News & Sports For Thursday June 16th 2005

Focus On Life
When you hear the words Relay for Life, you might think of a charity event, something to do with running. But actually Relay for Life is a foundation put together to help raise money for cancer research through many different ways. You can hear Brian’s interview with Jo Dejournet later on today during Focus on the Foothills as we’ll be talking about the Relay organization, how you can get involved and some realities as to why it’s so important. That’s right after the midday stock report at 1:05pm.

Construction Company Falls Victim To Break-in
Members of a local construction company brought out sheriff’s deputies this week after discovering that someone had broke into one of their trailers and stole over a thousand dollars worth of tools. A trailer belonging to Vannoy & Sons Construction was broke into, after thieves apparently tossed a rock through one of the windows and walked in. They left with several thousand dollars worth of material, including a portable concrete saw, a cordless drill and a diamond blade. In addition, the thieves cut all phone lines to the trailer before making their escape. That investigation is ongoing.

Traffic Stop Leads To Weapons Charge
Running a red light is never a good idea, especially when there’s law enforcement following right behind you. A Traphill man learned it the hard way this week after speeding through a red light and then ignoring requests from the sheriff’s deputies to slow down and pull over. Eventually the driver stopped in the parking lot of McDonalds and as they approached, deputies could smell a strong odor of alcohol. The driver was clearly drunk and also, in between the seats he had a butcher knife sticking up with its’ handle extended. When deputies ran the vehicle’s tag, it came back as not having any insurance. 53-yr-old Roby Denver Simpson was arrested and charged with DWI, having alcohol in an open container, driving without insurance on the vehicle, running a red light and carrying a concealed weapon.

Broken Window Provides Opening
A North Wilkesboro man called sheriff’s deputies earlier this week after coming home to discover someone had paid him a visit while he was gone. One of the home’s windows had already been shattered but never repaired, so the thieves simply climbed through and went shopping. Included in the theft was a toaster oven, a hairdryer, a heating pad and a cassette radio. There are no suspects in the case but the investigation is ongoing.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Wilkesboro Home
Wilkesboro police were called out to a local residence earlier this week, after the homeowner returned to find he was the latest victim of mailbox vandals in the county. During the late night hours on Monday, neighbors reported hearing some kind of loud noises in the area, but neither the homeowner or anyone else went outside to check it out. The next morning the man came out to find $50 worth of damage done to his mailbox. There are no suspects however deputies are continuing the investigation.

Last Crop Report Deadline Coming Up
For local farmers, we’re less than fifteen days away from the second crop report deadline of this year. On June 30th, farmers have to report all corn, soybeans and other crops to the Wilkes Farm Service Agency. For any farmer who hasn’t yet filed their report, you can go to the Wilkes Farm Service Agency and get that taken care of today. If you’re unable to make it out to the agency, you can contact them at 838-3622.

Hit & Run In Hays
A Hays man called sheriff’s deputies after over $200 worth of damage was done to his car. The man had been driving down Traphill Road in Hays when another vehicle passed on the other side of the road and something was tossed out in his path. It turns out that someone had chunked a rock from out of the car and it hit the man’s windshield, causing several cracks and plenty of damage. This marks the latest of several similar cases in the Hays area, as locals have reported vehicles driving by and throwing rocks at oncoming cars. There are however no suspects in the case, but the investigation is ongoing.

Painkillers Stolen But No Crime Scene Found
A Millers Creek man reported a break-in and theft at his home, however deputies couldn’t find any sign of a crime scene. There was no sign of a break-in at the home, nothing damaged or taken except for a box of oxycodine painkillers. Also there was no witness to the crime, however the homeowner did have a suspect whose name and description he gave deputies. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Davie County Churches Victims Of Vandalism
Davie County officials are investigating a series of crimes at local churches today. Nine different churches in the county have been vandalized over the past three weeks, with equipment being shattered and items stolen. In each of the cases, the thief used a crowbar to come in one of the church doors, then walked around causing damage while selecting things to steal. Included in the thefts were several televisions, some musical equipment and also some of the church’s money. Officials haven’t been left empty handed however, as evidence was left behind at the scene of each crime and the detectives are following up on several leads.

