News & Sports For August 23rd

Local Teacher Named To State Committee
A Wilkes County teacher was named to the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee this week. James A Brooks, who teaches Latin, English and photojournalism at West High was appointed for his second time as a member of the committee. Along with other members of the group, Mr. Brooks will advise the governor of different concerns from teachers across the state. The committee also helps improve teaching and learning in public schools, while recommending new strategies to recruit teachers into North Carolina. The governor appoints all committee members, who will serve out a two year term.

Deputies Raid Dealer’s House
Sheriff’s deputies found drugs and money while executing a search warrant on Sunday. They were investigating a tip on the Rocky Ford Road and once inside the home, found an ice cream scoop covered with three grams of cocaine. In addition, a nearby fingernail clip and also a screwdriver were covered in cocaine as well. 59 morphine vials were found on a couch, along with marijuana seeds and the materials for making cocaine. 58-yr-old Luther Lee Key was arrested and charged With drug possession with intent to sell and maintaining a home for the sale of drugs.

More Open House Meetings At Local Schools
As local kids start their second week of school, it’s time for parents to get to know their children’s teachers and also see the classrooms. On Thursday of this week both Millers Creek Elementary and North Wilkesboro have their open house sessions. For Millers Creek Pre K through 2nd grade will hold open house from 6-7pm on Thursday, then orientation will go on for 3rd through 5th graders from 7-8pm. Over at North Wilkesboro Elementary Open House starts this Thursday at 4:30pm and runs until 6pm. Then next Monday Wilkes Central will hold their Open House from 6-8pm.

Wreck On 421 Totals One
It’s always a good idea to watch the road in front of you. A North Wilkesboro woman found that out the hard way earlier this week, as her car was totaled in a wreck. The woman had been following another vehicle through the green light, but didn’t notice when the car ahead stopped to let traffic go by. She slammed into the back of the other car, causing just under two thousand dollars in damage. The woman’s car had to be towed off, however thankfully no one was hurt in the crash.

All For A Few Quarters More
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home on Shingle Gap Road over the weekend, after reports came in of a break-in. The thieves pried off a screen from one of the windows, then climbed inside, taking a necklace, a .38 revolver $150 in quarters and some more jewelry. Estimated costs of all the damage done was placed at $350. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Warning About Mosquito Bites
Beware of bugs. That’s the warning sent out this week in our 3WC Healthwatch. According to the State Department of the Environment, there have recently been two confirmed cases of eastern equine encephalitis in local animals. While livestock could be in jeopardy so too could humans. It’s rare for a human to contract the disease but North Carolina averages at least one case a year. Triple E attacks the body’s central nervous system, in both animals and humans, causing inflammation of the brain. Symptoms take anywhere from two days to two weeks to show up and they include fever and headache, confusion, drowsiness and later on possibly a coma. There is no vaccine and no cure for the disease, so the best thing to do is break out the mosquito repellent and be careful of where you go outside.

Musical Break-In On Richardson Road
Thieves broke into a home on Richardson Road this week, taking over $160 worth of items from inside. It’s unknown exactly how the thieves gained access to the home, as no damage could be seen anywhere on the property. But once inside, they took a CD player, some tools and a metal toolbox. There is however a suspect in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Costs To Rise For Certain Tests
Bad news for local farmers, as the cost of some testing measures will be going up starting next week. North Carolina’s Agriculture Board ruled on Monday that increases would go into effect for plant tissue analysis, waste analysis, solution analysis and any testing for heavy metal content in soil. The amount of increase varies from test to test, with most only raising by one dollar. Routine soil testing however will still be a free service. This marks the first increase in fees in over 16 years and once again it will take effect September 1st.

Thieves Rip Off Ronald McDonald Fund
The McDonalds in Wilkesboro was hit by thieves late Sunday night. The Ronald McDonald Fund donation box was ripped off the wall, causing just over $600 worth of damage to the building. None of the night shift saw or heard anything in regards to the incident however officers are continuing the investigation.

State News

Special Ceremony Held For Civil War Brothers
A ceremony nearly two hundred years in the making was held on Sunday, as family members and friends gathered to honor two brothers who fought in the Civil Wart. Hosea and Jacob Horn were on different sides of the conflict, Jacob serving with the Union Army and his brother joining up with the Confederates. Over one hundred people made it out to the gravesite in Wilmington, where a memorial was held and the brothers were laid to rest in a family cemetery. The brothers’ remains had been lying in unmarked graves until discovered recently.

