Teachers Leaving Wilkes County
Bad news for Wilkes County schools, as just over 10% of our school teachers leave the area each year. By far that wasn’t the highest total in the state last year, but still gives cause for concern. The Department of Public Instruction released the figures for 2004 on Tuesday, highlighting the escaping teachers as one of the state’s main problems. Overall, North Carolina schools averaged a 12% turnover in 2004, which Wilkes fell just short of. Out of the 769 teachers here in the county, 81 left this past year for a job in another school district. That percentage actually places Wilkes near the bottom of the list, in regards to teachers leaving. Harnett County had the highest rate, as 28% of their teaching staff left the county for a new job in 2004. Meanwhile around the area, Elkin schools averaged 19% turnover, while for Avery it was 11%, Alleghany 12% and Surry County was tied with Wilkes at 10%. Clay County had the smallest rate of turnover, with just 3% of teachers leaving the area. To help solve the problem, the State Board of Education plans to make changes in the next year. Among those plans are better working conditions and increased compensation for teachers.
More Counterfeit Money In Wilkes
Counterfeit money continues to pour into Wilkes County, this time the victim was the Pizza Hut in Wilkesboro. Earlier this week, Wilkesboro police were called out to the restaurant, after a manager discovered fake money in with the day’s receipts. While it’s unclear exactly who gave out the fake cash, the money was turned over to police, who are continuing the investigation.
Child Safety Check Coming Up Today
Here in Wilkes, 85% of all child safety seats in vehicles were not installed correctly. Too often, such a problem can lead to serious injuries if the vehicle that the child’s riding in is involved in a crash or even something as normal as a sudden stop for traffic. To help teach parents and other caregivers the right way to install them, a safety seat check is going on today at the Wilkes Health Department. Certified technicians will help show you the right way to install the seats at any time between noon and 1pm. If you want some more information before going out, you can call Jean Edwards at the Health Department. Her number is 651-7478.
Never leave your keys inside the car. A Traphill woman found that out the hard way this week, after being picked up at her home. Her keys had been left inside her car, which was capable of being driven. When she returned later in the day, the car was gone. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything throughout the morning, despite the missing vehicle. That investigation is ongoing.
Focus On The Troops
Here in Wilkes and across the country, people want to show their support of the troops. But to get the soldiers what they need most, items such as fans and phone cards, it usually costs and arm and a leg to ship. That’s where Operation Gratitude steps in. Jennifer Cooper White will be Brian's guest this week for Focus on the Foothills, as they’ll be talking about the program and how local churches and other groups can get involved. That’s coming up this Thursday at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.
Thief Gives Back For What He’s Stolen
A Roaring River man parked his truck at home and went inside earlier this week, with half a tank of gas still in the vehicle. The next morning he got in it to go to work and found it was having problems trying to start. After repeated attempts at getting it to start, the man called a mechanic friend. He discovered that all of the gas had been drained from his truck’s tank and replaced with water. There is a suspect in the case, as a local man had been trying to sell gas to people in the area that same morning. The investigation continues.
Fundraiser For Museum With Opening Date Announced
There is less than a month to go before the Wilkes Heritage Museum opens its’ doors to the public. But you don’t have to wait til November 15th to see inside. Old Wilkes is hosting a fundraiser on November 12th, where people can come by the old courthouse, listen to music and also see the finished product inside. Tickets are $25 for the event, which starts at 7pm on the 12th. You can buy them at Minton Pawn and Music, Old Wilkes Inc. and also at the Heritage Museum itself. For more information you can contact Old Wilkes at 667-3712.
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.
Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A traffic stop by sheriff’s deputies led to a drug bust earlier this week. Deputies had set up a checkpoint on Hwy 16 North when a driver pulled up. They asked both the passenger and driver for identification. The passenger refused and continued yelling at the deputies after they asked for the car to be pulled over. He then got out of the car and came toward the deputies, at which point they pulled their weapons and ordered him to stop and show his hands. Drugs were found on his side of the vehicle, both a small amount of marijuana and also some drug paraphernalia. 31-yr-old Scottie Ray Hamby was arrested and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Regional News
Dobson Man Wanted By Police
Officials in Dobson are searching today for a local man who was running a meth lab out of his house. 43-yr-old Glen Spicer is wanted by the Surry County sheriff’s department on charges of manufacturing meth. It’s believed that Spicer is driving a gray Dodge pickup and deputies are asking anyone with information to call 336-401-8900.
