News & Sports For September 2nd

Gas Shortage Scare
A gas shutdown in the area turned out to be a hoax. Several people have called the 3WC Studios over the past 24 hrs, asking about a supposed gas cut off that was to take place at 3pm Thursday afternoon. What got this started is partially due to a nationwide protest effort that is asking people not to buy gas over the Labor Day weekend. The protesters are asking that for either one day or the entire weekend, people abstain from buying gas. According to Brandon Tabor, creator of the Slow Pump Movement, this is supposed to be a way to cut down on the oil companies’ profits. That movement, combined with Gov. Easley’s request for citizens to conserve gas, is what helped to create the panic. While supplies are running low here in the area, several companies confirmed that there isn’t going to be a shutdown and as long as gas keeps coming in, they’ll keep selling it. You could experience long lines at the pump, but for the most part that’s the extent of the problem. If however you believe that one of the stations in your area is trying to gouge you with high prices, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx has set up a place on her website to report it. You can go to www.foxx.house.gov and look on the right side of the page. Coming up in state news we’ll have more about Easley’s remarks and how they might affect your Labor Day plans.

Hold On To Your Checkbook
A Wilkesboro man learned this week why it’s a good idea to hold on to your checkbook. He accessed his bank account, only to find that checks had been written in his name, which he had never cashed. It turns out that the man’s ex-wife had gotten his checkbook somehow and had gone on a spending spree. It’s not clear exactly how much was taken from the account, as there are several more checks pending. That investigation is ongoing.

Voter Registration Deadline Today
Time’s almost up if you haven’t registered yet to vote this year. At 5pm today, voter registration for the North Wilkesboro Primary will be over. If by that afternoon you aren’t registered to vote, then you won’t be able to cast a ballot. The same goes for the November elections. All registrations have to be turned in to the Board of Elections by 5pm. However if high gas prices make it impossible to get to town, you can mail in your registration with a postmark of today’s date.

Signs Stolen From Taco Bell
The Taco Bell in Wilkesboro fell victim to thieves this week. However the suspects didn’t want food or money, instead all they ran off with was a sign in the window. Two advertising signs, that had been put up on the inside of the dining room were taken by customers as they left the restaurant. Witnesses provided identification of the suspects and that information was turned over to police. The investigation is ongoing.

Local Churches Pitching In To Help Relief Effort
With the death toll rising and supplies desperately needed, several churches here in Wilkes are lending a hand to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Oak Grove Baptist Church, on the Rock Quarry Road in North Wilkesboro is leaving on Friday to take some supplies down to Mississippi. Several members of the church family are in one of the towns affected by Katrina and Oak Grove is going down to bring them back. In addition they’re taking supplies to give out to anybody who needs them. That includes canned goods, clothes, deodorant and any other emergency supplies you want to donate. They’re leaving tomorrow morning around lunchtime, but will be taking donations at the church until 9pm tonight at the Fellowship Hall and then early tomorrow morning. Celebration Church is also putting together a trailer full of items to take down. They leave early tomorrow morning, to head down. For the rest of the night, they’ll also have a trailer set up at the church, located in what used to be the old Union School. All donations are welcome, but the church is mostly looking for clothes, food and healthcare items such as deodorant and bandaids to take down. And as we get information in about other donation drives, we’ll be sure and let you know.

Wreck Sends Two People To Hospital
A wreck earlier this week on the Brushy Mountain Road sent two people to the hospital. Dr. Mary Small was traveling down Brushy Mountain Road when she lost control of her car. The vehicle ran off the road and she jerked the wheel, bringing it back onto the highway. The car then crossed the center line and went directly into the path of a man coming from the other direction. Both cars were totaled in the crash and both drivers had to be taken to Wilkes Regional for treatment. An update on their condition was not available at this time.

WCC To Host Financial Class For Adults
Sometimes it can be a pain collecting on a debt. Regardless if it’s something owed by a neighbor or payment charged to your business. Coming up later this month, Wilkes Community College is holding a seminar, to help people understand what their legal rights are in such a situation. Such as what are your options for collecting a bad debt? What to do when a debtor skips town? The meeting is free, however you must register ahead of time to get in. To sign up, you can call WCC at 838-6210. That will take place on September 29th, sponsored by the Small Business Center of the college.

Drugs Found After Traffic Stop
A traffic stop in Wilkesboro this week led to an arrest for drug possession. Officers were on patrol when they observed a car driving past, a vehicle whose driver was known not to have a license. They pulled over the woman, who confirmed that her license had expired. Officers asked if they could search the car and she agreed. However upon the search they found a set of scales, marijuana leaves and some baggies, in addition to $780 in cash. 18-yr-old Savannah Lynn Webb was arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to sell, not having a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Later after being searched at the intake center, 34 grams of marijuana was found on her person.

State News

Easley Urges Conservation
Gov. Easley held an emergency press conference on Wednesday, asking people to conserve gas during the Labor Day weekend. His request comes due to the fact that North Carolina is one of nine states that receive most of their fuel supplies from the Gulf Coast, a section hard hit by Hurricane Katrina. 90% of North Carolina’s gas comes from this region. With most of those oil refineries off line until repairs can be made, only 30% of the normal gas supply is making its’ way into North Carolina. Gov. Easley said that North Carolina isn’t out of gas, but supplies are running low, so he urged people if possible to stay in this weekend and save gas for important trips. He also asked that people cancel their Labor Day plans and stay home when possible, to help the state get through the weekend. By next week, the Department of Energy plans to have the gas supply up to 50%, which will alleviate some of the concerns. Triple A of the Carolinas says that the problem won’t be gas running out but rather people panicking.

