News & Sports For February 22nd

Moratorium Extended Another Six Months
The moratorium on sex based businesses was extended another six months at the Wilkes County commissioners meeting last night. Commissioners heard from county attorney Tony Triplett, who requested the extension due to some language in the proposed ordinance that needed to be examined. It was sent off to the Institute of Government at Chapel Hill and the county hasn’t heard back from them. The Institute was asked to look over the documents and make sure Wilkes County’s proposal stayed within the boundaries of the law, as Triplett explained that they designed it to be as strict as legally possible. Under North Carolina law counties can’t stop any sexually based businesses from opening, however they can be restricted as to where and when.

News From Last Night’s Commissioners’ Meeting
In other news and notes from last night’s commissioners’ meeting, more jobs could soon be coming to the area. Approval was given for the Laurelmor subdivision to start construction. The subdivision will stretch from Wilkes to Watauga County, providing about 500 jobs in the field of construction. It’s expected to open by 2009. Also the Community Child Protection Team gave their annual report to the board. Speaking on behalf of the team, Wilkes Social Services Director Donnie Bumgarner gave a brief history of the group and presented their report. There were 155 cases still open as of January 31st 2006, with 148 children being placed into foster care. Out of those 148, 103 were put into licensed homes and 45 were staying with relatives. Also 7 cases of child abuse were reported in 2005 and 4 of child neglect. The three main problems facing Wilkes, the team found, are economic stress, domestic violence and a growing problem with substance abuse in the home. Finally an expansion of the Greenway was approved, as county commissioners voted to grant an easement allowing the project to cross Lowes Park @ River’s Edge.

Information Leads To Drug Bust In Millers Creek
Sheriff’s deputies went to a home on Kent Drive in Millers Creek Monday afternoon to serve a search warrant. What they found inside was a drug distribution business. Cocaine was found in both the living room and in one of the bedrooms, along with some marijuana. In addition scales, baggies and other drug paraphernalia was located as well, along with over $1200 in cash. 24-yr-old William Saner was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell & distribute in addition to maintaining a home for the sale of drugs.

Focus On The Speedway
Recent news about the North Wilkesboro Speedway has painted a dim picture about the track’s future prospects. The current owners have demanded $12 million as the lowest price for buying the property, a cost that has made would be investors wary of committing. However Save The Speedway refuses to give up and Joe VanHoose from the organization will be Brian’s guest this week for Focus on the Foothills, as they will be discussing and debunking some of the rumors around the group and also what the future holds for Save the Speedway. That’s coming up Thursday at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Weapon Stolen From Wilkesboro Man’s Car
Always lock your car when you leave. Two local men found out why that’s a good idea this week as they fell victim to thieves. The two had parked at a friend’s house and left the cars unlocked, later coming up to find over $800 worth of material had been stolen. Included in the theft was a .22 caliber pistol, a CD player and some car speakers, among other things. A witness saw several juveniles hanging around the vehicles and was able to identify them to deputies. After investigating, the deputies turned the information in to juvenile services. Felony charges are being filed in the case.

Blood Drive Later Today
1500 pints of blood are used each day across North Carolina. With rain and wind in the forecast, that amount could increase with the possibility of accidents on the roads. To prepare for that and also for more cold weather on the way, the local Red Cross is holding a blood drive today at Wilkes Community College. The drive will run from 9:30am til 3pm and is open to the public. Just remember before donating you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To call ahead and set up an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

Locked Windows Scare Off Would Be Thieves
Some would be thieves were frightened off from their target Monday afternoon, but not before leaving evidence behind. The incident happened at an apartment complex on the Elledge Mill Road in North Wilkesboro. Damage was done at two apartments, as thieves attempted to shatter the window and climb in. However the windows of the first apartment were bolted shut. Then while shattering the windows in the second apartment, they woke up a person inside. As they escaped, one of the thieves apparently cut themselves on the glass and left behind a pool of blood. The DNA was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Heating Your Home Part 2
With Old Man Winter on the way, it's time to turn on that heater or throw a few more logs on the fire. While this will keep out the cold, it could also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if you're not careful, as we explain in today’s 3WC Eye On Safety. Carbon monoxide is produced when items with carbon in it aren't completely burned. Here are some tips on how to prevent poisoning in your home. First have your home furnance checked to make sure the burners and vent systems are both working, with no cracks or other damage. Also make sure the water heater and furnance flue don't have any leaks or cracks especially near the joints, that can help the gas to escape. Even when it's cold outside, don't leave your car running in the basement or garage. The carbon monoxide put off by the exhaust can flow up into the rest of your house. Also if you have exhaust fans in the house, don't use them at the same time as the clothes dryer. The reason being this creates negative pressure in your house, pulling the carbon monoxide back in.

