News & Sports For September 16th

News & Sports For Friday September 16^th 2005

Results From Thursday’s Debate

Tax dollars and the hospital were the main topics of last night’s debate in North Wilkesboro. The two Republican candidates for mayor, incumbent Steve Foster and challenger Gerald Lankford took questions from the audience and also from the moderator. Mayor Foster said that he was 95% certain that two or three large companies would be moving to the area in the next year or so, bringing with them 300 to 500 jobs. That however he said was still in the planning stages. Both candidates came out in favor of nonpartisan elections, saying that it made sense for a small town like North Wilkesboro. The question of merging with Wilkesboro was brought up and again both candidates said they believe some services could be merged together, such as police, water and sewage. Steve Foster said in addition that he would listen if a proposal to merge the two came across his desk, but had no plans to do so. Gerald Lankford meanwhile brought up the point that if the towns were merged, he believes that North Wilkesboro’s identity will be lost. The main issue of the night however was the hospital. A question was brought up from the audience, asking why the new bylaws are such a problem to the hospital board. Gerald Lankford said that it’s because the board, who has consulted on the matter with attorneys, believes the bylaws would disrupt both the hospital and life around town. Foster disagreed, saying that the laws would take control out of the hands of a few and back into the hands of the people. The primary for the Republican nomination is Tuesday September 27th.

More Aid With Concert This Saturday

The donation drives continue throughout Wilkes County today for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Child Abuse Prevention Team will be taking up donations of diapers, wipes, baby food and formula from 9am til 5pm today and next week from Monday through Thursday at the same time. On Friday of next week, the drive will last from 9am til 12 noon. In addition, there will be a benefit concert held this Saturday at Peace Haven Baptist Church, with all funds being donated to World Vision, to help the hurricane victims. The concert will be free but a love offering will be taken up. Appearing at the church will be Living Well, Faithwalk, Jonathon Cox and Greg Cook w/ Set Free. The number to call for more information is 764-8616. And across the county, the Wilkesboro Church of Christ is holding a drive, with collection points at Lowes Foods and Food Lion locations here in Wilkes. You can also drop off donations at the church, located at 1103 Walnut Circle in Wilkesboro. Finally the State Employees Credit Union is still collecting donations of both supplies and money. All that is turned over to the Red Cross. And if you missed any of these or other donation sites that we mention on the news, just call the 3WC Studios here at 838-9992 and we’ll be glad to get you that information

Wreck On 421 Totals Two

Wilkesboro police were called out on Thursday morning to a wreck on Hwy 421. A truck driver from Fort Mill felt a jolt as he was accelerating after a green light, but didn’t think anything of it til he pulled into the parking lot of Lowes Hardware. Attached to the back of the vehicle was a car’s bumper. The driver went back to the scene, to find a vehicle missing a few parts. That second car had been driven by a woman from Vilas North Carolina, who said that she didn’t see the truck until the last minute when it was too late to stop. She slammed into him and also took a chunk out of the pavement on 421. Estimated damages were placed at $16,000 and that woman was taken to Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Just Came In To Take A Look Around

A Traphill woman got a surprise when she returned home on Wednesday. The door to her house had been kicked open. Nothing was stolen from inside and nothing else was damaged. The woman had been gone out of town for several months, but neighbors had been watching the place for her and said it was locked and secure two days ago. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Free Breakfast & Clothes Given Out This Saturday

For people out there who are in need, this Saturday you can get some new clothes and a hot meal. The Wilkesboro Church of Christ is holding a giveaway, where people can come in, get a free breakfast and also pick up some clothes as well. There will be men’s, women’s and children’s sizes available at the church, which is located at 1103 Walnut Circle in Wilkesboro, just behind Dwight Phillips Auto Sales. The event starts at 8am and continues until 11am. For more information you can call 838-5695.

Windows Broke In Dockery Grocery

Sheriff’s deputies were called out this week to Dockery Grocery, after vandals shattered the store’s windows. It appears that someone had tried to pry open the door, but when that failed, they went after the window. Except what the would be thieves didn’t notice is that it was double paned glass. One section shattered but the second stayed intact. Estimated damages to the business were placed at $1175 and the investigation is ongoing.

Blood Drive On Saturday

While all of us want to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, some may not be able to afford donating money or other items. If that’s the case, then you can give some of your time and donate the gift of life. There is a blood drive going on tomorrow at the Bethany Baptist Church, which is open to the public. It will run from 9:30am until 2:30pm in the afternoon. Remember before giving blood you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 pounds.

Mailbox Vandals Return To Wilkes

Mailbox vandals hit a North Wilkesboro home this week. The homeowners didn’t hear or see anything unusual during the night, however Wednesday morning they came out to find the mailbox had been smashed. In addition, a second mailbox nearby had been damaged as well. No one in the neighborhood could recall hearing or seeing anyone. Estimated damages were placed at $80 and the investigation continues.

Kid’s Day Held Tomorrow

Coming up tomorrow, towns across the nation will be taking part in Kids Day America. Here in Wilkes, an event will go on from 12 noon until 3pm. At the event, which will be held at West Park Chiropractic, there will be free ID cards handed out and also safety instruction from local fire departments. Also information will be given out about child safety and environmental issues. Dr. Mark Glanzer’s office will also have free spinal exams and scoliosis screenings for any parent who wants to get their child tested. There will be snacks, giveaways and door prizes for the event as well.

State News

Damage Reports From Ophelia

Hurricane Ophelia has left its’ mark on the Carolina coast. Not as powerful as Katrina, the storm still managed to snap trees and rip down power lines. By Thursday night, an estimated 100,000 people were still left in the dark. Businesses were also flooded along with homes near the beach and a curfew has been installed in New Hanover County for the next few days. In that area, no one can be out before 6am and after 6pm. As a result of the storm, 1730 people are currently in emergency shelters and more could arrive later this morning.