Congresswoman Fox To Hold Business Workshop
Government contracts are handed out each year to companies throughout the nation. But why can’t small businesses get involved? Congresswoman Virginia Fox wants to solve that problem, but holding a workshop for businesses in the 5th district this Friday. During the workshop, government contracting methods will be explained and also local businesses will be shown how they can get involved and compete for bids. Also if your business is ready to compete right now, people will be on hand to help get you started. The first 200 people will be accepted for the workshop, so to register you can call Aaron Church in the congresswoman’s office. The number is 336-778-0211.
State News
North Carolina Among Top 20 In Traffic Deaths
Some disturbing figures from the latest auto safety study. North Carolina was ranked 19th out of the 50 states in regards to tractor trailer related deaths. In 2004 alone, 198 people were killed in accidents that involved tractor trailers, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. That breaks down to 2.3 deaths for every 100,000 people on the road.
A strange student prank led to a school in Granville County shutting down on Tuesday. South Granville High School was closed for safety reasons while officials performed an air quality inspection. Concerns were raised after mercury was released into the air during a science class. A student exposed the mercury and then shared it with others in the class.
Jobs Leaving Asheville
Bad news for people in the Asheville area. 200 people will be on the unemployment line after Unilever shuts down in 2006. The plant has received almost $6 million in incentives from local governments over the last 12 years, but company officials said it would be more cost effective to shut down the plant and outsource the work to Canada.
Officials in Burke County are investigating a discovery at Linville Falls. Two people hiking in the area Monday night came across some skeletal remains just off one of the main trails. Investigators believe that it could be the body of a camper who disappeared last year in the area. There was however no indication how the person died.
35 workers at a Durham plant were arrested Tuesday morning, after INS agents found they were in the country illegally. The company the illegals worked for, Cree Inc., is a major contractor with the Department of Defense, helping to build and design radar systems for the military. The immigrants, from counties such as Pakistan and Kenya, are currently in a Johnston County jail cell awaiting deportation.
Huge Marijuana Bust In Stantonsburg
Over one million dollars worth of marijuana was seized in a bust earlier this week in Stantonsburg North Carolina. The plants were found on the border of Wilson and Greene Counties by hunters, who then alerted authorities. Over one thousand plants were cut down and destroyed at the site and officials are still tracking down those involved with the operation.
Sports Headlines
Some bad news for the UNC Tarheels, as they may be missing a player when the season begins. Freshman Mike Copeland tore the cartilage in his knee during a scrimmage late last week and had to undergo arthroscopic surgery. The 6-7 forward will miss at least the next four weeks while rehabbing, leaving just nine scholarship players on the roster. The Heels have their first exhibition game November 4th against Fayetteville State.
Duke Searching For Backup QB
The Duke football team will be one man short against Florida State this Saturday, as backup quarterback Mike Schneider is out. Duke officials wouldn’t explain what was wrong with Schneider, only saying that he was being treated at Duke Hospital for internal problems. However they did say the injury wasn’t life threatening.
In the senior circuit of the NFL, the news wasn’t any better for a former member of the Demon Deacons. The Arizona Cardinals announced on Tuesday that defensive end Calvin Pace, a first round pick out of Wake Forest in 2003, will miss the rest of the season after falling through a window at his home. Pace had to undergo surgery after slicing his arm on the window. He is however expected to make a full recovery.
In NASCAR, Richard Childress officially made a change this week, announcing that Clint Bowyer will take over as driver of the car that Dave Blaney currently runs in. Also with the new driver comes a new crew chief, as Gil Martin takes over duties on the car. As for Blaney, he doesn’t plan to retire, but currently doesn’t have any offers to drive next year.
Changes are coming in the NBA this season. This week, the league sent out a letter discussing the new dress code. Players have to appear in what league officials are calling business casual attire before and after games. Gone are the necklaces, rings and ballcaps. Instead come November 1st, the players will be walking out in suits and ties.