Men Charged In ID Theft Case
According to Charlotte officials, two men have been arrested and charged after they were linked with over 600 cases of identity theft. 24-yr-old Ben Gadson and 26-yr-old Juan Canales gained access to credit cards through their jobs at the Outback Steakhouse in Matthews. They would copy the personal information down while swiping the customer’s card, then used the information to run up a tab of almost a million dollars. The Secret Service has gotten involved with the case and are also investigating a similar situation at a Red Lobster restaurant in Gastonia.

Man Missing In Jackson County
Sheriff’s deputies are still searching today for a man who vanished into the Tuckaseegee River on Tuesday, so they can arrest him. Search crews combed the area in homes of locating the man, who dove into the water to escape police. However there is concern that a current strengthened after days of rain could have caught him and drug him to his death. Everything started when an SUV began swerving around Hwy 74, alerting a nearby sheriff’s deputy, who attempted to pull the man over. Instead, the driver continued on and increased speed, until he was stopped by spike stripes deployed when he crossed over to Hwy 116. As the tires went flat, the man jumped out and started running towards the river, where he disappeared. A rescue team from Asheville has been called in to help with the search.

Charlotte Investigating Two Wednesday Robberies
Two stores in the Charlotte area were robbed on Wednesday and local authorities are continuing the investigation today. One of the cases happened at the BB&T Bank on South Tryon Street, as an older man in his mid to late forties came in and told employees he had a gun, although he never showed one. Instead the employees followed his instructions and turned over an undisclosed amount of money, after which he walked out into a waiting Pontiac Bonneville. Around the same time, a second robbery occurred at an Eckerd drug storeon Belhaven Boulevard. Two men came in wearing ski masks and displaying their guns. They grabbed the cash drawer and ran out, escaping from the scene on a bicycle according to witnesses.

Jobs Leaving Durham
Some bad news today for people in the Durham area, as a local pharmaceutical plant announced that it would be cutting costs by getting rid of employees. Over half of Mylan Bertek’s 370 employees will be let go in the move, which company officials say is part of a larger nationwide plan to help restructure & cut spending. It appears the cuts could just be the first part of a larger restructuring in the area, as the company said plans are in the works to shut down one of its’ plants in the area, although a timetable for the closure hasn’t been set.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Team Beats Concord
The Wilkes Post 31 Patriots rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to beat Concord last night 12-9 in a game marked by heated emotions and several ejections. During several periods the umpires had to halt play while issuing warnings to members of the Concord team, who continued to harass and criticize the officiating. The Patriots improve to 3-7 with the win as they head into tonight’s matchup on the road with Rowan County.

Minor League Scoreboard
And around the minors last night, the Winston Salem Warthogs came back to earth as they fell to the Fredrick Keys 9-4. Warthogs starter Fraser Dizard took the loss, giving up five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. With four games left in the season, the Warthogs currently stand a game back of first place Kinston.

Labonte Steps In For Leffler
In NASCAR, Terry Labonte got a new ride this week as it was announced he’ll be stepping into the #11 Chevy for the road course at Infineon Raceway later this month. Labonte will take over for Jason Leffler in the car for Joe Gibbs Racing. Team officials said they made the change because they wanted to make sure the car qualified for the race, something that hadn’t been guaranteed with Leffler behind the wheel. Leffler will remain the chief driver of the #11 as this is just a one race deal.

Countdown To Draft Continues
Around the NBA, the countdown continues to draft day, with rumors floating around of possible deals within the top five teams. The Charlotte Bobcats have dispelled all rumors that they planned to do a 2-1 deal, packaging the #5 and #13 picks in an attempt to move up. Meanwhile the team brought in some more players to work out, including Alabama’s Kennedy Winston and high school forward Gerald Green, both of which should be available when the Bobcats step up to the podium with the 13th pick. Several other players are scheduled for auditions in the coming weeks.

Nearly 500 lb Marlin Caught In NC
During the second day of this year’s Big Rock Blue Marlin competition, a man pulled in a 482 lb fish, good enough for second place in the tournament. The catch would have been good for third, as a 491 pounder had been grabbed earlier in the day, but the boat who caught it didn’t have a permit and so was disqualified. The current leader in the weeklong competition is the crew of the Gambler, a boat that brought in a 515 ½ lb. catch on Monday as the tournament began.