News & Sports For June 27th

News & Sports For Monday June 27th 2005

Wilkesboro Hosts Dance Championship
This past weekend, people from over 20 states made their way into Wilkesboro to take part in the annual Dance Machine Performing Arts Championships. 1600 competitors took part in this year’s event, which had an overall attendance of 4000 people. The competition started on Thursday in the Walker Center at Wilkes Community College and went throughout the weekend, wrapping up Sunday afternoon. Original plans called for the championships to be held this year in High Point, but organizers changed their mind after a poll showed competitors wants to come back to Wilkesboro. Local estimates suggest that the event put in just under a million dollars to the regional economy.

Armed Robbery At Pleasant Hill Residence
Sheriff’s deputies were called out over the weekend to a residence in Pleasant Hill, after a local woman was robbed. Another woman came to the house demanding money and after being turned down, pulled out a hunting knife. Only finding two dollars and some change inside, she took off out the door. Later on the suspect’s father came over and returned the woman’s money, apologizing for his daughter’s actions. The robber was later found at her family’s residence, rambling and not making any sense. She was taken to Wilkes Regional where she was committed.

Vehicle Stolen By Tow Truck
A Jonesville man called sheriff’s deputies late last week after returning home to find his car had been stolen. Now deputies are trying to determine how that exactly happened, as the vehicle’s engine was blown and it was up on blocks. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone near the property. Also along with the vehicle itself, the man had boxed up portions of his clothes and other items due to the fact he was planning to move. There are no suspects however deputies are continuing the investigation.

Four Days Away From Crop Deadline
Local farmers have less than five days left until the second of this year’s crop report deadlines, coming up this Thursday June 30th. To meet the deadline, all you have to do is go out to the Wilkes Farm Service Agency, show where your plot of land is and what you planted this season. Something else to consider is that if any farmers fail to turn in their reports, they will be charged a late fee by the agency. For any farmers who still need to get that taken care of, you can go by the Farm Service Agency today. To set up an appointment or for more information, their number is 838-3622.

Man Assaulted On Highway
A Wilkesboro man called sheriff’s deputies late last week after being assaulted while on the highway. The man had pulled off on the shoulder of 421 for a minute when something hit him in the head. Just a few seconds later, three men came up and pulled him out of the car, beating him for several minutes before just as quickly leaving. They didn’t ask for money, didn’t steal the car and didn’t say a word, just beat the man and left. Descriptions of the men were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

Just Stopped By To Have A Look
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a residence on Harrold Mountain Road late last week, after thieves shattered glass in the back door and went inside. However after the homeowner checked things out, nothing was missing from the place. Also there was no damage to the area and nothing to indicate someone had been inside, except for the shattered glass and open door. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Video Game Bandits Raid Wilkesboro Home
Never leave doors unlocked at your home. A Wilkesboro woman learned that the hard way over the weekend, after thieves walked right in and started shopping. Included in the theft was a dell computer, an X-Box game system, the woman’s telephone and her answering machine, along with several hundred dollars in cash. There are no suspects but deputies are continuing the investigation.

Be Prepared For Mosquitoes
As we head into the month of July, mosquitoes are back in the county and there are some things you need to be aware of. The Centers for Disease Control have sent out an update, warning about possible viruses carried by the bugs. La Crosse is the most common mosquito-bred illness in the state. Unlike the sport of the same name, this can be a slow moving virus most often seen in children and seniors. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Also the West Nile virus is the most well known disease caused by the insects. Strangely enough, 80% of people who contract West Nile in North Carolina won’t even know it for possibly several weeks. Symptoms are mostly the same as La Crosse, except you can also develop a skin rash and in rare occasions be temporarily paralyzed. Finally Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis is the most dangerous, but also the most rare. Symptoms appear to be a serious case of the flu, with a high fever and headache. Now to prevent against any of these while on your Independence Day vacation, doctors suggest putting on some mosquito repellent. DEET is the most recommended, but people can also use oil of eucalyptus or picaridin for the same results.

Roaring River Home Falls Victim To Thieves
Thieves broke into a Roaring River woman’s home late last week, causing over $500 in damage in the process. A sliding glass door at the home was shattered and thieves walked out with a tv, some jewelry and other items totaling an estimated $2700. That investigation is ongoing.

Check Road Conditions Before Leaving
With the July 4th weekend coming up, it’s important to know what the road conditions are like across Wilkes. Where the DOT is working, what sections of highway have been closed off, things like that. You can access that by visiting the state DOT website at www.ncdot.org. Also you can check out information on proposed road projects and how the holiday might affect both their schedule and your traffic conditions at www.ncdot.org/projects/wilkescounty/. There you will find information on public meetings, schedules, and area maps.

