Sex Offenders Leaving List
People here in Wilkes and across the state are concerned about a recent move involving sexual offenders. Under the current law, sex offenders have to be registered for a 10-yr-period and then their names are taken off the list. For those offenders who were registered in 1996, that means they’re no longer in the system as of this year. That however doesn’t apply to repeat offenders or violent predators, who have to stay registered for life. In Wilkes County, there are currently 99 registered sex offenders living in areas stretching from North Wilkesboro to Boomer. Across North Carolina, there are over 9000 people registered as sex offenders. Now members of the House are wanting to re-examine the law and make changes, to possibly keep all offenders registered for life.

Never Leave Your Purse Behind
Be careful what you leave behind in your car. A Wilkesboro woman found out why that’s a good idea last week, when thieves opened up her vehicle and went shopping. She had stopped off at a patient’s house to check on them and left her car unlocked, with her purse still inside. When she returned a few minutes later, a local man was running away from the vehicle and the purse was missing. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Business Expo This Wednesday
With economic conditions not exactly the best here in the county, a lot of people are out looking for work. The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce wants to help with that, by holding a Business Expo at the Walker Center this Wednesday. 47 different businesses will be on hand, ranging from the Hickory Crawdads to Carolina West Wireless. The expo will last from 9am til 4pm and is open for anyone who is looking for a new career.

Thieves Go On Spending Spree In Traphill
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Traphill residence last week, after thieves broke in. The incident happened on the Traphill Road, as someone shattered the front window with a rock, then climbed inside. Over $7000 in jewelry was taken from the home, including a 14 karat gold bracelet, a woman’s ruby ring and other items. Information about the missing pieces was given over to deputies, as each was unique and could be identified by engravings and inscriptions. That investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Better Living Through Chocolate
It might not be such a bad idea to eat chocolate, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. It turns out chocolate can actually be good for you, according to a study recently done in the Netherlands. The study, examined 470 men age 65 and older and found that those who ate the equivalent of 1/3 of a chocolate bar each day had lower blood pressure. That includes things like chocolate pudding and hot coca drinks, as well as the candy. It’s believed that flavanols, particles found in the chocolate, increase nitric oxide in the bloodstream and improve the way blood vessels function. However the doctors warn that while a little chocolate can be healthy, too much can cause health problems. The study was released in last week’s Archives of Internal Medicine.

Wilkes Residents Could Have A Refund Coming
Wilkes County residents could have some relief coming to their wallet, thanks to a recent court decision. Ameriquest Financial Services has agreed to pay back $295 million to clients across the U.S., after reaching a settlement. Investigations had started in several states, accusing Ameriquest of predatory lending practices including hidden penalties and fees that helped to drive people into debt. