What To Do If You Are Still Searching For Loved Ones
As we approach the one month anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s rampage through the Gulf Coast, some people have still not been able to connect with friends and family. The Red Cross has an operation going on designed to help you track down your missing loved one. Called the Family Links Registry, it’s available either by phone or the internet. You can call 1-877-568-3317 or log on to www.redcross.org. Either way you can find out where your missing friend or family member has been evacuated to, then the Red Cross will help you get in touch with them. In addition, there are several other registries still in operation that you can sort through to get in touch with family members. The National Next of Kin Registry at www.nokr.org will match located evacuees with family members. Also katrinaconnections at www.katrinaconnections.com is available to be used.
More Counterfeit Money Found In Wilkes
Some more counterfeit money has made its’ way into Wilkes County. During the lunchtime rush on Sunday, someone paid for their meal at Sonic with a fake $20. According to both sheriff’s deputies and store employees, it was clearly noticeable that the money was counterfeit. But due to the rush, the employees didn’t have time to check until after the person had paid. That investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to an Elkin residence early Monday morning, after a homeowner came outside to discover a fire had ignited behind his truck. The blaze had been started by a motov cocktail, a bottle that had been filled with flammable liquid w/ a cloth inside). Another cocktail was nearby but it hadn’t ignited. Before deputies arrived, the homeowner watched as a man pulled up next to the driveway and tossed several more cocktails out of his vehicle’s window. The vandal was recognized and warrants were later taken out on 42-yr-old Jackie Ray Hayes, for damaging property with explosives.
Spots Still Available At Head Start
For any parent who wants to get their child started early on their education, Head Start has some available spots left. There are currently two openings in the program for new students, after that the kids will be put on a waiting list. Classes started in August for this year’s program and will run until May of 2006. Students can enroll at any time up until March of 2006. After that they’ll have to wait until the next term. The classes run from 8:30am until 2:30pm Monday through Thursday. The students are admitted based on their family income, as those in the lesser income bracket get taken first. For more information or to enroll your child, you can call Judy Mitchell at the Head Start office. Her number is 667-7174.
Guns Stolen From Wilkesboro Home
A Wilkesboro man returned home from work Sunday afternoon, only to discover that thieves had been by to pay him a visit. The back door to the home was standing open and the door knob itself was loose from where someone had worked on it. Stolen from inside were three shotguns with an estimated value of $1500. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.
Wilkes Art Gallery To Hold Reception For Two Artists
Coming up this Friday, the Wilkes Art Gallery will open its’ doors and invite the public in for a reception, presenting the new works of two local artists. Ward Nichols is one of the artists whose work will be on display. A full time painter for the last 36 years, Nichols deals with rural landscapes in everyday items in his work. His paintings have been displayed in 22 states and he’s received 30 awards. The work of Clarence Hayes will also be on display. Mr. Hayes works mostly in ceramics, although he’s also an accomplished blacksmith. The displays will be available to the public from this Friday September 23rd until November 12th. The reception this Friday will go on from 6-8pm at the Wilkes Art Gallery. For more information you can call the gallery at 667-2841.
Car Wrecked While Owner Shops
A Wilkesboro woman parked her car at a local store on Monday and went inside to do some shopping. When she came back out, the vehicle had been smashed, with estimated damages placed at $1500. It looked like someone had slammed into the, then backed up and driven away. Security cameras are being looked at and Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.
Samaritan’s Kitchen Needs Help
When people can’t afford to buy food, who do they turn to? Here in Wilkes, the Samaritan’s Kitchen lends a hand. The Kitchen, which has been in operation for over six years, is involved with several different programs throughout the week. Now as we head into October, the Kitchen finds itself in serious need of volunteers. If you can donate thirty minutes or three hours, the people there will be glad for your help. You can give them a call at 838-5331 for more information.
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 next week, 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.
