News & Sports For August 22nd

Local Fire Department Receives Grant
New technology is being made available every day to help make the jobs of firefighters easier. The only problem is that for most departments, the equipment is too expensive to buy. For one local group, that’s no longer a problem as the Department of Homeland Security handed out $617,500 to Wilkesboro. The money was used to buy a new vehicle for the station, as part of over 2040 grants given throughout the country. Homeland Security officials said that the grants were handed out to help ensure local stations have everything needed to do their job.

Two Cars Totaled In Weekend Wreck
Two cars were totaled in a wreck over the weekend on Hwy 16. A Roaring River man was pulling out from a side street but didn’t notice the traffic coming his way. He pulled out in front of a Wilkesboro woman, who couldn’t stop in time to avoid a collision. Both cars were totaled, with estimated damages placed at $4000. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.

Be Careful What You Leave Behind
A North Wilkesboro woman called sheriff’s deputies over the weekend, after over a thousand dollars worth of material was stolen from her home. There was no sign of damage to the home, as it appears the thieves had a key. Included in the theft were several movies, along with a DVD player and $400 worth of ladies clothing. There are two suspects and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Business
Gas thieves hit another business in the Wilkes County area. Late last week, a woman pulled up to the Fast Track on Winkler Street in Wilkesboro, pumped $25 in gas and then took off without paying. Employees inside the store were able to get a description of both the driver and vehicle, which were turned over to police. The woman, 41-yr-old Paula Michelle Phipps was later arrested after police found her registration was expired. She was charged with gas theft, improper registration and expired registration.

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 starting tonight 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. As of this weekend, there were a limited number of tickets still left 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.

Thieves Drive Off With Wilkesboro Man’s Mower
For the second time in under two weeks, thieves stole a lawn mower from a local residence. Deputies were called out to a Wilkesboro man’s home, after he returned to find damage done to the property and his mower missing, In addition to the mower, a nearby engine was also taken. Total estimated costs of both the damage and stolen property was placed at $350. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Never Leave Your Doors Unlocked
A Hays man learned over the weekend why it’s a good idea to always lock your car when you get out. After filling up at a local gas station, he left his wallet inside the vehicle while he went to pay. As he handed over the money, the man saw someone open his car door, steal money from his wallet and then take off in another vehicle, driving down the road. $150 in cash was stolen from inside the car, while video cameras captured the whole thing. Deputies recognized the suspect and were able to trace the license plate, They soon tracked down the suspect, 18-yr-old Anthony Wayne Shepard and placed him under arrest, for charges of theft and breaking and entering.

Tag Stolen From Local Woman’s Car
A Wilkesboro woman walked outside over the weekend to find someone had paid her a visit. The tag had been ripped off her car, however nothing was stolen and no other damage was done to either the vehicle or her property. Despite the stolen tag, no one in the area remembers hearing or seeing anything during the night. There is however a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

No More Libertarians For North Carolina
North Carolina might be missing a political party when elections are held this coming November. According to state law, all parties must get at least 10% of the vote in the elections for governor and president. The Libertarian party only came up with ¼ of the needed votes, however the party’s director has requested a hearing. The State Board of Elections is scheduled to meet later today and discuss the matter, but Libertarians are calling for discretion, asking for a stay while they raise enough votes to make up the 10%.

Unemployment Climbs In North Carolina
Bad news today across North Carolina on the job front, as the latest unemployment figures were released. The jobless rate rose to 5.7% in July, marking the highest it’s been since 2004. Officials from the Employment Security Commission blame the high numbers on students graduating from college and looking for full time jobs. In June alone, 30 thousand new people entered the workforce hunting for a full time job.

Six Million For New Machines
People in Guilford County are up in arms today, after a new plan was released that would cost taxpayers six million dollars. Election officials want to spend the money on new voting machines, upgrading the technology so that paper receipts would print out after each ballot. The idea is that with such ballots, there wouldn’t be any problems like the ongoing battle for Superintendent of Public Instruction. However some locals are protesting, saying that the money could be used on more needed things, such as to help fund new programs in school.

