News & Sports For July 13th

Property Broke Into At Mountain View Elementary
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Mountain View Elementary on Monday, after reports came in of a break-in on the property. Thieves gained access to the school’s storage building, breaking the lock and going inside. A weedeater was stolen, along with a leaf blower, black & decker tool kit and a gas can. The thieves apparently left in a hurry as the bolt cutters they had used to get inside were still on the ground when deputies arrived. The investigation is still ongoing.

Focus On The Community
For the past ten years, the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center has been helping people in the community. But some people still remain confused as to what the Center actually does. Associate director Susan Sturgill will be talking with Brian about the ministry on Focus on the Foothills this coming Thursday. That’s coming up Thursday July 14th at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Be Sure To Slow Down At Traffic Lights
A wreck on 421 damaged two cars and totaled one earlier this week. The accident happened Monday afternoon, as a Millers Creek man was driving down the road. He saw the light in front of him had just turned green and expected the cars to speed up and move on. However the vehicles in front of him were slow in moving and the man couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. He slammed into the back of a Boone man’s car, totaling his own vehicle while causing $500 damage to the other one. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.

Vandals Hit Wilkes Recreation Buildings
For the second time in under a month, someone damaged the concession stands at Cub Creek Park. The incident was reported to polic on Monday, after workers found the damaged buildings. The doors had been damaged to one of the stands, allowing the vandals to get inside. However nothing was taken from the building, instead the table and bench nearby were torn apart and tipped over. On the other side of the field, vandals were unable to gain access, despite damaging portions of the building. All total over a hundred dollars worth of damage was done to the property and officers are continuing the investigation.

Stuff The Bus Continuing
The annual Stuff the Bus program is continuing around Wilkes County. Several locations have been set up around the area to take donations. Each year, Communities in Schools attempts to help needy kids around Wilkes, by providing them with the supplies they lack for class. If you want to donate supplies, there are buses at several locations including Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd, Staples and also between the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in North Wilkesboro. You can also drop off items at Dollar General, Super 10 and the Communities in Schools office. All different types of school supplies are needed, everything from paper to pens to calculators. For more information you can call Amie Blevins at Communities in Schools. Her number is 651-7830 extension #23.

Drove Off With The Trailers
How do you steal a trailer without anyone noticing? Sheriff’s deputies are trying to figure that out today, after two utility trailers were taken from a Millers Creek residence earlier this week. The homeowner returned from a trip out of town to find them missing, with the cables and locks lying on the ground. No other evidence was left at the scene and no one in the area could recall seeing someone drive off with the trailers. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Cameras Stolen From Wilson’s Market
A Ferguson business fell victim to thieves earlier this week, as deputies were called out to Watson’s Market. However nothing was taken from inside the store itself, only the security cameras that had been positioned outside the business were taken. No damage was done to any other part of the property and there are currently no suspects. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Wrecked Car Stolen From Thurmond Home
Why would someone steal a wrecked car? That’s what a Thurmond man is asking today, after returning to find his vehicle had been stolen. The car had broke down at his sister’s house, where it had been left until the man could return and get it towed. Instead he came back to find it was missing. There is a suspect in the case. His name & description were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

State News

Workers Laid Off Across The Piedmont
This hasn’t been a good week for some workers in the Piedmont. Over 400 people lost their jobs on Monday as two separate companies announced layoffs. The Sears Call Center in High Point dismissed 42 workers, after the company said they were no longer needed. Sears officials said that new technology is being installed that can handle the clerical positions most of the workers held while increasing efficiency. And just up the road in Winston Salem, Sara Lee announced plans for yet another round of cuts. 400 people will be let go from the company’s Winston Salem plants, part of a larger layoff throughout the nation. Sara Lee officials said that competition with foreign imports were to blame for the layoffs as they would lose profits otherwise.

Bush To Make Trip To Charlotte
President Bush will be in North Carolina this week, as he tries to drum up support for a new trade agreement with Central America. Bush will visit Charlotte on Friday, then speak at a Gaston County textile mill to discuss the particulars of the plan. The Central America Free Trade Agreement, similar to NAFTA, is designed to create a free trade zone between the U.S. and countries such as the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Honduras. It was passed by the Senate in June and now faces a vote within the next month in the House.