State News

Jobs Coming To Danville
Good news for people in Danville today, as 120 new jobs will be coming into the area this year. EIT, an electronic design and manufacturing service, is planning to build a manufacturing plant in the area, one that would serve as a central location for the company’s major markets. Construction is expected to begin within the month and hiring will go on later this year.

National Guard Soldiers Return Home
The city of Raleigh turned out to hold a welcome home celebration Saturday for members of the National Guard. The 30th Heavy Separate Brigade actually returned home almost six months ago, but their tour of duty was officially over on Saturday, and state officials came out to join in the celebration. Gov. Easley was on hand, as the troops returned to him the US flag he had given to the unit when they shipped out. Hootie & the Blowfish performed along with the brigade’s own band, called the Hickabillies. Members of the troop said they were glad to be home and just hoped that they were able to help the Iraqis return to normal life.

Major Drug Bust In Lincolnton
Over one thousand pounds of marijuana was seized in Lincoln County over the weekend, thanks in part to a tip from the Maiden Police Department. Members of the department, along with other officers from the Lincoln County Narcotics Task Force raided two homes in the area, finding 1114 pounds of marijuana and arresting three men. The drugs have an estimated street value of one million dollars and mark the largest bust in the area’s history.

Applications Show Widespread Damage From Storm
Last year North Carolina felt the force of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan, but the full extent of the damage wasn’t known until this weekend, when state officials got the last applications in for disaster assistance. All total, North Carolina received 4627 applications requesting aid money for damages to homes, roads or other items caused by last year’s storms. June 17th was this year’s deadline to request aid, which will come from a $247 million recovery package approved earlier this year by the legislature. The first checks will be sent out in August and continue on over a period of 18 months.

Portions Of Parkway Still Closed
Bad news today for anyone looking to take a trip on the Parkway this 4th of July weekend. You may have to take a detour or two along the way. Portions of the Parkway stretching from Mount Mitchell to NC Hwy 80 have been shut down and won’t reopen until the middle of next month. The eleven mile section of road had to be closed after rainfall in the area caused portions of the roadbed to wash away. Now work crews are trying to not only repair the road but also strengthen it so that this doesn’t happen again. Depending on the weather, work could last until August.

Sports Headlines

Wilkes Makes Playoffs, Falls To Rowan
Overcoming the odds, Wilkes County’s American Legion team made it into the playoffs, finishing just ahead of South Rowan thanks in part to a somewhat controversial ruling. Taking on Rowan County Saturday night in the first game of the series, Wilkes lost 11-6. The 6-15 Patriots had a chance to take the lead several times, but missed opportunities and errors sent Wilkes home with the loss. The best of five series will move back to Rowan County tonight with a gametime set for 7pm.

Tarheels Land Another Football Recruit
In college football news, UNC landed yet another prospect as Mount Tabor’s Ryan Taylor committed to the school. Taylor, a 6-4 215 lb. wide receiver who’s also a rising senior this year, turned down offers from Wake Forest and Vanderbilt to join the Heels. He’ll face a change of position in college however, as Tarheel coaches already said they plan to turn him into a H-back, a mix of fullback and tight end.

College Ends Early For Gardner-Webb Pitcher
For one college student, class ended a year earlier than planned, as Gardner-Webb’s Zach Ward was selected earlier this month by the Cincinnati Reds. After a few weeks of negotiating Ward officially signed with the team this weekend, leaving behind Boiling Springs for his new temporary home with the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. Ward said he hopes to make his way quickly through the minors so that he can play with one of his heroes, outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, the Hickory Crawdads rode an offensive explosion to take the 11-3 win over Asheville on Sunday. Crawdads starter Yoann Torrealba gave up three runs in six innings of work to pick up his second win of the season, while catcher Neal Walker helped carry the load with two home runs. And up the road in Winston, the Warthogs beat Wilmington 6-2. Warthogs starter Lance Broadway went five innings in his first game as a professional, giving up two runs while striking out three. Also Warthog Robert Valido kept his hitting streak alive as he extends it to 18 games.

Stewart Wins At Sonoma
In NASCAR, Tony Stewart took the checkered flag Sunday afternoon in the Dodge/Save Mart 350. Ricky Rudd came in second, Kurt Busch was third, Rusty Wallace was fourth and Dale Jarrett rounded out the top five. Greg Biffle took the lead in points despite a 14th place finish, as former leader Jimmie Johnson ended up 36th. Biffle now holds a 22 point lead in the standings.