Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part Four
It can be hard at times to sort through the legal language of your healthcare plan. What makes that plan right for you? Will it even cover the drugs you need? Today in part three of our series on the Medicare drug benefit, Dr. Merril Matthews explains where you can get information about the different plans offered and how you'll be paying for it. And you can catch that interview during any of our local newscasts at 4:55pm or 6:55pm tonight. For anyone wanting to read up on more information about the seperate plans, you can go online to the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov and on the front page you can compare the different options. Coming up on Thursday's segment in the series, Dr. Matthews will explain how people will be saving money with the program, even though taxpayer dollars are going to fund it.

Money Left At Lowes Foods Register
How do you misplace over two thousand dollars in cash? That's what Wilkesboro police are wondering today. A local man called police and told them that he had lost $2600, which he remembered laying down at the cash register at the Wilkesboro Lowes Foods. But when he went back, the money was missing. Information from both the store and the victim were turned over to officers and that investigation is ongoing.

Focus On Racing
Racing is a part of Wilkes County's history. From the first dirt tracks to the now closed Wilkesboro speedway, people here love to watch it and enjoy taking part in it when they can. But when the Wilkesboro track was bought out, all that was taken away. Now however racing in Wilkes could be getting a new start, thanks to a group called Save the Speedway. Steven Wilson from Save The Speedway will be Brian's guest this week for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be discussing the group's plans, how close they are to buying the speedway and what is already in the works to happen once the sale goes through. That's tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Medication Taken From North Wilkesboro Home
It's always a good idea to keep your eye on people inside your house, especially over the holidays. A North Wilkesboro man learned that over the Thanksgiving weekend, after some of his pain medication was stolen. The thieves ran off with about a bottle's worth of Vicodan, but it's not clear who stole the pills or when they went missing. The homeowner had several people over during the holiday, with guests wandering around the house. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Time Ticking Down To Apply For Disaster Relief Aid
There's only one day left if you want to apply for disaster relief aid this year. Governor Easley declared 50 counties throughout the state, including Wilkes as disaster areas after last year's swarm of hurricanes. Now over 15 months later, if you are still struggling to put the pieces back together because of the storms, you can apply for assistance. The state of North Carolina will give limited help in paying off any Small Business Administration home loans that you received from the government. People in Wilkes and the surrounding areas have until December 1st to apply, which you can do by contacting Belinda Jones with the NC Redevelopment Center at 919-733-1566 or by mail at 102 North Salisbury Street 20325 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after a wreck on Hwy 421 Monday afternoon. A Millers Creek woman was stopped, getting ready to turn at the intersection of 421 and Winkler Mill Road when she was suddenly hit from behind. A North Wilkesboro woman had been driving down the highway but didn't see the other car in time to stop. Thankfully no one was injured, however an estimated $4000 in damage was done.

Christmas In Wilkes Deadline Changed
375 kids still have their names on the Angel Trees around Wilkes County this year, children that otherwise won't have any presents under the tree come Christmas. With so many kids still out there, the Christmas in Wilkes organization is giving people more time by extending their deadline. Instead of the planned deadline of December 1st, names can be picked up at the trees until Monday, December 5th. Currently Angel Trees are out at Belk, Freedom Homes, Hardees, Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, the Lowes Corporate Offices at the mall, Wal-Mart and Wilkes Community College. For more information or to ask about volunteering, you can call Christmas in Wilkes at 927-2969.

More Tires Slashed In Wal-Mart Parking Lot
For the second straight week, a person shopping at Wal-Mart came out to see damage done to their car. A North Wilkesboro man had gone to work inside the store earlier in the morning, then came outside after his shift to discover someone had slashed his tires. An estimated $150 in damage was done and that investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Protect Your Home
Over the past few weeks, we've heard reports of house fires throughout Wilkes and other sections of North Carolina. The sad thing is that most of these fires could have easily been prevented, if the right steps had been taken. First off, never use space heaters to dry your clothes. Instead fo drying, the fabric can ignite once it gets hot enough. Also if possible, buy a type of space heater that shuts off after flipping over. That way if you go to bed and forget to turn it off, you won't wake up smelling smoke. And for those using a fireplace to keep warm, make sure that all of your items are at least three feet away from the flames. That's in case that a spark pops off. If the clothes are nearby, it could help ignite them. Finally if you have gas logs, get them checked and inspected at least once a year, to stop carbon monoxide poisoning.

