New Year Brings New Laws
With the calender turning over, there are several changes in store for both Wilkes County and North Carolina as a whole. 37 different laws went into effect on Sunday, many of which will affect life here in Wilkes. Anyone who is covered by both Medicaid and Medicare will now be transfered over to Medicare only for prescription drug coverage. The move isn't expected to change anything about the coverage itself, but it will save North Carolina $75 million a year. Taxes on cable TV are also on the rise, moving from the current 5% to 7% with your next bill. Satellite radio will start being taxed at an annual rate of 7% as well. Flying U.S. or North Carolina flags as large as four feet wide and 6 feet long will no longer be restricted by any homeowner association, unless the rule is clearly spelled out in the documents owners receive when coming into the area.

Consumers Still Need To Pay Attention To Dog Food Recall
The recall continues of a specific brand of pet food here in Wilkes and across North Carolina. Several animals in North and South Carolina have already died after being exposed to certain types of Diamond Pet Food. Included in the recall are all brands that were produced at the company's Gaston South Carolina facility, due to a toxic chemical that was discovered. The chemical aflatoxin, which is found in corn that's been infected with a certain type of fungus, was located in several cans of the food. It can make a pet sluggish and even in some cases cause sudden death. North Carolina's Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler is asking pet owners to get in touch with their local vet immediately if their pet has been weak, sluggish or just generally out of sorts. The brands involved are:
All types of Diamond Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Country Value Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Professional Dog, Puppy and Cat Food
You can determine if your brand is one of those under recall by checking to see if it has a Gaston facility production code. The South Carolina facility's codes have a capital G as either the 11th or 12th letter. Also those brands all have a sell by date of anywhere from March 1-June 1st 2007. Also now all Diamond brand dog foods with a sell by date of January 29th 2007 have been included.

Always Keep The Doors Locked
It's a good idea to always lock up before you leave. A Traphill man learned why last week, when he went to go check on a mobile home he owns in North Wilkesboro. He had been renting the place out, but the person moved out. As the owner came in to clean up, he found several hundred dollars worth of material was missing. The microwave oven, several lamps, some of the furniture and a set of matresses had all been stolen. The thieves walked right in and took what they wanted, as the doors hadn't been locked. That investigation continues.

Wilkes County Receives Heritage Grants
Wilkes County got a shot in the arm, moving into the new year. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area announced late last week that they've handed out just over $23,000 to Wilkes, to help promote the local heritage. A grant of $14,400 was given to the Cultural Arts Council, to help in developing their "fresco trail", a tourist attraction of different sites where painter Ben Long has created frescos. Also $8800 was handed over to Wilkes Community College, to support their upcoming "Merlefest at 20" project. Each of the grants require matching support from the local area.

All That For A Dartboard
Who would break in just to steal a dartboard? That's what a North Wilkesboro man is wondering today. He called sheriff's deputies out to his property late last week after thieves broke in and stole his $40 dartboard. The front door was unlocked when the homeowner returned, although it's unclear what happened as there was no evidence of a break-in. There is however a suspect in the case and the investigation continues.

Wilkes Farmers Will See Tax Breaks In New Year
The new year brings some good news for Wilkes County farmers. There will be a tax break coming for all farmers here in North Carolina on supplies and farm equipment. Certain items are now exempt from all sales and use tax, including grain, feed or soybean storage equipment. Also exempt are all farm machinery parts, attachments, lubricants and repair parts. In addition, farmers won't have to pay sales tax on any containers bought to use in planting, cultivating, harvesting, packaging or transporting farm products. Under the previous law, those products all had a tax assessed of 1%. In order to have proof on hand that they qualify, farmers need to fill out Form E-595E, known as the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement Certificate of Exemption. The forms are available online at www.dor.state.nc.us/downloads/sales.html or you can also call and get it mailed to you at (877) 252-3052.

Lions Stolen From North Wilkesboro Property
A couple of lions were stolen from a North Wilkesboro man's home over the New Year's holiday. Plastic lions that is. The man returned home to find his yard ornaments had gone missing. Nothing else was taken or touched at the home. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigaton.

Congresswoman Foxx Given Award
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx was honored over the weekend, as she was given the True Blue Award by the Family Research Council. Representative Foxx is one of 69 members of Congress to receive the award, handed out to those who have a 100% voting record on issues important to families. According to the council, Congresswoman Foxx earned the award thanks to a voting record which includes support to permanently repeal the death tax, opposition to human stem cell research and her support of the public display of the Ten Commandments among other things.

