Fugitive Picked Up During Investigation
A theft investigation led to a fugitive being arrested last week. The incident happened on Buck Mountain, where the homeowner told deputies that someone had broke into his shed and stole an air conditioning unit along with a flat screen tv. He then reported seeing the air conditioning unit in the trunk of a car passing by. Deputies went to the man’s neighbors to ask some questions. Once inside, they found 26-yr-old Robert Bobby Pena, who is currently wanted in New Mexico on drug charges. After getting permission, deputies then searched the homeowner’s car, where the missing AC unit was located. The neighbor, 19-yr-old Tomas Miguel Gonzalez was arrested and charged with breaking & entering along with harboring a fugitive. His sister, who also lived in the home, 21-yr-old Rebecca Clara Gonzalez was also charged with breaking & entering

WCC To Help Small Businesses
Small businesses can sometimes find themselves up against a wall, fighting to compete with large companies. One of the problems facing such a business is they don’t know where or how to get supplies at a cheap rate like the retail stores do. Wilkes Community College is hoping to solve the problem by holding a seminar this Wednesday called “Where Are The Wholesalers?” The program will run from 6-9pm at the Wilkes Campus and help local companies learn where they can buy the same materials but at cheaper prices. You can pre-register by calling WCC at 336-838-6210 or 336-838-6113. The seminar is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend.

Purlear Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Purlear woman fell victim to ID theft last week. She received a bill from Cingular Wireless, informing her payment was due on her account. The only problem was that she didn’t have an account with the company. It turns out that someone had gained access to the woman’s personal information and used it to take out a cell phone in her name. There is a suspect in the case and information has been turned over to Cingular’s fraud department.

The Taxman Cometh Part I: How To File
Well here we are at the end of January and you know what that means. It’s time to file income taxes. Unfortunately each year thousands of people file their taxes incorrectly, making it harder to process and delaying that refund check. Your federal tax filing status is based around two things, your family situation and martial status but that’s where people get confused. According to the IRS, one major problem in tax filing happens when people file based on their situation right now. For example if two people are divorced now, but were married on the last day of 2005, they have to file based on their status December 31st instead of today. The same goes with your family situation. All total there are five choices that you can file under. Now of course those who are unmarried, divorced or legally separated can file as single. Married taxpayers meanwhile have the option of filing together or separately. That includes widows or widowers whose spouse died last year, they can still file a married joint return with that spouse for 2005. A fourth option is available for unmarried people, who can file as head of the household. That applies if you paid more than half the cost of living for both yourself and another qualifying person such as a parent, sibling or child. Finally you can file as a qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child. If your spouse died during 2003 or 2004 and there are still dependent children living at home, you can file this way. And for more information, you can call the IRS hotline at 1-800-829-1040 or visit their website at IRS.gov.

Tools Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise last week when he got to work. Over $500 worth of material had been stolen from his business on Sparta Road. Thieves had busted down the front door and helped themselves to the tools inside, taking several chainsaws, several wrenches and other materials. Despite the damage no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual. That investigation is ongoing.

Certain Kids Clothes Recalled
Parents with kids younger than 12 years old might want to think twice before giving out that jacket to wear today. A recall has been ordered of several hundred thousand jackets, pullovers and sweaters put out by Steve and Barry’s University Sportswear. The clothes are being called back due to a choking hazard with the drawstrings. Each of the items have a drawstring on them and unfortunately accidents across the U.S. have proven that small children and drawstrings don’t mix. The specific items being recalled all have separate style numbers on them, which you can find either on the collar or a side label. They are 15178, 16105, 16168, 16230, 16231, 16257, 16509, 17197, 17285 or 18346. The company has set up a toll-free number to call for more information at 1-877-866-7776. Or you can log on to www.steveandbarrys.com

Would Be Thieves Scared Away By Deputies
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on Jim McCarter Road last Thursday, after a woman reported that someone was breaking into her home. When deputies arrived, it appeared the place was empty, until they discovered the homeowner, who had locked herself in her bedroom. She explained that prior to their arrival, someone had started to open her back door and that’s why she had locked herself in. This is the latest in a series of attempted break-ins that have occurred over the past few months. Nothing however was taken or damaged from the home. That investigation is ongoing.

BROC Head Start Has Openings
For any parent who wants to get their child started early on an education, Head Start has some available spots left. There are currently several slots open for children ages 3 and 4 years old at the Lomax Center in Roaring River. Also applications are being taken for the Cub Creek and North Wilkesboro sites. Classes started in August of 2005 for this year’s program and will run until May. Students can enroll at any time up until March of this year. 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.

Driver Blacks Out And Wrecks On 352 Drive
One car was totaled last week on 352 Drive when a Wilkesboro man blacked out at the wheel. The man and his daughter were in the car when his eyes rolled back in his head and his leg hit the gas pedal. The daughter was able to grab the wheel and manage to steer the car away from a nearby house and then a light pole before slamming into a tree. No one was injured in the crash and the father came to after the crash. An estimated $6500 worth of damage was done in the wreck.