It’s All Greek To Me
With school starting, students are learning all types of new subjects. But what would you do if you walked into class and they were suddenly speaking a different language? It’s a new concept being developed in Charlotte, where one of several Greek charter schools have taken root. Everything at the elementary school is taught in Greek, from math, to reading to writing. Officials with the school say the idea is to help students learn about their Greek heritage, while also developing comprehension.

Easley Defends Not Pardoning Innocent Man
Gov. Easley spoke out over the weekend about his decision not to offer a pardon to an innocent man. Sylvester Smith was released this past November after serving nearly 21 years in jail for sexual assault. However new evidence in the case caused a judge to set him free. But without a pardon from the governor, Smith still has to register as a sex offender. Despite the ruling, Easley said he refuses to grant a pardon, saying that the governor has a higher set of standards than the court when it comes to determining innocence. Questions have also been raised about Easley’s own involvement in the case, as he was the prosecutor who originally put Smith behind bars. He said however that had nothing to do with his decision.

Blackouts Across State Caused By Heat
The heat was to blame for several blackouts across the state this weekend, according to officials from the power company. The lights went out in Edenton and surrounding areas for two hours on Saturday, then again on Sunday. The reason? The substation was overloaded, after people cranked up the air conditioner due to extreme heat. It took several hours, but Albemarle Energy customers had their power back on for good Sunday afternoon. Still, with the temperatures expected to stay in the 90s this week, it’s possible the same thing could happen again.

Sports Headlines

High School Scores
Around the high school scene, it was Hibriten beating Wilkes Central 34-10. The two rival schools playing in what will likely be their last game for a while, as Hibriten has moved out of the Mountain Valley Conference. Also West Wilkes lost to Avery 37-15. Elkin established itself as a power in the Northwest 1-A Conference, beating North Wilkes 49-6 in Coach Roy Carter’s Vikings debut. And in our 3WC Game of the Week, West Davidson beat East Wilkes 21-7.

UNC Down To One QB
Some bad news today for the Tarheel football team, as they’re slowly running out of players. Backup quarterback Roger Heinz had to sit out of practice this week with a sore back, the result of two herniated discs he’s been trying to play with. A doctor already told the sophomore that he’ll need surgery after the season, but with the pain increasing team officials are monitoring his condition and Heinz may have to redshirt. That would make the second quarterback on the injured list for the Tarheels, as true freshman Cameron Sexton broke his ankle during spring practice and is still going through rehab. Along with starter Matt Baker, that only leaves reshirt freshman Joey Bozich and several walk-ons available to play.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues this weekend, it was Winston Salem beating the Salem Avalanche 9-3. With the win, the Warthogs move half a game behind Salem in the hunt for the division title. Leo Daigle led Winston with three hits. Up the road in Hickory, the Crawdads came close but couldn’t finish off the Lexington Legends as they lost 6-5.

Hurricanes Re-Sign Vasicek
Continuing to rebuild their squad, the Carolina Hurricanes resigned their leading scorer Josef Vasicek over the weekend. Vasicek, who agreed to a two year deal, had 19 goals and 26 assists in 2004 before the league shut down. With the deal, the 6-4 center will stay with the team who drafted him back in 1998.

Panthers Lose First Preseason Match In Two Years
For the first time in two seasons, the Carolina Panthers lost a preseason game. They dropped against the Giants 27-21, breaking a winning streak of 10 preseason games, dating back to 2003. With the starters only playing for the first half, Carolina still managed to put on a show, with the highlight being Julius Peppers 29-yd-touchdown run off a fumble. In other Panthers news, running back Stephen Davis could be back on the field as early as this week, if he passes a physical. Doctors say that Davis is still recovering but has shown enough progress to go back to work.

Mayfield Wins At Michigan
In the NASCAR circuit, Jeremy Mayfield ran off with the checkered flag during Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400. Scott Riggs was second, Matt Kenseth third, Carl Edwards fourth and points leader Tony Stewart rounded out the top five. As it stands now, Tony Stewart still sits atop the standings, 105 in front of second place Jimmie Johnson.