Jobs Coming To Alamance County
Good news for people in Alamance County today, as Kayser-Roth Corporation announced plans to expand operations and add new jobs. An estimated 180 new jobs will be added by the apparel maker over the next three years at the site. Most of the jobs will be in manufacturing, with workers moving into a new 100,000 square foot facility that is currently being built in Burlington. The jobs were made possible due in part to a $200,000 grant from Governor Easley’s One North Carolina Fund, which helps to provide assistance to economic interests in the state.

Cigarettes Holding Up Budget
Lawmakers announced on Tuesday that most of the details for a new budget have been hammered out with only one thing standing in the way. A cigarette tax. Officials can’t agree as to how much the tax should be raised, with House members wanting it brought up to 30 cents, while the Senate has demanded it be pushed to 40. That ten cent difference is the main issue being focused on as lawmakers sit down to the bargaining table. If a deal on the cigarette issue can be reached, a new budget might be ready for a vote by as soon as this Friday.

North Carolina A Good Place For A Nap
North Carolina is apparently the place to go if you want to get some sleep, according to Men’s Health magazine. A recent study in the journal ranked four North Carolina cities in the Top 100 places where people go to get some rest. Raleigh came in 16th, Durham was right behind at 20, down the list a bit was Charlotte, which came in 34th and finally Greensboro barely squeaked in at number 89. The study took into account the people in each city who averaged 7 hrs. of sleep a night, also those who need medicine to sleep and those suffering from insomnia. The study also found the best place in the world to sleep is Honolulu Hawaii and the worst is Fresno California.

Road Closed On Tuesday After Plant Fire
Officials in Johnston County shut down the Rainsmill Road on Tuesday after a fire broke out at a local factory. The fire, which burned parts of the Barrus Construction plant before being put out, was caused by a spark in the dust filtration system. The road was closed for two hours on Tuesday afternoon as cleanup crews picked up debris from the fire.

Sports Headlines

Duke Lands An Offensive Line Prospect
The Duke football team got a shot in the arm this week, as high school senior Jarrod Holt committed to the program. Holt, a 6-6, 300 lb. rising senior from Florida, will join the Blue Devils in 2006 and will provide some much needed help to the offensive line. Last season Duke was 2-9 and heads into the coming year with four holes in the offensive line, with only one new face ready to suit up. Holt said he picked Duke over NC State because he thought he could get a better education in Durham.

Tarheels Lose Pitching Coach
Bad news for the Tarheel baseball team today, as they lost their pitching coach. Roger Williams leaves Chapel Hill to take the same position at Georgia. He’ll leave a pitching staff that was ranked 10th in the nation last season with a combined ERA of 3.17, the school’s best record in over thirteen years. Williams also helped the pitchers develop confidence, which showed in a school record seven shutouts.

McCants Signs Up With T-Wolves
Rashad McCants officially became a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, as he signed a deal with the team. The two year contract was done in time for McCants to join the other rookies at the T-Wolves minicamp this week, before taking a starting role in their summer league. McCants was picked with the 14th selection in last month’s NBA draft, the last of four Tarheels to turn pro this year.

Panthers Player Honored
In the NFL, a member of the Carolina Panthers was honored this week, as linebacker Mark Fields received the George Halas Award. The award is given out every year to a player who overcomes personal or injury related issues to excel on the field. Fields had been battling Hodgkin’s disease but as the illness went into remission, he was able to return to the field and put on a show, with 60 tackles, four sacks and one interception. That was good enough to make it to the NFL’s Pro Bowl, but now he’ll be sitting out again, as the disease has come out of remission and will require treatment.

Panthers Sign Picks
In other Panthers news, the team signed up two more players on Monday. 5th round pick Geoff Hangartner, a center out of Texas A&M agreed to terms. Hangartner was an All-Big 12 player with the Aggies, starting 36 straight games at one point. Hugo Lira was also added to the roster this week. A wide receiver in NFL Europe, Lira will compete for a spot either on the team itself or to be assigned to the practice squad.