**Wilkes County Schools On Regular Schedule**

Winter Weather Returns To Wilkes
On the first day of spring, it seemed more like winter across Wilkes County as snow fell in the area. In portions of Boomer and Millers Creek, reports came in of a half inch falling before the mix turned to sleet. And things may not be over, according to the National Weather Service. With a storm system hanging around the area, an additional half inch of sleet or snow could fall tonight. However if you’re looking forward to warm weather, it could be awhile. Forecasters are predicting that it’ll at least a week before the temperatures return to the 60s and 70s.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A routine traffic stop on Hwy 268 West led to a drug bust for sheriff’s deputies. After pulling over the car, deputies found that both people inside had warrants out for their arrest. After the men were put under arrest, deputies searched the car and found gas cans and power tools. Also found inside was less than a gram of cocaine and a crack pipe. The suspects then admitted to breaking into several trucks at Martins’ Roofing. Included in the thefts were several drills, a few saws, a nail gun and four gas cans filled with $60 worth of gas. 29-yr-old Darrell Ray Elledge and 26-yr-old Christopher Brandon Johnson were both arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Blood Drive Later Today
With the winter weather returning to Wilkes County, it’s more important than ever to have enough blood on hand. The Wilkes Red Cross is looking to keep our supply out of critical levels, by holding a drive today at Traphill Elementary. The drive will last from 2:30-7pm and is open to everyone. To set up an appointment, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Wilkes County
Mailbox vandals hit another residence in Wilkes this week, targeting a home on Country Club Road. A woman came outside after hearing a loud noise, to find a dark colored mustang at the end of the driveway. The car took off, as she noticed that her mailbox had been damaged and left on the ground. A description on the car was given to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Lawn Mower Taken From Clingman Home
Thieves drove off with a Clingman woman’s lawn mower earlier this week. The incident happened just off of Old Hwy 60, as the homeowner called sheriff’s deputies. She had noticed the lawn mower was missing and after asking about it, her daughter’s boyfriend admitted he had taken the mower and sold it for cash. Deputies were able to track down the buyer, who gave back the machine. 29-yr-old Charles Anthony Boswell was arrested and charged with larceny.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need during the winter season. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is helping to solve that by taking applications for their financial assistance program. The program is open to anyone who can demonstrate a need for help paying utility or rent bills. However before going out, please remember that you can only be seen with an appointment, during either Tuesday or Thursday from 1-5pm. Also there is a limited amount of money available to help, given out on a need based approach. The Salvation Army is located in the Wilkes United Way office building, at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information or to set up an appointment you can call 651-7800.

Thieves Target North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home on Brown Ridge Road this week, after thieves paid a visit. The homeowner’s garage had been broken into, with thieves running off with almost $2000 worth of material. Taken from inside were several saws, a few drills and some welding equipment. Deputies are checking into a possible connection with some similar break-ins in the area as the investigation continues.

Recall Ordered Of Chevy Trucks
More trucks have been put on the recall line this week, as GM discovered a problem in several Silverado and Sierra vehicles. All 1999 and 2000 models of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have been recalled, after what GM calls an exhaustive investigation. The galvanized steel support cables that hold the tailgates in place can actually fracture over time due to moisture seeping through the cracks. 84 people have been injured so far across the world and truck owners can return the vehicle to their dealer for a free repair.

TV Stolen From Local Residence
A homeowner on Hwy 21 woke up earlier this week after hearing his dog barking. He looked out and saw a man running from the residence, carrying his tv. It’s unknown how the man got inside, however a description of the person and his getaway vehicle were both turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

Hearing Begins In Lottery Case
The new state lottery is little more than a tax. That’s what lawyers for the opposition said in North Carolina Superior Court on Monday. They were in court trying to get the lottery overturned and sent back to lawmakers for a second vote on the issue, saying that it was a tax and should be treated like one. No evidence was presented as to why it was a tax and supporters of the lottery brought that up, saying that no one is forced to buy a ticket. Judge Hight is expected to rule on the matter later this week. If nothing is changed, lottery tickets will go on sale March 30th.

State Officials Want Guns Replaced
Hundreds of guns used by correction officers across the state need to be replaced, according to North Carolina prison officials. The state has called on Smith & Wesson to replace several hundred weapons due to a problem with the pistols. During testing, the barrels broke off some of the weapons when they were fired and one in every four guns failed to fire when the trigger was pulled. It could end up costing the state over $1.5 million to replace all of the weapons, in addition to the cost of new ammunition & retraining expenses.

Jobs Coming To Rocky Mount
Good news for people who live in Rocky Mount, as some much needed jobs are headed to the area. RW &Able Inc., a manufacturing company that creates plastic parts and seats for car interiors, will be moving to the area from California, bringing along 50 new jobs in the process. Gov. Mike Easley announced the move on Monday, which was made possible by a $25,000 grant from the One North Carolina fund.

Sports Headlines

Hansbrough Staying
UNC Tarheel fans can breathe a sigh of relief as they look to next season. Freshman Tyler Hansbrough expects to stay with the team. Coach Roy Williams said that he’ll look into the freshman’s NBA prospects, but expects to have everyone back. In his first year at Carolina, Hansbrough became the first freshman in school history to lead the team in both points and rebounding. He also was the first freshman in the history of the ACC to put up 40 points in a game.

Hodge Recalled From D-League
One former member of the Wolfpack is getting a shot at the NBA as Julius Hodge was called up from the Developmental League this week. Hodge, who was drafted with the 20th pick by the Denver Nuggets, had been playing for the Austin Toros of the D-League, averaging 17 points and 5 rebounds. The Nuggets called up Hodge after losing guard Earl Boykins to a hand injury which will have him out of the lineup for at least four weeks.

NASCAR Results
Around the Nascar scene, Kasey Kahne took the checkered flag at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Golden Corral 500. Mark Martin finished 2nd, Dale Earnhart Jr. came in third, Jeff Gordon was 4th and Tony Stewart rounded out the top five. The win moves Kahne up to second place in the points race, 55 behind current points leader Jimmie Johnson. Matt Kenseth is third in the points race, 78 behind Johnson. Rounding out the top five is Mark Martin in fourth place, 90 points behind and Casey Mears in 5th, 136 behind the leader.

Former Tarheel Getting Chance To Crack Royals Roster
With spring training in full swing, major league teams are trying to set their rosters for the upcoming season. An open spot in the Kansas City bullpen could be good news for a former UNC Tarheel, as Kyle Snyder is expected to make the squad. Drafted back in 1999 by the Royals, Snyder’s major league career was delayed due to two shoulder and elbow surgeries. However so far this spring he’s showing why the Royals drafted him, giving up only two runs in 6 2/3 innings and throwing a shutout against Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.