News & Sports For February 6th

Mixed Unemployment Figures As 2005 Ends
Some mixed results for Wilkes County’s economic scene as 2005 came to a close. The good news was that unemployment fell in the county to a 12-month low of 5%. Unfortunately how the number fell is the problem, as more people are leaving Wilkes. In January of 2005, there were 32134 people in the county’s workforce. By the end of December, that number had fallen to 31893, meaning Wilkes suffered a net loss of 241 people over the last year. The news wasn’t all bad however, as more jobs came into the county. In January of 2005, there were 30149 jobs in Wilkes. That number increased by the end of the year to 30306, meaning that 157 jobs were added during the year.

Money & Drugs Seized At Boomer Residence
Sheriff’s deputies found drugs and money when they searched a house in Boomer last week. On Thursday deputies used a search warrant to go inside a home on Boomer Road, where they found three handguns, crack cocaine, marijuana and over $3400 in cash. Also outside the house deputies searched a drink machine on the property and located cocaine in several bottles along with some other drug paraphernalia. All total 28 grams of cocaine and 7 grams of marijuana was found. 57-yr-old Arlie Gwyn Bullis was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs, possession of a firearm by a felon, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Once he was transported to the jail, Bullis gave deputies a full written confession.

Flu Shots Available At Wilkes Health Department
With winter weather expected over the next few weeks, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the flu. The Wilkes County Health Department still has 60 doses of the vaccine available, on a first come first serve basis. Medical officials are predicting that we’re about three weeks away from peak season of the flu and if you want to plan ahead now’s the time. It takes the human body about two weeks to build immunity after getting the vaccine and time’s ticking down. To call and set up an appointment, the Health Department’s number is 651-7450. They’re located at 306 College Street in Wilkesboro and for more information you can also visit their website at http://www.wilkeshealth.com/

Counterfeit Money Order Turns Up At Local Store
Wilkesboro police were called out to the Fast Track on River Street last Thursday after a money order came back as counterfeit. Back in January, a customer had come in and written a money order for $95. However it was returned by the bank and store employees were alerted to the problem. The customer’s name and address were given to Wilkesboro police and that investigation continues.

Upcoming Workshop For Collegebound Students
For any high school seniors and their parents, it can be confusing and frustrating at times filling out the government’s FAFSA form. That’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which you have to fill out before you’re able to be considered for any financial aid grants or federal scholarships. But don’t worry , some help is on the way. Coming up Saturday February 18th, financial aid officers will be at 42 different places across North Carolina, helping students put down the right information and get that FAFSA filed. Several of those locations are close to Wilkes County, including one at Wake Forest University, Appalachian State, Surry Community College and Caldwell Community College. To register for one of the events, you can go online to www.cfnc.org/fafsaday or by calling 1-866-866-CFNC

Thieves Discover They Stole A Damaged Car
Last week, a car was stolen from a residence on Elkin Hwy 268. But as it turns out, the joke was on the thieves. The vehicle, while easy to steal, also had a bad clutch and broke down just a few miles from where they took it. Deputies soon located the vehicle a few hours after it was stolen, with nothing taken from inside and no damage done to it. The investigation as to who took it continues.

Recall Of Volvo Trucks
Bad news today for some truck owners here in Wilkes. Volvo Trucks has issued a recall of 42,000 VN and VHD trucks that were produced between 2002 and 2006. The problem is in the vehicle’s D12D engine. Some of the models have faulty equipment that will cause the pipes running from their exhaust gas recirculation valve to crack. If that happens, the air cleaner unit and inner fender could catch fire. Two reports of such an incident have already occurred and Volvo is asking people to bring the trucks back to the dealer for a free repair. The company plans to install a protective heat shield to prevent any fires from igniting and also replace any defective parts.

Blood Drive Coming Up Later Today
Each day 1500 pints of blood are needed across North Carolina. With that being the case, not all the blood taken in local drives can go to the county’s blood supply as there are more immediate needs. To help build the supply back up and lend a hand to other counties, two drives are going on today. The first is taking place at the Elks Lodge from 1:30-6pm and the second is at the Millers Creek United Methodist Church from 2-7pm. To call for an appointment the number is 838-4563.

Regional News

New Jobs Coming To Lenoir
Good news for anyone looking for work in the Lenoir area. More jobs are on the way. Consumer Specialties, a group of local businessmen, have bought out one of the old Broyhill Furniture plants. Within a few months they plan to hire 30 workers and have the plant fully operational with 60 by the end of 2006. The company will build dog beds, pillows and children’s furniture at the plant.

State News

Four NC Cities Make Top 50 List
North Carolina has four of the best places to operate a business, according to Expansion Management. The magazine released its’ annual list of America’s “Top 50 Cities”, citing which ones were best to expand or run a business. Charlotte was ranked #6, while Raleigh came in at 16. Winston Salem made the list at #34 and Greensboro made it at 47. The magazine took into account things like manufacturing costs and business climate in the respective areas.

