News & Sports For September 19th
Monday, September 19, 2005 at 6:13AM
Local Schools Celebrate Constitution Day
Across the nation this weekend, people took time to celebrate Constitution Day. Last year President Bush made September 17th officially a holiday where people honor and celebrate the making of the constitution. In Washington, General Tommy Franks read the Preamble in a ceremony Saturday morning. Meanwhile in Wilkes County, several of the local high schools took time out to take part in the holiday. At North Wilkes, students heard the preamble read Friday morning at 11am. East Wilkes students had events throughout last week including trivia questions during the morning and afternoon announcements. The teachers also used the occasion in lessons throughout the week.
Governor Easley Reappoints Trustee
Gov. Mike Easley announced on Friday that he’s reappointed one North Wilkesboro man to the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees. Earl T. Eller, a former athletic director for North High, was re-appointed to the post by Easley. Out of the 16 member board, each of which serves a four year term, the governor selects four.
A Wilkesboro man returned home over the weekend to find thieves had ransacked his house. The lights were on throughout the home but virtually everything else was gone. Over two thousand dollars worth of material was taken from inside. Included in the theft were five rifles, a DVD player, $30 in cash, several gold necklaces, some tools and several other items. There are no suspects in the case but deputies are continuing the investigation.
Gas thieves hit another business over the weekend, this time targeting the Run-In on Statesville Road. A white man pulled up to the store, pumped $35 in gas and then drove off without paying. A description of both the man and his vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Creek Stop in Millers Creek on Friday, after vandals left their mark on the building. Someone had shattered the front door, causing an estimated $200 in damage. However nothing was taken from inside and also nothing else was damaged around the property. That investigation is ongoing.
Watch Out For Flooded Cars
Wreck In Wilkesboro Sends One To Hospital
A wreck in Wilkesboro totaled two cars last week. The incident happened on West Main Street, as a North Wilkesboro man didn’t slow down for traffic. He slammed into the two cars in front of him, totaling one of them as well as his own vehicle. That third driver however, was injured and had to be taken to Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Estimated damages were placed at $3800.
Benefit Bike Tour Starts Saturday
For any bike riders out there, this next bit of information is for you. Coming up this Saturday, the Rollin’ Round the River bike tour starts off. The tour, which is set up to benefit the Special Olympics, starts at 9am and would be riders have two options. They can choose either the 20 or 50 mile route, each heading through the Yadkin Valley. There is a fee to sign up of $20, all the proceeds of which will be given to the Wilkes County Special Olympics cycling team. Registration will start Saturday morning at 8am at the Wilkes YMCA building on Hwy 268 West. For more information you can call tour director Tim Murphy at 667-6836.
Thieves Break Into Ronda Home
A Ronda woman came home late last week to find a surprise. Her front door had been broken and was hanging open. Included in the theft were three ink cartridges for computer printers, also some costume jewelry and gold chains. There are suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.
Furniture Dropped On Local Man's Property
Why would someone dump furniture on another person’s lawn? That’s what a Wilkesboro man is asking today, after returning home to find furniture scattered across his property. Someone had dumped the broken pieces while he was out of town, however no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything. That investigation is ongoing.
Death In Dobson Called Into Question
Local and state police are investigating a death that happened Friday in Dobson. Jack Marion, one of the town’s commissioners, was shot dead in an office in city hall. The 68-yr-old Marion was dead by the time help arrived. His daughter came running to a local restaurant, asking the owner to call 911 and saying that her daddy had killed himself. Police seem to agree that the wound was self-inflicted, however the State Bureau of Investigation has been called in because of Marion’s status as a public official. There was no note or other indication why Marion would have taken his life.
Congresswoman Foxx To Speak At Local Workshop
As you heard two weeks ago on Focus on the Foothills, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will be in the area later this week. She’ll be speaking this Saturday at a workshop in Boone, at the Broyhill Center on Appalachian State’s campus. The topic of the workshop will be women in public service, as the congresswoman gives advice on how to establish yourself if you want a political career. Once again that will go on this Saturday at Appalachian State. For more information you can call 919-508-2308.
State News
While Hurricane Ophelia did little more than scratch the Carolina coast, state lawmakers are wanting to make sure what happened to New Orleans can’t happen here. Members of the House and Senate proposed on Friday that North Carolina create a joint commission to study building codes and determine what, if anything, the state needs to do in order to prepare for a hurricane. That commission, among other things, would work to strengthen the building codes on the coast, so that homes and businesses can withstand hurricane force winds. Once the commission has finished its’ work, the new codes would be mandatory for all schools and new public buildings.
