News & Sports For September 28th

Results From Last Nights’ Primaries

The results are in and the people of North Wilkesboro have made their voice heard. In yesterday’s primary, it was incumbent Steve Foster beating Gerald Lankford by 9 votes to take the Republican nomination for mayor of North Wilkesboro. Foster got 51% of the vote, while Lankford got 49%. Foster will now go on to face Democrat George G. Church in the November election. In the Democratic primary for town commissioner, with the top two advancing to the November election, it was incumbent Robert Johnson taking 24% of the vote, with Debbie Ferguson getting 29%. Faye Cox finished just out of the running, with 23%, while Eric Williams was fourth at 9% and Billy Joe Church with 5%.

More Counterfeit Money Enters Wilkes

More counterfeit money continues to flow into the county. Earlier this week someone pulled up to the Fast Track in Millers Creek and paid for their gas with a fake $20 bill. The store’s security cameras were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

High Prices Drive Gas Thieves To Local Business

Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Bare’s Sand and Stone on Monday, after thieves cleaned out the store’s supply of oil and gas. 35 gallons of gas were stolen from the building, along with 6 gallons of hydraulic fluid. There was however a security camera going during the theft and all three suspects were caught on tape. That tape was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

Wreck On Brushy Mountain Road Totals Two

A hit and run accident totaled two cars on the Brushy Mountain Road Monday morning. A Hayes man was driving down the road when he was hit by a North Wilkesboro man traveling the other way. That second driver then took off and left the scene. Wilkesboro police were able to track him down and 88-year-old Albert Hunter Church was charged with a hit & run. Estimated damages to both vehicles was placed at $4000. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.

More Beef Recalled

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a recall for a certain type of beef they believe was infected with ecoli. 184,000 pounds of beef from Flanders Inc. was called back, including all two and five pound packages of Flanders Quarter Pound Beef Patties and five pound packages of Saver’s Choice Quarter Pound Beef Patties. All three types of meat will have the production code 05176 on them, along with an establishment number of EST 9145 inside the USDA seal of inspection. If you have any questions, the USDA has set up a hotline at 888-674-6854, available from 10am til 4pm Monday through Friday.

Lunch Buddies Training Session Today

Here in Wilkes County, over one hundred students are on a waiting list to be included in the lunch buddy program. The reason for that delay is simply the need for lunch buddies in the new school year is far greater than the response. If you want to change that and become a friend to a local child, the Wilkes Chapter of Communities in Schools will be holding a Lunch Buddy Training Session coming up later today. The session will last from 12 noon until 1pm. For more information or to sign up you can call Amie Blevins at Communities in Schools. Her number is 651-7830 extension 23.

Be Careful Where You Put Things

It’s not a good idea to leave money lying around. A Wilkesboro man found that out the hard way this week, as $40 in cash was stolen from his home. The man had let several friends come over and stay a while, leaving the money out in the open and forgetting about it. After the friends left he went to sleep. When he woke up the next morning, he remembered the money and get it. Out of the $47 he had the night before, only $7 still remained. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Volunteers Needed For Special Olympics

North Carolina’s Special Olympics program finds itself in need of help today. The organization is looking for 700 more volunteers to lend a hand during the games, which go on from November 4-6^th in Winston Salem. There are different jobs involved, from keeping score, to setting up tents, line judging or presenting medals. There are plenty of openings to do whatever you feel comfortable with. If you want to help, you can either call 1-800-843-6276 or log on to www.sonc.net In addition, if you just want to come and watch the games, it won’t cost a thing and you can watch 1200 athletes take part in several competitions including golf, soccer and tennis. Once again that will go on November 4-6^th.

Vandals Hit Wilkesboro Woman’s Car

A Wilkesboro woman called sheriff’s deputies this week, after finding that vandals had been by her home. The rear window of the woman’s car was smashed, with estimated damages placed at $300. Despite the damage however, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything during the night. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

Fire Department Not Welcome In Charlotte Neighborhood

Firefighters keep out. That’s what one Charlotte neighborhood is saying today. The Charlotte fire department had planned to build a new station on Providence Road, to cut down on response time. But people in the area have got up a protest against the station, saying it wouldn’t look right in their neighborhood. In fact, they also say having a fire station in the area would cut down on property values and harm the appearance of the neighborhood. The city council is expected to look into the matter this week.

More To Ambulance Thief’s Story

On the morning show Monday, you heard the story of a Lexington man who stole an ambulance to transport a dead deer. Now after investigation, there appears to be more to the story. The man had originally been spotted by police one day prior to the theft, as he was racing a wheelchair down the middle of the road. Officers put him in jail, but them let him out after four hours. After walking out, he then spotted the ambulance, which he climbed into and somehow along the way managed to pick up a dead deer. It’s still unknown exactly what kind of charges the man will be facing.

