Katrina Heads Inland
With evacuations still going on in portions of Mississippi and Louisiana, just how much of an effect will Hurricane Katrina have on Wilkes and the surrounding area? Currently the hurricane has sustained winds of around 165 mph and is making landfall near New Orleans. Right now, what that means for Wilkes is simply a lot of rain, but things could change in the next 48 hours. The National Hurricane Center has Katrina on a track that would take it right to the edge of North Carolina by early Wednesday. If at any time the hurricane turns east, we would be directly in the path of what would be by then a tropical storm. As conditions change we’ll have updates on the storm and what if anything we need to do to get ready for it.

Break-In To Steal Leaf Blower
Sheriff’s deputies were called out over the weekend to a Wilkesboro residence, after the homeowner returned to find thieves had broke into his storage building. However the only thing taken from the area was a leaf blower that had been kept inside. Nothing else was damaged or missing. The thieves apparently had climbed in through an open window. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Gas Savers Part One: Driving Habits
Gas prices both here in Wilkes and across the state are continuing to skyrocket. And now with the damage done by Hurricane Katrina, it’s more important than ever to conserve gas. This week on 3WC News, we’re bringing you a special series on gas conversation, some quick tips on how to get the most out of your car while keeping money in your wallet. First off, take it easy with that lead foot. Studies done by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy show that the faster you accelerate, the lower your fuel efficiency drops. What that means is that if you push your car by going 75mph or higher, the gas mileage drops by 33%. True you’ll get to your destination a lot faster, but you’ll also be making a trip back to the pump a lot faster as well. Another good idea to conserve gas is to remove any excess items that you don’t need while in the vehicle. For every 100 pounds of extra weight, your car’s gas mileage drops by 2%. Finally be careful how much time you allow your car to idle during the day. Studies have shown that on average, more gas is burned when the car is idling then during a drive to work. Tomorrow in part two of our series, we’ll go over how keeping the air conditioner running could actually help you save on gas.

More Items Dumped On Roaring River Property
For the second time in less than a week, a Roaring River homeowner walked outside to find junk lying in the yard. This time a woman called sheriff’s deputies after coming out to find several appliances had been tossed onto her property. Despite the trash, no one could recall hearing or seeing anyone come near the home. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Central Wilkes Middle School To Hold First Falcon Night
Later tonight, students and parents will make their way to Central Wilkes Middle School for the first Falcon Family Night. Information will be available about the school’s athletic programs, also about some new laws that will affect how PE and Health classes operate. There will also be free blood pressure and diabetes screenings at the event, along with several other activities. That will be held this coming Monday, August 29th from 6-8pm in the gym of Central Wilkes Middle School. Anyone who attends the school is invited along with their parents. For more information you can call Chris Gambill at 667-7453.

Wreck On Westwood Lane Totals Two
It’s always a good idea to look both ways before pulling out. A North Wilkesboro man learned that the hard way last week, after being involved with a two car wreck. He was pulling out of the Food Lion in Wilkesboro but failed to notice oncoming traffic, slamming into a second vehicle that was driving down Westwood Lane. Total damages were placed at $2500 but thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.

Samaritan’s Kitchen In Need Of Help
Last week during Focus on the Foothills, we talked with Elizabeth Ferguson from Samaritan’s Kitchen about the need for volunteers. In the last week however, that need has grown and the Kitchen finds itself shorthanded. Everyone from retirees to those who just want to give a few hours in community service are asked to come out and help during the week. Help is especially needed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8am til 1pm. Those hours are when meals are being prepared for the Saturday deliveries, in addition to helping people from the community that need food. The number to call to get more information is 838-5331.

Drainage System Trashed At North Wilkesboro Home
A North Wilkesboro man returned home last week to discover that someone had attempted to do some home repairs while he was out. The drainage system on his home had been torn apart, with estimated damages placed at $500. There is however a suspect in the crime, as a man was seen wandering around the home while the owner was gone. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Blood Drive Later Today
Wilkes County’s blood supply is in a critical stage as we end the month of August. All blood types have less than a day’s supply left, with Type O especially lacking. Officials from the Red Cross talked to 3WC last week and confirmed that there are just a few vials left of Type O here in the county, which could cause serious problems if the hurricane heads our way. To help build up the supply enough to last through a major storm, the Red Cross is asking people to come out and give today during their blood drive at Welcome Home Baptist Church. It starts at 2:30pm this afternoon and runs to 7pm tonight. Just remember before giving, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. If you want some more information before heading out, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

State News

Amber Alert Still In Effect For Missing 12-Yr-Old
Officials across North Carolina are still searching for a missing 12-yr-old girl who vanished on Friday. As 3WC mentioned on Friday, an Amber Alert has been issued for 12-yr-old Jodie Renee Collie who left her home in Rocky Mount Friday morning and hasn’t been seen since. It’s believed that the girl is in the company of a registered sex offender, 27-yr-old Phillip Dankler, who she had developed a friendship with. Collie left a note for her parents, asking them to leave her alone and not call the police. The pair are traveling in a beige 2005 Hyundai Sonata with NC license plate NWN-2630. Jodie Collie is described as being 5-4 and 114 lbs, with green eyes and brown hair. Denkler is 6’1 and 150 lbs, with short black hair and green eyes.

