News & Sports For Thursday June 9th 2005
Weapons And Drugs Seized At Local Home
Sheriff’s deputies searched a North Wilkesboro residence on Tuesday, responding to a tip about possible drug activity in the area. Along with members of the county’s Special Enforcement Team, deputies performed a search of the house and found 30 grams of cocaine, in addition to drug paraphernalia, several weapons and $461 dollars in cash. 30-yr-old Jerry Andrew Eller was arrested and charged with maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Wilkes County Trail Gets New Status
A wilderness trail here in Wilkes County was recognized this week by the federal government. The Dark Mountain Trail, a seven-mile trek that runs beside Kerr Scott Reservoir was selected by the Department of the Interior as one of 37 new National Recreation Trails in the nation. Gale Nortion, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior made the announcement this week and as a result, a certificate of designation and national trail markers will be placed along the path. Dark Mountain was one of three trails in the state to get the designation. The other two were the Scuppernong River Boardwalk on the coast and a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Mountains To Sea Trail.
Wilkes Deputies Called To Investigate Smell
Residents of an Elkin neighborhood became concerned earlier this week when strange smells began coming out of a local man’s home. The man hadn’t been seen for several days and didn’t answer his door, so locals called out sheriff’s deputies to check the place out. Deputies also reported smelling a foul odor in the home, with no visible cause. The homeowner wasn’t inside and the only living thing in the area was the pit bull that had been guarding the place. The homeowner soon returned and couldn’t give an explanation as to what caused the home to smell so bad. The homeowner promised to do his own investigation as to what caused the odor.
Blood Supply Going Critical
As expected, the onset of summer hasn’t helped the local blood supply. In fact the supply here in Wilkes is quickly approaching critical levels again.
Later today there will be a drive going on at the Traphill Volunteer Fire Department from 3-7:30pm. To give blood, you can call the Wilkes Red Cross for an appointment at 838-4563 or drop by their offices, located at 104 West Street in Wilkesboro. And if you do plan to give, just be advised that there are some requirements. You must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs to donate.
Focus On Fox
Stem cell research is a hot topic around the country. With supporters promising potential cures for disease, solutions for aging and ways of healing faster, it’s no wonder why the bill passed the U.S. House. Still, one thing you may not know. Before the bill was passed, some members of Congress asked for proof that embryonic cells could be used and they had none to give. That’s one of the subjects I’ll be talking about later today in my interview with Congresswoman Virginia Fox as we discuss stem cells, Social Security and other issues affecting this district. That’s at 1:05pm today on Focus on the Foothills after the midday stock report.
Mailbox Vandals Strike Again
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence on Tuesday after yet another case of mailbox vandalism. This time however the vandals didn’t just stop with the mailbox. When the homeowner returned, she found over $800 worth of damage done to her trailer, with both the siding and the underpinning partially damaged. Also her mailbox had been ripped up and smashed with what appeared to be a hammer. There are several suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.
Heat Relief Available For Elderly
Summertime can mean problems for the elderly, with rising temperatures leading to sickness and possibly death. With that in mind, the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council is giving away fans this summer to any senior citizen that meets their requirements. In order to get a fan, you must be at least 60 years old, live in Wilkes and be served by Duke Power. In addition, your home situation must present a threat to your life without the fans. Applications are being taken from 8:30am til 5pm at the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council office, located at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information you can contact them at 651-7811.
Fact From Fiction: Open Forum Today
Over the past year, there have been several conflicting reports about the air quality here in North Carolina. Is it safe? Is it polluted? Should we stay indoors and take precautions? Well later today Wilkes Open Forum will help you put an end to the guessing as Dr. Roy Cordato from the John Locke Foundation will be on hand to discuss the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report. That will go on tonight at 6pm in the Wilkes Public Library.
State News
NC State Faces Repair Bill Of Almost $1 Million
NC State officials received one large repair bill this week, after damage estimates were done on Reynolds Coliseum. The historic area, which had stood on campus for over forty years, was partially damaged during an electrical fire two weeks ago. Two classrooms were burned down and the rest of the building sustained heavy smoke damage. Estimates costs of the repairs, which have already begun, were placed at $900,000. That includes money for the classrooms to be completely rebuilt and other needed repairs throughout the complex. School officials however say that they’re confident the building will be ready by the time students arrive later this fall.
Broyhill Announces Massive Cuts
The job market in Caldwell County took a major hit this week, as Broyhill Furniture announced that it will be laying off a little more than 1,000 employees in the next two months. In addition, two plants in Lenoir will be closing down and another one in Rutherfordton will also be shutting its’ doors. The Harper Plant and Occasional 1 Plant, both in Lenoir will be shutting down and Plant 68 in Rutherfordton will as well. All of this will begin the week of August 13th with 1009 workers losing their jobs in one of the largest mass layoffs this year. Broyhill officials said staying competitive was the main reason they had to make the cuts. With imports from overseas taking a good part of the business, people had to be let go so that the company could remain viable. Certain departments at the plants, such as shipping, will stay open for several additional months, with a target closing date of around November 12th. After that time, all the doors will be shut and the property will be put up for sale.
