News & Sports For February 3rd

Look For A Change In The Weather
Wilkes County can expect a change in the weather, according to local forecasters. While January was unusually warm, things are expected to get back to normal as we go farther into February. Across North Carolina, forecasters are predicting that a low pressure system is going to make its’ way into the area, bringing colder temperatures and possibly some white stuff along with it. As to why January was so warm? Blame the weather system known as La Nina. La Nina has cooled off the Pacific Ocean waters, which in turn triggers changes in the weather patterns across the globe. However if you’re expecting La Nina to completely disappear you might be disappointed. Forecasters say that the system will stick around in some form until possibly the early summer.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in Wilkes this week, targeting the Junction on White Plains Road. A man pulled up in his Chevy Camero, pumped $34 worth of gas and then drove off down the highway. Employees inside the store got a description of both the man and his vehicle, along with a license plate tag. After investigating the case, deputies were able to get in touch with the suspect’s family, who paid for the gas. No charges were brought in the case.

CD Player Stolen With No Clue How
A local woman came out of class at Mulberry School to find the CD player in her car had been stolen. Nothing else was bothered inside the vehicle and there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the car itself. However the woman insists that she locked the car before going inside. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

The Taxman Cometh Part V: Married & Divorced
For most people, getting married can be the best day of their life. But if they’re not careful, newlyweds can end up costing each other a lot of money come tax time, as we explain in the final part of our tax prep series. For any newlyweds filing for the first time as a couple, it’s important that the names on the tax forms match those on file with the Social Security Administration. Problems can arise if a bride takes her husband’s name but doesn’t let Social Security know about it. When the couple files their joint return, the IRS won’t be able to match up the name with a Social Security number. It’s a similar situation for anyone who’s recently been divorced. If a woman changed to her ex-husband’s last name and has now switched back to her maiden one, she has to let Social Services know. Otherwise in both cases the penalty can vary from an increased tax bill to a smaller amount on the refund check. You can let Social Services know of a name change by going to your local office and filing out Form SS-5. Or you can go online to www.ssa.gov and download the form there as well. Once filled out, the form usually takes two weeks to verify. And as always, you can call for more information at 1-800-829-3676 or go online to www.IRS.gov.

Vandals Hit Wilkesboro Apartment Complex
Wilkesboro police were called out on Wednesday to the Glenn Hill Appartments after vandals hit the area. Three separate people walked outside Wednesday morning to find all four of their tires had been slashed, causing a total of $600 worth of damage. There are no suspects at this time and it’s unclear why the three were targeted. That investigation continues.

WalkAmerica Kickoff This Afternoon
For anyone wanting to get involved with the March of Dimes, now’s your chance. The organization is holding their WalkAmerica Kickoff Luncheon today at the Wilkesboro Elks Lodge. Churches, businesses and anyone who wants to get involved are invited to attend the lunch, which starts at 12 noon. Volunteers from the March of Dimes will be on hand to explain how people can take part in the WalkAmerica campaign. The walk itself will be held May 6th with a target goal this year of $35,000. Proceeds from the walk will go towards the study and hopefully a cure for birth defects and premature infant deaths. For more information you can call 1-704-873-2554.

Wilkes County Talent Show
The Community Health Connection wants people to see what their kids are capable of and are inviting everyone out to the First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro Saturday night for a talent show. Tickets are $20 at the door and the show will feature students from all four of the county’s high schools. The event itself starts at 6pm with dinner beforehand and for more information you can call the Connection at 651-7837.

Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest
A routine traffic stop for sheriff’s deputies led to an arrest on gun charges this week. Deputies watched as a vehicle passed by, with the passenger not wearing a seatbelt. They pulled the car over near the CVS on Hwy 18 North. It was soon discovered that the passenger, 25-yr-old Troy Clayton Braxley had outstanding warrants for his arrest. In addition, deputies found a .40 caliber pistol hidden under his seat. Braxley was arrested on the outstanding warrants in addition to being charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Blood Drive This Weekend
Despite the recent blood drives here in Wilkes, the local supply is still around critical levels due to several serious wrecks and other injuries. With winter weather in the forecast later this month, the Red Cross will be holding another drive tomorrow at Bethel Baptist Church in Ronda. The drive will last from 10am til 2:30pm and for an appointment you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

State News

NC Troops On The Way Home
Good news for some military families across North Carolina. Over 200 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are coming home. The soldiers, who are part of the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment made their way home on Thursday. Over 600 more troops from the unit are expected back in the next few weeks. The 504th had been working to train Iraqi troops, guard a maximum security prison and hold combat patrols across northern Iraq.

