News & Sports For September 29th
Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 6:19PM Prostate Screening A Success In Wilkes
Throughout this month, we’ve been talking about Prostate Cancer and ways to prevent and uncover the disease, as September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday of last week, the office of Dr. John Hetterachchi held a free screening for any men 45 and older who wanted to be tested. 73 men showed up for the screening and were tested for prostate cancer. If you don’t think this concerns you, keep in mind that 1 in six men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. If you want some more information about the disease or want to talk about scheduling a test, you can call Dr. Hetterachchi’s office. There are no more free tests, those ended on Friday, however you still can get information about the disease. His number is 838-5655.
Thieves Arrested After Wilkesboro Shoplifting Spree
Thieves in Wilkesboro went on a shopping spree before being caught by police this week. On Tuesday, police were called out to Belks, after reports came in of shoplifting. The would be thieves had apparently walked right out with a comforter set. After getting information on the getaway vehicle, Wilkesboro police tracked down the suspects and located the missing comforter. In addition, they also found an HDTV receiver and a mobile DVD player inside, neither of which the suspects had a receipt for. 35-yr-old Shane Alan Burleson was arrested and charged with larceny, while other charges are possibly pending in the case.
Final Small Business Class Later Tonight
With unemployment rising here in the county, now’s a good time to start thinking about running your own business. Wilkes Community College is trying to help with that as they’re hosting a series of seminars that give you the knowledge needed to start one. The fifth and final seminar is coming up tonight in the Student Resource Center. The topic of tonight’s seminar deals with how to obtain a small business loan. That will go on from 6-9pm tonight in Room 1110 of the Student Resource Center. Even if you missed the first four, you can still join in the seminar. There is no cost but school officials ask that you call ahead and register if possible at 838-6210.
Thieves attempted to break into a local business earlier this week, but took off when that failed. Wilkesboro police were called out to Perry’s Automotive, after the burglar alarm went off. No one could be found on the property, however a window to the garage was busted out and it appeared that someone had attempted to go inside and failed. Estimated damage was placed at $200. There is a suspect in the case and the investigation is ongoing.
A wreck on Addison Avenue totaled one car and caused damage to another on Tuesday. During the afternoon, a Winston Salem woman was pulling out of Wal-Mart, but didn’t pay attention to the traffic. She slammed into a Wilkesboro man who was stopped at a red light. Estimated damages were placed at $1600. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.
Focus On Wilkes Cares
Over the past few weeks, trucks have been filled and money has been sent down to the victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. But here in Wilkes, people also find themselves in need of help. One of the places they turn is Wilkes Cares. Executive director David Borkowski
Litterbugs continue to pop up across Wilkes County, this time causing problems in the Thurmond neighborhood. Deputies were called out on Monday as a local man walked outside to find five trash bags in the ditch near his driveway. No one in the area however could recall hearing or seeing anyone pull up to the area. That investigation is still ongoing.
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 tonight, Wilkes Community College is holding a seminar, to help people understand what their legal rights are in such a situation. What are your options for collecting a bad debt? What to do when a debtor skips town? Those questions and others will be answered tonight during the seminar. The meeting itself is free, however the college does ask that you register ahead of time to get in. To sign up, you can call WCC at 838-6210.
Lock Up Before You Leave
A Boomer man found out why it’s a good idea to lock up before you leave this week. He had left $120 spread out in his truck and his home. When he went looking for it the next day, the money was missing. There is a suspect in the case as a man who was working for the victim had asked to borrow money that same day, but was turned down. Deputies are continuing the investigation.
Recall Of Freezers & Refrigerators
There has been a recall of some freezers and single door refrigerators. The W.C. Wood company announced on Wednesday that there were some problems exposed in some of their recent models, which were sold under the Maytag, Whirpool and Amana namebrands. The problem with the appliance is that the defrost heater coil can be exposed in some units. That can lead to a potential shock hazard or in extreme cases, it could melt. If you have recently bought a single door refrigerator or freezer, then you can call the company to set up a free in home repair. The number is 866-493-3314.
A dispute over a parking space led to problems for a North Wilkesboro woman. She had pulled into work at Tyson on Tuesday, when a man started screaming at her, saying that she took his parking space. As she went to work, he continued yelling, saying that he would get her later. After her shift ended, she came outside to find $500 worth of damage done to her vehicle, as someone had keyed most of the rear bumper. There is a suspect in the case, as the woman was able to recognize the man who harassed her earlier in the day. Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.
A man in Fayetteville has hauled in a state record. Brian Newberger caught the largest catfish ever discovered, which weighed in at 78 pounds and 52 inches long. Fishing on the Cape Fear River, Newberger used a 14 inch eel as bait and managed to hook the fish. It took 40 minutes to haul the fish in and get it weighed by the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission. After his record was confirmed, Newberger released the fish back into Cape Fear, saying that he always throws back his fish.