Middle School Janitor Facing Charges
A Greensboro man is facing charges of embezzlement today after police say he stole $3000 from the middle school where he worked as a janitor. 34-yr-old Willie Lee resigned from Mendenhall Middle School last month and after an investigation, local police have charged him with embezzling from the school. It’s not been explained how Lee gained access to the money or why he decided to steal it. He was released this week after promising the judge in writing that he would appear in court when needed.
Charlotte Police Hunt Robbery Suspect
Police in the Charlotte area are trying to track down a man they believed robbed a bank on Wednesday and took off. The First Citizens Bank on Albemarle Road was robbed early Wednesday morning by a man who wore a bandana over his face. He ordered everyone to lie down on the floor, then took a bag of cash and left. Police describe the suspect as a black man in his mid 30s to early 40s, around 5’ft 9inches. He also wore safety glasses and a blue hard hat. The FBI is helping local authorities to investigate and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Car Crashes Into Winston Grocery Store
Shopping for food became deadly for people in Winston on Wednesday, as a driver crashed into the Food Lion on Reynolda Road. Local authorities say that the driver was an elderly woman, who first slammed into a nearby Ford Explorer. Then she shifted into drive and hit the gas pedal, plowing into the store. Damage was mainly contained to the checkout area and several people had to be treated for what authorities called minor injuries.
Bomb Threat Proves To Be A Hoax
The Charlotte bomb squad was called out early Wednesday morning to investigate a mysterious package that appeared at the Bob Walton Plaza in Center City. Several security workers discovered the package while doing rounds that morning. They alerted authorities and that entire section of street was shut down, all the way to the interstate entrance ramp for I-277. Once on the scene, bomb squad members took a water cannon and destroyed the box. When they looked inside however, all they found was an empty package.
Sports Headlines
Former Blue Devil Makes Comeback
A former Duke Blue Devil is getting set to make a comeback in the NBA, almost three years after a wreck nearly ended his life. Former Duke point guard Jay Williams is training and looking to get invited to an NBA training camp this fall. Williams had just finished his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls in 2003 when he crashed while riding his motorcycle. A nerve was severed in his left leg, ligaments were torn in his left knee and he also suffered several broken bones. Now after surgery and a strenuous rehab assignment, he’s working with Michael Jordan’s former trainer to get back into game shape. Williams has also been playing pickup games with friends Raymond Felton, Dee Brown and his former Duke teammate Chris Duhon. So far all the reports are good, but now it becomes a waiting game until after the draft, when teams make those final roster moves.
Manuel Out In Chicago
Taking a look at some other news from the NBA, Jackie Manuel won’t get a chance to put on a show this weekend in Chicago. Instead the former Tarheel will be watching from the stands after turning his ankle in practice. Reports from the camp trainers say that the injury didn’t look good and could sideline him for several weeks, meaning Manuel might not be able to work out for any teams before the NBA draft. And Julius Hodge explained why he declined an offer to play in the predraft camp, saying that he believed the personal workouts he had done for several teams was good enough to lock up a spot as a draft pick.
Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look at the minor league scoreboard last night, rain put a stop to Hickory’s matchup against the Greensville Bombers. The game was called before teams took the field in the third with Greenville holding a 1-0 lead. The game will be made up tonight, beginning at 6pm.
And the news wasn’t really any better for the Winston Salem Warthogs, as they lost to Potomac 10-9. The Nationals scored six runs in the fourth inning alone and managed to hold off a Warthog rally in the ninth inning. Winston starter Wes Whisler was yanked after just 3 1/3 innings of work, giving up seven runs off eight hits.
Buckner Stays For Another Year
Good news for fans of the Carolina Panthers today, as defensive tackle Brentson Buckner announced this week that he’ll be staying with the team for at least another season. After the year ended, Buckner had considered retirement, with a possible job as a radio or television analyst. The 33-yr-old said he decided to come back after looking at all the talent returning for this year’s squad, which he believes could put together another long run into the playoffs. The new team has got him so excited in fact, team officials told the media that Buckner was working out at the Panthers’ facilities a month before the off season program officially started.
NASCAR News
In NASCAR, the Joe Gibbs Racing team made some changes on the field, replacing crew chief Dave Rodgers with Mike Ford. Ford will now take over as the crew chief for driver Jason Leffler, less than a month after being fired as the crew leader for Dale Jarrett’s team. Leffler has fallen out of the top 35 in points, with only a 12th place finish as the best of the season. Team president J.D. Gibbs said the move was needed to enhance the performance of both car and driver.