Explosives Found During Murder Investigation
As sheriff’s deputies continue the investigation into Mark Carroll’s death, they also uncovered some explosives tied in with the case. Once they located the murder suspect, 22-yr-old Ernest Ray Prevette, a search was performed on his car. Inside the trunk they found over a dozen blasting caps and other explosive devices. Those devices were turned over to the Hazardous Devices Unit, which will conduct an investigation as to how they got inside and what they were going to be used for. There are suspects in that case and the murder investigation continues as well.

Wilkes County Flu Clinic This Saturday
With the weather jumping from hot to cold and back again, conditions are perfect for the flu. If you want to plan ahead and try some preventive medicine, the Wilkes Health Department will be hosting a free flu shot clinic this Saturday. The clinic, held in connection with Wilkes Regional Medical Center, will be from 8am til 3pm and appointments must be made in advance. One thing to consider with the peak of flu season still on the way, it's important to get the vaccine now, as it takes 2 weeks to build up immunity to the virus. To make an appointment for Saturday's clinic, all you have to do is call the Health Department at 651-7450.

Tip Leads To Drug Bust In Boomer
A tip led sheriff’s deputies to a home in Boomer on Tuesday. Deputies asked if they could come inside and once in the door, were greeted by the smell of marijuana smoke. After searching the home, deputies found 2.2 grams of marijuana, along with some electric scales, rolling papers, baggies, $245 in cash and other drug paraphernalia. Deputies arrested 37-yr-old Dennis Ray Pearson and charged him with drug possession, and maintaining a home for the sale of drugs.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were wrecked and a third was damaged after a pileup on Hwy 421 West Tuesday evening. A Millers Creek man was driving down the road but didn’t notice the cars in front of him had come to a stop at the light. The man couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision and instead caused a three car domino effect. He hit the car in front of him, which in turn slammed into the third vehicle. Thankfully no one was hurt however an estimated $11,500 worth of damage was done.

Thieves Break In To Have A Look Around
Thieves broke into a home on the Germantown Road earlier this week, but apparently just wanted to take a look at the place. Nothing was missing from inside and the only damage done was to the locks on the home’s door. According to the property’s owner, this is a recurring problem, but no one has seen or heard anything unusual go on in the area. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Blood Drives This Weekend
It’s more important than ever to give blood. As we explained on yesterday’s newscast, the blood supply here in Wilkes is well past critical levels, to the point one major wreck could wipe it out. To help solve the problem, the Wilkes Red Cross is putting on several drives over the next few weeks. The first takes place tomorrow at Bethel Baptist Church. It goes from 9:30am til 2:30pm. Also there will be one going on Monday at the Traphill VFD. That will last from 3-7:30pm. To set up a time to give, the number to call is 838-4563.

Santa Claus Is Leaving Town
Some thieves tried to apparently get a head start on decorating for next Christmas, after stealing some ornaments from a home on the Roaring Gap Church Road. A Snowman globe, blow up tree, blow up Santa and blow up Snowman figure were all taken in the theft. The thieves had to untie each of the ornaments before stealing them, as all had been staked to the ground. No one in the area could recall seeing or hearing anything unusual in the area. That investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Weight Watchers
There’s a new reason for people to watch their weight, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A study was released this week from the University of California at San Francisco, which found that there’s a major link between obesity and kidney failure. The study found that even moderately overweight people have a higher risk of kidney failure, but for those seriously overweight, the risk was 700% higher. The study, which was done over a period of 26 years, used over 300,000 people of different sizes. Out of that number, 1471 suffered kidney failure. The only tested and proven way researchers found to try and ward off kidney failure for anyone in the same situation is to work at losing the weight.

Moped Driven off From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro home on Wednesday, after thieves drove off with a man’s moped. It’s unknown how the thieves gained access to the bike or how it was stolen, as there was no sign of damage at the house itself and nothing else taken. That investigation continues.

Chickens To Be Checked Here In Wilkes
Wilkes County is North Carolina's top producer of broiler chickens. Under new guidelines established by National Chicken Council, no flock will be allowed to go to slaughter here in the county without a clear test for avian influenza. According the most recent figures available from the N.C. Department of Agriculture, Wilkes County produced 91 million broilers in 2004. Tyson, has signed up for the National Chicken Council's new program and other companies are expected to follow. Most Tyson growers fell like there will not be alot of change due to the fact that the company constantly monitors its flocks for the presence of disease, including bird flu.

