News & Sports For October 4th

Health Fair Going On This Thursday

For anyone concerned about their blood pressure or cholesterol, there will be a Health Fair going on this Thursday at the offices of Carolina Heart Care. During the event there will be free health checks for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. In addition, there will be representatives on hand from Coreg, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Lincare and Wake Forest University Heart Center, to help explain several topics ranging from heart failure to diabetic problems and how to avoid them. That’s coming up Thursday from 5-8pmat Carolina Heart Care. To call for more information, the number is 527-1507.

Missing Man Leads To Drug Bust

Sheriff’s deputies noticed a car swerving back and forth over the center line earlier this week on the Moravian Falls Road. When they called in the license, it came back as belonging to a man who’d been missing since the first of this month. After pulling over the car, it turns out the missing man wasn’t inside but a second man, who informed deputies he was a friend of the car’s owner, who had been staying at his house. Deputies searched the car and found a rock of crack cocaine inside and then asked to be taken to the missing man. They arrived at the home and found the missing man, unharmed and there of his own free will, although an explanation for his disappearance was never given. Deputies asked if they could search the home and after being given permission, found more crack cocaine inside, along with drug paraphernalia, a 12 gauge shotgun, some jewelry and $1317 in cash. The homeowner, 48-yr-old David Christopher Castle was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Hunting Safety Class Coming Up In October

This next bit of news is for all the would be hunters out there. Coming up October 18-20^th, 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.

Fake Cash Continuing To Come In

Fake cash keeps spilling into Wilkes County, the latest incident happening over the weekend at Lowes Foods on Winkler Street. Wilkesboro police were called out after a clerk found the counterfeit bill, which had the word fake written on the back of it, in with the rest of his receipts. Footage of the night’s video cameras were turned over to police and that investigation is ongoing.

Recall Of Dole Salad Products

A recall has been ordered of some Dole Food products, according to the Wilkes Health Department. The FDA has issued a recall of all classic Romaine salad and American Blend salad with a used by date of September 23^rd. Also all Greener Selection salad with a used by date of September 22^nd has also been recalled. To check and see if your products were included in the recall, the used by date is located at the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag. A variant strain of ecoli bacteria was found in samples of the prepackaged salad, one containing a powerful toxin that can shut down the kidneys within ten days. The FDA has set up a hotline for questions regarding this and other recent recalls. The number is 1-888-674-6854.

Wreck On 421 Totals Car

Never drive when tired. A North Wilkesboro man found out why that’s a good idea on Monday, after falling asleep at the wheel. The incident happened just after 8am as he was driving west down Hwy 421. He slammed into a guardrail, then woke up and jerked the wheel, spinning through the other lane of traffic and traveling over thirty feet from the highway before his car stopped. He refused to be taken to the hospital by EMS, however 18-yr-old Matthew Patrick Stevens was charged with careless and reckless driving.

Blood Drive Going On Today

1500 pints of blood. That’s how much is used on any given day throughout North Carolina, to perform surgery and help restore accident victims who have bled out at the scene. But using so much blood, especially in the wake of a hurricane, can cause problems, as we mentioned on the newscast yesterday. To help solve the problem, another drive is going on today at the local VFW Hall here in Wilkes. It will last from 2-6:30pm and to make an appointment, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Animal Adoption Fair This Saturday

If you’re looking for a pet to take home, the Wilkes Animal Shelter wants to help you find one. Coming up on October 9^th, they’ll have an adoption fair going on at the shelter from 10am until 2pm. That’s located at 408 Call Street in Wilkesboro, just below the new courthouse. In addition, the shelter has started a “Pet Look Alike” contest. From now until November 1^st, you can mail in pictures of you and your pet to the shelter and a winner will be announced on November 12^th. Included in the mailing you need your name, address, phone number and the name of your pet. You can mail that to the Wilkes Animal Shelter at 408 Call Street, Wilkesboro North Carolina 28697. For more information you can give them a call at 903-7688.

Be Careful Who You Let Inside

It’s not a good idea to let strangers inside your home. A Ronda man found that out the hard way this week, as a person came up and asked if he could get a ride. The homeowner refused, but allowed his visitor to use the restroom. Afterwards the man got up and left the house. When the homeowner came back, he found that $1200 had been taken from inside his wallet. A description of the suspect was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

State News

NASCAR Jobs Heading To Davie County

Good news for people in Davie County today, as NASCAR is moving into the area. Team Rensi Motorsports is building a plant just north of Mocksville that will house its’ headquarters and most of the operations. Team officials said they hope to be part of the development in the area and plan to be open by next spring.