State News

Ric Flair Facing Criminal Charges
One of Charlotte's most famous residents, wrestling legend Ric Flair is facing criminal charges today after a reported case of road rage. A 29-yr-old filed charges against Flair of simple assault and battery, along with damage to personal property after an incident that happened last Wednesday. According to the other driver, while sitting in traffic on I-485 near Charlotte, Flair stepped out of his vehicle and started choking him. He also claims that Flair began kicking his SUV, leading behind dents and damage. Warrants have been issued for Flair's arrest, however they haven't been served yet.

Dealer Accidentally Calls Police
A Linconton man attempted to call his drug dealer and instead got connected to the local police department this week. One of the department's narcotics detectives recieved a phone call from someone looking to buy a $50 rock of crack cocaine. After taking down the man's address, the detective and two officers went to the place, where the man let them inside. Once in the house, the detective revealed who they were and that he had tried to order drugs from the cops. The detective's number had showed up in his phone thanks to a police informant who had staged an earlier drug buy using it.

Hazmat Crews Spend Tuesday Cleaning Up I-85 Wreck
A wreck early Tuesday morning on I-85 near Charlotte had a Hazmat team and cleanup crews working for part of the morning. During the rain overnight, a driver was speeding and lost control on the ramp connecting I-77 to I-85 northbound. A Fed-Ex tractor trailer was coming down the same route but couldn't slow down in time to avoid a collision. Two people were sent to the hospital, while the car's driver was cited for causing the wreck. Hazmat crews spent the morning cleaning up diesel fuel that had spilled.

Lawmakers Reach Compromise On Teacher Licenses
Out of state teachers can now be hired at North Carolina schools without wondering if their license will be accepted. Lawmakers and state education leaders came to a compromise over the issue on Tuesday, one that will hopefully help fill the nine thousand teaching vacancies here in North Carolina. It will now be easier for teachers with less than three years of experience to get a permanant license here in the state, as long as there are no black marks on their record. Those teachers will undergo regular evaluations by their superiors.

Wife Under Arrest For Poisoning Husband
Many husbands accuse their wives of poisoning them with their cooking. A Davidson County man had his wife arrested this week for it. Vickie Peterson is in a Davidson County jail, accused of putting rat poison in a pot of butter beans that she was fixing for supper. Deputies sent the pot of beans to the state crime lab, where it's undergoing analysis for toxins. It's not exactly clear how he knew the beans were poisoned, but Peterson's husband said that she's made threats against family members in the past, demanding money.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college court last night, it was Wake Forest sliding by Wisconsin 91-88, thanks to Justin Gray's 37 points. Newberry lost to Winthrop 79-77, High Point fell to Kentucky 75-55 and the defending national champs gave it their best shot but fell short against Illinois as the UNC Tarheels lost 68-64.

Nelson Out For At Least A Month
In other college basketball news, the Duke Blue Devils will have to do without forward Demarcus Nelson for at least a month and possibly longer. Nelson had surgery on his fractured right leg this week and doctors are projecting him to be out six to eight weeks. However if he follows their instructions, they also believe he'll return at full strength and not suffer any long term effects from the surgery.

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Sacramento
The Charlotte Bobcats started off their road trip on the wrong foot last night, falling to the Sacramento Kings 110-92. The Bobcats were led by Kareem Rush, who had 15 points, as they fall to 5-10 on the year.

Hurricanes Beat Atlanta
It was the Carolina Hurricanes knocking off Atlanta last night 4-3, getting some payback for the 9-0 clubbing the Thrashers had delivered earlier in the season. Carolina improves to 16-7, staying atop first place in the Southeastern Conference.

Changes Coming For Yates Drivers
As NASCAR enters its' offseason, some changes are in the works for Yates Racing. Robert Yates has installed Richard Labbe as the new crew chief for Dale Jarrett, while Tommy Baldwin will take over in that position with Elliot Sadler's team. And while Sadler will still compete in 18 Busch races next year, the rest of the schedule will be filled out by new drivers Stephen Leicht and Matt McCall.