Postage Rates Increase
Bad news for anyone heading out to mail a stamp today. You’ll have to pay more to do it. The US Postal Service raised the cost of a stamp 2 cents on Sunday, to 39 cents. Also Priority Mail will cost $4.05 for one pound, that’s an increase of 20 cents. And postcards were raised one cent to 24 cents. This marks the first increase in almost four years and was necessary due to a federal law. Back in 2003, lawmakers ordered that the Postal Service have $3.1 billion on hand to put into an escrow account. That has to be done by October 1st of this year and without the increases, there wouldn’t have been enough money.

Money Goes Missing From Taco Bell
Wilkesboro police are investigating a theft at Taco Bell. Late last week, managers opened the safe and discovered that just under $500 was missing. The safe wasn’t locked at the time and it’s unclear exactly when the money was stolen. Information was turned over to police and the investigation continues.

Guns Stolen From Local Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home on Wildwood Drive late last week, after thieves paid a visit. The homeowner had left several items inside his unlocked truck. His cellular phone and several guns were stolen, including a Marlin .22 rifle and Remington 870 Express. There are no suspects in the case but that investigation continues.

Wheels Stolen From 421 Motors
Thieves ripped off a local business late last week. Employees at 421 Motors arrived to find one of their vehicles up on stands, with the tires missing. Over a thousand dollars worth of equipment and tires was taken in the theft. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Going On Today
Every two seconds, someone needs blood in North Carolina. But here in Wilkes County, the supply is at the lowest its' been in six months. Type O negative, Type A negative and Type B negative are all under a two days supply, short enough that one major wreck could potentially wipe it out. There have also been low turnouts at the blood drives so far, meaning that very little is coming back in for that which is used. Two drives are going on today in Wilkes County, one at the Traphill Volunteer Fire Department and the other at Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Both will run from 3-7:30pm. Just remember before giving you must be at least 17 years old and 11o lbs. To call for an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

Vandals Target Local Vehicles
Drivers on Hwy 16 South got an unwelcome surprise last week. Several cars were hit by paintballs, causing dents and damage. In each case, the suspects drove by in a white Toyota and opened fire. Information about the suspects ws turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

Samaritan's Kitchen Needs Help
When people can’t afford to buy food, who do they turn to? Here in Wilkes, the Samaritan’s Kitchen lends a hand. The Kitchen, which has been in operation for over six years, is involved with several different programs throughout the week. Now however the Kitchen finds itself of major support, both with food donations and volunteer help. If you can set aside thirty minutes or three hours, whatever you can spare, please contact Elizabeth Ferguson with Samaritan’s Kitchen. The number is 838-5331.

Medication Taken From North Wilkesboro Home
A North Wilkesboro man called sheriff’s deputies late last week after finding his medication had been stolen. There was no sign of a break-in or anything else taken from the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Jobs Gone From Burlington
Bad news today for people in the Burlington area. Gold Toe Brands announced that it will be eliminating 20 jobs from its’ Annedeen plant. The company is looking to cut costs and will be transferring the jobs to a plant it runs in Mexico. Gold Toe said they hope to assist the terminated workers in finding new jobs.

Cars Vandalized In Clemmons
30 different car owners, including a Forsyth County Deputy Sheriff, are cleaning up today after their vehicles were damaged. The incident happened in Clemmons at a mobile home park. Vandals slashed tires, shattered windows and spray painted the cars. There are two suspects but no arrests have been made.

Deer Head In Mailbox
Several people in Hoke County got a surprise when they opened up their mailbox on Saturday. Deer parts were inside. One lady found a deer head, while others found hooves and legs. The Hoke County Sheriff’s Department investigated and discovered that a local teen had committed the crime, thinking it would be a great prank. None of the families pressed charges however as the teen agreed to replace all the boxes and apologize.