Extra Money Handed Out To Keep Teachers
Good news for school systems across North Carolina, as state lawmakers have given Gov. Easley $170 million to spend on recruiting teachers. The money is to be used over the next two years, on signing bonuses, pay raises or to increase the benefits of retiring teachers, to convince them to stay in the classroom. State officials hope that the money can keep teachers in the classroom and stop an exodus that the state has seen over the last few years.

School Bus Torched In Greensboro
Some high school kids in Greensboro are having to find another way to class today, after their buses were torched by vandals. The incident happened over the weekend, as Grimsley High’s principal came out to see the buses going up in flames. Principal Rob Gasparelo had been taking care of some paperwork before the new school year started this week, only to walk outside and see the wreckage. Police said they have no suspects, but damages were placed at around $60,000. It’s virtually impossible either one could be salvaged, as windows were shattered and portions of the buses were melted.

Duke Power To Possibly Charge For Water
Bad news today for people living along the Catawba River. Duke Power has announced plans to consider charging a fee for any town or city that gets water from the company’s manmade lakes along the river. That includes Lake James, Lake Wylie, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Norman, Lake Hickory and Lake Rhodhiss. The reason for the charge Duke officials say is due to the fact over the next 50 years the demand for water is expected to double. To make sure they don’t run out of water, the company wants to charge fees and use that money for conservation. Even if Duke Power does agree to go ahead with the charges, the easiest they could take affect is 2012.

Police Hunting Statesville Man
Officials across North Carolina are on the hunt today for a Statesville man who’s been accused of murder. Police believe that Robert Lane Windsor is still in the area, after the body of his ex girlfriend was found in the trunk of her car. Windsor had kidnapped the girlfriend earlier this month from her home in Conover, however he apparently abandoned both the body and the vehicle. It’s still unknown why he kidnapped the woman in the first place however police are continuing the investigation. A description of Windsor was not available at this time.

New I-140 Opened By Easley
Governor Easley took the first step on Monday toward opening up a new road to the beach. The first completed section of Interstate I-140 was declared open for drivers, a three mile section of road stretching from I-40 to NC 133. Eventually the four lane road will reach Wilmington, allowing people to drive around some of the small towns in the area and shrinking the time it takes to arrive at the beach. The next part of the project is set to be ready for drivers by December.

Sports Headlines

UNC Basketball Adds Another Player
Looking to reload after this summer’s mass exodus, the UNC Tarheels welcomed another freshman into their 2005 basketball team. Mike Copeland’s freshman season had been put on hold for a few weeks, while the grades came in from his summer school classes. But now that he’s received As in the two classes, Copeland is free to sign his scholarship with UNC, opening the door for him to take the court as a member of this year’s Tarheel team. The 6-8 235 Copeland averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds at Reynolds High School.

US Teams Take Gold In Turkey
It was a double dip for the US teams in this year’s World University Games. Both teams walked away with the gold medal as first last Friday the women beat Serbia & Montenegro 86-77. Then on Sunday, the U.S. men’s team beat Ukraine 85-70 behind Shelden Williams’ 15 points and 14 rebounds. This marks the first time since 1997 that the U.S. has made a clean sweep in the tournament.

Panthers Lose Player For Season
The Carolina Panthers lost a player for the season, after it was announced that safety Colin Branch will undergo surgery. Branch tore his MCL and ACL ligaments on the right knee during Saturday’s preseason matchup against the New York Giants. Fighting to take Branch’s spot will be rookie Ben Emmanuel along with free agent pickups Idrees Bashir and Marlon McCree.

Stewart & Johnson Lock Up Chase Spot
In NASCAR, two of the drivers who will be competing for the championship were decided on Sunday, as both Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson locked up spots. Stewart, the current points leader, was guaranteed a spot in the Chase For The Cup after finishing fifth at Michigan. Likewise Johnson earned a spot after coming in 10th at Michigan, cementing the second place spot in points.

Riggs To Join Everham
In other NASCAR news, Scott Riggs announced plans to join Everham Motorsports beginning next season. Riggs, coming off a second place finish in Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400, is expected to make an official announcement with the team next week at Bristol.