Man Arrested For Aiming Gun At High School Parents
A man is in jail today after pointing a shotgun at four people who were waiting for a football team to return. On Friday night, two women and two kids were waiting for the Broughton High jv football team to get back, when a man walked up the street and pointed a gun in their face. He told them they had to leave the premises before being arrested by a patrolling officer. 45-yr-old Michael Burton Tighe gave no reason for his actions and is being held in the Wake County jail.

Scam Nets Thousands Of Dollars From Burke County
Families across Burke County are up in arms today, after it turns out a good deed they performed may have been for nothing. 32-yr-old William Hannagan from Valdese was arrested and charged with conning people for money. Hannagan would tell people that his wife and child were injured in a car wreck and he needed money so he could go visit them in the hospital. Some gave him money, while others went with him to the gas station so he could fill up the tank. Apparently this isn’t the first time Hannagan has conned people, as he’s wanted for the same crime in Statesville.

Republican Senator Has Ticket For Manufacturing Survival
People across the country are looking for a solution to the problem of outsourcing, as more jobs are daily lost to other countries. Republican Jim Jacumin thinks he has the solution. Jacumin, the Republican senator from Burke County, has put forth a bill to the General Assembly for consideration that would help create a furniture technology center. The center would help to create new technology, saving American companies millions of dollars while also making it cheaper to produce goods here rather than to outsource the work.

Warship To Be Turned Into Campground
If some state leaders have their way, the U.S.S. North Carolina will be turned into a campground. The 65-yr-old warship was decommissioned some time ago and is now a war memorial and museum. But plans are being drawn up to turn the crew bunks into a camping space, where around 175 people could spend the night. That’s part of a proposed $1.6 million in renovations, including a new air conditioning unit throughout the ship, bathrooms, exhibit areas and repairs to lower deck passages. Officials said that the ship would not meet safety standards and the cost of bringing it up to code would be more than could be afforded at this time.

Billy Graham Breaks Ground On New Ministry
The Rev. Billy Graham might be ending his crusade ministry, but he broke ground on another way of sharing the gospel this weekend. Graham helped to break ground on his own museum, a place that will highlight how the son of a dairy farmer went on to preach the Gospel around the world. But instead of just a memorial, the building is an interactive tool where people can hear sermons, kids can learn about God and anyone can accept Jesus as Savior. The 86-yr-old Graham said he didn’t want the building to glorify himself but God. The museum, which opens in 2007, is being built on the grounds of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.

Sports Headlines

High School Football Roundup
Around the high school scene, it was a close one over in Moravian Falls, as the West Wilkes Blackhawks beat Wilkes Central in overtime 12-6. In a hard fought defensive struggle, both teams had chances to win the game, but the senior leadership at West helped the Blackhawks pull away at the end. On the other side of the county, it was East Wilkes beating North 19-7, meaning that Coach Roy Carter of the Vikings will have to wait one more week for his first win with the team. East and West both improve to 1-1, while Central and North fall to 0-2 on the season

Wake Forest Lands Football Commitment
In college football, Wake Forest landed another recruit this weekend. Tripp Russell, who’s entering his senior year at Mount Tabor High School, commited to play for the Deacons. The 6-3 Russell, a linebacker in high school, will also see time at defensive end for the Deacons. Wake Forest was the only school to offer Russell a scholarship, an effort that helped to seal the deal.

UNC Wins Battle Of Alumni
Even though their days of playing college basketball are over, several ACC alumni gathered together one more time on Saturday in the Smith Center for the World’s Greatest Alumni Game. This marks the fourth year of the event, which pits former Tarheel players against alumni from other ACC schools. Raymond Felton, Sean May and Brendan Haywood all suited up for the Heels, who also added J.R. Smith to their roster for the night. Smith had commited to Carolina before going pro straight from college. Chris Paul and Josh Howard from Wake Forest, along with Daniel Ewing from Duke were some of the ACC alumni that showed up. North Carolina won 139-126, with all proceeds from the event going to the American Diabetes Association.

Panthers Beat Cleveland In Preseason
In the NFL, Carolina Panthers rallied to beat Cleveland 23-20 in their third preseason game of the year. The Panthers improved to 2-1 in the preseason after backup quarterback Chris Weinke tossed a 21-yrd touchdown pass to receiver Efrem Hill with less than a minute left. The team will wrap up this year’s preseason on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, it was a rough day for the Winston Salem Warthogs, as they lost to Salem 9-0. Warthogs starter Ryan Rodriguez gave up five runs in his six innings of work to get the loss. Mike Floyd of the Salem Avalanche hit two home runs on his way to going for the cycle.

NASCAR Results
With two races to go before the Chase for the Cup, the standings got shook up Sunday. Matt Kenseth ran off with the win, followed by Jeff Burton in second, Greg Biffle in third, Ricky Rudd fourth and Rusty Wallace rounding out the top five. Meanwhile, Jeff Gordon made his way back into the top ten. Gordon finished sixth in Sunday’s race, sliding back into the tenth spot in the standings.