Meeting For Elementary School Parents This Week
Parents of 5th grade students at several Wilkes County schools are being invited to a meeting this week, dealing with different topics about their child’s education. The 2nd Falcon Fundamentals meeting will be held this Wednesday, with parents from Boomer-Ferguson, C.C. Wright, Moravian Falls, North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro Elementary all asked to attend. The event will be held at Central Wilkes Middle School in the cafeteria starting at 7pm. Once again that is for all parents of 5th grade students at those respective schools.
Man Killed In Sunday Accident
One man is dead today after an accident on Hwy 18. Sunday morning, 54-yr-old John Cruz Williams was driving on Hwy 18 when he lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road, slamming into a nearby embankment. Highway Patrol officers said that the accident happened near the intersection of 18 and
Mail Stolen From Moravian Falls Home
A Moravian Falls woman went out to get her mail last week, shortly after the postman had stopped by. However by the time she got to the mailbox, it was empty. Later in the day her mail was found, tossed out further on up the road. It’s unknown who could have taken the mail, as neighbors couldn’t recall seeing anyone near the box that day. The investigation is ongoing.
3WC Healthwatch: An Ear To Hear
Your teenager’s headphones could be causing him to go deaf, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A survey done by Zogby International recently found that over half of high school students polled have at least one of the symptoms of hearing loss. The reason? They have the music turned up too loud in their IPods or other digital players. While out and about, noise from traffic or other sounds can get in the way of a good song, so teens turn it up to the maximum volume. But that’s where it gets dangerous. In the new digital players, maximum volume can be as high as 120 decibels, as loud as a jet taking off from the runway. If you listen at that level for more than ten minutes at a time, doctors say, it can lead to permanent damage. Even if the results aren’t permanent, they can affect the student’s performance in the classroom. Additional research at Vanderbilt University found that students suffering from any type of hearing loss are at least 10 times more likely to fail a test or flunk a grade than those with normal hearing. But this doesn’t mean you have to toss the players in the trash. As long as the sound is kept at medium levels, there’s no damage done. Teens just have to learn that along with the on/off switch, there’s also one for volume. For more information, parents can visit the National Institute on Deafness at their website
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov.
Tools Stolen From North Wilkesboro Residence
Thieves hit a residence in North Wilkesboro last week, running off with over a hundred dollars worth of merchandise. The incident happened at a home on Newport Lane, as the homeowner returned to find someone had broke into her storage shed. The thieves had pried open a side panel and slipped in, taking several saws and a battery charger when they left. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation is ongoing.
Always Lock Your Car
It’s never a good idea to leave your car unlocked if you have valuable stuff inside. A North Wilkesboro woman found out why last week, as thieves did a little shopping inside her vehicle. She had arrived home and left the car unlocked, but came out on Friday to find her cell phone, $12 in cash and a bottle of Zanex were all missing from inside. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.
Be Careful Of Fire Alarms
Federal officials are warning people to be careful when using a certain brand of smoke detector. Complaints have come in from across the county about First Alert’s ONELINK smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. The problem is that the detectors drain their batteries in less than six weeks, while normal smoke detectors are supposed to work for about a year without having to switch out. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is launching an investigation, along with BRK Brands, the company who makes the detectors. In addition, Home Depot announced over the weekend that it would be pulling the device from its’ shelves until the problem is solved. Still officials are suggesting that if you have a ONELINK detector, check it at least once a week to make sure your home is protected. Home Depot
All The Wood That’s Fit To Steal
The cold weather apparently caught some people unaware, as they resorted to stealing wood last week. Thieves hit a North Wilkesboro residence, but didn’t try to break in or steal anything from the house. All that was taken from the home on Sunset Strip Drive was an estimated $50 worth of firewood that the homeowner had split and stored in his garage. Nothing was damaged and aside from the missing wood, there was no indication that anyone had been there in the first place. That investigation continues.
Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Jewelry Taken
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Hays residence late last week, after thieves ran off with several thousand dollars in jewelry. The incident happened at a home on the Shumate Mountain Road, as thieves took over $3500 in rings and earrings. However despite the theft, there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. That investigation is continuing.
