News & Sports For November 17th

Flu Vaccine A Little Short
As we head toward the beginning of December, that means winter is right around the corner. And winter usually brings with it the flu season. However, despite having advance warning and preparing, it seems that portions of the country are going through a temporary shortage of the flu vaccine. The reason being that one of the company producing the vaccine is putting it out in smaller quantities than expected, although no there is currently no explanationa s to why. With that being the case, the Centers for Disease Control have asked county health departments to coordinate with local doctors and make sure that those at high risk of the virus are given the vaccine. Here in Wilkes, the Health Department is coordinating efforts with the healthcare community to distribute the supply they currently have on hand. The Senior Center here in the county will be holding an appointment only flu clinic for later this month, for which you can call now and secure a time. If you can't get in touch with the Senior Center, contact your doctor to see about the best way to get a flu shot. Now is the best time if you want to protect against the virus, as peak flu season isn't expected to hit until at least January.

Be Careful Who You Give Out Information To
It's always a good idea to be careful who has your personal information. A Roaring River man found that out the hard way this week, after a trip to his bank. While checking his account, he discovered that there were several debits for purchases he never made. After getting information from a teller, the man discovered that his debit card had been used all across Statesville over the last few days. The information was turned over to sheriff's deputies and there is a suspect in the case.

Fox Bill Set To Pass House & Senate
A bill created by 5th district Congresswoman Virginia Fox is set to pass both the House and Senate this week, providing help to military families. The plan would allow soldiers in combat zones to be able to take their money and put it in a tax deferred savings plan. Currently troops can't put their combat earnings into IRAs because the law doesn't allow tax free money to be put into a savings account without paying some form of tax on it. The only thing left to be sorted out before the bill goes for a final vote is when it will take effect. The House version would start retroactively on December 31st of 2004, allowing troops to put in earnings from this tax year. The Senate went even further back, installing a date of December 31st 2003. The Foxx Bill, called the HEROs Act has support from all corners and once a date is determined, would immediately be approved and go to the President for his signature.

Money Stolen From Thurmond Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home in Thurmond earlier this week, after thieves ran off witha local man's money. The man had cashed his check and stored most of it in a box inside the house. But after the man went out, neighbors reported that another family member came by the home, appearing to be carrying something on the way out. When the homeowner returned, all $1400 in cash was missing from his bedroom. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Muzz's Gym To Help Support St. Jude's Hospital
Coming up this Saturday, working out at Muzz’s Gym can also help a good cause. The gym is holding a weightlifting competition on Saturday, November 19th to benefit St. Jude Children’s hospital. A bench press contest will be going on, with divisions for women, teen men, adult men and men over 40. Money raised from the contest will go to help St. Jude’s work to treat children dealing with cancer and other life threatening diseases. To sign up for the contest or to make a donation you an call 838-4345.

Guns Taken From Elkin Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home on the Austin Traphill Road this week to investigate a case of theft. One that happened over two months ago. In September, thieves had broke into the house of a local woman, stealing her 9mm Beretta and .22 pistol. However she thought a family member that was out of town had taken them and failed to report it. But when that family member returned with no clue what had happened, the woman called sheriff's deputies. That investigation continues.

Winter Booze It And Lose It Program Begins
The Highway Patrol will be out in force over the next few weeks, as the annual Winter Booze It & Lose It campaign kicks off today. A special ceremony is going on this morning in Kitty Hawk at the Wright Brothers National Memorial to begin the event. A second ceremony will be held tomorrow in Boone. During the holiday season last year, 47 people in the state died due to alcohol related accidents. Checkpoints will be out in full force and troopers will be patroling over the next month to prevent any more fatalities.

Cars Stolen From Salvage On New Browns Ford Road
Thieves drove off with several cars from a salvage yard on New Brown's Ford Road. The owner returned to find his property intact, with no signs of a break-in or any damage. However 9 cars were missing from the salvage yard, totaling over $4000 in value. That investigation is ongoing.

