News & Sports For October 25th
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 6:03AM Wilkes County Kids Rising Out Of Poverty
Some mixed news today for Wilkes County families, as a study was released from the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute. The good news is that families here in Wilkes are improving their situation, with only 13.7% of those with children currently living in poverty. That's a drop from the year 2000, when 13.9% lived in the same conditions. The bad news however is that the families are moving out of poverty but are still dependent on governmental assistance. Families with children who are on the Food Stamp program increased 22.3% over the last five years and the number of children enrolled in Medicaid here in Wilkes has risen 17%. The condition of families was another problem cited by the study, as here in Wilkes only 70% of all children are raised by a two parent household. That's a decline of 6% over the last ten years. While the number of two parent families has fallen, the amount of children here in the county has actually increased. As of last year, 15191 children were living in Wilkes, with over 80% of those kids 14 and under. On tomorrow's newscast we'll go over the education rates here in the county and examine if the graduation rate has climbed since the last study was done. Then on Thursday we'll go over the Institute's recommendations and what's being done about them.
Counterfeit Money Continues To Flow In
Over the weekend, more counterfeit money continued to pour into Wilkes County, although this time there's a face to go with it. A white man in his mid 20s walked into the Fast Track on Winkler Street in Wilkesboro, bought some cigarettes and paid for his purchase with what turned out to be a fake $20 bill. Then later on Sunday, an older white man came into the KFC in Wilkesboro and did the same thing, paying for his meal with a fake $50 bill. When asked about the money, the man took off running out the door. In both cases, security cameras were able to take a picture of the suspects and the information was turned over to Wilkesboro police. That investigation is still ongoing.
Wreck On 421 Totals One
Two cars were involved in a wreck on Hwy 421 earlier this week. A North Wilkesboro woman was sitting in her vehicle, waiting for her light to change from red when another car slammed into her from behind. That second vehicle was driven by a Lexington man, who didn't slow down in time to avoid a collision. Estimated damage in the wreck was placed at $3100. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.
Pregnancy Center Needs Volunteers
As we reach the end of October, the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center finds itself in need of help. The Center is looking for volunteers, to work two to three hours a week. However before someone can begin helping, they need to go through a training session. Coming up next month, there will be a three day session beginning November 10th and finishing Saturday November 12th. The sessions last for 2 ½ hours on Thursday and Friday, then wrap up with a three hour session on Saturday. For more information about what training involves or if you want to sign up, you can call the Center at 838-9272.
Purlear Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Purlear woman got a surprising call from her bank over the weekend, asking about some purchases made in St. Petersburg Florida. Apparently someone had gone on a spending spree, using her bank information to do it. The total bill added up to $5966. Wachovia has started their own investigation into the case and believe this situation is tied in with several other cases of ID theft that have gone on over the past few months. The account has since been closed and sheriff's deputies are continuing their investigation.
Car Stolen From Moravian Falls Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home in Moravian Falls over the weekend, after thieves drove off with the homeowner's vehicle. The woman stepped outside and noticed the vehicle was missing during the night, despite there not having been any noise as it was driven away. There was also no signs of a break-in or any damage left behind. Deputies however found the vehicle, wrecked and abandoned on Highrock Road in Boomer. It's still unclear exactly how the vehicle was taken or who stole it.
Drive Through Flu Clinic Coming Up
With the cold weather moving into Wilkes, flue season's not far behind. To plan ahead this year, the Wilkes Health Department is holding a drive through flu clinic next Saturday November 5th. People can just drive up in their car, receive the shot and then take off down the road. For adults or children on Medicaid, there is no charge, however for everyone else, there is a cost. It will cost $20 for an flu shot and $33 for an pneumonia shot, that's for both adults and children. There is no sign up sheet or reservations, you just drive up to West Park Medical Center on Nov. 5th anytime from 8am til 3pm. For more information you can call the Health Department at 651-7450.
Everything Taken But The Kitchen Sink
A Traphill couple got a surprise when they walked outside earlier this week. One of their cars had been damaged and portions of it were missing. Gone was the car's bumper, one of the headlights and all four tires. Also one of the passenger windows had been smashed. There is a suspect in the case and sheriff's deputies are continuing the investigation.
