News & Sports For August 10th

Theft At Foothills Grocery
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Foothills Grocery on Monday, after thieves broke into the business. Glass in the front door had been shattered, allowing the thieves access into the building. Nothing was stolen from inside except for 30 packs of Marlboro cigarettes. Estimated damages were placed at $300. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

ABC Pt.3: High Schools
With new buildings in the works, Wilkes County’s high schools are at a crossroads. For the most part, the results from this year’s ABC testing showed that they’re headed in the right direction. East & West High were both named as Schools of Distinction, meaning that scores grew as expected and at least 80% of students passed the tests. At East Wilkes the number was 82%, while at West it was 85.6%. West Wilkes was also named a school of high growth, meaning that their scores this year exceeded expectations from the state. As for the other two area schools, Wilkes Central finished as a School of Progress, coming in at 79%. The same was true for North High, who finished at 79% as well.

Pull Over Before Lighting Up
A North Wilkesboro woman learned why it’s a good idea to pull over before lighting up a cigarette. She was driving down Edgewood Road in Wilkesboro when she attempted to light her cigarette. Taking her eyes off the road for a few minutes, she glanced up to see her vehicle was headed off the road. The woman slammed into a guardrail and was knocked unconscious. 911 was alerted to a wreck in the area and help soon arrived. The woman was taken to Wilkes Regional, where she received treatment. The vehicle was totaled with estimated damages placed at $8500.

Health Department Offering Car Seat Help
85% of child safety seats across Wilkes County were not installed correctly, according to the local SafeKids organization. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it’s still high enough for concern. However if you’re still trying to figure out what the right way to install one is, you don’t have to wait until the next safety check. The Wilkes Health Department is partnering with SafeKids to help show parents the right way to install the seats. To set up an appointment, you can call Jean Edwards at the Health Department. Her number is 651-7478.

Guns And Cash Stolen From Local Residence
A Roaring River man returned home earlier this week to find thieves had paid him a visit. Missing from the house were several hundred dollars worth of antique coins and money, along with a 9mm handgun and a red bike. After returning home however, he received a call letting him know where some of the stolen property was. The man alerted sheriff’s deputies, who went to the home and found the stolen merchandise. 21-yr-old Wayne Everette Combs and 19-yr-old Bobby Ray Blackburn Jr. were both arrested and charged with felony break-in and felony larceny.

Blood Drives Continue
Earlier this week 3WC News told you about the continuing need for blood here in Wilkes. That need is still a problem today, with the supply at critical levels less than a week before school. As school starts, there also comes the possibility for wrecks and other injuries in the classroom. To help make sure there’s enough blood for all needs, a drive will be going on today at Wal-Mart from 1-5:30pm. However you can only take part in it by appointment. To set up a time to give, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Chemicals Tossed At Local House
A Wilkesboro couple heard a noise outside their house on Monday and went out to investigate. They found a bottle lying a few feet from the home, with smoke pouring out. Some sort of clear liquid was also inside. They called sheriff’s deputies, who soon discovered the compound was a mixture of flammable chemicals that could have caught fire. There is a suspect in the case, as local teens saw someone running from the property and got their license plate. The investigation is ongoing.

Money And Other Items Stolen From Car
A Moravian Falls woman came outside on Monday to find that someone had broke into her car during the night. Crowbars had been used on the vehicle, to rip open the trunk and also to shatter a window. Over $400 in merchandise was missing from the car, along with $80 in cash. Total damages were placed at $450. In addition, the woman’s work permit and social security card were both taken. Despite all the damage however, nothing was heard or seen by the woman or anyone else in the neighborhood. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Bank Robbery In Charlotte
Police are investigating a bank robbery that happened Tuesday morning in Charlotte. The RBC Centura Bank on John Delaney Drive was robbed around 9:15am, when a man came in with a gun and demanded money. After bank tellers handed over the cash, he then took off running out the door. The man is described as wearing a long blonde wig, a gray hat, a blue blazer and blue khakis. Local officials are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600.

Thief Makes Slippery Getaway
Deputies are looking for a would be thief today in Rowan County, one that made a slippery getaway. Officials were called out to the Blue Bay restaurant in Tuesday morning, after reports of a break-in. From evidence at the scene, it appears the thief gained access to the building by climbing down through the fryer vent in the roof. However things didn’t go as planned once he got inside. The man apparently fell into a vat of hot grease, stumbling out and slamming into a nearby wall. After that sudden impact set off the alarm, the man limped out the front door, leaving behind foot and handprints that investigators are using to track him down.

