Unemployment Checks Not Finding Their Owners
Here in Wilkes and across the state, people dependent on unemployment are wondering where their checks are. Several thousand people have been affected throughout North Carolina, as some of the nearly $40 million in benefits have disappeared. At the local Employment Security Commission here in Wilkes, the phones have been ringing off the hook over the last 48 hrs. as people call in asking when the checks will arrive. However if you have been waiting, it won't be much longer. The checks, all 23000 of them, were found on Tuesday, hidden under some equipment at the Raleigh post office where they had been dropped off. In Wilkes County alone, there are currently 1729 people unemployed with over $1 million in benefits at stake. Officials from the local Employment Security Commission said that the checks should be arriving within the next few days, now that they've been located.

Wilkes County Turns Out For Heritage Opening
The ribbon was cut and pictures taken as Wilkes County's Heritage Museum opened for business Tuesday morning. County commissioners, town officials and the media were all welcomed inside the old courthouse, as doors opened into the history of Wilkes. Inside seats from the North Wilkesboro speedway were found, along with some of the first radios in the county, dating back to the 1930s. Also you could read about the first settlers here in Wilkes, discover what the post office looked like back some 200 years ago and see what doctors used to treat patients back in the 1800s. The museum is open for tours and you can set one up by giving them a call at 667-3171. Or you can drop by, as the Museum is located at 202 Bridge Street here in Wilkesboro.

Three Involved In Wreck On 421
Wilkesboro police were called out after an accident Monday afternoon on Hwy 421 Business. The drivers of two cars both saw green lights at the same time and atempted to turn, thinking the other one would stop. Instead, both collided, with one spinning out and into a third vehicle waiting for his light to turn. The driver of the first vehicle, a North Wilkesboro woman, was taken by EMS to Wilkes Regional. Everyone else walked away from the accident. Estimated damage was placed at $6100.

Focus On Kids
As we head toward the holiday season, several different groups are working to help the less fortunate kids here in the county. Christmas for Kids is one of those groups and Rebecca Johnson from the organization will be Brian's guest this week for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be discussing the program, what's involved and how you can help to sponsor a child. That's coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Tools Stolen From Millers Creek Home
Apparently some thieves in Millers Creek just needed to borrow a few tools. A man had parked his car at home and walked inside, but soon heard voices and the car door open. He looked out to see two people running off and his tool box was wide open. Over $400 worth of items were taken in the theft, including a socket set and hunting knife. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Coming Up Today
While we need the rain, showers can also bring with them accidents on the highways. And with the blood supply still hovering around critical levels, one major wreck could possibly wipe it out here in Wilkes. With that being said, a blood drive is going on today at West Wilkes High School from 9am til 2pm. Before giving blood, please remember that you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs, for your own health's sake. No appointment is needed but if you don't want to wait in line, you can set up a time to come by calling the Wilkes Red Cross at 838-4563.

Wreck On Hwy 18 North Causes Traffic Delays
That accident on Hwy 18 Monday morning caused some more delays for drivers yesterday, as cleanup continued. A dump truck had been traveling up the mountain when the driver lost control and wrecked, with his cargo spilling out over the road. The cargo was cleaned up and removed on Monday, but that took so long officials had to wait until it got light on Tuesday morning to move the truck itself. That effort got started at 9am and stretched until 2:30pm, with both lanes of Hwy 18 North and South shut down.

Money Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
A North Wilkesboro woman returned home this week to a strange sight. Her air conditioner unit had been pushed in, leaving the window wide open. Despite the damage, hardly anything was missing from inside, with the exception of $600 from a lockbox. No other damage was done to the property, however there is a suspect and that investigation continues.

State News

Former Judge Calls For Legalization
A former member of the North Carolina Supreme Court is calling for the legalization of drugs. Burley Mitchell, who served as chief justice on the court until 1999, said that the war on drugs has failed. His solution is to make all drugs legal, as he believes that would eradicate the industry of dealers and suppliers. Mitchell also said he believed that once legal, the demand would go down and we would see less crime on the streets. He told this to a group in Raleigh on Monday, while speaking on prison reform.

Man Appears In Spring Lake Without a Clue
A 21-yr-old man from Lumber Bridge is in the hospital today, after an incident near Fort Bragg. Christopher Murray was found by locals on a dead end road near the base, on the edge of the woods. His car had apparently been wrecked, altrhough there was no sign of another vehicle and no other damage, indicating that it had hit a tree or anything else. Murray is still in critical condition and police are investigating how the man ended up on a one way road and what he was doing there. He's currently undergoing treatment at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Missing Boy Found Safe After Father's Arrest
A 2-yr-old boy is safe in police custody today, while authorities still hunt for his father in Smithfield North Carolina. A search had been going on for Pablo Garcia, who had been living with his father in the area. However last week, his father, Pablo Silverio was charged with killing another man and disappeared, along with the boy. Police however found the boy, thankfully safe and unharmed, at a babysitter's house where the father had apparently dropped him off. The 29-yr-old Silverio is still on the run.

Bank Robbery In Durham
Officials in Durham are tracking two men after a robbery Tuesday morning. The Mutual Community Savings Bank on Fayetteville Street was robbed by two men wearing yellow gloves, hats and bandanas. One of them pulled out a gun and ordered the teller to hand over some money, although it's still not clear exactly how much they escaped with. The men are believed to be driving an older model gold Honda Accord. Rewards are being offered by both Crimestoppers and the NC Bankers Association totaling up to $6200 for information leading to an arrest in the case. To give out information you can call the NC Bankers Association hotline at 1-800-209-2293 or the FBI at 1-704-377-9200.

Search On For Missing Woman In Cumberland
Officials in Cumberland County are searching for a missing woman who vanished late Monday night. 27-yr-old Shannon Parker left her family's home in the Grays Creek area of the county and hasn't been seen since. Parker is a schizophrenic and is described as a white woman about 5'6ft with glasses. Family members have no clue how she left as normally Parker doesn't leave the house without someone coming with her. The Highway Patrol and local law enforcement are aiding in the search.

Sports Headlines

AP College Poll Released
In college basketball, the latest AP Top 25 Poll has been released, with two North Carolina teams making the list. Duke stays at #1, while Wake Forest drops one position to #19. Meanwhile NC State is ranked #34th, UNC Charlotte comes in at 33rd and the defending champion UNC Tarheels fall all the way to 34th place on the latest poll.

NCAA Scoreboard
In college basketball last night, it was UNC Wilmington beating Northwestern 56-48, UNC Greensboro beating Texas Arlington 61-49 and UNC Charlotte dropping to 0-2 on the year with an 87-78 loss against Wyoming.

Charlotte at Orlando
In the senior circuit of the NBA, it was the Charlotte Bobcats losing to the Orlando Magic 85-77. The Bobcats were playing for the second straight game without leading scorer Gerald Wallace, out with a fractured wrist. Keith Bogans led the Bobcats with 18 points and Sean May came off the bench to add 15 points and 10 rebounds.

NHL: Carolina at Ottawa
The Carolina Hurricanes started another winning streak on Tuesday, recording their 13th win of the season as they beat Ottawa 2-1. With the win, Carolina improves to 13-3 and stays atop the Southeastern Conference.

Kenny Wallace Taking Over For Busch
With driver Kurt Busch suspended for the rest of the season, Kenny Wallace will step behind the wheel for Sunday's Ford 400. Officials from Rousch Racing said that they were impressed with Wallace's performance this past weekend, where he started at the back of the pack but finished in 16th. Meanwhile Kurt Busch has been issued a criminal citation for the incident this past weekend with law enforcement near Phoenix.