State News
Giant Pot Field Found In Wallace
The cleanup continues in Wallace North Carolina, after officials discovered over 4000 pounds of marijuana growing in a local field. The farm covered an estimated 12 acre spread, with plants up to 13 feet tall. It’s unknown how officers located the farm, but already $10 million worth of pot has been destroyed with more still to go. So far no arrests have been made but authorities are still investigating.
Some of the hurricane victims can now back to a slightly more ordinary existence, living with friends and family. The last of the evacuees left the Charlotte Coliseum earlier this week, with most heading into apartments or houses. 30 victims still need temporary homes and while the Red Cross looks for families to take them in, they’ve been put in a nearby hotel. Since the Coliseum was opened as a shelter on September 5th, over a thousand evacuees have passed through its’ doors.
You hear politicians in Washington argue about how to rebuild New Orleans, with billions of dollars suggested as the cost to do it. Instead of spending billions, a civil engineer at Duke University has reached into the past for another idea. Henry Petroski is suggesting that New Orleans take a lesson from the city of Galveston Texas, which faced pretty much the same problem back in 1900. 8000 people died in the wake of a hurricane that year which flooded the area. To save the city, the townspeople had to raise it above sea level. Petroski is now suggesting that New Orleans do the same, take the time to rebuild above sea level and save what experts predict will be a 30 year project to fix the flood levees.
A decision made by city authorities in Durham over the weekend has some people up in arms. Town officials announced that people with outstanding warrants for their arrest could turn themselves in and not have to go to jail. All people who turned themselves in on misdemeanor charges didn’t have to post bond or see the inside of a prison. They were instead released after promising to appear in court. This was a one time trial that the county was experimenting with, in hopes that criminals would turn themselves in. Once the numbers come in from this time, a decision will be reached to if it should happen again.
After failing in his bid for the White House, former Senator John Edwards returned to North Carolina and created a poverty center at UNC Chapel Hill. The center is designed to act as a think tank, studying poverty and coming up with solutions to help solve the problem. The first of those solutions was unveiled this week. Edwards called for a return to Depression era job programs, paying unemployed workers to do jobs such as building parks and bridges. As an example, he cited the Louisiana cities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Instead of giving money to the residents, pay them to rebuild their city. In 2005 before the hurricane hit, an estimated one million people in this country have fallen under the poverty level.
Sports Headlines
Heels Lose Senior For The Year
If starting out 0-2 wasn’t bad enough, the Tarheel football team got some more news on Monday. Senior linebacker Doug Justice was lost for the season, after breaking a bone in his right foot. The injury happened last Saturday during the loss to Wisconsin, after which he was examined by team doctors. It’s unclear right now if the injury will require surgery, but even without a procedure, Justice will have to go through about 10 weeks of rehab. Taking his place for the season will a combination of junior Victory Worsley and sophomore Durell Mapp.
Speaking of the Tarheels, a former member of the team locked up a job of his own. Running back Willie Parker, a third year player with the Pittsburgh Steelers made the second start of his career on Sunday, rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown. Originally Parker was just holding the starting job until Jerome Bettis and Deuce Staley got healthy, but after putting up back to back 100 yard rushing games, the Steelers coaching staff has said the job is his for the foreseeable future.
Coming off their impressive 27-17 win over New England on Sunday, the Panthers were hit once again by the injury bugh. Safety Mike Minter will be out at least a week , possibly two after straining his left calf muscle. The injury happened in the fourth quarter, with about four minutes left in the game. With Minter out for next week’s matchup against Miami, Coach Fox plans to use a combination of Idrees Bashir, rookie Thomas Davis and Marlon Mcree.
In NASCAR, as the Chase for the Cup enters week two, Tony Stewart stays atop the leader board. Greg Biffle is in second place, behind in the race by 20 points. Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace are both 40 points back, tied for third place and Matt Kenseth is in sole possession of the 5th spot in the playoffs, 50 points back of the leader. Jimmie Johnson is in sixth place, one point in front of seventh place Mark Martin who’s 54 back of the leader. Jeremy Mayfield, Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch round out the bottom three.
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.