News & Sports For March 20th

Wilkes County Faces Cancer Problem
Wilkes County is facing a cancer problem today. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths across the state and here in Wilkes, the mortality rate is actually 16% higher than the state average. What’s most concerning though is that while across the rate the mortality rate is down, here in Wilkes it’s actually climbing. One of the key factors that can lead to the disease is a diet high in fat and low in fiber, something that according to the North Carolina Institute For Public Health, is a problem here in Wilkes. Recently the Institute did a community assessment and found that “few if any (people) “ follow what would be considered an appropriate diet. Colon cancer mainly affects those 50 and older and doctors advise that you should begin testing for the disease no later than age 50, as part of a regular checkup.

Chase Ends Near Dehart Church Road
A case of theft ended in a high speed chase by sheriff’s deputies last week. On Thursday morning deputies were called out to the Fast Track in Millers Creek, after a man ran off with two cartons of cigarettes. The suspect was quickly tracked down but refused to give up, engaging deputies in a high speed pursuit all the way from Hwy 18 North to the Dehart Church Road, where he finally pulled off. The suspect then jumped out of the car and took off running, abandoning his passenger in the vehicle. The woman inside gave deputies the driver’s name and a picture of him, which security camera footage proved was the same man who stole the cigarettes. In addition, the suspect has been linked to another case of theft at the Run-In across from Tyson. Warrants have been taken out for 27-yr-old William Thomas Church for larceny and eluding arrest.

Vandals Target Damaged Car
A Mooresville man has some car trouble last week and had to leave his vehicle on the side of the Tumbling Shoals Road. However when he came back the next morning, it was clear someone else had paid the vehicle a visit. All the windows had been smashed and there was an estimated $4000 worth of body damage. In addition, a tool set that had been inside was stolen. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Cheaper Way To File Taxes
We’re less than a month away from April 15th and many people haven’t found time yet to file their taxes. But if you fit in that category don’t panic, because there is some help on the way. Filing your return doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, thanks to a new plan across North Carolina. The State Department of Revenue has set up an agreement with two companies to offer free state & federal tax returns through their website. The plan applies to anyone who makes $50,000 a year or less and can be accessed by going to www.dor.state.nc.us . That will let you link up with either TaxEngine or TaxSimple, the two companies providing the free service.

Good News For Absentee Voters
Some changes are in the works that will make it easier for military and other overseas voters to cast a ballot. The Justice Department has come up with a new plan affecting all military personnel from here in Wilkes and across the state, in response to a lawsuit recently filed. The suit alleged that counties here in North Carolina violated the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in regards to primary elections. Due to the quick turnaround from a primary election to any runoff, overseas voters can find themselves on the outside looking in as it takes longer than the four week period to send out ballots and then have them returned. Now as per the new agreement, military troops will get two ballots for the primaries. One is the primary absentee ballot and the other is a blank write in ballot for the runoffs, if necessary. Information will then be faxed or emailed to the troops, informing them of which candidates are in the runoff and they can fill in that blank ballot, making the process quicker all around. Before the plan can become official, it must be approved by the US District Court in Raleigh, which is expected to make a ruling this week.

Thieves Run Off With Farm Equipment
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence after thieves ran off with some farm equipment. The incident happened last week at a residence off of Old Hwy 60. A Turning plow and a finishing hare were taken in the theft, with tire tracks leading up to the old barn where they were stored. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation is ongoing.

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.

State News

Chinese Company Violates Agreement
Some controversy is brewing in Raleigh over promises made by a Chinese computer company. Lenovo bought out IBM’s PC business last year and accepted $14 million in state and local incentives, promising to bring in new jobs. However over the weekend, company officials made an announcement that jobs are actually going away. An estimated 300 jobs will be eliminated from the company’s Research Triangle Park facility, part of a worldwide restructuring that will see 1000 people put on the unemployment line. However the decision violates the company’s agreement with North Carolina, which stated that no jobs could be lost for the full 11 years of the incentive package. State officials said that new jobs would have to be created by the end of the year, if Lenovo wants to keep the incentive program going.

Black Campaign Committed Violations
Some bad news today for House Speaker Jim Black, as the State Board of Elections found some violations in the way his campaign conducted business. The Black campaign violated contribution limits, according to the State Board, giving more than the legal limit of $4000 to five separate candidates in the 2004 elections. Attorneys for Black said that the information is in fact accurate and is calling for the candidates to refund the money. Names of the candidates were not released.

Greensboro Considering Ban On Selling Cars
It could soon be illegal in Greensboro to put a for sale sign on your car and stick it out near the road. The news comes as the Greensboro City Council is set to take up the issue tomorrow night, in the form of a law banning all car sales on sidewalks, roads or street corners. A decision on the ban will be handed down tomorrow night.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the NCAA tournament, some teams saw their season come to a close this weekend. It was NC State losing to Texas 75-54 in a game that saw the Wolfpack shoot just 13% from beyond the three point line. Cameron Bennerman led State with 16 points, as the Wolfpack end their year at 22-10. Also going out were the UNC Tarheels, who were upset by George Mason 65-60. After leading the entire first half, the Tarheels came out flat after halftime and never recovered. David Noel finished with 22 points, one of only two Tarheels to finish in double figures. Tyler Hansbrough was the other, scoring 10 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. The Tarheels finish out the year with a record of 23-8. And it was the Duke Blue Devils marching on to the Sweet 16, after beating George Washington 74-61. J.J. Redick had 20 points and Shelton Williams added 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Next up for Duke is a matchup this Thursday at 7:10pm against LSU.

NHL
On the ice this weekend, it was Boston over the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. Eric Staal and Kevin Adams both scored for the Hurricanes, who drop to 45-16.

NBA
Taking a look at the senior circuit of the NBA, it went down to the wire but the Charlotte Bobcats lost to Detroit Saturday night 108-103. Down two points with less than a minute to go, the Bobcats fouled Tayshawn Prince of the Pistons to stop the clock. However even though he wasn’t in the act of shooting, referees allowed Prince to drive to the basket and score before also awarding the foul. Primoz Breznec led Charlotte with 20 points, as the Bobcats drop to 18-49. They’ll take on Orlando tomorrow night.

NASCAR
Nascar fans will have to wait one more day for the results of this week’s race at Las Vegas. Rain showers caused the race to be postponed from yesterday and drivers will start their engines today at 11am.

Panthers Lose Another To Free Agency
The Carolina Panthers took another hit in free agency this week, as cornerback Dante Wesley left to join the Chicago Bears. Wesley had spent all four years of his NFL career with the Panthers, after the team drafted him in the fourth round back in 2002.