Mailbox Vandals Hit Another Wilkes Home
Yet another home here in Wilkes fell victim to mailbox vandals earlier this week. A Millers Creek woman walked outside her house to find that someone had literally ripped her mailbox out of the ground. Gone was both the box and the post, however no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone during the night. That investigation is still ongoing.
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.
State News
Undercover Operation Nets 20 Dealers
Officials in Durham are cracking down on the drug trade in the area, thanks to a 16-month undercover operation. Durham police announced this week that 20 of the top level dealers in the area have been arrested as a result of the sting with more possibly to come. Those already arrested could face up to 20 years in jail.
Harnett County Celebrates Milestone
A special milestone in history was observed this week in Harnett County, as the area celebrated its' 150th anniversary. Locals held a religious ceremony at Campbell University to celebrate, including hymns and a special prayer time. During the event, locals also honored their Scottish heritage with a presentation of Tartans, fabrics with designs to represent different families in the area.
Katrina Refugees In NC Face Problems Thanks To FEMA
More problems have popped up with the FEMA administration, this time affecting refugees here in North Carolina. Several hundred refugees here in the area are facing eviction after their federal relief checks were lost in the mail, with some being sent to their old address in New Orleans and others turning up in Charlotte. FEMA officials say that workers have been sent out to correct the problem and that such glitches should be expected with such a massive operation.
Samaritan's Purse Offers Help To Pakistan
Help is on the way to Pakistan today, as a North Carolina group flew out Monday afternoon with supplies. Samaritan's Purse,. The organization led by Franklin Graham, packed 120 tons of supplies such as blankets and food into a 747 Monday afternoon before departing. An estimated 79,000 were killed in the October 8th earthquake and now with snow falling in the area, more lives are at risk unless supplies are provided.
Garbage In & Money Out
North Carolina could be seeing a ton of garbage heading this way in the near future. Several tons in fact. Officials from different sections of the state are negotiating for five landfills to be built across the Piedmont, with most of the trash coming from other states like New York. Current target areas include Camden County, Hyde County, Richmond County, Columbus County and Brunswick County. Some state officials are concerned however because the extra garbage will help fill the already shrinking landfill space here in the state, which experts predict will only last 18 years at the current rate.
Sports Headlines
Local Teams Move Up In Soccer Rankings
Around the high school scene, several high school teams climbed the ranks in this week's top ten poll from the NC Soccer Coaches Association. Wilkes Central jumps one rung up the ladder to sixth place, after their 8-0 win last week over Surry Central. The 13-1-1 Eagles could be one win away from breaking into the top five. Meanwhile East Wilkes retains their spot at number 10, after a 1-0 loss last week against Elkin.
Powder Puff Football Coming Up Tonight
There will be football of a different type taking place tonight at East Wilkes. For anyone who wants to come out and watch, the annual East Wilkes Powder Puff game will kick off at 6:30pm. Admission is $3 and all proceeds will go to the school.
Duke Leads ACC Preseason Polls
With the college basketball season just a few weeks away, more preseason polls are being released. In the ACC, the Duke Blue Devils have been picked to win the conference. Wake Forest comes in third, followed in fourth by the NC State Wolfpack. Last year's champions, the UNC Tarheels, fall all the way to sixth place, just ahead of Miami.
Wolfpack Recovering
As for the NC State Wolfpack, they might have to start the season without one of their starters. Senior guard Tony Bethel won't be able to start practicing until next Wednesday, as he's still recovering from a groin injury sustained this past summer. Meanwhile two members of the Tarheels are also coming back from the injured list. Freshmen Michael Copeland and Marcus Ginyard have both been held out of practice so far. Copeland is returning from knee surgery and is expected back by next week, while Ginyard still has a cast on his left hand. He's not expected back for at least another two weeks.
Chase For The Cup Standings
After this weekend's race at Martinsville, the Nextel Cup standings have been slightly shaken up. Tony Stewart sits alone in first place, 15 points head of second place Jimmie Johnson. Ryan Newman is in third, with Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards rounding out the top five. The bottom have of the Chase starts with Rusty Wallace in sixth place, followed by Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Jeremy Mayfield.
Hurricanes Beat Senators
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes pulled out a close one, beating Ottawa 3-2. The win brings Carolina up to 5-2 on the season and continues their unbeaten streak at home. The loss was the Senators' first this season.
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