Counterfeit Money Orders Entering Wilkes
Sheriff's deputies are investigating after a North Wilkesboro man fell victim to counterfeit money orders this week. The man had contacted a potential buyer for some of his property over the internet. Instead of the agreed amount, the buyer sent just over $6000 and asked that the extra cash be sent to an address in Africa. The victim agreed and sent the money to Africa, after which his bank informed him that the money order had been counterfeit and he was now out $4000, the amount he sent out. All the information was turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

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 today for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be explaining what the organization does and how locals can get involved. That's coming up today at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

State News

Columbine Style Attack Foiled In Charlotte
Two students at a Christian school in Charlotte have been arrested and charged for planning what police are calling a Columbine style attack. Recently officers were called out to Bible Baptist School, after a student told teachers that two classmates were planning to kill kids and members of the staff. The two 15-yr-old boys have now been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, after a police investigation, however due to their ages, names were not released. Officials refused to go into detail about the threat, only to say it had been prevented and the boys are now in a juvenile detention center.

NC Baptist Convention Adopts Policy On Homosexuals
One item has already been approved at this week's Baptist State Convention. North Carolina's state convention voted on and approved a policy condemning churches that allow homosexuals to be members. Such churches, the convention said, are "not considered friendly". Delegates also agreed that no church would be kicked out of the convention for supporting homosexuality, but such a stance would mean they're basically members in name only.

13-Yr-Old Thief Hunted In Shelby
A 13-yr-old car thief is being hunted by police in Cleveland County today. The boy first stole a van in Kings Mountain and made it into Shelby, where he ditched the vehicle and took an SUV from a local car dealership. After reports came in of the second theft, the vehicle was seen by a Shelby police officer and a high speed chase began, which at times reached above 80 mph. 15 minutes later, the boy crashed just outside of Boiling Springs and took off running. As he left the scene, the SUV rolled back and pinned the officers, preventing them from catching the suspect.

Wake County Employee Charged With Embezzlement
A teacher's assistant in Wake County is out of a job today, after being charged with embezzlement. Judy Dilahunt stands accused of stealing over $8500 from the county's Teacher Assistant's Association. Dilahunt worked at Rand Road Elementary in the Garner community, but was terminated once the charges came to light. It's unclear why she took the money or how she gained access to it, according to local officials.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
No good deed goes unpunished, as the saying goes. A man in Alamance County stopped to help a stranded driver and ended up in the hospital. He had pulled over on the side of Hwy 49 after a white female stood in the road, pleading for aid. As soon as the man stopped and got out of the car, the girl and two Hispanic boys pulled out knives and started attacking him. Before he escaped, the man was stabbed several times in the arm, neck and back. He rolled out from the car and watched as the thieves drove off down the road. Locals called police and EMS, getting him to the Alamance Regional Medical Center, where he's undergoing treatment. 16-yr-old Ashley Anema has been charged with assault and attempted murder, while the two boys, ages 13 & 16 were also later arrested, although their names have not been released.

Sports Headlines

Wake Signs 7 ft. Prospect
In other college hoops news, the calvary is coming in a big way for Wake Forest next year. The Demon Deacons added a 7 ft. center to their 2006 class as Chas McFarland committed to the team. McFarland joined this week as part of the NCAA's early signing period and gave up offers from Boston College, Pittsburgh and Marquette to join Wake. He averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks as a high school junior last year.

UNC Tarheels Add Another Quarterback
With starter Matt Baker wrapping up his senior season, the Tarheels are facing an open competition next year at quarterback. And as of this week, another name was added to the list. B.J. Phillips, a 6-6 232 high school senior from South Carolina committed to the team this week. Phillips turned down offers from Kentucky and Vanderbuilt to play for the Heels. Scouts say that he's got a strong arm and can run the ball as well.

NC Central To Join Division I
In other college sports, another North Carolina team is making the move to Division I. NC Central University had the idea approved yesterday at a school meeting, ending their long association with Division II and the CIAA. The school so far hasn't made a final decision as to where they'l be playing, weighing options from the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Now NC Central will submit an official application to the NCAA and should start the five year process fairly soon.

Everham Makes Changes
Some more changes are coming for one garage on the Nextel Cup circuit, plans that will alter the very way their teams operate. Owner Ray Everham announced on Tuesday that he was changing things by getting rid of the crew chief on all of his cars. Instead, a three person group will take over the responsibilities, including a team director, car director and engineer for each crew. The move will take effect this Sunday, for the Ford 400.