Fire At Southern Candle
Thursday afternoon, local firefighters were called out to a blaze just behind Southern Candle. A warehouse that the business had built to house their supplies suddenly went up in flames, as the doors exploded. Within a few hours firefighters were able to put it out, but at this time they don't know what caused the warehouse to go up. No other building in the area was damaged as the fire was able to be contained.

More New Laws Affecting Wilkes County
Starting yesterday, several new laws were officially installed that could have implications for Wilkes County. We've already mentioned the new ATV law, which you can read about by scrolling down to the news headlines for December 1st. But also coming into being was a law making it a felony to break into a house of worship. Here in Wilkes and the surrounding area, there have been problems over the past year with vandals coming around and damaging church property. Now if someone is caught doing that, they face a $200 fine and possibly some jail time depending on how much damage was done. In addition, it's now a felony throughout North Carolina to conceal a person's death, regardless if you had anything to do with it or not. If you help to dispose of a dead body or are involved in any way, you will be charged with a felony, instead of a misdemeanor.

Man Arrested For Forging Checks
Deputies went to arrest a Wilkes County man for a traffic violation and ended up busting him for forgery this week. Chad McKinley Bucham was wanted for driving without a license and deputies spotted him on Wednesday in the Food Lion parking lot on Hwy 16 North. When they went to search the car, several checks were discovered in the side pocket of the driver's door. In addition, the license tag on his vehicle had been reported stolen from a business in Wilkesboro. Deputies asked for and got consent from the man to search his home, where they found the workings of a forgery business. A stock of blank checks were inside, along with a laptop computer and printer used in the scheme. 30-yr-old Chad McKinley Burcham was arrested and charged, in addition to driving with a revoked license, also forgery and possession of stolen property.

Deadline Coming For Christmas In Wilkes
Several hundred kids still have their names on Angel Tags across Wilkes County, waiting for someone to surprise them this Christmas. But in addition to those tags already out, there are more on the way, witha total of 375 kids still in need. Those tags 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. Also tune in today to the 3WC News and you can hear April Nichols from Christmas in Wilkes talking with Brian about the program.

Pills Taken From Ferguson Residence
How does someone break in without leaving behind any evidence? That's what sheriff's deputies are asking today, after a Ferguson man reported that his medication had been stolen. Nothing was damaged inside the home and there was no evidence that anyone had broke in, however the bottle of pills was missing. There are two suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part Six: Problems With The Plan
Throughout this week, we've gone over the new Medicare drug benefit, breaking it down with help from Dr. Merril Matthews from the Council for Affordable Health Insurance. But as we get set to wrap up the series, it's time to ask Dr. Matthews if his organization gives their stamp of approval and if it's something they themselves would sign up for. And to hear Dr. Matthews talk about the plan, you can tune in today for the 3WC News. Also if you want more information about the benefit or want to see the different plans for yourself, you can log on to www.medicare.gov.

All The News That's Fit To Steal
Sheriff's deputies are trying to determine who ran off with a newspaper rack in Millers Creek this week. The rack was stolen sometime Wednesday night from outside the Deep Ford Market. Nothing else was taken or damaged in any way in the business itself, however during the night, someone came by, picked up the entire newspaper rack for the Winston-Salem Journal and drove off with it. That investigation continues.

Communities In Schools Opens Its' Doors
Throughout the year on 3WCNews, you've heard us talk about Communities in Schools and discuss the programs with some of their workers. Now you have an opportunity to see for yourself. Coming up tonight, Communities in Schools will be holding an Open House from 5-8pm, giving the people of Wilkes a chance to see inside the organization and learn more about the different programs from the inside. There will also be giveaways of school supplies, games, children's books and several other items. Once again that's tonight from 5-8pm at the Communities in Schools office. They're located just off School Street on College Avenue. The number to call is 651-7830 if you want more information.

Two Green Lights Leads To One Wreck
It was a tale of two different stories for Wilkesboro police when they arrived at the scene of a wreck on 421 Tuesday afternoon. A Moravian Falls woman was headed west on the highway and attempted to turn onto Winkler Mill Road. A Taylorsville man was at the same intersection, coming from the other direction and also attempting to turn. They slammed into each other, totaling the man's car while causing some damage to the other vehicle as well. When police arrived, both drivers told them that their light was green. No one was hurt however estimated damage was placed at $2000.

