Not As Many Registered Voters In Wilkes
The latest report from the State Board of Elections has some disturbing figures in it for Wilkes County. Voters are leaving the area or simply not registering after they move. Registered voters in the county dropped from 40180 in 2004 to 39982 here in 2005, a loss of 198 votes. The loss in votes was split equally down party lines, with 87 Republicans leaving and 240 Democrats following suit. Election officials from the state said that it was a recurring trend across North Carolina, with a 2.1% drop in voter registration overall.

House on Christian Home Church Road Used For Drugs
Sheriff's deputies responded to a tip that a man on the Christian Home Church Road was selling cocaine over the weekend. After getting a search warrant, they found 15 grams of cocaine in the homeowner's shirtpocket as they walked inside. Then once in the home, 11 grams of cocaine was found in one of his coats, while marijuana and prescription painkillers were also located. Inside deputies also discovered a marijuana planter in the man's bedroom, a list of his clients in an address book and other items that had cocaine residue on them. 70-yr-old James Eli Billings Sr. was arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to sell, maintaining a home for the sale of drugs, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robbery & Assault On Lonesome Pine Road
Prescription medicine was the target of a robber on the Lonesome Pine Road over the weekend. A homeowner came outside to see what her dogs were barking at, didn't see anything and went back in. Minutes later, a man wearing a camoflage mask appeared and told her that she knew what he was there for, before knocking her out. She later told deputies that when she woke up, several bottles of pain medication were missing, along with a .22 caliber pistol. However there were no signs of forced entry at the house and it's unclear exactly how the robber managed to gain access to the building. That investigation continues.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part3: What Are The Effects?
With the new Medicare drug benefit takes effect in January, how's that going to affect your already existing health insurance? Today in part three of our news series Solving The Medicare Puzzle, Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how a plan that's already covering you could affect the way you pay for drugs. And you can hear Brian's discussion with Dr. Matthews today on the news, then coming up in tomorrow's segment, they'll be going over how people can see what plans are available.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Sheriff's deputies were called out to the Rock Creek BP on Sunday, after gas thieves hit once again. In two seperate incidents, thieves drove off with just over $100 in gas. In the first incident on Saturday, a black man drove up in a Ford Explorer and pumped $51 worth of gas. He climbed back in and took off without paying, however employees at the store were able to provide deputies with a description of both the man and his vehicle. Then on Sunday, a Toyota drove up, its' driver got out and put in just under $25 in gas before taking off. Deputies are continuing the investigation in both cases.

Keep Your Guns Where You Can See Them
It's always a good idea to know where your guns are. A Roaring River man found that out on Sunday, after losing his 9mm pistol. He had laid the gun on the bumper of his truck and then forgot about it, driving off down the road. When he realized what had happened, the man returned to the area but only found the holster. Someone had taken the gun itself. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Thirsty Thieves Hit Mike's Bait & Tackle
Wilkesboro police were called out to Mike's Bait & Tackle earlier this week after thieves paid a visit. Someone broke into the drink machines outside the business, taking $180 in cash in addition to the change holders. Despite the theft however, there was no damage done and also nothing taken from inside the store.Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Bidding For A Good Cause
If you're out this Friday looking to do some Christmas shopping, why not help a good cause at the same time? Harvest Time Christian Academy is holding an auction Friday night starting at 6:30pm, with all proceeds going to benefit the school. Included among the auction items are TVs, microwave ovens, toys, gift certificates, furniture and a lot more. It's going to be held at the Wilkesboro Civic Center this Friday December 2nd starting at 6pm. For more information you can call the school at 667-9105 anytime from 8am til 3:30pm Monday through Thursday.

Regional News

Portions Of I-40 Closed
For anyone heading towards Winston tonight, portions of I-40 will be shut down. The DOT is once again closing down lanes on I-40 East and West at mile marker 188, near the Hanes Mall Boulevard. Only one lane of the road will be open starting at 7pm tonight and stretching on until 6am Wednesday morning. The reason for the shutdown is so that DOT can continue work on a concrete barrier near the highway, as the beginnings of a widening project for the Hanes Mall Boulevard bridge currently over I-40.