Billy Graham Offers Home & Gives Challenge

The Rev. Billy Graham has gotten involved with the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina and has issued a challenge to all churches in America. Graham and his wife have adopted a family of five from New Orleans, letting them stay in one of their guest homes until they can get back to their own. Graham also told reporters that there shouldn’t be a need for shelters filled to overflowing. He called for all churches in America to adopt one family each, saying if that happened, it would solve the problem.

More Victim Scams Pop Up In North Carolina

For the third time this week, a person from North Carolina has been arrested after a scam related to the relief effort. 23-yr-old Tiffany Signal was arrested after she lied to Red Cross volunteers, telling them that she was a victim of the storm. The Raleigh resident used a fake name and address when talking with the volunteers, eventually being given a 14-day pass to stay at a nearby hotel, in addition to $665 to live off of. Wednesday night Signal was arrested after authorities discovered her story was false. She’s currently being held in the Wake County Jail.

Jobs To Leave Newton

Bad news for people living in the Newton area, as 90 people will be unemployed by Christmas. Joan Fabrics Corporation announced this week that it will be shutting its’ doors on October 3^rd, leaving the company’s employees out in the cold. Company officials said the decision was based on adverse economic conditions, but declined to explain further. As the plant prepares to close, most employees find themselves working only 32 hours a week, dramatically down from the 60 some were used to.

New Bills To Be Presented To Congress

A North Carolina Representative is introducing some new legislation before Congress that would make serious changes in the illegal immigration laws. Sue Myrick is preparing to introduce the Scott Gardner Act, named after a teacher in Gaston County. Mr. Gardner was killed by an illegal alien who hit his car while driving drunk. The alien had been cited for drunk driving four times before, but never deported. Under the new bill, all illegal aliens who are caught driving drunk would be immediately deported. Also after any incident with the law, their name and information would be turned over to the FBI. The second bill would significantly raise the fines businesses pay for hiring illegals. Called the 10-K Run For The Border Act, it would raise the fines to $10,000 for each offense. Currently the fee is $250.

Sports Headlines

Football Friday Night

High school football is in full swing and tonight two of the county’s teams are in action. The North Wilkes Vikings, fresh off an impressive 35-7 win over Alleghany, will head up the road to take on Alexander Central. Meanwhile the East Wilkes Cardinals look to rebound from their 14-7 loss last week against East Surry. They go on the road to face off against North Stokes. Kickoff for both games is set for 7:30pm. Both Wilkes Central and West Wilkes have the week off.

Carolina Panthers News

The Carolina Panthers have made some roster changes in the wake of Kris Jenkin’s season ending injury. Third round draft pick Atiyyah Ellison was promoted from the practice squad and 2^nd year player Khaleed Vaughn, a 6-4 defensive tackle, was signed to take Ellison’s place. The injury bug continues to hang around, as safety Marlon McCree and linebacker Brandon Short are both recovering from injuries sustained last Sunday. McCree injured his thigh, while Short continues to suffer problems with his foot, an injury that has plagued him throughout training camp. Both are listed as probable for this weekend and look to suit up against the Patriots.

U.S. Gone From Baseball Cup

As we told you earlier this week, the U.S. Junior Team has secured a spot in next year’s Baseball World Cup. The Senior team however, saw their chances go up in smoke on Wednesday night, after a loss against Cuba. The Junior team is made up of college and high school players, which is why their World Cup won’t be played til next year, because of class schedules. The senior team is composed of minor leaguers and others who are out of school but not in the major leagues. That senior team took a beating from Cuba this week, falling 11-3 and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Cuba has won the World Cup title 11 out of the 12 years it’s been in existence.

Former Hurricanes’ Captain Retires

In the NHL, a former captain of the Carolina Hurricanes announced his retirement on Thursday. Ron Francis called it quits after a 23-year career in the league. The 42-yr-old Francis finishes in the league’s top ten in both games played and points scored. He’s fourth all time in points, with 1798 and third in games, after suiting up for 1731. Francis also finished his career second only to Wayne Gretzky in assists, with 1249. He helped lead the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002 and won the Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

Crew Chiefs Changing Places

Some surprises this week out of NASCAR, as drivers already out of the playoff hunt experiment for next season. Tony Eury Jr. will be back with his cousin this weekend, officially taking over as the crew chief for Dale Earnhart Jr. Junior’s previous chief, Steve Hmiel, had only assumed the job on a temporary basis and will go back to his permanent post as DEI technical director. As for Michael Waltrip, the switch leaves him with a new crew chief for the rest of the season as well. Tony Gibson, Waltrip’s car chief, will get the promotion for the rest of the year.

Loomis Leaves Hendrick

The bad news keeps coming for Jeff Gordon and his team. Less than a week after failing to qualify in this year’s chase, now he’s lost his crew chief. Robbie Loomis, who has worked with Gordon for the last five years, announced that effective immediately he’ll be stepping down from his role with the Number 24. The move comes after Loomis accepted a job for next year, running the daily operations of Petty Enterprises. Under his new position, Loomis will be in charge of both cars in the Petty garage, working with drivers Kyle Petty and Jeff Green. For the rest of this season however, Loomis will be moving to another part of the Hendrick garage, acting as a consultant with the Number 48 car of Jimmie Johnson. To take Loomis’ place, Hendrick named 26-yr-old Steve Letarte as crew chief, beginning with this Sunday’s race. Letarte has worked on the Number 24 for nine years as a mechanic and car chief.