Regional News

Arrests have been made in connection with a December bank robbery in Jonesville. 19 year old Curtis Ryan McGuire, of Stanley turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday. Also arrested was 21 year old Aaron James Moore of Clemmons, who turned himself in on Christmas Day. There is still one suspect at large who officials believe demanded money at Mountain National Bank on December 19th. Anyone with information is asked to call the Jonesville Police Department at 835-2855.

Caldwell County Searches For Missing Woman
People in Caldwell County are asking for help in the search for a missing woman today. Emily Anderson was last seen December 29th paying some bills in Lenoir. She was supposed to drive up to Sam’s Club in Hickory, but was not heard from again. Anderson was last seen driving a 2000 model white Chevy Silverado with a got milk tag on the front and University of Kentucky sticker on the back. She is 5’6 ft and weighs approximately 170 lbs with dark hair and glasses. If anyone has information regarding the case, they’re asked to call the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department at 1-828-758-2324.

State News

Federal Investigation Begins At Raleigh Power Plant
Questions of poor security are being investigated at a nuclear power plant near Raleigh. Complaints had been filed in December with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, sighting problems with security at the Shearon Harris plant. Two separate watchdog groups made the complaints, which document doors that don’t lock and faulty equipment that doesn’t warn of intruders.

State Lawmakers Meet To Discuss Energy
A committee of state lawmakers has been formed to come up with a solution to the high energy costs across North Carolina. They met for the first time on Thursday and heard testimony from oil industry experts, along with businessmen and others affected by the increase. The committee itself doesn’t have any actual power, it can only present recommendations.

Greensboro Lands Football Team
A professional sports team is coming to Greensboro. City officials announced on Thursday that the National Indoor Football League will be bringing an expansion team to Greensboro. The NIFL acts as a minor league of sorts for Arena Football and a league spokeswoman said they believe Greensboro could be a great market for a team. The team’s name however hasn’t been released yet.

48 Clerks Arrested For Violating Law
48 store clerks were arrested over the holidays for selling tobacco to children. That was part of the information sent out by officials from the state’s Alcohol Law Enforcement office. The move came as part of a crackdown on illegal tobacco sales, for which ALE officials said there is no excuse.

Sports Headlines

NC State Adds Two Players
With the college football season just over seven months away, NC State continues to load up on recruits. The Wolfpack landed two more players this week as Darrell Davis and Carlos Everett committed to the school. Davis is a 6’4ft 200 lb. senior from Dade City Florida, where he was a two way star, playing linebacker and wide receiver. He runs a 4.52 in the 40 and had 48 tackles along with 6 interceptions last season. In addition, Davis might see time on the basketball court, as he currently averages 29 points a game as a senior. He turned down basketball scholarships from Gardner-Webb, Central Florida and Bethune-Cookman. Carlos Everett meanwhile comes in at 6’1ft and 175 lbs. The senior wide reciever from Webster Florida was ranked as the 50th best player in the state this season. He finished his high school career with 126 catches for 2334 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Panthers Make Roster Moves
With time ticking down til Sunday’s game against New York, the Carolina Panthers made some roster moves this week. Cornerback Garnell Wilds was signed off the practice squad. Wilds will take the place of safety Jermaine Hardy, a special teams player who was put on injured reserve after getting hurt during last week’s game against the Falcons. The team also signed linebacker Robert Rodriguez to the practice squad.

Hurricanes Lose One To Injury
The injury bug has also hit the Carolina Hurricanes, who saw defenseman Glen Wesley go down this week with an injury that could last up to six weeks. Wesley sprained his right knee’s MCL Saturday during the game against Montreal. Nicolas Wallin, who’s just returned from the injured list and rookie Andrew Hutchinson will combine to take Wesley’s playing time.

One Going Out, Two Coming In
More injury news to report for the Charlotte Bobcats. Already missing Sean May and Emeka Okafor, the team learned on Thursday that shooting guard Kareem Rush will be missing some time. Rush injured the index finger on his shooting hand during Wednesday’s loss to Boston, hurting so bad he only played 7 minutes. It’s unknown how long he’ll be out. The good news however is that both May and Okafor could be close to rejoining the team. Both are rehabbing, May with his knee and Okafor with his ankle and could be back by sometime next week.

Elliot Announces Plans
In NASCAR, Bill Elliot has found a ride for next season. He’ll be driving for MB2 Motorsports, racing a limited schedule beginning with the Daytona 500. Elliot will be taking over for regular driver Boris Said in the Number 36 Chevy. After that the two will rotate, with Elliot’s next race coming in the Budweiser Shootout.