Wilkes County Searching For New Voting System
Earlier this year North Carolina issued a mandate to all 100 counties, saying that each one needed to have their voting systems replaced by the 2006 elections. Wilkes County's board of elections has been hard at work over the past few months, going over the different models approved by the state and trying to determine which best suits the county's needs and also it's budget. Throughout this morning, members of the board will be trying out demos of the different products, then select one in a meeting later this month. After the board passes that resolution, the next step is to bring it before the county commissioners, first for a public forum to let people see it and ask questions. Then the commissioners will vote on the request, deciding if they'll approve the purchase. A date for the forum has not yet been decided, according to election officials but it is expected to happen within the next month. The reason being that a contract with the vendors has to be signed by January 20th, in order for the machines to be up and running in time for next year's elections. State leaders called for the switch after several problems came up during the 2004 campaigns, including 4000 ballots disappearing in the agriculture commissioner's race.

Guns Stolen From Local Home
Thieves broke into a house on Wildwood Shady Lane this week, running off with several thousand dollars worth of guns in the process. The homeowners were out of town, as one of them has been in the hospital. Deputies were called out by the couple's son, who had been by to check on the place while they were gone. He returned to find the back door kicked in and several guns missing from inside, including a .22 Remington rifle, a 16 gauge shotgun. Also over $5000 worth of jewelry had been taken. There are suspects in the case and the investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Protect Yourself While Shopping
With Christmas just over a week away, it's time to head out and get those last few presents for family and friends. But while you're out and about, it's a good idea to take some precautions and stay safe. Law enforcement across the state have several suggestions to follow. First, always keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up when leaving the vehicle. Over the past few weeks here in Wilkes several reports have come in of thieves opening unlocked doors and running off with items from inside. Also don't leave pckages on the seat of your car. The reason being, would be thieves can see the items as they're walking by and it serves as a temptation to them. Once you buy something, put it in your trunk or behind the seat, out of sight. Finally, keep a grip on your purse, handbag or wallet and make sure not to set it down on either the top of your vehicle or off to the side when loading your purchases. That way thieves can't grab it and take off running before you've had a chance to react. Overall just watch out and have a safe holiday season.

Money Stolen From Car Wash
Sheriff's deputies were called out to DJ's Car Wash on Monday, after thieves broke into the change machine and took the coins. A store employee came to open up at the business just as the suspect was running off. Along with the change, air fresheners were also stolen from inside. A description of both the suspect and his vehicle were turned over to deputies and the investigation continues.

Be Careful What You Leave Behind
A Hamptonville man in town to play golf found that he left more behind this week than just his swing. The man's wallet disappeared while at Countryside Golf Course, with $200 in cash and several credit cards inside. Also inside the wallet was his social security card and other personal information. The man has since cancelled all of his cards and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Christmas For Kids Deadline Arrives
For anyone who's taken a tag from the Christmas for Kids trees, the deadline is here. After tallying up the donations, the group found there were still children left on the trees on Monday and extended the time until tonight. If you want to donate money or pick up a name on the trees, they'll still be out until close of business today at both Lowes Foods locations on Hwy 18 and Hwy 115. Or if you have already taken a name and want to drop off your gift, you can do that as well. Drop-off sites are at Johnson Oil Company, the Navy recruiting station and both Lowes Foods stores, on Hwy 18 North and on 115. Also to get in touch with Christmas for Kids you can call 696-4462.

Focus On The Children
Hundreds of children are abused and neglected by their parents here in North Carolina. We hear about what happens to the parents, as they enter prison or rehab facilities, but who is looking out for the children? North Carolina's Guardian Ad Litem program is responsible for taking care of the kids and acting on their best interests. Eva Hendershot from the Wilkes branch of the Guardian program will be Brian's guest this week on Focus on the Foothills. They'll be talking about the organization, what exactly they do and how you can get involved if you're interested in doing so. That's coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Ran Off With The Pressure Washer
Deputies were called out to a home on the White Plains Road this week, after thieves paid a visit. A storage building on the property had been broken into and a pressure washer had been taken. This marks the second washer that the homeowner has lost to thieves. There is a possible suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

DirecTV Offering Refunds
Good news for any DirecTV customers in Wilkes County. You may be eligible for a refund. North Carolina's attorney general has reached a settlement with the satellite company, requiring DirecTV to pay back customers who feel they were lied to. The small print in DirecTV's ads proved to, on occasion, contradict the offer on the same page. Now to avoid a legal battle, DirecTV customers can appy for a refund. You're eligible for a refund if you believe to have been overcharged for anything by the company since 2001. That includes contract terms, installation problems, programming issues or cancellation charges. To apply for a refund, you need to mail a complaint to DirecTV Complaint Program P.O. Box 29079 Glendale California 91209-9079.

