Decision Delayed On Parsons
No official decision was made yesterday in the case of Wilkesboro police chief Gary Parsons. The Wilkesboro town board did release a 24-hr-notice saying that they are considering firing Chief Parsons, but a formal decision won’t be made until Thursday, when they reconvene at 7pm. After a closed session meeting yesterday, Mayor Norman Call spoke for the board, explaining that he and Town Manager Ken Noland had brought Parsons to the town attorney’s office when the charges were first released, wanting to hear his side of the story. After listening to Parsons and discussing the matter amongst themselves, the board approved the 24-hour notice, in accordance with town policy. The vote itself was unanimous, but any decision on Parsons’ continued employment was tabled until the meeting on Thursday. Chief Parsons stands accused of 12 separate felony & misdemeanor counts including obtaining property by false pretense, using officers to do personal work for him while on city time, misuse of a public vehicle and embezzlement. In addition, Parsons also is facing charges of allowing his son, who is a minor, to be on scene at official calls and be armed with a handgun, while also giving him a Wilkesboro Police Officer's uniform to wear. He’s currently on a 30-day suspension, awaiting his April 10th court date.

Armed Robbery On Shumate Mountain Road
A Hays man was injured after an armed robbery Sunday on the Shumate Mountain Road. He was walking to a friend’s house when three men pulled up in a 4-door Chevy, got out and started beating him with baseball bats. After they finished the assault, they stole $50 and some prescription medication that he was carrying. The victim was treated and released from Wilkes Regional, later providing descriptions of the men and their vehicle to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Candidates File In Wilkes County Races
The election season has started here in Wilkes County and several candidates put their names in the hat yesterday. Two seats are open this year for the County Board of Commissioners, as the terms of incumbents Zach Henderson and Luther Parks are set to expire. Both men filed for re-election on Monday, along with two challengers, Republicans David Day and Joanne Elledge. In addition, Sheriff Dane Mastin filed for re-election, as did 45th District Senator John Garwood. A three way race is also developing for Wilkes Clerk of Court, between three Republicans. Joe Byrd, Geoff Farmer and Janet Handy all filed yesterday. And Francis Tharpe filed to run for the Wilkes County Board of Education. She’ll be running for one of the two open seats on the board.

Thieves Hit Moravian Falls Run-In
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Moravian Falls Run-In twice over the weekend after thieves paid a visit. The alarm went off just before 2am on Sunday, bringing deputies over to discover one of the front windows had been shattered. Taken in the theft were 30 cases of beer and it seems someone had tried to break open the cash register, but failed. Estimated damage was placed at $320. Then late Sunday night, deputies were called out after the alarm went off again. The front door to the building was unlocked the safe had been opened. It appears that the thieves climbed through the air vent and then drilled out the lock to gain access to the safe. $895 was stolen from inside and this time estimated damages were placed at $750. It’s unknown if the two incidents are related, but both investigations are continuing.

WCC Offers Help For Small Businesses
Many people want to go into business for themselves, but face a lot of questions. How can I get started? What kind of businesses can survive in the current economy? The Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College wants to help answer those questions in a seminar this coming Thursday. The event will run from 6-9pm at the Wilkes campus and help you to develop a new business idea that will stand the test of time. The event is free and to pre-register you can call 838-6113.

Thieves Break Into Sleepy Ridge To Do Some Shopping
Thieves broke into one of the log cabins at Sleepy Ridge Homes over the weekend, stealing over a thousand dollars in property. They apparently had kicked down the front door and gone shopping, stealing coffee tables, chairs and even a foot stool. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Car Set On Fire In Wilkesboro
A Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when she walked out to her truck over the weekend. Parts of it were going up in flames. Smoked had filled the vehicle’s cab due to a fire that had been started on the console. The woman and her husband called sheriff’s deputies after putting out the fire, which caused $50 worth of damage to the interior. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation is ongoing.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
We’ve talked a lot here on the news about the need for blood in Wilkes County. But thanks to last year’s hurricanes and the cost of relocating survivors, the local Red Cross needs help of a different kind as well. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Mailbox Vandals Strike Again
Mailbox vandals hit another Wilkes County residence over the weekend, this time targeting a Wilkesboro woman’s home. The woman came outside Sunday morning to find $175 worth of damage done to the mailbox, however some evidence was left behind. It appears that the vandals were driving a car and hit the box, as the side mirror of a vehicle had been found at the scene. Despite the damage, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual during the night. That investigation continues.