State News

Christmas Tree Madness Begins
Less than a week after Thanksgiving and already the hunt for Christmas trees has begun. Both buyers and sellers across North Carolina are predicting that the next fourteen days will be the busiest time of the year. However if you are heading out this week to buy a tree, expect to pay a little extra. Real trees here in the state range anywhere from $25 to $140, rising this season due to high fertilizer and gas prices.

Raleigh Pastor Calls For Return To Christmas
A Raleigh pastor is calling for all Christians to boycot stores that have replaced "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays". Pastor Patrick Wooden of the Upper Room Church in Raleigh is putting out $11000 in an ad campaign, saying that the boycot is a way of making a statement. He believes that by doing so, people will be reminded about the reason for the season. The pastor said he had no problem with holidays of other religions getting recognition, he just wanted Christmas to get its' just due.

Highway Patrolman In Critical Condition After Shooting
A Highway Patrolman in Fayetteville is in critical condition today after getting shot during a traffic stop. Just after 10am Monday morning, the trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 and was shot three times. Over 100 officers joined in the search for the suspects throughout the day and eventually located them at a nearby Motel 8. Both the man and the woman were taken into custody, however their names weren't released as charges have not officially been brought. The tooper, 30-yr-old J.C. Horniak, is in critical but stable condition.

Money Coming To Clean Up "Ghost" Fleet
Some good news for people who live or work near the Carolina coast. The ghost fleet which has been hovering under the water and causing problems may soon be gone, thanks to the government. Congress approved a budget of $21 million for the U.S. Maritime Administration to spend in cleanup work, removing old abandoned wrecks from the bottom of the sea, where they can cause damage to passing ships. All wrecks are expected to be cleaned up by September 30th, 2006.

Bringing Back Racing From The Ground Up
Despite all the different tracks that have been either shut down or bought out over the last few years, North Carolina still has a love for racing. With that in mind, one Winston Salem resident has a plan to bring back the sport, by focusing on the younger generation. Steve Hayes, shop foreman for Petty Enterprises, wants to help create a new identity for North Carolina as one of the major areas for soapbox derbies in the country. Using the already built track at Hobby Park in Winston, Hayes and his group look to drum up support and bring in drivers from across the world, along with their families. Such a move would not just help to spark more interest in racing, but also generate touism dollars.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
Coming up tonight, there's some high school hoops action to tell you about, as West Wilkes will go on the road to take on East. Also Wilkes Central will be on the road, facing off against Watauga. The 3WC Sports Team will be on the road in Cardinal County, to broadcast the matchup between East and West. Tipoff for our coverage will start around 7pm with the McDonald's pregame show, then at 7:15 we'll turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand, who will be joining the girls' varsity game in progress, followed right after by the boys varsity.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene in basketball last night, it was UNC Charlotte beating Portland 59-46, behind 17 points and 16 rebounds from forward Curtis Withers. Also Western Carolina beat Toccoa Falls 96-37, Elon fell to IUPUI 82-70, and it was Gardner-Webb improving to 2-1 on the season with a 73-72 win over Minnesota. The Bulldogs got 18 points from Brian Bender. And Appalachian State fell to James Madison with an 81-79 loss, despite getting 31 points from DJ Thompson.

ACC Receives Another Bowl Bid
In college football, the ACC landed another postseason bid this weekend. Officials from the Emerald Bowl announced that a team from the conference will be extended an invitation to play in the game. Usually a team from the Pac-10 fills the spot, but that conference doesn't have enough teams to accept. Utah has already committed to play in the bowl, which takes place Dec. 29th in San Francisco.

Elon Coach Resigns
In other college football news, Elon University is searching for a new coach today after Paul Hamilton resigned. Hamilton won eight games in his two seasons as head coach and said his resignation was for personal reasons. Athletic director Alan White is expected to begin the hunt for a new coach within the next few weeks.

Former Wake Forest Player Put On Injured List
Some bad news today for one former Wake Forest basketball player. Josh Howard, who now plays with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, will be out at least two games and possibly might find himself on the injured list after damaging his ankle in a game Sunday night. An MRI has been scheduled to determine how severe the damage is. Howard was one of the team's leading scorers, just coming off a game against Miami where he put up 25 points and 11 rebounds.