Drug Rehab Center Unwanted In Greensboro
A proposed drug rehab center may be getting a second chance in Greensboro. The Dreams Treatment Center was denied access to the neighborhood earlier this year, after a neighborhood petition was taken up. People in the area said they didn’t want the treatment center there because it would mean drug addicts would be in the area. Now the Dreams Center has been recreated as a place where the homeless can be trained for jobs, learn computer and also interviewing skills. Despite the new plan, the same petition is making the rounds again. Neighbors say that bringing in homeless people would possibly mean drug addicts would come in as well. Dreams still plans to open, although it’s unclear when that will happen.
Unique Way Of Intimidating Witness Lands Woman In Jail
A Kernersville woman is in jail today after being arrested for intimidating a witness. Apparently the woman, 37-year-old Lisa Marie Orbeck, had been hitting the ceiling of her apartment with some type of object. The reason? She was trying to intimidate a witness into changing her story about a police report that was filed. It’s unknown exactly why she believed hitting the ceiling would intimidate the person, but she finds herself in jail today, with bail set at $20,000.
Unemployment Falls Across State
Some good news on the economic front for people in North Carolina. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 5.6% by the end of August, a reverse from the three previous months. From May to the end of July, the rate rose 10% and still remains above the national rate of 4.9%. The reason for the change lies mainly in the 1500 new jobs created in the education, health and construction fields over the past month. Government jobs took a hit however, with 6500 temporarily out of work due to a slow start in the school system and lack of a budget.
Football Friday Night Scoreboard
In college football, NC State beat Eastern Kentucky 54-10 as Josh Davis tossed for three touchdowns. State improves to 1-1 as they get set to host North Carolina next Saturday. Speaking of the Heels, they shut down the Wisconsin offense but failed to get enough of their own in a 14-5 loss. UNC fell to 0-2 on the season, after another subpar game from quarterback Matt Baker. He threw for 281 yards and an interception, failing to find the end zone. Another team looking for their first win found a team they could beat over the weekend, as Duke defeated Virginia Military Institute 40-14. Justin Boyle ran for 113 yards and freshman Zack Assack made his debut at quarterback for the Blue Devils, tossing for a touchdown. Duke moves up to 1-2 on the season and will take on Virginia next week. Appalachian State also notched a win as they beat Coastal Carolina 30-3, behind 178 rushing yards from Kevin Richardson. The 2-1 Mountaineers get set next to take on the Citadel. Finally it took three weeks but Wake Forest got its’ first victory of the season, beating Eastern Carolina 44-34. The East Carolina defense crumbled as Chris Barclay exploded for 210 yards rushing, tying a school record as he scored four touchdowns. The Pirates also couldn’t stop his backup Micah Andrews, who tacked on 142 yards. Next up for the Deacons will be a visit by Maryland to Winston Salem.
Panthers Beat Patriots
The Carolina Panthers showed why most experts have them picked to win the Super Bowl on Sunday, knocking out the New England Patriots 27-17. Stephen Davis led the way with 77 rushing yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first running back in three years to score more than twice against the New England defense. With the win, Carolina improves to 1-1 on the season and will go on the road next week against Miami.
For you golf fans out there, the Chrysler Classic continues to grow. The event, which will be held in Greensboro starting on the 29th of this month, has added some big names, with two of the top ten players in the world on their way. Sergio Garcia, ranked 6th in the world has already committed and then this week Adam Scott followed suit. Scott is currently #7 in the world. They’ll join an already crowded field of Davis Love, Jason Gore and John Daly. Another golfer, Jay Haas will take part and be honored during the tournament since this is his 22nd time making the rounds in Greensboro. Once again that’ll go on September 29th through October 2nd.
NASCAR Kicks Off Playoff Hunt
The playoff hunt started with a bang for NASCAR fans this weekend, as Ryan Newman took the checkered flag. Newman pulled ahead of Tony Stewart with 16 laps to go and held on for the win. Matt Kenseth was third, Greg Biffle was fourth and Dale Earnhart Jr. came in fifth. As a result, the chase standings look like this. It’s Tony Stewart in first, followed by Greg Biffle in second. Rusty Wallace and Newman are now tied for third heading into this weekend.
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