News & Sports For October 5th

News From Last Night’s Commissioners’ Meeting

Last night the county commissioners met and approved several items on the agenda. Public hearings were set for October 18^th at 6:30pm, to approve name changes for several roads in the county. A private drive, just off Congo Road, to be named “Pleasant View”, also another private road just off of Germantown Road, to be named “Sizemore Trail”. According to Wilkes law, a ten day period has to be put into effect and a public hearing brought before the change can become official. Also on the 18^th, a public hearing will be held at 6:30 to determine if Baptist Home Baptist Church should be granted the Special Intensity Allocation, allowing them to expand and build a family life center. This was brought up due to the fact the proposed project extended just slightly over the allocated property. The commissioners also approved October as Let’s Talk Month, as requested by the Community Health Connection to deal with childhood and teenage sexuality. Alex Hamilton, the county’s tax administrator, was charged with collecting the fees owed by the utilities here in Wilkes. Estimated taxes that will be brought in from utilities this year was placed at just over $743,000. Finally, An additional idea was put forth as to how the county will pay for their half of the funds needed in school renovations. Previous ideas had the county increasing property taxes to help take care of the cost, but instead a new proposal was put forth to consider adding an extra half cent to the sales tax in the area. That way home owners wouldn’t be the only ones supporting the renovations with their money. No decision was made and it’s unlikely a final decision will come on that issue anytime soon.

North Wilkesboro Board Approves Nonpartisan Elections

The way elections are held in North Wilkesboro will be changing, after a meeting of the town board last night. The board voted 3-2 and approved a change in the town’s charter, making all elections nonpartisan. Bert Hall and Robert Johnson were the only ones to vote against the measure. The move won’t change much about the way elections are held, except to allow multiple candidates from political parties to run, without having to hold a primary. That alone will save the town thousands of dollars. The town however still could have a referendum on the issue, if 10% of the citizens sign a petition asking for one. That petition would have to be turned in by 30 days from this coming Friday, October the 7^th. As it stands, the switch would be made to nonpartisan elections by 2007.

Red Cross Needs Homes For Abandoned Families

While most of the hurricane victims have found homes, at least for the present time, there are still a few families needing assistance. Here in Wilkes, the Red Cross has already helped find homes for 31 adults and 10 kids, but now some more help is needed. If you or your church can help either of these families in need, please contact the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Gas Thieves Hit Two Wilkes Businesses

Sheriff’s deputies were called out to two separate businesses here in Wilkes on Monday, after gas thieves filled up and took off. At Wykes Food Mart in Wilkesboro, a man pulled up in his blazer, pumped $9 worth of gas and then drove off down the road. However employees inside were able to get a description of both the man and his vehicle, which were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. Meanwhile in North Wilkesboro, the same thing was happeneing at the Rock Creek Run-In on Elkin Highway. A person pulled up in a van and pumped $59 worth of gas, before setting down the handle and driving out of the parking lot. As with the case before, descriptions of both the driver and vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. Those investigations are still ongoing.

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk This Saturday

Alzheimers is a deadly disease, one that can rob a person of their mind. But what about the families, also affected by the illness? Is there any help for those who take care of their loved ones? There is a support group that meets at Britthaven and for more information the number to call is 838-1742. And coming up this Saturday will be the annual Memory Walk at Wilkes Community College. You can stop by the college anytime from 8:30-11am and donate to help raise money for Alzheimer’s research, or you can also stop by some of the booths set up and get some more information about the disease itself and what you can do to help treat someone.

Mailbox Stolen From North Wilkesboro Residence

A North Wilkesboro woman walked outside on Tuesday, looking to check her mail. Instead, she found the entire mailbox had gone missing. Sometime during the night, thieves had ripped up both the mailbox and the post, running off with the box itself. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Traffic Check Leads To Arrest

Sheriff’s deputies were performing a routine traffic check earlier this week on Mountain View Road, when they stopped a vehicle and checked its’ tag. The tag belonged to an entirely different vehicle and deputies soon found out the driver was using an expired license. In addition after running a check, they found he had a warrant pending for his arrest. 24-yr-old Alan Gary Blankenship was arrested and charged with driving without a license, along with having a fictitious tag.

Focus on Hospice

When you say the word hospice, death and dying immediately come to mind. But aside from just their patients, the organization works with family members. Starting on October 18^th, a grief and growth class will be going on, set up by Hospice at the Wellness Center in North Wilkesboro. For more information you can call 903-7700. We’ll be talking more about the issue during this week’s edition of Focus on the Foothills, also talking about a camp for kids who are dealing with the loss of a friend or family member and how they can be enrolled for free. That’s at 1:05pm on Thursday.

Another Recall Here In Wilkes

The Wilkes Health Department released information on yet another recall on Tuesday. The USDA has issued a recall of 184,000 pounds of Flanders Beef Patties due to a possible ecoli contamination. Strains of the bacteria were discovered in several samples of the meat, resulting in the recall. Affected are all 2 and 5 lb. packages of Flanders Quarter Pound Beef Patties and all 5lb. packages of Saver’s Choice Quarter Pound Beef Patties. Just like the salad recall on Tuesday, this strain of ecoli can build up a powerful toxin that can lead to kidney failure. All the packages have the production code 05176 and an establishment number of EST 9145 inside the USDA seal of inspection. If that number isn’t on the package but you’re still not sure, you can contact the Food and Safety Inspection Service. They’ve set up a hotline to deal with recall issues at 1-888-674-6854.

Gun Stolen From Ronda Home

A Ronda man called sheriff’s deputies this week after coming in to find that someone had stolen his rifle. There were no signs of a break-in at the house, no damage done and nothing else taken except for the Remington 30.06 rifle. There is however a suspect in the case, as a man had been by several times over the last few days, asking about the gun. That investigation is ongoing.

