News & Sports For March 14th

Wilkes County Farmers May See Changes
Farmers in Wilkes County could soon see some much needed relief for their wallet, if several North Carolina lawmakers have their way. Energy costs for small farmers skyrocketed over the last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to the tune of $5.2 billion. Such high costs are forcing several small farmers, such as those in Wilkes, to abandon the business. North Carolina House Representatives Bob Etheridge & Brad Miller are working to solve that problem, by developing proposals to lower the cost of fuel and create better trade agreements. Currently there are 2955 farmers within Wilkes County and if the farm reform proposal goes for a vote, each one could be seeing over one thousand dollars cut off their bills. Overall in 2005, Wilkes County ranked 5th in the state with $232,733 generated from farming.

Winter Weather To Make A Return
If you enjoyed those 80 degree days and sunshine, it’s time to say goodbye. A cold front is making its’ way back into the area and over the next few days those temperatures are going to drop back down. According to the National Weather Service, a cold front will move in later today, dropping the temperature over 20 degrees at times. Then it’ll be back below freezing this weekend, as a second cold front is expected to make its’ way through Wilkes, with temperatures falling to the low 20s and possibly even the high teens at times. The cold weather is going to stay around, with the highs not expected to climb out of the 40s next week.

Local Agencies In Need Of Help
Even though winter here in Wilkes County has been mild, the lack of jobs has sent people out in search of food. For most of the local relief agencies, that means their shelves are virtually empty. Wilkes Cares and Samaritan’s Kitchen both find themselves in need of any help possible. Everyone from retirees to those who just want to give a few hours in community service are asked to come out and help the organizations. You can call Samaritan’s Kitchen at 838-5331 or Wilkes Cares at 838-4900.

Newest Protection Against Fraud
As we head into spring, this is also a busy time of year for thieves, both the usual kind and those who travel on the internet. Credit cards, social security numbers and other personal information are major targets. But people here in North Carolina can take steps to protect themselves against ID Theft. One of those tools, the Identity Theft Protection Act, has only been available for the last three months but has already become an important weapon against thieves. It allows you to block access to your credit records, preventing any would be thieves from gaining access and ruining your finances. You will be able to do that thanks to a security freeze. The only problem is that while thieves won't be able to use your credit to purchase things, neither can you. Once the freeze is placed on, no company or business can check up on your credit history until its' lifted. If you do want to fill out an application for a credit freeze or just want more information, you can log on to the state Department of Justice website at www.ncdoj.com/idtheft.

Blood Drive Going On Today
Across the country, blood is needed every two seconds. To help build up our own local supply and also have enough to help other areas, the Red Cross is holding a drive today at Wilkesboro Civi Center. The event will run from 2pm to 6:30pm and will be open to the public. Just remember before going to donate, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To call the Red Cross for more information or to set up an appointment, the number is 838-4563.

3WC Techwatch: Some Help With The Housework
With spring not too far off, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else mow your lawn? Well help isn’t that far off, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. Throughout last week, genius inventors and would be creators made their way to Germany for the world’s largest high tech show called CeBIT. The event, which is held each year in Hanover, had some interesting solutions to any housekeeping problems you might have. NEC, a Japanese company, brought out a small robot that’s able to act as a watchdog, recognizing people on sight and alerting you that they’re coming. Also the Electrolux company, which makes vacuums among other things, has designed a new robotic lawnmower. All you have to do is attach the robot to your lawnmower set its’ clock, indicating what time of day you want the lawn mowed. Then the robot will turn itself on at that time, start the mower and cut your grass, before returning to the garage. And finally the German Vorwerk company unveiled an electronic carpet. It feels and looks just like a regular carpet, except tiny electric particles inside can communicate with vacuum cleaners designed by the company, informing the person about dirt or spots that were missed. However if you want the help from any of these new toys, your wallet will cry. The cheapest is priced at $2000.

Small Business Seminar Today At WCC
It can be hard starting up your own business, especially if you have to compete with larger companies. What business model should you follow? Can your idea even succeed in the current economic climate? Coming up this Thursday, the Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College will continue their Small Business Start Up Series. In this third seminar, the topic will be “Financial Planning and Record Keeping”. You can pre-register by calling WCC at 336-838-6210 or 336-838-6113. The seminar is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend.

