Local Church Holds Youth Conference
Emmanuel Church is celebrating its’ 13th year of operation in 2005 and portions of the church’s youth are working to honor that achievement. A conference will go on starting tonight at the church, located in North Wilkesboro, where the target is to bring 250 teens together to honor and worship God. The name of this year’s conference is Raising the Crop. If you want to get involved and help, you can do that as well. The church is accepting any donations of time, food or whatever you can give to help support the conference. It begins tonight at 7:30pm, continues tomorrow night at 7:30 and then finishes up Sunday at 10:30 that morning. They are located at 708 F Street in North Wilkesboro and the number to call for information is 903-0693.

Local Fire Deemed Arson
Wilkes Fire Marshals are investigating a blaze that took place earlier this week on C.B. Eller School Road. Someone had attempted to set part of the home on fire, managing to damage about seven inches of the outside. The exterior breaker box was damaged, along with part of the nearby siding. Marshals determined that the would be arsonist used some type of small torch or lighter to ignite the home. It was discovered and put out before any real damage could be done. There are suspects in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Upcoming Abortion Conference
The Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center has been helping people deal with unplanned pregnancies for the last 10 years. They also counsel women who are either considering abortion or have already gone through with one. Coming up tomorrow, the Center is putting together a program to help minister to those who are struggling to come to terms with an abortion in their past. That will go on once again tomorrow, August 20th starting at 9am in the morning. For more information you can call the Pregnancy Care Center at 838-9272.

Calf Stolen From Local Residence
Why would someone steal a calf? That’s what a Ferguson man is wondering today, after returning to find that one of his was missing. In addition to the missing calf, there was about $50 worth of damage done across his property, where it appeared that someone had been camping out. Trash was tossed around, clothing was laying in the field and there were remains of a fire. Despite all this no one had heard or seen anyone around the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Wilkes Heritage Museum Holds Fundraiser
Old Wilkes Inc. continues to raise money to put into their renovation project of what will be the Heritage Museum. One way of doing that will be on display this weekend, when the group hosts a giant yard sale. The event starts this afternoon at 4pm and runs til 8pm tonight, before starting back up Saturday morning at 8am and stretching on until 2pm. All kinds of items, from clothing, to art, to food will be available, with proceeds going to support the Old Wilkes renovation projects. Currently the organization is in charge of the Old Wilkes Jail, Robert Cleveland Log Home and Finely Law Office, in addition to the Old Wilkes Courthouse that is still under reconstruction. For more information or to get involved with the sale, you can call Laura Stroud at 838-4240 or contact the Old Wilkes offices at 667-3712.

Man Arrested For Drug Possession
A traffic stop in Wilkesboro led to an arrest by sheriff’s deputies this past Tuesday. Deputies had pulled over a vehicle for only having one working headlight. But when they came up to the driver’s side, there was a strong smell of marijuana coming out. The driver then opened his mouth to show deputies pieces of marijuana still inside. The man also had rolling papers in his lap. 18-yr-old Corey Holmes Nelson was arrested and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wilkes Christian Sportsmen
For anyone who loves to hunt or fish, this next bit of information is for you. The Wilkes Christian Sportsmen will be holding their Banquet next week beginning Monday night at 6pm. The banquet continues on Tuesday and then wraps up Thursday night. Each day, dinner is set for 6pm and then the program itself kicks off at 7pm. There are still tickets available and you can pick them up at Minton Pawn, For Heaven’s Sake Book Store, Mike’s Bait & Tackle, Ed & Dale’s Gun Shop, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Peace Haven Baptist Church and Oakwoods Baptist Church. For more information you can call 667-7838.

Money Stolen From Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home in Wilkesboro this week, after $30 was stolen. The homeowners returned to find the money, which was all in quarters, missing with no signs of a break-in. Nothing else was taken from the home and no damage was done. However deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Post Office Evacuated In Charlotte
Officials in Charlotte evacuated the Post Office on Scott Futrell Drive Thursday morning, after reports came in of a bomb threat. Around 6am someone called in and said there was a bomb in the building, however no explosives were ever found. By 8am bomb sniffing dogs had cleared the building and police were able to track the call to a pay phone just down the road.

War Protestors Hold Vigil In Durham
350 war protestors gathered this week in Durham, urging President Bush to bring the troops home. This was part of a larger network of events, which has been going on across the state since the first of August. The planners say that they want to hold these in support of Cindy Sheehan and all other mothers whose sons have been killed in Iraq. Cindy Sheehan has spent almost two weeks camped out near the president’s ranch in Texas, protesting the war and asking for the troops to come home, so no other mother will have to receive a message informing them that their son or daughter has been killed in combat. Across the state this week, 1700 people came out to the rallies, which were held in Charlotte, Greensboro, Chapel Hill and other areas.