Mosquito Borne Illness Popping Up

With warm weather still hanging around North Carolina, the health department is warning everyone to be careful for mosquitoes. Already Iin Buncombe County, four more cases of the LaCrosse virus have popped up. The virus can lead to flu-like symptoms, including muscle aches and a high fever. Children under 16 are the most at risk of catching the virus. However to prevent being infected, try to clean out any places on your property that have standing water puddles, especially those with mildew and mold mixed in. Also it’s a good idea to drill holes in any tire swings you have, so the water can drain out after a storm and not pool inside, giving mosquitoes a breeding ground.

All For A Microwave

Thieves broke into a Wilkesboro man’s home on Tuesday, prying open the back door to get inside. But all they ended up taking was a microwave. Nothing else was damaged or stolen from inside the home and no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual during the day. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Dobson Receives Grant

The Golden Leaf Foundation has given out $200,000 to the town of Dobson. The money will be used as part of a $2.1 million project designed to extend water and sewer lines three miles outside of the town, up to the intersection of I-77 and Zephyr Road. A tourist and convention center is in the works to be built there.

State News

Franklin Graham Says Hurricane Offers Second Chance

Franklin Graham finds himself under attack today, after some remarks at a church yesterday in Virginia. Graham said that the hurricanes which recently hit New Orleans could bring about a spiritual rebirth in the city, as people turn away from the satanic practices and perversions. Graham said that God has a plan and this could be the beginning of a revival. In addition to criticizing the remarks, Graham’s opponents have also taken his Samaritan’s Purse ministry to task for including a Christian tract and stuffed lamb inside gift bags handed out to displaced kids. The lamb was offensive to some because it played “Jesus Loves Me” when squeezed.

Radioactive Material Is Missing In Raleigh

State officials are searching today for some missing radioactive material. Two radioactive gauges disappeared on Monday from a DOT job site in Wake Forest. They had been used to test the moisture, density and condition of materials. The gauges can be considered a health risk if broken open or mishandled.

Jobs Available At This Year’s State Fair

With the state fair just over a week away, the final preparations are being made for this year’s event. However fair officials find themselves short on personnel this year and so they’ve put out a call for anyone who would be interested in a temporary paying job. Anyone interested would be placed in a job working with either the games, ride assembly or food service. Applications are being taken at the Raleigh Employment Security Commission up until the first night of the fair, which starts October 14^th.

Asheville Police Raid DVD Pirating Operation

Over one thousand pirated DVDs were discovered by Asheville police this week when they raided an apartment in the city. In addition, 498 illegal CDs were found as well, enough material, according to one official, to fill up at least two vans. The police were tipped off during a stakeout for drug activity in the area. Throughout the U.S., an estimated $3 billion is lost each year due to movie and music piracy.

New Laws Go Into Effect

Several laws signed over the weekend by Gov. Easley have gone into effect, effecting who is available for jury duty among other things. From now on you must be at least 72 before you can request an exemption from jury duty because of age. The previous limit was 65 and the move is expected to help expand the jury pool in several counties with an older population. Also from now on, you have to use soap and water before and after petting animals at any fairs or events, in order to cut down on the risk of another bacterial outbreak, like last year at the State Fair. Finally, all groups that bid on state contracts now have to disclose during the bidding process if any of the work will be outsourced to other countries.

Sports Headlines

Duke Walking Wounded Into Miami

The bad news keeps coming for the Duke football team. Less than a week after losing a 28-21 contest against Navy, now the Blue Devils will be shorthanded heading into their game this week with Miami. Starting receivers Jomar Wright and Ronnie Elliot are both out, Wright for the season after an injury to his knee that will force him to go under the knife. Elliot meanwhile will miss at least one game, with an injury to his hand. That leaves one junior, Deon Adams and five freshmen as the only options at receiver for the Blue Devils. Meanwhile, running backs Cedric Dargan and Justin Boyle are both going to miss Saturday’s game, recovering from injuries sustained against Navy. That means sophomore Ronnie Drummer and freshman Clifford Harris will split the carries.

Randolph Named ACC Player Of The Week

It turns out the second time’s the charm for Wake Forest Quarterback Cory Randolph. After leading the Deacons to a victory over Clemson last week, Randolph was named one of the co-players of the week, sharing the honor with Marcus Vick of Virginia Tech. Also earning votes was UNC linebacker Larry Edwards, UNC kick returner Brandon Tate and Wake Forest linebacker John Abbate.

Sean May On Track For Quick Return

In the NBA, Sean May’s rookie season could start sooner than expected. The former UNC Tarheel had knee surgery three weeks ago to clean out some damaged cartilage and wasn’t expected back before the first of the season. However May is already jogging and practicing with his doctor’s approval, so he could get worked into the preseason lineup. As to what caused the problem, it’s believed May originally suffered the injury during the NCAA tournament.

Rucker Becomes New Sack Leader For Panthers

The Carolina Panthers not only beat the Packers on Monday, but they also crowned a new sack leader. Mike Rucker got the 42^nd sack of his career on Monday, edging past former Panther Kevin Greene for first place on the team’s sack list. The 30-yr-old Rucker already has two sacks in the first four games of the season.

Hurricanes Make Trade To Set Lineup

With the regular season set to start, the Carolina Hurricanes made a trade on Monday, sending defenseman Bruno St. Jacques to Anaheim for ring winger Craig Adams. This will be the 28-yr-old Adams’ second tour of duty with the Hurricanes, having played for the team during their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003. He was immediately sent down to the Lowell Lock Monsters, the team’s top minor league squad, to get re-acquainted with the team’s style of play.