Bidding For A Good Cause
If you're out tonight 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 starting at 6pm.

If At First You Don't Succeed
Thieves tried to break into a home in Wilkesboro this week, but left empty handed. When the homeowner returned, he found damage done to the door of his garage, but nothing was missing as the would be thieves had apparently failed to get inside. An estimated $300 worth of damage was done to the property. There are suspects in the case and the investigation continues.

State News

Troops Coming Home From Iraq
Some North Carolina troops are on the way home from Iraq today. 122 soldiers from the 30th Engineer Brigade out of Charlotte will be arriving later today. The troops are expected to touch down at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville shorting after 11am this morning. The soldiers served in Iraq by organizing and developing the engineering projects sucha s rebuilding schools and fixing the water supply.

Sock Bandit Hits Salisbury
Officials in Salisbury are out hunting a man armed with a sock. The sock bandit has hit at least five businesses in the area, police believe and always with the same MO. He comes in, wearing socks on his hands and gives the impression that he has a gun, although no one's ever actually seen it. On Wednesday night he robbed the local Little Caesar's and officials are asking for help with his capture. Anyone with information can call the Salisbury police at 1-704-638-5333.

Couple Charged With 50 Seperate Crimes
Police in Gaston County have charged a man and his wife with over 50 different crimes after raiding their home. Eric and Leigh Ann Croft from Bessemer City were arrested for distributing marijuana among other things. Both guns and cash, along with four pounds of marijuana were found inside the couple's home and after some undercover work, police were able to put together a case.

Black Being Investigated For Favor Given Out
North Carolina Speaker of the House Jim Black is under investigation today for creating a job for a friend. Email messages were released to news media across the state this week, raising concerns that Black had helped to create a new position in order to employ a supporter. State officials made a new position, for a heritage tourism officer in the western part of North Carolina. Once created that position was filled by the wife of one of Black's supporters. The emails also showed that before the position was filled, economic development officials were being asked to hire someone from the Black camp.

Backpacks Fighting Hunger In Surry County
Students in Surry County are going home loaded up with food instead of classwork thanks to a new program. Called the Backpack Buddy Program, students are selected based on their need and given bookbags filled with food to take home to their familes. Westfield Elementary in Surry County is taking part in the project, one of 70 schools to be included in the pilot program put on by America's Second Harvest Food Bank. Next year, two more areas will join in,a s both Rockingham and Davidson County schools will be involved.

Tree Of Life Going Up Today In Raleigh
Over 1500 people were killed last year in traffic accidents across North Carolina and as a way of remembering each one, a dedication service for the "Tree of Life" will be held later today. A Christmas tree was donated by a local tree farm for the project and will be covered with 1574 lights, one for each person killed in a traffic accident in 2004. 356 of the lights are red, in remembrance of those killed in wrecks where alcohol played a part. Then at 5:30 this afternoon, the tree will come to life with a special ceremony on the lawn of the state capital. People can come see the tree at the State Capitol until January 5th of 2006.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
Coming up later tonight, all four Wilkes high schools are in action. East Wilkes heads up the road to Mount Airy, while North Wilkes takes a trip over to Avery. Back here in the county, Bishop Mcguiness takes its' first trip to West Wilkes for basketball since the new conferences were put together. Also Wilkes Central is at home, playing host to Alexander Central. We'll have scores for you on the Saturday Sportsdesk.

Appalachian In Action Last Night
Appalachian State took care of Methodist last night, winning 87-69 despite an off night for DJ Thompson who finished with only six points. The Mountaineers improve to 3-2 with the win, with their next game coming tomorrow night against Davidson.

Barclay Receives Award From ACC
Around the college football scene, the big award in the ACC was handed out this week to Wake Forest tailback Chris Barclay. Barclay became the fourth Demon Deacon to be named the ACC Player of the Year, beating out Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick by one vote.

Mountaineers Named To Southern Conference Team
In other college football news, the Southern Conference released its' all-conference team and several Appalachian State players made the list. Quarterback Richie Williams, tailback Kevin Richardsona and offensive tackle Grant Oliver all made the list. Also defensive backs Jeremy Wiggins and Corey Lynch were on the team, along with defensive linemen Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter. The Mountaineers welcome Southern Illinois into Kip Brewer stadium tomorrow at 2pm as the second round of the playoffs gets underway.