New School Plan Has Students Coming In Later
Schools in the Chapel Hill area are trying out a new plan this year. Once a month, all schools in the district will open more than one hour late, giving teachers more planning time and a easier schedule. School officials are taking polls and getting information from both parents and teachers. If the feedback is positive, the district will make this a permanent change to the schedule.
Durham Inmate Tapped Into Prison Bank Account
The Durham County Jail is missing $120,000 today, after a former inmate hacked into the prison’s bank account. 34-yr-old Keith Edward Wright was released back in August and given a check from the account, which holds all the money prisoners have when they arrive at the jail. Apparently the information on that check was enough for Wright to hack into the system and generate over 250 electronic withdrawals, which he used to help friends pay bills. The prison was alerted to the problem after their bank called, informing that the account was overdrawn by over $8000. Wright was arrested on Friday of last week and more arrests are expected in the coming weeks.
New Jobs Coming To Eden
Good news for people in Eden North Carolina, as more jobs are headed into the area. Weil-McLane, a boiler production company, has taken over the plant previously owned by Pillowtex. Applications are being taken at the Reidsville Employment Security Commission or by phone at 336-634-5600.
Reward Offered To Solve Crimes In Iredell
Iredell County officials are offering $5000 for anyone who can help them solve two double murder cases. Two couples were murdered in their homes over the past eight months and local law enforcement have failed to turn up any leads in the case. The SBI has been called in to investigate as well.
Conference Ends With Launch Of Coalition
Citizens here in North Carolina need to understand how to save for the future. That was the message sent forth by State Treasurer Richard Moore after a two day conference on the subject wrapped up Wednesday in Chapel Hill. As a result, Moore has helped create Carolina Saves, a coalition of different community and nonprofit groups to help educate individuals and families on ways to avoid debt and plan for the future. Already 1000 people have signed up in the past day for a pilot program and if you want to take part, you can contact the State Treasurer’s office at 919-508-5176.
Edwards Creates Assistance For College Students
140 high school seniors have a chance to get their college tuition and books paid for free of charge. Students in Greene County, one of the poorest areas of North Carolina, have been offered the chance through a new program created by former Senator John Edwards. Under the proposal, students would have to work at least 10 hours a week during their freshman year in college through a job or work study program set up at the school. In addition, they couldn’t be expelled or suspended during their senior year in high school. Once they qualify however, the students would have their choice of UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, East Carolina, Fayetteville State, UNC Wilmington and NC A&T. The pilot program is being funded by donations from companies and charity groups that Edwards has brought together.
Sports Headlines
Wilkes Central Near Top Of The Pack In Soccer
Around the high school scene, Wilkes Central’s soccer team finds itself near the top of the pack. The Eagles are currently ranked 8th out of all the 2A schools in North Carolina with a record of 6-1. They’ll take the field tonight at home against East Burke, with the jv match at 5:30 and then the varsity team takes the field at 7pm.
Wake Forest Switches Quarterbacks
A 1-3 start has caused some changes at Wake Forest, with the first of those coming at the quarterback position. Out is sophomore Ben Mauk, who is ranked 12th out of the 13 quarterbacks in the ACC. Instead, senior Cory Randolph will step under center this weekend against Clemson. Since losing the starting job, Randolph had played wide receiver for the team this season. If Randolph performs up to expectations in the Clemson game, this could be a permanent decision for the rest of the season.
In other college sports, three former players will be inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, the school announced this week. A ceremony will be held on January 27th at Bridger Field House, honoring Randolph Childress, Stephanie Neil-Harner and Michael McCrary. Childress helped the Deacons win the ACC title in 1995 and is the school’s career leader in 3 pointers with 329. McCrary, also a former member of the Baltimore Ravens, has the school’s sack record with 30. Finally Stephanie Neil-Harner won eight tournaments as a golfer at Wake Forest and was the school’s first female golfer to be named an All American all four years.
The Charlotte Bobcats have some new competition in the Queen City. The American Basketball Association, one of the NBA’s minor leagues, announced this week that a franchise has been awarded to Charlotte. The Charlotte Krunk, which will have their new home in Cricket Arena, will take to the court next season. The team will be made up of players from the ACC, CIAA and other areas, most of who will have local ties. The team will be run by a former member of the Charlotte Hornets, 39 year old Brian Rowsom and based on their performance, players will have a chance to move up possibly to either the developmental league or straight to the Charlotte Bobcats.
With the Chrysler Classic teeing off today, another player made a late exit this week. Davis Love III announced that he’d be dropping out of the tournament due to continuing neck pain. Love, who had helped to re-design the course at Forest Oaks Country Club, had gone through therapy in an attempt to play but the neck injury didn’t get any better. He’s the second player to withdraw in less than a week, after Jason Gore backed out on Tuesday.
Nextel Cup officials handed out their first penalty from Sunday’s race, fining crew chief Joe Garone $1000 for using an unapproved fuel cell. Garone is the crew chief for Kenny Wallace, who finished 34th in Sunday’s race. Testing still continues on the six cars held for possible violations, including the #48 of points leader Jimmie Johnson.
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