Local News & Sports For December 26, 2005

Man Hit By Vehicle On Yellowbanks Road
One misplaced step could cost a local man his life. 24-yr-old Mike Church was standing in the middle of the Yellowbanks Road Friday morning, talking to someone in a nearby car. During the conversation however, he stepped back, right into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Mr. Church was seriously injured and rushed to Baptist Medical Center, with what doctors were calling life threatening injuries. No other update on his condition was available at this time.

Black Ice This Morning
According tothe Wilkes County Communications Center, there are reports of black ice all over the county this morning. The air temperature's are well above freezing but there are pockets of belowing freezing air at the surface. Please be careful driving this morning.

Consumers Still Need To Pay Attention To Dog Food Recall
Pet owners here in Wilkes and across the state are being asked to pay close attention to a recall going on. Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler echoed his earlier remarks over the weekend, calling this a serious matter. Several animals in North and South Carolina have already died after being exposed to cerain types of Diamond Pet Food. Included in the recall are all brands that were produced at the company's Gaston South Carolina facility, due to a toxic chemical that was discovered. The chemical aflatoxin, which is found in corn that's been infected with a certain type of fungus, was located in several cans of the food. It can make a pet sluggish and even in some cases cause sudden death. North Carolina's Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler is asking pet owners to get in touch with their local vet immediately if their pet has been weak, sluggish or just generally out of sorts. The brands involved are:
All types of Diamond Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Country Value Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Professional Dog, Puppy and Cat Food
You can determine if your brand is one of those under recall by checking to see if it has a Gaston facility production code. The South Carolina facility's codes have a capital G as either the 11th or 12th letter. Also those brands all have a sell by date of anywhere from March 1-June 1st 2007.

Tip At Local Inn Leads To Drug Bust
Wilkesboro police were called out last week to the Red Carpet Inn, after reports came of some suspicious activity. A man had been seen walking to and from the building, trying to hide something in his coat. When officers knocked on the man's door, a woman answered and let them inside. In the room was a glass smoking pipe, which both woman and her female friend admitting to using. Just under an ounce of meth was found inside, along with a roll of aluminum foil and baking soda. 18-yr-old Kara Summer Christine Ballard and 18-yr-old Kayla Ann Hawkins were both arrested and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cut Up Your Holiday Boxes
So now the presents have been unwrapped, the stockings put away and Christmas is over. But what should you do with all those boxes the gifts came in? According to law enforcement around North Carolina, it might be a good idea to cut them up, if you don't plan to reuse them next year. Leaving empty boxes by the roadside with your trash or even in a nearby dumpster is almost like painting a target on your house. Thieves see the boxes and assume that you have something valuable to steal in the home. It's a simple fact, say law enforcement officials; the fewer Christmas boxes you throw away in plain sight, the less likely your home will be robbed this time of year.

Wilkesboro Man Has Car Vandalized Over Holiday
A Wilkesboro man called police last week after coming out to find his car had been vandalized. The car had been parked right across the street from Social Services and when the owner returned an hour later, he found the back window had been shattered. Estimated damage was placed at $300 and that investigation continues.

Health Department Offering Car Seat Help
85% of child safety seats across Wilkes County were not installed correctly, according to the local SafeKids organization. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it’s still high enough for concern. And as we prepare to enter into the new year, it's important to get those seats installed correctly before heading out to visit family members. The Health Department can help with that. To set up an appointment, you can call Jean Edwards at the Health Department. Her number is 651-7478.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
The Red Cross finds itself in need of help as we head toward the end of the year. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations, in addition to the funds used to help victims of the recent hurricanes. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. With Christmas coming next week, it might be a good idea for last minute shoppers. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Regional News

Police Have Suspect In Jonesville Robbery
Officials in Jonesville are asking for help in bringing a robbery suspect to justice. 21-yr-old Aaron James Moore is wanted in connection with a recent robbery at Mountain National Bank. Moore, who’s from Clemmons NC has been charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit murder. Officials are asking anyone with information about Moore’s whereabouts to call 336-835-2855.

A 7 year old boy was killed after an accident in Surry County on Saturday morning. According to Surry County officials a minivan ran off the side of the road neal Pilot Mountain and overturned several times, throwing the boy from the van. The van was being driven by 26 year old Earl Manchester. Manchester, his girllfriend, and his three brothers were traveling from Ontario, Canada to South Carolina when the accident happened.
Surry County officials have also identified a man killed in an accident on Friday in the Westfield community. 39 year old Christopher Beck of Pilot Mountain was thrown from the car and killed on impact. The accident happened around 6:30 on Friday evening and officials believe speed wad involved.

State News

North Carolina Growing At Rapid Pace
North Carolina is on the rise, according to the US Census Bureau. The state has the 5th fastest growing population in the country, which rose by 1.7% over the past year. That brought the population up to 8 million 683 thousand people.

Advance Fighting Order To Leave NC
A lending company is going to court in order to stay in North Carolina. Advance America was banned earlier this year, for charging loan fees that would equal an annual interest rate of more than 400%. North Carolina’s Banking Commission handed down the ruling, which is now being appealed by the company, who plans to take the case to the state court system.

History For Sale By Wake Forest
A piece of U.S. history is being sold by Wake Forest University. A cyclorama, a unique portrait of the Battle of Gettysburg which gives viewers the impression of being in 3D is up for sale. The painting, one of only two left in the entire world, stands 22 ft. high and 376 ft. long and was created in the 1880s. University officials said that they wanted to sell it to someone who could take care of it and display it properly.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball
On the high school basketball court Friday night, it was Wilkes Central over West Wilkes 62-50. On the girls side of the court, it was Wilkes Central over West Wilkes 52-37 in a game plagued by turnovers and fouls. Several members of both teams got into foul trouble early in the second half, but West Wilkes just couldn't convert the opportunities when they were given.

Asheville Coach Pegged As Coach Of The Year
In high school football, Danny Wilkins was named North Carolina's Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Wilkins led Asheville High to a perfect season and brought the school its' first state title in 80 years.

Bobcats Streak Snapped Against Clippers
The Charlotte Bobcats saw their winning streak come to an end Friday night, as they lost to the LA Clippers 97-88. Charlotte was led by Primoz Breznec, who had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Also some more bad news, as rookie Sean Mays will be out at least 3 games with an injured knee. He had surgery on the knee this fall and still is having occasional pain.

Panthers Lose To Cowboys
Taking a look at the NFL, some questionable calls by the refs led to a Panthers loss on Saturday. The Cowboys won 24-20, despite 260 yards passing from Jake Delhomme and 3 sacks from Julius Peppers. The Panthers drop to 10-5 and have to beat Atlanta next week in order to get into the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes Continue Streak
The good news keeps coming for the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat Florida on Friday 4-3. Eric Staal had a goal and an assist to lead Carolina, after learning this week that he'd be playing on the Canadian hockey team. The Hurricanes maintain their lead in the Southeastern Conference with a 23-9 record.

NASCAR News & Notes
Some NASCAR headlines as Travis Kvapil (Ka-pill) has found a ride for 2006. Kvapil and the #32 Chevy will race for PPI Motorsports in the Nextel Cup circuit next season. He ran in the #7 Dodge this past year as a rookie for Penske, but that team was discontinued. Kvapil takes over from Bobby Hamilton Jr., who had three top 15 finishes with the car in 2005.