State News

Radioactive Material Goes Missing In Statesville
A container of radioactive material has gone missing in Statesville and state officials believe it was stolen. North Carolina's Radiation Protection Section announced on Monday that the material had vanished from a locked vehicle over the weekend, taken while the driver was eating at a nearby restaurant. At stake is two millicuries of Americium 241, used to test equipment from nuclear medicine facilities. The material is in two stainless steel tubes, sealed up in a 35-millimeter container. Siemens Medical Solutions has put out a $1000 reward for the material's return.

Crime Spree Ends In Lenoir
Officials in Lenoir stopped a two day crime spree on Monday, catching the suspect just after he robbed his latest victim. 35-yr-old CHarles Lenard Way was arrested on Maple Street Monday night, after embarking on a series of robberies. He hit several businesses in the Caldwell County area, taking several hundred dollars in cash. Way is now in the Caldwell County Jail waiting for his day in court.

Raleigh Sprinter Banned For Two Years
An Olympic sprinter from North Carolina has been banned from his sport for two years, after being involved with a steroid scandal. Tim Montgomery, a former world record holder in the 100-meter run, has been implicated as part of the BALCO hearings. Members of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Op turned over evidence that Montgomery had been involved with doping and other illegal steroid use. The Court of Arbitration for Sport handed down the decision on Tuesday. Montgomery makes his home in Raleigh.

State Lottery Faces Lawsuit
North Carolina's new lottery isn't even up and running yet, but already its' facing a lawsuit. The NC Institute For Constitutional Law announced that it will file suit on Thursday, questioning how the lottery was voted in. According to the Institute, lawmakers violated the state constitution by holding a reading of the bill and voting on it in the same day. They believe the three readings, as called for by state law, should have been spread out over a three day period, to allow for discussion. Traditionally that has been the case, but state officials suspended the ruling when they pushed through the lottery bill, arguing that the lottery wasn't a standard revenue bill and shouldn't be treated as such. If the lawsuit does in fact go through, then lawmakers might have to vote again on the bill and it could put a hold on plans to begin the games in April.

Immigration Commission Holds First Meeting
North Carolina needs facts, not assumptions about immigration. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory explained that was the main reason he's created an Immigration Study Commission, which held it's first meeting on Monday. All 23 member sof the panel have been appointed by the mayor and include a wide variety of people, from federal agents to city officials and several Latino community leaders. The commission is charged wth investigating the impact that the increase in illegal immigration has had on North Carolina and Charlotte in particular. They'll be focusing on the effects on public safety, employment, education and healthcare. By late summer of 2006, the commission will return and present McCrory with their results and any recommendations.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
Around the high school scoreboard last night, it was Wilkes Central over Ashe County 57-45. North Wilkes meanwhile took care of Forbush 50-49. Brett Whittington put up 15 points as the 3-5 Vikings got a much needed win on the road. Also on the girls side, it was the Lady Eagles of Central over Ashe County 56-35. Amy Will came one block short of a triple double, scoring 24 points, pulling down 11 rebounds and recording 9 blocks. Sarah Brown also was a force in the paint, putting up 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. The Lady Eagles improve to a perfect 8-0 with the win, while Ashe County drops to 5-2.

NCAA Scoreboard
In college basketball, a major upset last night as unranked Depaul knocked off the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 84-81. Eric Williams had 24 points for the Deacons, who saw Justin Gray go cold down the stretch and only finish with 12 points. The 16th ranked Deacons fall to 7-1 with the loss.

Duke Lands Recruit For Football
The good news keeps coming for Duke's football team. The Blue Devils landed their 17th commitment for next season as Patrick Egboh agreed to play. Egboh is a 6-4 230 lb. defensive end from Texas who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.79 seconds. As a senior this year, Patrick racked up 79 tackles, 10 sacks and two fumbles. He turned down offers from Baylor, New Mexico, Tulane and Villanova to join the Blue Devils.

Bobcats Fall Against Denver
Around the senior circuit, it was Denver knocking off Charlotte 101-85. Charlotte's losing streak fell to eight games, as they drop to 5-17 on the season. Some good news however for the Bobcats, as forward Emeka Okafor came out of his slump to score 17 points, grab 12 rebounds and record three blocks on the night. Sean May also added 13 points and 6 rebounds for Charlotte, who will take on New Jersey tonight.

Carolina Hurricanes Pick Up Win Against Chicago
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes got back on the right track last night, with a 5-3 win over Chicago. Matt Cullen had two goals for the Hurricanes, who improve to 19-9, good enough to stay in first place in the Southeastern Conference, a spot they've held for the past two months.