NC Company To Help Provide Alibi
Forget to buy your loved one a Valentine’ Day present? Or maybe you come home late from a ballgame? A new web based business here in North Carolina wants to help youout. Called AlibiNetwork.com, the company will help provide you with an alibi for a small fee. The rates for an alibi range from $10 to $55, with additional costs coming from the site’s yearly membership fee of $35. The only thing the company won’t do however is provide alibis for illegal activity, according to a disclaimer on the website.

PTA President Charged With Embezzling
In Walnut Cove North Carolina, officials are charging the former president of the PTA with embezzlement. Jolene Utt, who was until last Monday President of the Walnut Cove Elementary School PTA, stands accused of taking $4400 from the school over a period of seven months. According to investigators, Utt would get checks from the school, reimbursing her for equipment and other items she never actually bought.

Wife Of Earl Scruggs Dies
Louise Scruggs passed away late last week. The wife and manager of North Carolina native Earl Scruggs, she had been suffering from a respiratory disease before dying on Thursday. Mrs. Scruggs is known as the first professional manager in country music, in addition to being the first woman in the role. She worked as a manager for her husband after he formed the band Flatt & Scruggs with singer Lester Flatt. Louise Scruggs was 78.

World News

Mastermind Behind Cole Bombing Escapes
In world news today, the man believed to have masterminded the bombing of the USS Cole is on the run after escaping from a jail in Yemen. Jamal Ahmed Badawi escaped from the prison on Friday along with 23 others, 13 of which were convicted al-Qaida terrorists. Very few details have been released as to how the group escaped, as Yemeni officials would only say they got out through a tunnel dug out of the prison. Badawi stands accused of plotting the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, a plan which killed 17 people.

Sports Headlines

Baseball Registrations Being Taken
With spring around the corner, it’ll soon be time to for kids to suit up and play baseball. The Wilkes County Recreation Department is now registering kids for the 2006 season in tee-ball, baseball and softball. You can pick up a registration form at Cook’s, the Recreation Department office and also online at http://www.wilkescounty.net/ The deadline to register is February 17th and for more information you can call 651-7355.

High School Swimming
In high school sports, the 1A/2A state swimming championships were held over the weekend. Wilkes County had two schools ranked on the boys side, as Wilkes Central finished tied for 28th place with 17 points. Also North Wilkes finished 33rd with 12 points.

High School Scoreboard
Taking a look at high school basketball Friday night, it was Forbush beating Wilkes Central 64-60. With the loss the Eagles drop to 11-11 on the season, while Forbush improves to 4-17. West Wilkes meanwhile had no problems taking care of Alleghany 76-59. East Wilkes lost to North Stokes 55-47, despite 21 points from Brent Poplin. With the loss, the Cardinals drop to 9-12 on the season. On the girls’ side of the court, it was Surry Central over North Wilkes 40-33. The East Wilkes Lady Cardinals won in overtime 51-47, improving to 3-17 on the season. Also in a heartbreaker, the Lady Blackhawks of West lost to Alleghany 60-58 in a game that went into overtime. Finally the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles improve to 22-1 on the season after a 54-38 win over Forbush. With the win, Central secures at least a partial share of the regular season title.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene, it was Charleston Southern over High Point 86-66, in their homecoming game it was UNC Charlotte over Dayton 62-49. Curtis Withers had 23 points and a career high 21 rebounds as the 49ers improve to 13-8. In other action it was Coastal Carolina over Winthrop 64-50, Western Carolina beat Davidson 77-70, Houston knocked off East Carolina in overtime 64-60 and another win for Matt Doughtry’s Florida Atlantic squad as they beat Gardner-Webb 77-63. In the ACC, it was Virginia over Wake Forest 75-73. Justin Gray had 18 points to lead the Deacons, who fall to 12-10 on the season. North Carolina handled Clemson, 76-61, thanks in part to 19 points and 11 rebounds from Reyswan Terry. It was NC State over Maryland 62-58. And Duke survived a close one, beating Florida State in overtime 97-96. J.J. Redick had 36 for the Blue Devils, who get set for Tuesday’s game against the Tarheels.

NHL: Carolina vs. New Jersey
On the ice yesterday, it was Carolina over New Jersey 4-3 in a game that was decided by a shootout. Newly aquired Doug Weight scored the game winning goal for Carolina, who improves to a league best 38-12 with the win.

Bobcats Beat Lakers
In the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats took care of business at home, blowing out the LA Lakers 112-102. Jumaine Jones led Charlotte with 31 points and 9 rebounds, as the team improves to 12-36 on the season.