Notes From Wilkes County Commissioners Meeting
The Wilkes County Commissioners' held their monthly meeting last night and several issues were discussed. First, the boys soccer team from Wilkes Central was honored by the commissioners for winning the state championship. Coach Mike Sloan spoke about the team and introduced the players, who were given a pin by chairman Zach Henderson. Also a team of students from West Wilkes was honored for a competition they've entered. The students, led by Bryan Shumate who spoke to the commissioners, are entering the EV Challenge, a competition of schools across the nation to build an electric car. West is one of four high schools in the state that is taking part in the competition. They hope to have the vehicle finished by February 1st and ready to present by the deadline of April 6th. In other news from the meeting, the commissioners approved giving the Pro-Net company a service contract to sort through some data processing issues here in the county. Redundant systems and possible overcharging by vendors were some of the main reasons for the decision, as there have been some discrepancies in labor charges over the past few months. In addition, the company would help to monitor the county's computer systems and be able to track down hackers that try and get into the system. The motion passed 4-1, with Keith Elmore as the dissenting opinion. Elmore had requested more time, to bring in other companies to bid on the process. As it stands, the county manager's office estimated that the contract will cost $60,000. Also county commissioner Faye Byrd called for some changes in the Economic Development Commission, including a closer working relationship with the Vocational Workshop. She suggested that the new economic director be allowed to research and write grants to bring in new businesses.

Christmas For Kids Raffle Continues
As tags from the Christmas for Kids Angel Trees continue to be taken down throughout the county, there is another way you can lend a hand. Raffle tickets are being sold at $1 each, with prizes available ranging from an electric scooter to restaurant certificates and even a 27' inch TV. There's only one more day to enter the raffle, as the drawing will be held tomorrow, December 8th and winners will be contacted over the next few days. All money raised by the raffle will go to support the program, by helping to purchase gifts for any children whose names weren't taken down off the Angel Tree. As for the program itself, names can be taken and gifts turned in through next Monday December 12th. You can drop off gifts or buy raffle tickets at Johnson Oil Company and both Lowes Foods stores, on Hwy 18 North and on 115. Also you can drop off gifts at the Navy station here in Wilkes, that's at 1717 Winkler Street in Wilkesboro. The Angel Trees are up at both Lowes stores and will stay out through the weekend.

Never Keep Money Inside Your Car
Never leave cash inside your car. Employees of Ted's Kicking Chicken found that out the hard way this week. They had parked the car at their house, but left a laptop computer, along with $2500 in cash inside. During the early morning hours on Monday, sounds were heard outside the house and the woman looked out to see two men running away from the unlocked vehicle. One of the thieves slipped and dropped the laptop, which was recovered. There was no damage done to the car and nothing else missing. That investigation is ongoing.

529 Plans: How To Get Them
Throughout this week on the 3WC News, Brian has been talking with Carol Owens from financial service Scott & Stringfellow about 529 plans. They've been going over how the plans can help you guarantee there is money available for your kids' college fund. In the final part of the series, we explain what you need to look for when investing. Financial planners will go over things with you, explaining the options that are available. But when going with a plan, experts say to consider three items. First consider how you want to invest your stock. With over 47 different options, it can be easy to jump right in without knowing the consequences. Some plans will change as the child gets older and those changes could affect the end result. Also beware of fees. In most plans, there is a management fee ranging from .25% to .95% a year. But others will have hidden fees such as an enrollment charge or an annual maintenance fee of over 2%. Finally, make sure you discuss with your financial advisor how the 529 plan will affect any possible financial aid, given by your child's college. In some plans, 5.6% of the total earned by the plan would be counted by colleges as your family's expected contribution. In others if the student is named as owner of the plan, that increases to 35%.

Deer Stand Goes Missing
Who would carry off a deer stand? That's what a Millers Creek man is wondering today, after his was stolen. Deputies were called out on Sunday, after the homeowner returned and went walking on his property. He found the deer stand that had been used all season was now missing. It's unclear who carried off the stand or where it went, as no one in the area could recall seeing anything suspicious. That investigation continues.

Focus On Music
The 3WC phonelines have been rining off the hook over the past few months, with questions about Singing in the Foothills. Is it coming back? Where will it be held? How can I get tickets? All those questions and more will be answered on Thursday, as John Wishon will be sitting in with Brian for Focus on the Foothills. They'll go over the details of the event and try to clear up some of the questions that have been asked. That's tomorrow at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Blood Drive Coming Up Today
With sleet and snow in the forecast for this weekend, it's important to get as much blood as possible on hand in case of wrecks and other icy problems. The Red Cross is continuing their string of blood drives today, with one going on at Wilkes Community College. You can give blood starting at 9:30 this morning and stretching on until 3pm this afternoon. With 1500 pints used on an average day here in the state, we need to get the supply out of critical levels. You can set up an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 838-4563 or simply drop by the college and give.

Road Sign Stolen In North Wilkesboro
Sheriff's deputies were called out recently to the Rock Creek Church Road, after thieves ran off with the road sign. A witness told deputies that she saw four boys take the sign and provided details and descriptions. Deputies located both the sign and the boys, who apologized and helped to put it back up. No charges were filed and the names were not released, as all of the boys are under 16.