Firefighters Honored In Greensboro

A statue was unveiled over the weekend in Greensboro, honoring all firefighters who have served in the area, both past and present. A life size bronze statue was unveiled, surrounded by what’s called the walk of courage, with bricks containing the firemen’s names.

North Carolina Prepared For Disaster

North Carolina is prepared for any natural disasters, according to state emergency management leaders. One reason for this according to officials is the fact there are emergency response teams in every county, which perform drills and practice throughout the year. And should one team not be enough, then the groups are also called out to the hardest hit areas first, working their way back.

Cheney Greets Marines

Soldiers returning to Camp Lejeune on Monday were greeted by Vice President Dick Cheney. Five of the Marines from the 3^rd Battalion, 25^th Regiment who were injured during their time in Iraq were awarded the Purple Heart. Cheney also told the soldiers that the country is grateful for their sacrifices, while saying he’s impressed by the progress in Iraq.

Nutrition Bill Signed Into Law

There is a new standard now in North Carolina for school meals. Earlier this week, Gov. Easley signed the school nutrition bill into law, designed to make changes in the ways cafeterias serve food. Beginning next year, pilot programs will be set up in eight high schools and eight middle schools throughout the state to test the new plan. Gone are most sweets and fatty foods, replaced by fruits and vegetables. By the end of the 2007 school year, all elementary schools will be required to have the plan in place. Depending on how the pilot programs do, middle and high schools might have some additional time for the transition.

History Of Mining Exposed In Asheville

The history of mining in North Carolina is being put on display through a new exhibit in Asheville. The Colburn Earth Science Museum is opening up the new exhibit this week, which deals with prehistoric mining in the state, along with the gold hunting started by Spanish explorers. The exhibit also highlights how mining influenced a good portion of Western North Carolina’s cultural development.

Sports Headlines

Caldwell County Holds Hall Of Fame Induction

Just up the road in Caldwell County, four athletes will be inducted in the Hall of Fame at the end of this month. On October 31^st, Joe Hightower, Karen Trivett, Phillip Horton and the late John Childers will take their place in the hall. Hightower played football at Gamewell High, where he was the first district player of the year in 1959. He went on to be an All American at Appalachian State. Trivett was a four time all conference basketball player at Granite Falls High, taking her team to the district title in 1971 and going on to win 250 games as coach of the West Caldwell girls team. Horton worked as a trainer for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and the 1996 Olympic team, before getting into his current job as part of Chip Ganassi’s NASCAR team. Finally John Childers, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs out of Lenoir High in 1944, later cutting short his baseball career to fight in World War II. The induction will go on at the Broyhill Civic Center and for tickets you can call 828-728-9609.

McGill To Possibly Make A Return

Tarheel fans received some good news on Monday, as a former member of the football team could make a return this season. Running back Ronnie McGill, who’s been out since last year with a torn chest muscle, could make his 2005 debut this coming weekend against Louisville. McGill is expected to be medically cleared for practice this week and will slowly be eased into the gameplan. In seven games last season, McGill rushed for 419 yards and five touchdowns. Currently North Carolina’s rushing attack is last in the ACC with 86.8 yards a game.

NASCAR Standings

Taking a look at the Nextel Cup circuit, after Sunday’s race the points standings shape up like this. Tony Stewart takes over again for first place, with Ryan Newman now in second, only four points behind. Rusty Wallace is in third and former leader Jimmie Johnson now sits in fourth, after finishing 31^st on Sunday. Greg Biffle’s fifth, Carl Edwards is sixth, Matt Kenseth seventh, Jeremy Mayfield eighth, Mark Martin ninth and Kurt Busch rounds out the field at number ten.

Kapono Leaving Charlotte For The Heat

With the Charlotte Bobcats starting training camp on Monday, one member of last year’s team didn’t make the trip to Wilmington. Instead Jason Kapono packed his bags and headed south, after signing a deal with the Miami Heat. This will be the third team in three years for Kapono, who averaged 8 points and 2 rebounds last season with the Bobcats. After fading down the stretch, Kapono was replaced in the lineup by Matt Carroll, who averaged more points in fewer minutes.