Regional News

Foxx Files For Re-Election
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx made it official on Monday, filing for a second term in the U.S. House. After filing, she released a brief statement, saying that the American people have come to expect certain things and she’s determined to make it possible. Among those things were access to affordable healthcare and job security. The congresswoman also said that she was very optimistic about the future and wanted her office to be the most responsive one in the country, dealing with the issues affecting people here in the 5th District.

State News

Troops Returning From Iraq
Some good news today for military families in North Carolina as another group of Marines are returning home. The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment made their way back to Camp Lejeune on Monday, being greeted by family and friends. The 900 members of the “Warlords”, as the troop is called, said they were glad to be home but will remember those who were lost in combat. 16 members of the unit were killed during the seven months they spent in Iraq. As soldiers return, others are on the way out. The 2nd Transportation Support Battalion is sending 130 soldiers along with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-269. Both groups are making final preparations to leave.

Lights Go Out In Kernersville
A drunk driver turned out the lights in Kernersville yesterday. Over 1500 businesses and people saw their power disappear after a man lost control of his car and slammed into a utility pole. No one was injured in the accident, which happened on Hwy 66 around 6:30 Monday morning. The man was taken to jail, however his name was not released. It took Duke Power almost three hours to fix the damage and turn the lights back on.

Pillowtex Finally Pays Workers
Some much needed good news for Pillowtex workers was delivered on Monday in the form of a check. The now-defunct company has reached a settlement with its’ creditors, paying off debts and also former employees. Over 7600 people were employed by Pillowtex when it shut down in 2003, most of whom are still struggling to find work. As a result of the settlement, the company plans to pay each of the workers an average of $2000.

Hearing Set For State Lottery
A state lottery here in North Carolina could be put on hold, depending on how a legal hearing goes later today. The issue is an injunction that’s been requested, to prevent any more state money from being used to get the games up and running. A group of plaintiffs has requested the injunction as part of a lawsuit to get the lottery thrown out. They believe that state lawmakers violated North Carolina’s constitution when voting on the lottery last year. Their believe that the lottery is a tax and as such, should have been debated over a three day period, as the state constitution orders for any law that will bring higher taxes.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
It’s tournament time in high school basketball and taking a look at the local scene last night it was East Surry beating the Lady Blackhawks of West Wilkes 66-37. West couldn’t overcome a first quarter where they scored just five points, as Emily Deal was the only player to finish in double figures for the Lady Blackhawks, ending up with 18. The Lady Cardinals took on an undefeated Bishop McGuiness squad but fell short as they lost 68-28. The Lady Villains took a 47-20 lead into halftime and never let up, as East Wilkes had one player to score in double figures. Kasi Shew led the Lady Cardinals with 11 points, as the team drops to 4-19 on the season, while Bishop McGuiness improves to 24-0. The Lady Vikings of North Wilkes didn’t fare any better, as they lost to North Surry 43-31. Sarah Smith led the Lady Vikings with 11 points.
On the boys side of the court, it was North Stokes over West Wilkes 89-57. Kurtis Lankford had 13 points and Chad Lankford added 12 as the only two players to score in double figures for the Blackhawks. West drops to 7-19 with the loss. Also the East Wilkes boys lost a heartbreaker to Mount Airy 62-47. The Cardinals coughed up 21 turnovers as they fall to 9-14 on the year. Coming up tonight, Wilkes Central’s boys squad will face off against Surry Central and the North Wilkes boys take on North Surry. Both teams are playing at 7pm, with the Eagles hosting Surry Central and North Wilkes going on the road against North Surry.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene last night, it was Elon over Chattanooga 69-61, Coastal Carolina knocked off UNC Asheville 88-70 and Appalachian State beat Western Carolina 83-66. The Mountaineers were led by DJ Thompson’s 17 points and 6 rebounds, as they improve to 11-14.

Duke Creates Their Own Steroid Policy
Two strikes and you’re out. That’s the situation facing all athletes at Duke University now. After a steroid scandal rocked the school’s baseball team in 2005, university officials put the final touches this week on their own steroid policy. If a student tests positive once, they have to sit out a whole year and lose that year of eligibility. A second positive test means they’re kicked off the team.

NBA: Portland vs. Charlotte
Taking a look at the senior circuit of the NBA, it was Portland beating the Charlotte Bobcats 91-83. Raymond Felton had 16 to lead Charlotte, who drops to 14-39 on the season.

NASCAR Daytona Qualifying
Around the NASCAR scene, qualifying wrapped up for the Daytona 500 as Jeff Burton took the pole. Jeff Gordon was right behind in second place and Dale Jarrett came in third. Elliot Sadler and Jimmie Johnson wrapped up the top five. Dale Earnhart Jr. came in 36th and last season’s champion Tony Stewart finished in 18th.