Greensboro Police Chief Locked Out
Greensboro’s police chief finds himself locked out of his office today. City Manager Mitchell Johnson announced over the weekend that he changed the locks to the office, in an effort to secure certain documents. David Wray is still the police chief, but questions have been raised about the way he runs the department. The city manager is the only one who will have access to the office until the investigation is finished.

Fort Bragg Soldier Dies
A Fort Bragg soldier was killed over the weekend during physical training. 38-yr-old Sergeant First Class Steven Cutno collapsed during training and was latter pronounced dead at the base hospital. Cutno, a 15-yr veteran, was serving with the Headquarters Company of the 82nd Airborne Division. It’s still unknown what caused him to collapse.

Sports Headlines

Boys High School Scoreboard
Around the high school scene this weekend, it was Elkin over West Wilkes 87-53. The Blackhawks never led throughout the game and couldn’t overcome Elkin’s Tyler Sanborn, who had 28 points, 25 rebounds and 8 blocks. West was ked by Kurtis Lankford, who put in 14 points, Todd Kilby was the only other Blackhawk to finish in double figures, adding 11 points. Meanwhile, it was East Surry over East Wilkes 59-48. East Wilkes was led by Cody Cook, who had 15 points in the loss, while Brent Poplin added 13. North Wilkes lost to Surry Central 74-71 despite leading for most of the first half and it was Wilkes Central over Forbush 68-61. Nathan Duncan and Caleb Hawkins each had 21 to lead the Eagles.

Girls High School Scoreboard
On the girls side of the court, it was a defensive battle as the Lady Eagles of Wilkes Central knocked off Forbush 35-28. Laura Rollins was the only Central player in double figures, as she had 18. The Lady Eagles keep marching toward the playoffs, improving to 13-1. The Lady Blackhawks of West got their second win of the season, beating Elkin 53-33. Erin Hollars finished with 15 points to lead the Lady Blackhawks, while Lauren Overton had 14. The East Wilkes Lady Cardinals fell to East Surry 71-45 and it was the Lady Vikings of North Wilkes over Surry Central 54-34. Sarah Smith had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lady Vikings, who recorded their first conference win of the season.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scene, it was Winthrop losing to Memphis 73-63, Chattanooga knocking off UNC Greensboro 78-69, Davidson beating Wofford 80-62, High Point over Charleston Southern 78-67 and East Carolina over St. Paul’s College 80-74. In other action, it was UNC Wilmington over William and Mary 63-56, UNC Asheville lost to Birmingham Southern 80-66 and UNC Charlotte over Dayton 73-65. Appalachian State was beaten by Elon 65-59. DJ Thompson led the Mountaineers with 15 points and 8 rebounds, as the team falls to 5-9. The UNC Tarheels ripped apart NC State 82-69. Freshman Tyler Hansborough had 20 points to lead the Tarheels, while Illian Evtimov had 20 points for the Wolfpack. Finally the Duke Blue Devils beat Wake Forest 82-64. J.J. redick had 32 to lead Duke, while Justin Gray had 17 for the Deacons.

Bobcats Lose To Orlando
Walking wounded into Orlando on Saturday, the Charlotte Bobcats lost to the Magic 108-92. Charlotte was playing without Emeka Okafor, Sean May, Kareem Rush or Jake Voskul, all out with injuries. The Bobcats were led by Gerald Wallace, who had 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. The Bobcats may be even more shorthanded as point guard Brevin Knight left the game with back spasms. The loss drops Charlotte to 10-23 with Houston coming to town on Tuesday.

Panthers Knock Giants Out Of Playoffs
For one week, the Carolina Panthers played like a Super Bowl team, dismantling the New York Giants on the way to a 23-0 win. Deshaun Foster ran for 151 yards while the Carolina defense picked off Eli Manning for three interceptions. The Panthers will now go on the road next week to face the Chicago Bears.

Hurricanes Shut Out Islanders
In the NHL, it was the Carolina Hurricanes shutting out the New York Islanders 3-0 on Saturday. Goalie Martin Gerber had 30 saves for Carolina, as the team improves to 27-10 on the season.