Jobs Coming To North Carolina

Over 200 jobs are coming to North Carolina in the next three months. First in Davidson County, a distribution center for Pennsylvania House Furniture will soon be opening its’ doors and bringing 30 new jobs to the area. Applications are being taken at the Lexington Employment Security Commission for work in furniture repair, shipping, material handling and forklift operating. In addition, Thomasville could see more jobs coming in soon. The city is in competition with a town in Mississippi to be the location of a new wood products plant for Stridemark. A decision is expected before Thanksgiving.

Inmate Escapes Raleigh Prison

Police are searching for an escaped prisoner today in Raleigh. 48-yr-old Herbert Spruill went missing from a work program Monday afternoon. Spruill had been serving a three year sentence for making bomb threats when he escaped. Officials believe he’s heading to Williamston, where his family lives.

Relief For Cold Medicine Now Behind Counter

A new law went into effect last night, making it a little harder for people to get cold medicine. The new “Meth Lab Prevention Act” is designed to shut down production of the drug here in North Carolina. However in order to do that, lawmakers are locking up one of the drug’s key ingredients, pseudoephetamine, which is also found in cold medicine. From now on, all cold medicine will be kept in the pharmacy, with a limit of two per person.

Military Imposter Found Guilty In Raleigh

For almost three years, Lisa Jane Phillips posed as an Air Force captain, an act which helped her land $42,178 worth of free tuition from Meredith College. On Monday, the 34-yr-old pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court. She had been charged with impersonating a military officer to obtain money, lying to federal agents, wire fraud and misuse of military medals. After buying the uniform, Phillips walked around the college campus, telling how she had fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, later even acting as a counselor for students whose loved ones had been deployed. Because of the story, the college waived all tuition fees for Phillips. It’s unclear exactly how the college fell prey to the fake identity and college officials offered no explanation. The case came to light after the campus police chief became suspicious and turned over her name to the FBI for investigation.

Sports Headlines

Appalachian State Lands Pitcher

Around the college scene, Appalachian State will be welcoming in a new pitcher next year. Matt Andress, a senior at South Mecklenburg High School committed to play for the Mountaineers. As a junior, Andress was 4-1 with three saves and an ERA of 0.67. He also struck out 65 batters in 41 innings.

Duke To Possibly Name New Quarterback

While the Duke football season hasn’t gotten off to a good start, there is cause for hope in Durham. Freshman quarterback Zack Asack has performed up to expectations in a backup role and while it’s not official yet, he could be taking over the starting job this weekend. In his first game, Asack went 4 for 4, then last week completed 7 of 13 passes for 87 yards and ran for 32 more. A final decision will be made on Friday, as Duke prepares to play Navy in Wallace Wade Stadium.

Felton Predicts Playoff Run

The Charlotte Bobcats are looking to improve on last year’s 18 win season, but according to one rookie, they’re also going to make history. Raymond Felton was in an eighth grade class Monday as part of the team’s “cool school” program and promised the team was going to make the playoffs. It would be a first in the league if that happens, as no other expansion franchise has made the playoffs before their fourth season. Felton stood by his statement however, saying that he, Sean May and last year’s rookie sensation Emeka Okafor all come from national championship teams and refuse to accept a losing record. Felton was at Piedmont Middle to help announce the team’s “Cool School” program. Students from 71 schools in the Piedmont area will be treated to a special exhibition game between the Bobcats and the Hawks on October 17^th. But only those with good grades and good attendance can go to the game.

Smoltz Done For the Regular Season

In major league baseball, it’s all over for John Smoltz. The 14-game winner announced that he’ll be sitting out the final week of the season in order to help give his right shoulder time to recover. Smoltz said he hopes that with the rest, he’ll be ready to go, as the Braves advance to the postseason. In his place, rookie Kyle Davies will be put into the starting rotation.

NASCAR Looking At Possible Violations

Jimmie Johnson’s reign at the top of the Nextel Cup circuit may be short lived. NASCAR officials are investigating complaints against Johnson’s #48 and five other cars belonging to Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace. The rear shocks were taken from all of those cars and will be tested over the next two days. Reports came in during and after the race from other drivers and officials about the cars’ rear quarter panel and how they didn’t meet the required height. If violations are found, points will be taken from all of the drivers, meaning a serious shakeup in the Chase standings.

Hurricanes Sign Top Draft Pick

With the preseason almost over, the Carolina Hurricanes finally signed their first round pick from this year’s draft. 19-yr-old Andrew Ladd came to terms with the team. Length of the contract wasn’t discussed, but the move comes in time for Andrew to suit up with the Hurricanes for the first game of the regular season on October 5^th.