Atkinson Gets Vote Of Confidence
June Atkinson came one step closer to being named the state superintendent of public schools on Tuesday. A report was turned over to the legislative committee put in charge of settling the dispute, stating that Atkinson won the race and should be allowed to assume her post. The 10-member committee will now hold a vote and make a recommendation of their own to the full General Assembly later this week. After that lawmakers will hold a joint session and vote to appoint a winner in the race. Atkinson beat her opponent, Republican Bill Fletcher by 8535 votes in last November’s election. Fletcher however refused to concede the race, saying that 11,000 people cast their provisional ballots illegally. A final decision could come by the end of the month.

Billy Graham To Call It Quits
One of the most beloved ministers in our time is calling it quits. The Rev. Billy Graham is officially ending his crusade ministry, according to daughter Anne Graham Lotz. Lotz said that her father was at total peace with his retirement and would only come out to possibly speak at one of his son Franklin Graham’s festivals.

Judge Rules In Favor Of Patients
A judge in Durham has opened the door for lawsuits against a local company. Earlier this year it was announced that surgical instruments at Durham Regional and Duke Health Hospital were cleaned with hydraulic fluid instead of soap. That led to some complications for patients recovering from surgery and others in the hospital. Attorneys for the companies involved said that it was an accident and their clients didn’t mean to hurt anyone, so due to that fact they requested that punitive damages be dropped. The judge refused, instead saying that the victims can in fact sue both Cardinal Health and Automatic Elevator Company for pain and suffering.

Sports Headlines

Surprise Entry Into UNC Camp
The Tarheels got a surprise addition to camp this week, after freshman Mark Paschal showed up ready to play. Paschal had been sent home by Coach Bunting after being charged with assault, resisting arrest and drunk & disruptive behavior. The freshman is still expected in court on August 15th but has been cleared to play until further notice.

Duke Lands More Recruits
Up the road in Durham, some good news today for the Duke football program as Jeremy Ringfield committed to the team. Ringfield is a 6-5 wide receiver from Georgia who was named last year to the all-state team in 4-A. During his senior season, Ringfield will also be learning how to play cornerback, preparing for possibly a dual role on the Duke team in 2006. By committing to Duke, Ringfield turned down offers from Maryland and Louisville, saying that he liked the combination of academics and athletics found in Durham.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem beating Wilmington 8-2. Warthogs’ starter Ray Liotta got his third win of the season, giving up one run in five innings of work. Leo Daigle also hit his league leading 27th home run for Winston, one of the Warthogs’ 11 hits on the day. Over in Hickory, the Crawdads beat Delmarva 4-2. Crawdads starter Yoann Torrealba got his fifth win after going seven innings and giving up two runs. With the win, Hickory moves three and a half games back of Delmarva in the race for the Northern Division title.

Injuries Continue To Plague Panthers
Injuries continue to plague the Carolina Panthers as they get set to wrap up training camp. Linebacker Chris Draft is still receiving treatment for asthma, after suffering a series of attacks during practice. Draft said that he hoped to be back on the field later this week, although doctors still don’t know what triggered the attacks. Meanwhile rookie Thomas Davis had to be held out of practice after a bout with what could possibly be the flu, although team doctors aren’t sure.

Leffler Fired By Gibbs Racing
In NASCAR, Jason Leffler is looking for a new ride today, after being fired by Joe Gibbs Racing. Leffler, who drove the #11 Chevy, will be replaced by a series of fill-ins for the rest of the year. J.D. Gibbs said that the decision was made due to the fact the car and driver failed to meet expectations. Currently Leffler is 35th in the points race. This week Terry Labonte will take over, with several Busch drivers on tap for the rest of the year.

Busch To Swap Rides
A major shakeup in the Nextel Cup circuit, as Kurt Busch announced he’ll be leaving Roush Racing. Busch has signed a deal with Penske Racing South, beginning in 2007, however he’s asked Roush to let him go a year early from his contract, so that he can possibly take over for Rusty Wallace next season driving the #2 Dodge. Roush officials said they haven’t made a decision on Busch’s request and would take an indefinite amount of time to do so.