Gas Shortage Not Affecting Wilkes Schools
With the cost of gas staying above three dollars a gallon, there have been questions raised about its’ effect on the school system. On Friday 3WC News talked with David Johnson from the school’s transportation office about the problem. Currently school buses here in Wilkes consume 1,000 gallons of fuel a day, meaning that the county is spending just over 3200 dollars daily. However according to Johnson, the problem isn’t as bad as it could have been, thanks to new policies installed over the last year. The school board eliminated backtracking, meaning that for the most part only one bus runs through a route. Granted it does mean that some students have a longer ride home, but several thousand dollars has been saved through the practice. In addition, the county has reduced the time buses idle, starting them up just as class is getting out among other things. Still with the higher gas prices and longer rides, Johnson says he expects to see fewer kids riding buses here in the county. And with gas supplies lower than normal, he says the school system will be limiting extra activities, such as field trips and other events to help save fuel. The school day however will remain as is, with no current plans to shorten it due to the gas supplies.

What To Do If You Are Searching For Loved Ones
While Hurricane Katrina didn’t hit Wilkes physically, many people here in the county have family and friends who disappeared in the storm’s wake. Now the Red Cross has put together a way for you to track down your missing loved ones. 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 if your relative or friend has already been registered and learn where they’ve been evacuated to. The Red Cross can also help you get in touch with them. In addition, there are several other registries 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.

Red Cross Looking For Volunteers
While many people here in the county have donated food, clothes and money the Red Cross still finds itself short in one category, that of volunteers. The Red Cross needs volunteers to go down and work in the medical field, also to help hand out supplies and deal with other issues. For anyone who’s interested in doing this, there will be training classes going on throughout the week at several locations. Here in Wilkes, you can call the local chapter for information at 838-4563.

Blood Drives Going On Today
We’ve all heard about the destruction throughout Mississippi and Louisiana and efforts are going on to send down supplies. But even if you can’t afford to donate food or clothes, you can help in another way. The Red Cross is holding two blood drives today, in order to send down south. The first is at the VFW Hall this afternoon from 2-6:30pm and across town, there will be another one at 6the Wilkesboro Civic Center from 2-6:30pm as well. Just remember before giving blood you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs.

License Check Leads To Drug Bust
A license check on Hwy 16 led to a drug bust for sheriff’s deputies over the weekend. As deputies approached the car, it had a strong smell of alcohol coming from inside. The driver was asked if deputies could search the car, which he agreed to. Once inside, they found two bags containing 1.1 grams of cocaine and another bag holding 3 grams of marijuana. 22-yr-old Latosha Ann Boyd was arrested and charged with drug possession.

Gas Thieves Respond To Shortage
As gas prices rose last week, it’s no surprise that some people in Wilkes found less than legal ways of filling up the tank. The Neighbor’s Store on Hwy 268 fell victim to gas thieves late last week. A person drove up in a white SUV, pumped 51$ worth of gas and then drove off without paying. A description of both the vehicle and its’ driver were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

WCC Continues Small Business Series
With unemployment rising here in the county, it could be a good idea to start thinking about running your own business. Wilkes Community College is trying to help you get all the tools to start one, as they’re hosting a series of seminars over the next five weeks. The first was held last week and now coming up this Thursday, the second in the series will be held in the Student Resource Center. The topic of this week’s seminar deals with your ideas for a business, asking “Is My Business Concept Viable?” That will go on from 6-9pm in Room 1110 of the Student Resource Center. Even if you missed the first one, you can still join in the seminar. There is no cost but school officials ask that you call ahead and register at 838-6210.

Always Keep Your Doors Locked
It’s always a good idea to lock up before you leave. A North Wilkesboro man learned that the hard way last week, as he returned to find thieves had walked right into his house. The man had left the doors unlocked, only to return Thursday morning and find $800 worth of material stolen from inside, Included in the theft was a gas powered pressure washer and a craftsman air compressor. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Cattlemen’s Association To Meet Thursday
For any cattle owners here in the county, the Wilkes Cattlemen’s Association will be meeting this Thursday. The event will take place at 6:30pm at the Farm Bureau Building in North Wilkesboro. However if you are planning to attend, it’s asked that you call ahead to make reservations. The number to call is 651-7331.

Gun Stolen From Hays Home
A Hays man returned home over the weekend to find that someone had broke in and stolen a gun from inside. There was no sign of a break-in and nothing else stolen from the house, however there is a suspect in the case. A local man had come by a few days earlier, wanting to talk about the weapon. The joke appears to be on the thief however, as the gun was missing a pin that rotates the cylinder. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Thieves Go Shopping At Ronda Home
A family in Ronda came home over the weekend to find that thieves had paid them a visit. Despite there not being any sign of a break-in, a 23’ tv, DVD player, several videos and an air conditioning unit were taken from the home. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

State Testing City Water
Officials from the state health department are testing the drinking water in several North Carolina cities, after reports came in of possible lead contamination. Durham and three other cities, which weren’t named, are all being tested for lead in the drinking water. This comes after high levels of lead were found in the blood of two children under the age of six, both of whom became extremely sick. The testing will continue over the next two months, as officials try to determine where the lead came from.