More Oil Headed To NC
Good news however for North Carolina drivers, as more gas will be on the way this weekend. Colonial Pipeline has confirmed that they’ve managed to restart their main supply lines, which will start pumping at about 35% of normal today. By the end of the weekend company officials hope to have that number up to 60% but say that it will take some time to bring things back up to normal.

“Sin” Taxes Begin Today
Expect another hit to your wallet this weekend, as the so-called “sin” taxes take effect. As of Thursday morning, a pack of cigarettes costs 25 cents more than normal, as the tax rose to 30 cents. Meanwhile the cost of a carton also rose to $3 more than usual. Opponents of smoking say that the increase is a good thing, as they hope it will cause people to quit smoking. In addition higher taxes on candy, alcohol, satellite and cable television will all take hold.

Jobs Headed To Wilmington
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for people in Wilmington, as more jobs are headed into the area. General Electric announced plans on Thursday to expand its’ jet engine and nuclear power companies to include new plants in Wilmington. The move is expected to generate 200 jobs in the area over the next five years. $3.4 million in incentives was handed out by the state to attract the business, with most of that coming from the Job Development Investment Grant, a program that gives money out to businesses that help generate new jobs. The bad news is that 50 of those new jobs will be transfers from other positions in Tennessee and California.

Cold Medicine Now Harder To Come By
For anyone who has sinus problems or fights cold symptoms, North Carolina could be making it harder to do so. The state House passed a bill yesterday that would limit access to medicine that contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that’s found in items like Sudafed. The drug is also a major ingredient in creating methamphetamines. Once this bill becomes law, any tablet form medicine that contains the drug would be available only as a prescription. All gel caps and medicine for children would originally be left on shelves, but the state reserves the right in this bill to restrict those to prescription at a later date. And for those left on the shelves, you can only buy three packages each month. If Gov. Easley signs the bill into law, which he hasn’t indicated one way or the other, it would take effect January 15th. Attorney General Roy Cooper said the bill was an important step in getting meth off the streets. Once the law takes effect you will only be able to buy the medicine by showing

Lawn Mower Races Offending Neighbors
An Alleghany man is having to go to court in order to keep racing. Neighbors of Ronnie Woodie was taking the man to court because they feel the lawn mower races that he holds on his property “doesn’t fit” with the surrounding area. Some of Woodie’s 50 neighbors have also accused him of trying to intimidate them by putting up signs in his yard and firing guns for no reason. For the last four months, Woodie has held lawn mower races in his backyard, with the proceeds going to benefit local organizations. So far, he’s donated $1000 to the Glade Creek Fire Department and $700 to the local elementary school. Woodie said that he and the other families who take part are just wanting to have a good time while helping out the community at the same time. A court date has yet to be announced.

Sports Headlines

High School Sports
Around the high school scene last night, it was West Wilkes beating North 20-0 in JV football. Also Wilkes Central beat North 9-0 in tennis. In jv volleyball North beat Wilkes Central 2 games to none and in the varsity match it was North winning 3 games to none. If high gas prices have put a damper on your Friday plans you can tune in tonight and join the 3WC Sports Team as we’ll be out at Wes Steele Stadium for our Football Friday Night broadcast. Wilkes Central will play host to East Wilkes in a battle of the birds. The Cardinals come in with a record of 1-1, while the Eagles look to rebound from an 0-2 start. Ken Byrd and Keith Briand will be on hand to bring you the play by play, while Brian Carlton will be back at the station, giving you updates on all the other games going on in the area. Kickoff is set for 7:30 with the pregame show going on the air at 7:15. All this on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem beating Kinston 5-1. Warthogs starter Gio Gonzalez picked up the win after going seven innings and allowing only one run. The Warthogs are also working with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina to collect supplies to send down to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. For anyone heading out to tonight’s game, the team is asking that you bring drinking water, cleaning supplies, canned goods or flashlights and batteries. They’ll be putting all of this together to send with the latest shipment from the Second Harvest Food Bank this weekend.

Panthers Final Preseason Game
The Carolina Panthers let most of their starters have the day off on Thursday, so they could take a look at those players left on the bubble. It showed in the final score, as they lost to Pittsburgh 21-17. Stefan Lefors spent most of the night at quarterback for the Panthers, completing 7 of 11 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Drew Carter meanwhile caught 7 passes for 107 yards in the loss. Next week the Panthers will open the regular season at home against the New Orleans Saints.

Erin Cocker To Make Busch Debut
NASCAR’s Busch Series is going to get another addition coming next week. Erin Crocker, the 24-yr-old woman who races for Evernham Motorsports, is expected to make her debut when the series heads to Richmond Virginia on the 9th. Crocker has been racing in the Automobile Racing Club of America series, finishing second in one race and coming in third two other times. Depending on how she performs, company officials said she could make an appearance on the Nextel Cup circuit next season.