State News

Possible Clues Coming In Missing Persons Case
Officials in Lee County believe they might have a break in a recent missing persons case. In January, Michelle Bullard was kidnapped from a friend’s house at gunpoint during a break-in. Now investigators are trying to see if a suicide later that day in the same area is linked to the crime. David Wilson matches the description of the man who took Bullard and the two are believed to be on a convenience store security camera. Police believe that if they can determine why Wilson killed himself, they might find out what happened to Bullard.

NC Doctors Are Violating Ethics Guidelines
Part of North Carolina’s execution process violates ethical guidelines, according to the American Medical Association. Officials from the association have come out against the fact that doctors here in the state are called to monitor executions and determine if a prisoner is alive or dead. This is in violation of the physician’s oath to first do no harm, according to the Association, as a declaration that the prisoner is still alive will result in more lethal drugs being injected. However under state law, a doctor is required to be on scene at each execution.

Questions Arise After Man Dies In Custody
Questions are being raised in Mecklenburg County after a suspect died in custody Sunday night. Around 11pm, police responded to a report of a fight on Equipment Drive, but only discovered one man at the scene, who was bleeding. The officers said the man became combative and so they had to put him in handcuffs. He collapsed on the way to Carolina Medical Center, dying just a short while later. The arrest is now the subject of both a Homicide and Internal Affairs investigation.

Asheville Up In Arms Over Coach’s Firing
What kind of league fires a coach whose teams always finish near the top of the division? That’s what some parents in Asheville are wondering today after Mona Nix was informed she wouldn’t be asked to return as a coach in the East Asheville Little League. Nix, whose teams always have finished either first or second in the league, believes it’s because of her gender. She’s the only woman coaching baseball in the area. League officials denied the allegations, saying that a committee chooses the coaches they want each year, based on the program’s needs. The decision is currently being appealed to the Little League board.

Sports Headlines

Softball & Teeball Signups This Week
As we head into spring, it’s time once again for softball and teeball. Signups are being held this Saturday at the Austin Community Center for boys and girls ages 5-15. The signups last from 9am til 12 noon and are one of three signup periods going on this month. You can also sign your child up on March 23rd from 6:30-8:30pm or March 25th from 12 noon til 3pm.

Two NC Schools Invited To NIT
While several North Carolina basketball teams made it to the NCAA, two schools from here in the state are just happy to still be playing, after getting invitations to the NIT. UNC Charlotte and Wake Forest both received invites to the tournament, which begins tonight. The 18-12 Charlotte 49ers will play host to Georgia Southern, with the winner of that game taking on Cincinnati this Friday. Wake Forest on the other hand, will tip off their tournament schedule on Wednesday, going on the road against Minnesota.

Bad News Comes For Bobcats
Some bad news for the Charlotte Bobcats, as the team prepares for tonight’s game against Washington. They may have to do it without their leading scorer. Gerald Wallace was injured during Sunday’s matchup with Detroit, spraining his calf muscle less than 5 minutes into the game. Team doctors think the injury will go away with rest, something that could leave the already depleted Bobcats shorthanded as they face back to back games tonight and tomorrow against the Wizards. Also rookie Raymond Felton is having problems with his left leg, after getting kicked in the shin Saturday night against New York.

Panthers Lose Two & Gain One
It’s a case of good news/bad news for the Carolina Panthers, as the team lost two players but gained a new one in the process. Starting linebacker Will Witherspoon said goodbye to the team on Sunday and joined the St. Louis Rams, thanks to a six year $33 million deal, with $15 million of that being guaranteed. The Panthers tried to keep Witherspoon but their offer was $4 million less than the Rams. With the departure of Witherspoon, Dan Morgan now becomes the only returning starter at linebacker. In addition, the team learned on Sunday that starting safety Marlon McCree had signed a deal with the San Diego Chargers. However the Panthers did get some good news in a key position as Tennessee Titans center Justin Hartwig agreed to a 5 year deal with the team. The 27-yr-old Hartwig will take over from 35-yr-old Jeff Mitchell, who opted to test the free agent market. Mitchell still could be resigned as a backup.

NASCAR Points Standings
Taking a look at the points standings after Sunday’s race, it’s Jimmie Johnson in first, followed by Matt Kenseth, who’s 52 points behind. Ksaey Kahne is in third, 85 points behind the leader while Casey Mears is 86 back in fourth. Mark Martin rounds out the top 5, 110 points behind Johnson.