U.S. 321 To Shut Down
People traveling through Lenoir on U.S. 321 will have to make alternate plans today, as portions of the road will be closed for repairs. The section of 321 leading to Blowing Rock from Caldwell County will be closed from noon til 2pm, between Kirby Mountain Road and Blackberry Road. The DOT has put up detour signs, leading from Lenoir on Hwy 18 through Wilkesboro, before turning off onto U.S. 421 towards Boone. Blasting is going on to help widen the highway.

North Carolina Designated As Primary Recovery State
With refugees continuing the pour out of Louisiana, North Carolina has been designated as the primary recovery state. Officials from FEMA made the announcement on Monday. What that means is any evacuees who can’t find friends or family will be taken to places here in the state. 500 people arrived in Charlotte Monday night and 400 more were taken to Raleigh. More are expected in Greensboro later this week.

Gas Prices Hit North Carolina Economy
The high gas prices hit North Carolina hard over the weekend, cutting down tourism during Labor Day. Holiday travelers at the beaches decreased by 50%, with most averaging just under 600 people for the entire weekend. Overall Triple A of the Carolinas estimated that tourism across the state would drop at least 15%. However good news is in the forecast for the rest of this month. The main pipelines that supply North Carolina are back online as of Friday and with repairs continuing, we could see lower prices within the next two weeks. As far as the gas supply itself, while some stations have run out across the state, refills should be coming later today.

Minor In Christianity Offered At UNC
For the first time in school history, UNC Chapel Hill will be offering a minor in Christianity. Students can start signing up for the curriculum, which is called Christianity and Culture, this coming spring. The idea came about thanks to Christian Smith, a sociology professor at the school. He did a four year study on the spiritual lives of teens, in which he discovered that most know nothing about Christianity, despite the fact they call themselves members of the faith. In a quiz handed out to students at the beginning of a New Testament class, over 50% usually fail.

Sports Headlines

Friday Night Football Results
Around the high school scene this weekend, it was West Wilkes beating North Wilkes 35-7. With the win, the Blackhawks improve to 2-1, their best record since 2003, while the Vikings fall to 0-3. For the Blackhawks, they go on to face Bishop McGuiness at home this week, while we’ll be making our way out to North Wilkes, as they host Alleghany. In our 3WC broadcast Friday night, it was the East Wilkes Cardinals beating Wilkes Central 42-0, in a game highlighted by penalties and missed opportunities. The Eagles now fall to 0-3, while the Cardinals move on up to 2-1. This week Wilkes Central goes on the road against Watauga, while East will host East Surry.

UNC Chapel Hill News & Notes
In college basketball, Mike Copeland Jr. officially became the latest member of the UNC Tarheels this week, after being approved by the university’s admissions office. Copeland becomes the fifth member of this year’s recruiting class, a 6-7 235 lb. forward who will have a chance to start if he performs well in the coming weeks of practice. The class of new Tarheels includes 6-9 Tyler Hansbrough, 6-5 Marcus Ginyard, 6-5 Danny Green and 6-3 guard Bobby Frasor.

UNC Wins Basketball Exhibition
The 2006 season started off on the right foot for Coach Roy Williams and the Tarheels. The team went on the road over the Labor Day weekend, flying in to take on a club team in the Bahamas. The Heels won 106-85 on Sunday, thanks in part to 27 points from Reyshawn Terry. Earlier on Saturday, the Heels won their first game in the islands 100-66 over the Real Deal Shockers, a team from a local league. The news wasn’t all good for the team however, as they committed 38 turnovers during Saturday’s game.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues last night, it was Winston Salem falling to Potomac 8-5. Warthogs’ starter Wes Whisler was credited with the loss after giving up six runs in five innings of work. With the loss, Winston falls into a tie for first place with the Salem Virginia team. A one game playoff has been set up for later tonight at 7pm, to be held in Virginia.

In Wake Of Race Gordon Falls
After Kyle Busch’s first win as a NASCAR driver, teams are gearing up for the last race before the Chase for the Cup. The 20-yr-old Busch took the checkered flag in Sunday’s Sony HD 500 while Rusty Wallace clinched the eighth playoff spot. Now that leaves five drivers fighting over two spots. Jeff Gordon fell out of the tenth spot, losing it to Matt Kenseth as he finished 21st. Now Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Elliot Sadlier and Kenseth are all fighting for the final two spots as the race heads to Richmond this Saturday.