Regional News

Lenoir Man Arrested For Wife’s Murder
Twenty three days after the body of a Lenoir woman was found, authorities have a suspect in custody. Emily Anderson disappeared December 29th while out running errands, causing a statewide search. On January 7th, an anonymous tip led police to Duncan South Carolina, where the woman’s body was found stuffed in the toolbox of her pickup truck. Now police have arrested Emily’s husband, Jerry Anderson and charged him with the crime. Officials wouldn’t discuss any possible motive for the crime. Jerry Anderson is set to appear in court later today.

State News

More Jobs Leaving The Greensboro Area
One of the country’s oldest furniture companies will soon be closing its’ doors in the Triad. Nichols and Stone announced plans over the weekend to shut down their factory in Rural Hall. The move will put 100 people out of work effective May 1st. Company officials said that the move was partly due to labor costs and a market flooded with cheaper goods from overseas.

North Carolina Diocese Calls For End To Death Penalty
North Carolina should put an end to the death penalty. That was the decision handed down by the Central Carolina Episcopal Diocese this weekend. The group of over 600 delegates approved a resolution calling on state lawmakers to commute all those already sentenced to life in prison. Officials from the Diocese said that the death penalty goes against the concept of forgiveness.

Doctor Who Served In Iraq Honored At Camp Lejeune
A doctor who worked to save lives in Iraq is being honored today at Camp Lejeune. Dr. Richard Jadick (Jay-dick) is to be given the Bronze Star due to his heroic actions during the main battle to take Fallujah. Dr. Jadick risked his life to save seven badly injured Marines, dodging bullets and rocket propelled grenades to do so. A special ceremony will be held later this afternoon where the doctor will be presented with the Bronze Star.

Sports Headlines

Baseball Registrations Being Taken
With spring around the corner, it’ll soon be time to for kids to suit up and play baseball. The Wilkes County Recreation Department is now registering kids for the 2006 season in tee-ball, baseball and softball. You can pick up a registration form at Cook’s, the Recreation Department office and also online at www.wilkescounty.net The deadline to register is February 17th and for more information you can call 651-7355.

High School Scoreboard
Around the high school scene, it was North Surry over Wilkes Central 64-62 in a game that went down to the final seconds. The Greyhounds escape with a win, as a last second shot rimmed out for the Eagles. Wilkes Central drops to 10-9 with the loss. East Wilkes beat the North Wilkes Vikings 69-47. Matt Garris had 17 and Brent Poplin added 14 for the Cardinals, who improve to 8-11. North was led by Dylan Johnson’s 10 points, as he was the only player to score in double figures. North drops to 4-15 with the loss. Also it was Mount Airy over West Wilkes 85-35 in a game that saw West give up 53 points by halftime. No Blackhawk player scored higher than Curtis Lankford’s 9 points, as the team drops to 5-16.
On the girls’ side of the court, it was Wilkes Central over North Surry 56-46. The Lady Eagles improve to 20-1 with the win, one step closer to the regular season conference title. Amy Will had 20 points for Wilkes Central and Sarah Brown added 14. Also the Lady Vikings beat East Wilkes 65-59. North Wilkes had two girls score in double digits, with Blake Shumate putting up 29 and Ashley Wilcox adding 20. East meanwhile was led by Kasi Shaw and Tiffany Smith, both of which had 20 points on the day.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene, it was Coastal Carolina over Liberty 72-60, East Carolina beat Tulsa 59-45, Gardner-Webb took care of Jacksonville 77-73 and Appalachian State beat the Citadel 66-65. The Mountaineers were led by DJ Thompson’s 21 points, improving to 9-11 on the season. In other action, Georgia Southern beat UNC Greensboro 86-78, it was High Point over UNC Asheville 64-45, UNC Wilmington beat Northeastern 46-44 and Richmond knocked off UNC Charlotte 63-56. In ACC action, it was Duke crushing Virginia 82-63. J.J. Redick had 40 for the Blue Devils, who improve to 19-1. Meanwhile it was the UNC Tarheels blowing out Arizona 86-69. Freshman Tyler Hansborough had another big game for the Heels, putting up 21 points and 11 rebounds as North Carolina improves to 12-5. Virginia Tech beat Wake Forest 76-70 and it took double overtime but NC State beat Clemson 94-85.

Bobcats Fall To Wizards
Injuries continue to plague the Charlotte Bobcats. With only nine players able to suit up, Charlotte lost to the Washington Wizards 107-97. Primoz Breznec led the Bobcats with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Raymond Felton had one of his best games as a pro, with 18 points and 13 assists. With the loss, Charlotte drops to 11-34 on the season.

Hurricanes Put Away Another Win
On the ice, it was Carolina beating Atlanta 4-1 on Saturday night. Kevin Adams led the Hurricanes with a goal and an assist as the Hurricanes improve to 36-11, the best record in the NHL.