Greensboro Groundhog Says More Winter Coming
Expect a few more weeks of winter, at least according to the groundhogs. From Punxsutawney Phil to Greensboro’s own Woody, the furry forecasters saw their shadow. So according to tradition, we can expect six more weeks of winter weather. Groundhog Day itself is taken from a German legend and is now a global event, with people from other countries getting involved.

Easley Faces Criticism Over Gas Tax
Governor Mike Easley is getting hammered by federal lawmakers over North Carolina’s gas tax. The grief comes after Easley wrote a letter asking President Bush to investigate oil companies, citing record profits this past year. Republican chairman Ken Mehlman responded by accusing Easley of deflecting criticism and placing blame where it shouldn’t be. 77 members of North Carolina’s Republican party have requested for a special session of the legislature to be held dealing with energy taxes. Governor Easley is against the idea, saying that the money being taken in is needed for road construction.

Federal Government Giving Money To NC
North Carolina is going to be on the receiving end of federal aid dollars as lawmakers pledge $15 million to the Triad. The money is supposed to help local economies recover from the massive manufacturing layoffs that have occurred and get the unemployed workers retrained for new jobs. $5 million will be handed out each year from the Labor Department, to go along with a one time contribution of $850,000 by private and public donors.

Prison Inmate Accidentally Released
Due to an error in the prison system, an alleged child molester was released from prison in Lillington North Carolina. This was back in October of last year and four months later state officials recognized their mistake. Devan Black was supposed to serve a six month sentence, but had only completed three when he was released. Black then went to Vermont, where he met up with a probation officer and got a job. On Thursday, the Department of Corrections admitted their mistake and went before a judge, who ordered Black to return and finish his sentence.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
The end is near for the regular season and all four county schools are in action tonight. East Wilkes plays host to North Stokes, while North Wilkes is away tonight against Surry Central. West Wilkes is also away, as the Blackhawks are traveling to Alleghany. And in a bonus edition of our 3WC Game of the Week, it’s Wilkes Central playing at home against Forbush. We’ll tip off our coverage with the McDonald’s pregame show starting at 7pm then turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand at 7:15 for the play by play.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college basketball scene, it was UNC Wilmington over Drexel 65-58, Matt Doherty’s Florida Atlantic team beat Campbell 95-90 and Wofford knocked off Appalachian State 60-59. DJ Thompson had 18 to lead the Mountaineers, who drop to 9-13 on the season. In the ACC, it was all North Carolina all the time as the Tarheels cruised to a 77-62 win over Maryland. Reyshawn Terry led all scorers with 20 points and 9 rebounds as the Heels improve to 13-5 on the season.

NC State Lands Another Recruit
It’s been a great week for NC State football. The team landed one more recruit, their 18th of the year as signing day came and went. Rashad Phillips, a senior from Virginia Beach committed to the school. The 6’4 ft 210 lb. Phillips was a jack of all trades at Landstown High, working as a tight end, H-back and linebacker. He had 23 sacks. 306 yards receiving and runs a 4.6 in the 40. In addition, Phillips plays basketball, averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds a game and could possibly join State as a two sport athlete. He turned down offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Kent State to sign with the Wolfpack.

Greensboro Football Team Has Name & Coach
The new Greensboro football team has a name and now a coach. Mark Saunders was introduced this week as head coach of the Greensboro Revolution, the new team set to debut in the Indoor Football League. The 45-yr-old Saunders is a Winston Salem native and former assistant coach at Winston Salem State. One of Saunders’ assistants will be James Clyburn, a former player with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The team kicks off its’ season Match 25th.