Thieves Run Off With License Plate
A Ferguson man was visiting a friend's house in Boomer over the New Year's holiday when thieves targeted his car. The man came outside to find his license plate had been ripped off. Nothing else was touched on the vehicle and no one in the area could recall seeing or hearing anything going on. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News
A popular Surry County Restaurant was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Officials say the Saturday fire at Aunt Bea's restaurant on Andy Griffith Parkway started in one of ovens and has been ruled accidential. Damages are estimated at $450,000.

State News

Jobs Coming To Nash County
Good news for people in Nash County today. Eagle Press announced over the weekend that the company will be expanding its’ operation over the next three years. The move will bring in 39 new jobs, thanks in part to a grant of $25,000 from North Carolina. The company makes cards, envelopes and letterhead for businesses.

Military Families Get Present For New Year
Several military families in North Carolina received a present for New Years. 260 soldiers returned home this weekend from Iraq. The troops were part of the 3rd Attack Battalion, 3rd Aviation Brigade and arrived Saturday at Fort Bragg. Due to the recent restructuring of the military, most of the battalion will have to be on the move again. This time they’ll be heading to Fort Stewart in Georgia as a permanent post.

Bomb Threat Shuts Down Hillsborough Wal-Mart
The Wal-Mart in Hillsborough was shut down this weekend, after a bomb threat. The message “Bomb in Store” was discovered on a bathroom wall, leading to an evacuation and closing of the building. Local officials searched the area with a bomb sniffing dog, but couldn’t locate any explosives. Four hours later the store was reopened without any problems.

Jobs On The Way To Thomasville
More jobs are on the way for people living in the Thomasville area. Wilderness NC Inc., a company that makes wood products, announced that it will be bringing a plant to the area. The company plans to use an abandoned complex next to U.S. 64 and will start hiring 15 people to begin with. By the end of 2006, the plan is to have 30 people on staff, with an additional 40 to come after that.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college basketball scene this weekend, it was East Carolina beating UNC Wilmington 82-69. Wilmington drops to 9-4, while East Carolina improves to 5-6. Appalachian State knocked off Duquesne 71-68. DJ Thompson led the Mountaineers with 23 points as the team improves to 5-7, dead last in the Southern Conference’s North division. UNC Charlotte got back into the win column with a 92-59 beatdown of UNC Asheville.Curtis Withers led Charlotte with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks. With the win, Charlotte is 7-5 on the season. Finally it was Duke beating UNC Greensboro thanks to 35 points from J.J. Reddick

NC State Wins Meineke Car Care Bowl
The NC State Wolfpack finished 2005 on a winning note, as they beat South Florida 14-0 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Marcus Stone tossed for 127 yards and a touchdown, as State finishes the season at 7-5.

North Carolina Has New Offensive Coordinator
The search is over for a new offensive coordinator at Chapel Hill. The Tarheels will introduce their newest assistant, Frank Cignetti later this week. Cignetti left his job as offensive coordinator at Fresno State to join the Tarheels. He’ll be replacing Gary Tranquill at the position, as Tranquill has announced his plans to retire.

Panthers Make The Playoffs
The Carolina Panthers did something on Sunday they hadn’t accomplished since 1997. The beat the Falcons in Atlanta, winning by a blowout score of 44-11. Jake Delhomme and most of the starters took a seat in the 4th quarter, after sacking Michael Vick twice and beating up on the Falcons defense. Delhomme tossed for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Deshaun Foster rushed for 165 yards. With the win, Carolina secured a wildcard spot in the playoffs and finished the regular season at 11-5.

NBA: Phoenix At Charlotte
In the NBA, they came close but just couldn’t seal the deal as the Charlotte Bobcats lost to Phoenix 110-100 this weekend. Charlotte was led by Gerald Wallace, who had 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. The loss drops the Bobcats to 10-20 as they enter the new year.

Hurricanes Knock Off Montreal
The Carolina Hurricanes wrapped up 2005 with a win, beating Montreal 5-3 on Saturday. Rod Brind’Amour had two goals to lead Carolina, who improves to 24-10 and stays atop the Southeastern Conference.