State News

Free Flu Shots In Greensboro
With flu season in full swing, people are hunting for the vaccine. If you haven't already gotten a shot this year, it might be a good idea to make the trip to Greensboro this morning. The Guilford County Health Department announced on Tuesday that they have flu shots left and will be handing them out free of charge today. You can go over to the clinic anytime from 8am til 11am to receive the shot. It's located at 1100 Wendover Avenue in Greensboro and for more information you can give the department a call at 641-7777.

Tuition On The Rise For Appalachian Students
Bad news for anyone returning to or going to Appalachian State for the first time. Beginning next fall, tuition at the university is going to be climbing once again. The move still has to be approved by the UNC Board of Governors, but as it stands Appalachian's trustees agreed to raise tuition by $400. That would make tuition $2221, as opposed to the current $1821. The Board of Governors has to approve the request because it falls over the limit of a $322 tuition hike that they imposed this year. Appalachian officials said they want to get an exception for the rule, in order to guarantee a quality education for their students, while at the same time making sure that the faculty is taken care of.

New Program Helping To Find Jobs In Caldwell
Over the past few months, several hundred workers in Caldwell County have found themselves out of jobs, as plants were closed and sold. Now however there's some hope on the way, courtesy of the county's new Caldwell Works program. The program, which begins in January will give unemployed workers some hands on training in several different fields. People can choose from either education, health care of horticulture, spending around 15 hours in the field and 20 hours in the classroom. Depending on their success, officials can then set up interviews and possibly have them in a new job within a few months.

Man Killed After Stealing Ambulance In Raleigh
A Wake County man is dead today after he stole an ambulance from the local EMS. The incident happened early Tuesday morning, when Wake County EMS responded to a call at a Raleigh convenience store. A man had seemed to be having a stroke and when EMS arrived, he began fighting with them, before running out of the store. The man jumped into the ambulance and took off down the road, but he didn't pay attention to the curve and went straight over an embankment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Annexation Causes Problems For Fayetteville
Residents of Fayetteville are having some problems today, thanks to the city's recent annexation. Some of the areas just outside the city have been annexed in, to add more tax revenue. However that decision may end up costing someone their life. The annexed homes have not yet been linked to the 911 system, meaning that dispatchers have no clue where to send EMS should there be an emergency. Already there has been one reported problem, when a 6-month-old girl was hit in the head by a falling TV set. After no paramedics showed up 45 minutes later, the mother and grandmother took her to the nearby fire department and they helped her get treatment. Officials say they're working to solve the problem.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
Three of the county's high schools were in action last night. For the girls varsity, it was the Lady Eagles keeping their unbeaten streak alive with a 66-50 win over Statesville. Amy Will had 24 points and Sarah Brown added 13 points & 11 rebounds for Wilkes Central. The end result wasn't so good for the West Wilkes Lady Blackhawks as they lost to North Stokes 61-49. West started out in control, opening up a 13-2 lead, but soon faded and in the second half it was all North Stokes. Emily Deal led the 0-5 Lady Blackhawks with 18 points. And up the road at East Wilkes, the Lady Cardinals lost to South Stokes 67-53. Amanda Williams put in 15 points for the 1-3 East Wilkes squad. On the boys side of the court, things weren't much better, as the Blackhawks of West fell to North Stokes 92-80. West falls to 3-2 with the loss as they were led by Kurtis Lankford's 27 points. Chad Lankford also tossed in 16 for the Blackhawks. Finally it was East Wilkes losing to South Stokes 72-57. The Cardinals led at the half 20-18, but couldn't hold on. Brett Poplin had 21 and Cody Cook added 19 for the 1-3 Cardinals.

Local Player Commits To High Point
High Point's girls team will get some added firepower next season, courtesy of Wilkes Central. Amy Will, a senior guard for the Lady Eagles, has committed to play for the university. The 5-10 Will was the Mountain Valley Conference player of the year last season and her team is off to a 5-0 start so far. The Lady Eagles are in action tonight at Statesville.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college scoreboard, it was UNC Greensboro taking care of East Carolina 78-70. Also Tennessee beat Appalachian State 89-81. DJ Thompson had 14 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds for the Mountaineers, who fall to 3-4 and last place in the Southern Conference.

UNC Lands Another Football Commitment
While UNC's football season didn't exactly turn out as planned, good news continues to pour in about next year. Mike Ingersoll, a senior at Butler High School in Matthews, committed to play for the team. Ingersoll has split time between the tight end and defensive end positions. able to run the 40 yard dash in 4.89 seconds despite weighing in at 6-5 260 lbs. UNC officials said that Ingersoll could also see some time at guard on the offensive line, in addition to playing tight end. When injuries cut down the Butler team last season, Ingersoll stepped in for the guard position.

Carolina Takes Care Of Business Against Anaheim
It didn't take long for the Carolina Hurricanes to get back to their winning ways. The Hurricanes beat Anaheim last night 6-2, behind a hat trick from Kevyn Adams. Carolina improves to 17-8 on the season, staying two games ahead of Tampa Bay in the Southeastern Conference.