 161 yards and a touchdown, as the Mountaineers improve to 4-2. They’ll go on the road against Wofford next Saturday. It was Gardner-Webb falling against Coastal Carolina 34-31, East Carolina beating SMU 24-17 and Elon lost to Chattanooga 10-7.
Panthers Pull Out Last Second Win
In the NFL, it went down to the wire but the Carolina Panthers were able to pull out the 21-20 win against Detroit. Backup quarterback Chris Weinke threw a touchdown to Ricky Proehl to seal the victory for the Panthers, who improve to 4-2. Jake Delhomme had to leave in the fourth quarter after being knocked out on a run.
Jimmie Johnson Wins At Charlotte
Despite a failed engine, a cut tire and a blown alternator, Jimmie Johnson came back to win the UAW-GM Quality 500 Saturday. In a race that saw 15 caution flags brought out, Johnson took the win, followed in second by Kurt Busch, then Greg Biffle coming in third, Joe Nemecheck fourth and Mark Martin rounding out the top five.