iWilkes County Is Growing
Some good news today for Wilkes County, as the population continues to grow. By July of 2005, there were 67390 people living here in the area, an increase of 1578 people form the same time in 2000. Taken over a 6 year period, that means an estimated 263 people are moving into Wilkes County each year. That’s good news for the county’s tax base, but also possibly some bad news as job growth has been sluggish, meaning that some of the people could find themselves on the unemployment line. Those numbers came from the U.S. Census Bureau, which released it’s annual population estimate this week.

Wishon Makes Top Ten List
Fans of Southern Gospel music have sent in their votes and a new Top Ten List has been released for this year’s Singing News Fan Awards. Fans can now cast their ballots to narrow the field down to five in each category and then those five will go on to the National Quartet Convention for a chance at being selected. Our own John Wishon made the Top Ten in the Small Market DJ Of The Year category. This marks the 7th year John has been nominated for the award, which he won back in 2002. However only Singing News subscribers can vote for the awards, so if you want to cast a ballot, you have to sign up for the magazine.

Hayes Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Hayes woman got an unwelcome surprise this week, after receiving a phone call from a credit card company. They informed her that she had run up a $1100 bill, which came as a surprise seeing as she didn’t have a card with the company. It turns out that someone had used the woman’s name to get a card and then went on a spending spree. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Gas Thieves Hit Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in Wilkes County this week, targeting Wikes Food Mart On Hwy 421 in North Wilkesboro. A man driving a black truck pulled up, pumped $38 worth of gas and then paid for it, telling one of the employees that the pump was slow and he planned to use another one. He then pulled his vehicle up to the next pump, put in another $38 worth and took off down the road. A description of both the man and his vehicle was given to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Wilkes County To Host Chi-Rho Choir
Wilkes County will play host to a nationally known group of musicians this weekend. The Chi-Rho Chorus from Wake Forest will be performing this Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Wilkesboro. The group has been in existence since 1991, touring the country and putting out albums, with former members including Aaron Mercer, now the Associate Director of General Licensing for BMI Records. The concert, which begins at 7:30pm is free of charge but a love offering will be taken.

Thieves Hit Wilkesboro Residence
Thieves hit a Wilkesboro residence this week. A neighbor came by to speak with the homeowner, only to find the door had been pried open. Inside the house there was a series a muddy footprints stretching from the living room on into the bedroom. Deputies were called out and the homeowner tracked down, as thieves had taken a jar of coins and some lingerie from inside. The estimated value of the coins was placed at $350. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
1500 pints of blood are used across North Carolina every day. But while the blood keeps coming out, there isn’t much coming back in, as low turnouts this week have dropped the supply back near critical levels. The Wilkes Red Cross is looking to solve that problem by holding another drive today at Avonte. You can come out and give from 12 noon til 4pm. The Red Cross also asks that donors please eat something and be sure to drink a lot of fluids before giving. The number to call to set up an appointment is 838-4563.

Thieves Break In To Watch The Game
March Madness apparently grabbed thieves in the North Wilkesboro area, as they broke into a local home. Taken from inside was the homeowner’s 27 inch color TV along with a Nintendo Gamecube game system. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Scooter Stolen From Thurmond Home
Be careful where you leave your vehicles. A Thurmond man learned why this week, as he looked outside Wednesday night to find his moped being driven down the road. Two men were on the scooter, heading down Hwy 21 towards Elkin. In addition to the bike itself, two helmets were stolen from the man’s house as well. Information has been turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Congresswoman Foxx Given Award
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx was recognized this week by the US Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber gave Foxx its’ annual “Spirit of Enterprise” award, handed out for her strong support of programs and policies that have created job growth. The award is given out each year to lawmakers with at least a 70% rating in regards to certain votes and if they positively affected the economy. Foxx came in 1st this year with a 78% rating.