Damage Done To Wilkesboro Woman’s Car & Home
Vandals targeted a Wilkesboro woman earlier this week. On Monday afternoon, the woman came out to find her car had been damaged, as it appeared that someone had tossed a rock at the front quarter panel on the passenger side. An estimated $500 worth of damage was done. In addition, a rental property she owned on Emerald Village Park Drive was ripped apart as vandals got inside. The exterior siding was damaged, as were the walls inside and even the building’s sheetrock. An estimated cost of repairs was placed at $5000. There are however suspects in the case and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Money A Possible Reason For Caldwell Murder
Money was apparently the motive behind a recent murder in Caldwell County. On January 27th, 45-yr-old Jerry Anderson was charged in the death of his wife Emily. She had gone missing on December 29th and was the focus of a nationwide search before deputies located her body in South Carolina, riddled with gunshots and stuffed into the toolbox of her truck. In papers released this week, witnesses report on the day Emily disappeared, they saw the couple head into the woods on their farm. A few minutes later gunshots rang out and they witnessed the husband drive off down the road. It’s believed money was a motive for the crime, as Jerry Anderson had taken out an insurance policy of over $4 million on his wife.

State News

Inmate May Get New Trial Due To Mistake
In Lumberton, a man convicted of murder could be getting a new trial, due to mistakes made by the court reporter. Travis Walters is serving life in prison after being found guilty of a murder that occurred during a 1998 robbery. His attorneys have filed for appeal but the case is stuck due to unreadable transcripts from the original trial. The court reporter in the case wrote half sentences, paraphrased what was going on and left out large parts of the trial itself. As a result, the State Court of Appeals can’t hear the case and prosecutors now say holding another trial is the only answer.

Pastor Refuses To Perform Marriages
In Asheville, one pastor is refusing to perform civil marriages anymore because of what he calls discrimination. Pastor Joe Hoffman of the First Congregational Church of Christ is a supporter of gay rights and announced that because gays aren’t allowed to marry in North Carolina, he won’t perform any type of civil marriage ceremony. The pastor said it was a personal decision and he didn’t intend to speak for his church.

Citizens Ask For Removal Of Confederate Monument
A memorial to Confederate soldiers in Pitt County is at the center of controversy today. At a meeting of county commissioners Monday night, citizens called for the memorial to be removed from the Pitt County courthouse, saying that it belonged in a museum. A separate group asked that it stay in the spot it’s held since 1914, as a symbol of American history. A decision isn’t expected for at least another month.

Protest Held Against Cartoons On UNC Campus
Protests were held Monday at UNC Chapel Hill, after the campus newspaper published a cartoon pertaining to Islam. The cartoon, which was drawn by Phillip McFee, showed a man wearing a turban standing between two mosque windows. A Danish flag was drawn in one of the windows and the reflection of a burning building in the other. That set off a protest held at the newspaper office by students, who vowed to stick around until the newspaper printed an apology. The editor in chief at the paper refused, however he did say he was sorry if anyone was offended.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
As the state playoffs continue, several Wilkes County teams took the court last night. Ashe County barely squeaked by the Wilkes Central boys team 60-57. Central had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but Tyler Gant’s three pointer missed the mark. A slow start doomed the Eagles, who only put up 10 points in the first quarter. Caleb Hawkins led Central with 17 points, Tyler Gant had 13 and Nathan Duncan put in 12 as the Eagles wrap up their season at 12-14. Ashe County meanwhile improves to 14-11, moving on to face Shelby on Thursday.
In other boys action, it was Winston Salem Prep over East Wilkes 89-64. The Cardinals kept it close throughout the first half, but Winston Salem starting pulling away in the third quarter and never looked back. Matt Garris led East with 17 points and Brent Poplin added 14, while Cody Cook and Brandon Carter each put in 12 as the only players to finish in double figures for the Cardinals. With the loss East wraps up their season at 9-14. Also Elkin saw their season come to a close last night with a 67-44 loss to East Surry. And coming up later tonight on the girls side of the court, it’ll be the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles playing host to Mountain Heritage. Tipoff will be at 7pm over in Moravian Falls and we’ll go on the air at 6:45pm with the McDonald’s pregame show.

NCAA Scoreboard
One game involving North Carolina teams in college basketball last night, as it was Western Carolina beating UNC Greensboro 67-53. With the win Western improves to 13-15, while UNCG drops to 11-16 on the season.

NCAA Top 50
Several North Carolina teams broke through into the Top 50 of college basketball this week. Duke regained their #1 ranking, followed in second place by Villanova and UCon drops down to fourth. Other North Carolina teams making the Top 25 was NC State at #17 and the UNC Tarheels moved up to #20. One other North Carolina team made it into the Top 50, as UNC Wilmington moved up to #37 on the list.

Redick And Hansbrough Honored By ACC
Two of the best players in the ACC were honored by the conference this week. Duke’s J.J. Redick was named the conference’s player of the week, after averaging 31 points a game against Wake Forest and Miami. This marks the 6th time this season Redick has been given the award. Meanwhile freshman Tyler Hansbrough of UNC was named rookie of the week, after putting up 40 points against Georgia Tech and following that up on Sunday with 17 against Wake Forest.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Denver
In the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats opened up the second half of the season with a 100-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Charlotte was led by Raymond Felton, who had 14 points and 11 assists on the night. With the loss the Bobcats drop to 14-41, as they prepare to fly out to Portland for a game tonight against the Trailblazers.