Heritage Museum Once Again Taking Names For Veterans’ Walk
With Memorial Day coming up in three months, the Wilkes Heritage Museum wants to continue honoring soldiers by adding more names to their Veterans’ Walk of Honor. Bricks for the project cost $100 each, with the veteran’s name, rank, branch and date of service engraved. The deadline this year is April 28th, to guarantee that the veteran’s name will be placed on the walk in time for the ceremony. Proceeds from the walk will go to help fund the museum and other projects of Old Wilkes. To buy one, you can contact Old Wilkes at 667-3711 or stop by to pick up an application. The organization is located at 203 North Bridge Street behind the Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro. Or you can drop in at the museum itself to pick one up.
Regional News
Two Year Hickory Murder Solved
A murder case that’s stumped Hickory officials for two years has now been closed. 39-yr-old Derek Morris Colson was charged over the weekend with murder and attempted murder. In 2004, one woman was killed and the other badly injured in the Hickory area between March and April, a series of assaults that put the community on edge. Officials wouldn’t say what evidence led to the arrest, only that they found the 39-yr-old Colson near Asheville and he’s currently being held without bound in the Catawba County Jail.
State News
Thousands Come Out For Immigration Rally
Thousands of people filed out across North Carolina this weekend, to rallies protesting proposed crackdowns on illegal aliens. Over 7000 people turned out in Charlotte and Kernersville, carrying signs, wearing white shirts and demanding what they called “fair treatment”. During the rallies, speakers said that America can’t ignore the people who take care of their children and build their homes.
Students Build Houses
Some high school students in Yanceyville are looking to help the community and increase their grades at the same time. The high school students are building a house, under the direction of their carpentry teacher. A design class selected the color scheme, parents helped out with the wiring and the carpentry class built the building. Now the building will be up for sale this June at a public auction.
More Jobs Possibly Coming To Triad
Some good news for people living in the Triad, as more jobs could be coming to the area. Officials from Randolph and Alamance County announced that both were in negotiations with an unnamed furniture company, who is looking to move to the East Coast. The new plant would be bringing one thousand jobs to the area within the next three years. A decision is expected by July.
Student Cons UNCG Out Of Thousands
A student at UNC-Greensboro has been arrested on felony charges after defrauding the university out of nearly $10,000. Officials say that 20-yr-old Milad Ghattan bought a pre-paid credit card, then used the Internet to overpay his student account with it. Anytime a student account is overpaid, universities send a refund to the student in question. A series of refund checks totaling $9640 were sent to Ghattan before police uncovered the crime. He faces three counts of obtaining property by false pretense.
Sports Headlines
High School Baseball Results
Taking a look at high school baseball over the weekend, it was West Wilkes beating East Surry 5-0, thanks in part to a great pitching performance from starter Justin Spears. Spears struck out a career high 18 batters while going the distance and picking up the win. With the win, West takes over first place in the Northwest 1-A with a record of 8-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
NBA: Charlotte vs. Memphis
It was close but no cigar for the Charlotte Bobcats as they lost to Memphis last night 102-95. The Bobcats were led by Gerald Wallace, who had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks on the day but it wasn’t enough to knock off the Grizzlies. The loss drops Charlotte to 19-51, with a game coming up Tuesday against Atlanta.
NHL: Carolina vs. Washington
A losing streak continues for the Carolina Hurricanes, as they fell against Washington 3-1 Saturday night. The loss drops Charlotte to 46-18, still in first place in the Southeastern Conference heading into tonight’s game against Tampa Bay.
NASCAR Results
Kurt Busch took the checkered flag on Sunday amid controversy in the Food city 500. He knocked aside friend Matt Kenseth to get to victory lane, a move Kenseth told reporters was a cheap shot. Kevin Harvick took second, with Kenseth falling all the way to 3rd. Carl Edwards and Bobby Labonte rounded out the top five.
Panthers Sign Keyshawn Johnson
The Carolina Panthers have a new member of the team, as wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson came to terms on a contract. The 6’4 ft Johnson agreed to a four year deal worth $19 million, which comes out to a relatively cheap $5 million per season when you add in the signing bonus. He gives Carolina a physical receiver that can take the pressure off Steve Smith, while also helping in the blocking game, something Johnson is known for. As a member of the Dallas Cowboys last season, the 34-yr-old caught 71 passes.