News & Sports For December 27th

Be Careful What You Leave Behind
Be careful what you leave behind. A Wilkesboro man found that out the hard way over Christmas, as he had $60 stolen. The man had gone to work out at the YMCA and left the money, along with some credit cards in his gym bag. When he returned later that night, everything was missing. The cards have since been cancelled and there is a suspect in the case. That investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Backpack Problems
With the kids out for winter break, it’s a good time to take a look at what they’re carrying supplies in, as we explain in today’s 3WC Eye on Safety. A study done this month by the University of California at San Diego found that for the most part, childrens’ backpacks are too heavy and could lead to back and shoulder pain. According to the study, the weight balance should be different for each student. Each child shouldn’t be carrying more than 15% of their body weight. For example, a child weighing 100 lbs. shouldn’t carry more in their backpack than 15 lbs, while someone weighing 70 lb. shouldn’t have more than 10.5 on board. One major problem with the increased weight is that is prevents normal blood flow. On average students now carry an estimated 22% of their bodyweight in the backpacks.

Wilkes Elections Board Unveils New Voting Equipment
As we told you earlier this month on the news, North Carolina has ordered all counties to replace their voting systems before next year's elections. Wilkes County's Board of Elections has been hard at work to do just that, trying out demos of the different products. Now that they've found one, a public forum will be held this Friday, December 30th from 2-4pm. This will go on in the Commissioners' room of the County office building and will allow people to come and see the new equipment, while also getting a chance to ask questions. After the forum is over, then the commissioners will vote on the request, deciding if they'll approve the purchase. The reason for such a quick decision is 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.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as we enter a new year. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is taking applications for their financial assistance program. The program is open to anyone who can demonstrate a need for help paying utility or rent bills. However before going out, please remember that you can only be seen with an appointment, during either Tuesday or Thursday from 1-5pm. Also there is a limited amount of money available to help, given out on a need based approach. The Salvation Army is located in the Wilkes United Way office building, at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information or to set up an appointment you can call 651-7800.

Car Damaged At Wilkesboro Home
A Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when walking outside late last week. Someone had demolished her car. Over one thousand dollars worth of damage was done to the vehicle. Since then the person responsible has come forward and promised to pay for repairs.

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.

Students To Possibly Pay More For College Loans
Bad news for anyone either starting college or just graduating. Beginning in 2006, it may be a lot harder to pay back those college loans. The U.S. Congress is close to approving some new legislation that would cut down on the federal deficit, but use college students to do it. Currently in the UNC college system, there are 138,844 people that took out student loans to pay for class. That rounds out to 70% of the student population. According to the government's own study, the average college graduate leaves with $17,500 in debt. How will the new proposal affect students? $14.3 billion is scheduled to be trimmed from student aid programs, meaning that instead of grants, people will have to take out more loans to cover the cost. $5800 in fees and interest would be added to existing loans that span over a 30-yr-period.

State News

Toll Roads May Become NC Reality
Bad news today for anyone planning on taking a trip to Virginia. You might have to pay for it. A plan has been proposed for the governments of North Carolina and Virginia to partner up and create a toll road. Anyone crossing state lines on I-85 or I-95 would have to pay a $5 fee. The plan still has to go before both states for a vote, which could come in the next few months.

NC Businesses Seeing Holiday Rise
The holiday turned out better than expected for most North Carolina businesses. After a somewhat slow Christmas season, early returns show that sales this year in the state will in fact be 5% higher than 2004, according to the National Retail Federation. And the number could rise even higher, depending on how many people return gifts this week.

Former Lawmaker Celebrates Before Going To Prison
Most people spend time at home before going off to prison. Former state congressman Frank Balance however is holding a party. On Wednesday, Balance is holding a party in Roanoke Rapids, two days before he’s to start serving a four year sentence for fraud. In addition to the celebration, guests are asked to make donations to the former lawmaker. Earlier this year Balance pleaded guilty to using taxpayer money for his own personal benefit.

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Gets Underway Tonight
Taking a look around the high school scene, Wilkes County’s annual holiday tournament gets underway tonight at North High. A rematch of Friday’s 3WC Game of the Week tips off the event, with West Wilkes playing Wilkes Central. The boys teams will take the court at 4pm today. Then at 5:45pm, the girls teams from North and East Wilkes will play, followed at 7:30pm by the boys varsity from both schools. Then at 9:15 in the final game of the evening, the Lady Eagles of Wilkes Central will take on the Lady Blackhawks of West. All this is taking place once again at North Wilkes High School and tomorrow 3WC will be in the stands to bring you the championship games.

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.

NC State Could Lose Williams To Draft
Taking a look at the college football scene, NC State could be one player short when they kick off next season. Junior defensive end Mario Williams has taken one step towards entering the NFL draft, by submitting his name to the underclassman advisory committee. The committee helps college players by letting them know where they're currently ranked and what their chances are of being drafted. So far, most mock drafts have Williams ranked as a top ten pick. Williams and the Wolfpack will take on South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on New Year's Eve in Charlotte.

NHL: Carolina at Tampa Bay
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes saw their winning streak come to an end as they lost to Tampa Bay 5-4 on Sunday night. It took overtime for Tampa to knock off the Hurricanes, who fall to 23-10 with the loss.