Dam Project Causes Protest
In Randolph County, a dam project has people up in arms today. The Randleman Dam is almost finished and will soon bring water to people in the area. However that same dam is also forcing members of the community to find a new home. Farmers say they recognize that the dam is needed, but the problem is that they’re being lowballed for their land. The Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority has tried to buy all of the local farms, but has offered less than half of what they’re worth. If the farmers were to accept an offer like that, they wouldn’t have enough money to move their families, much less livestock and equipment. A hearing on the matter is scheduled to go before the Randolph County Superior Court on Monday.

Lawmakers Cashing In
Concerns are being raised about how much money is given out to state lawmakers. Despite being in recess, 99 lawmakers are still receiving their $104 a day checks. According to legislative records, 88 House members are still receiving checks and 11 senators. Now this isn’t a normal paycheck but rather what’s called an expense check, paid out for food and lodging on the drive to and from the lawmaker’s own district. Since these checks are automatically sent out, lawmakers have to officially decline them in order not to get one. Despite not being in Raleigh, some of the senators justified taking the money. Wake County Republican Neal Hunt said that he was catching up on emails sent out from local constituents and even though he’ll be doing this at home, felt it was appropriate to receive compensation. Both houses of government are expected to return next week for a new session.

Missing Woman Located
Officials in Lexington have located a woman that went missing August 6th. Kimberly trip was found this week in Georgia, having been abducted by her ex-boyfriend. Tripp had called her mother hours before she disappeared, telling her goodbye and saying that her ex-boyfriend had told her he would bring her back in a box. She was found in Mitchell County and was unharmed. The ex-boyfriend, Anthony Duncan, was arrested and charged with her kidnapping. He now facing an extradition hearing.

Reidsville Police Raid The Wrong House
A Reidsville woman got a shock earlier this week, after officers ordered her out of her home and pointed guns in her face. The woman had been eating breakfast when the officers arrived, banging at the door and ordering her to step outside. It turns out they were searching for an escaped murder suspect, but had the wrong home. Instead, the place they were looking for was right across the street. Instead of raiding the 20-yr-old suspect’s home, they went to one of a retired schoolteacher. Members of the police force, including the local captain apologized for the incident. The suspect, 20-yr-old Tim Thaxton turned himself in a few days later.

Sports Headlines

Football Friday Night Kicks Off
Around the high school scene, today officially kicks off football season and 3WC will be out at the local schools bringing you all the action with our Game of the Week. Ken Byrd and Keith Briand will be over at East Wilkes, broadcasting the Cardinals’ game against East Davidson. Also Brian Carlton will be in the studio, interviewing coaches and bringing you up to date scores from the other games going on in the area. Things start off at 7:15 tonight with the McDonald’s Pregame Show, then kickoff is set for 7:30. All on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

Former Tarheels Return To Smith Center
Tarheel players both past and present will gather in the Smith Center next week for the fourth annual World’s Greatest Alumni Game. Already committed to show up are Raymond Felton and Sean May, both of which are starting their NBA career after winning the national title last season. The game starts at 7pm Saturday August 27th, with the former Heels suiting up against the ACC Pro All-Stars, which will include Josh Howard, Chris Paul and Daniel Ewing. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the American Diabetes Foundation.

Women Advance To Finals
In other college basketball news, the U.S. women’s team moved on to the finals after beating Russia 118-67 at the World University Games. The team went on a 20-0 run early in the first half and never let up, earning the right to face Serbia and Montenegro for the gold medal later today.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem falling to Wilmington 11-10. Warthogs’ reliever Juan Ovalles got the loss after giving up a solo home run in the eighth inning. Robert Valido led Winston, going 3-4 with three RBIs.

Panthers Sign Morgan To Extension
The Carolina Panthers locked up another vital part of their defense this week, coming to terms with linebacker Dan Morgan. The five year deal will keep Morgan in Carolina until at least 2009, a move that team officials said was a priority. Morgan said that he wants to finish his career as a Panther, playing for the team that drafted him and hopes to bring home a few Super Bowl trophies along the way.

Eury Jr. To Stay With DEI
In NASCAR, some good news today for Dale Earnhart Incorporated. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. agreed to a new contract, signing on with DEI for a long term deal. Eury Jr. the cousin of Dale Earnhart Jr., hasn’t said who he’ll be working with next season, as his current driver, Michael Waltrip, is leaving after this year.

Stewart Steps Down From Ride
Tony Stewart is stepping out of the driver’s chair and letting someone else take the wheel. In the Busch series that is. Stewart turned over the reins of the #33 Chevy to Tony Raines, who will be driving the car in the Busch series for the rest of the year. Up til now, Stewart had been splitting time in the vehicle with Raines but stepped aside so that he could focus on the Nextel Cup race.