State News

NC Congressman Calls For US To Buy American
The U.S. Government should buy American products, according to several North Carolina Congressmen. House Representative Robin Hayes introduced a bill yesterday making it a requirement that whenever possible, military purchasers must buy American textiles. Recent information released from Homeland Security found that while the Department spends a lot of money on uniforms and other apparel, most of it is bought from other countries.

Fugitive Being Hunted In NC
North Carolina officials are working in connection with the US Marshals to try and track down a fugitive that is believed to be hiding out somewhere in the state. Kenneth Glenn Hinson is wanted in connection with several recent kidnappings and sexual assaults in the Darlington South Carolina area. Hinson is a registered sex offender and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding Hinson is asked to call the US Marshals at 1-843-662-0750.

Freshman Has Computer Taken By Secret Service
A college prank turned serious this week as the Secret Service got involved. Tim Willis, a freshman at Mars Hill College changed the lyrics of a Misfits song, to instead describe the violent death of President Bush. He then posted the lyrics on MySpace.com, which caught the attention of the Secret Service. Agents paid a visit to Mars Hill College and took Willis’ computer, declining to say anything about the case.

Police Use Tip To Arrest Bank Robber
Officials in Cary North Carolina have arrested a bank robber, thanks to tips from the public. After receiving a tip on the Crimestoppers hotline, police were able to track the man down and place him under arrest. 38-yr-old James Dennison Swisher is believed to have walked into the local Wachovia just before closing time on Monday, demanding and later taking cash from the teller. He now faces charges of felonious larceny and is currently being held at the Wake County jail awaiting his court date.

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Are you wearing green today? Across the world people are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. According to historical accounts, Saint Patrick, who wasn't really Irish, was the missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity. He was born around 373 A.D. in either Scotland or in Britain during the Roman occupation. His real name is said to be Maewyn Succat. At the age of 16, while living in Ireland, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery for 6 years. He escaped, went to France, and became a priest or bishop. At about age 60, St. Patrick traveled back to Ireland to spread the Christian word. He used the green shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, as a metaphor to explain the concept of the Trinity - father, son, and holy spirit. St. Patrick died in his beloved Ireland, March 17th, about 460 A.D. The land, which once enslaved him, he had set free. The first American celebration of Saint Patrick's Day was in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!"

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.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scene last night, it was Duke over Southern in the first round of the NCAA tournament 70-54. J.J. Redick had 29 points and Shelden Williams added 29 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocked shots as the Blue Devils advance to take on George Washington this weekend. Meanwhile in other NCAA action, it was Winthrop losing in the final seconds to Tennessee 63-61. Torrell Martin led Winthrop with 14 points and the team will finish their season at 23-8. UNC Wilmington also came close but were eliminated from the tournament after an 88-85 loss to George Washington. T.J. Carter had 25 points to lead the Seahawks, who will end their season with a record of 25-8.

UNC Asheville Star Transferring
Also in college basketball, some bad news for UNC Asheville. Freshman Michael Ellis announced on Wednesday that he’ll be transferring at the end of this year. Ellis, who was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year, averaged 12 points during the past season while starting 12 games. No reason was given for the change.

NHL: Carolina vs. Montreal
The Carolina Hurricanes started a new winning streak as they beat Montreal 5-1 last night. Eric Staal got his 40th goal of the season and Justin Williams added two goals of his own in the win, which brings Carolina to a league best 45-15.

Panthers Have Fan In Wide Receiver
The Carolina Panthers are on the prowl for another wide receiver this offseason, looking for someone to team up and take the heat off of Pro Bowler Steve Smith. Now it turns out a former Pro Bowler wants to fill that position. Free agent Keyshawn Johnson said in a radio interview on Wednesday that he wants to play for the Panthers, saying that he’d like to suit up with QB Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Johnson also said that Panthers offensive coordinator Dan Henning was the best coordinator he’d ever worked with. However two things could stand in the way of Keyshawn joining the team. One is his age, as he’s 34 years old and the second is his asking price. He already turned down a $2.5 million offer from the Dallas Cowboys.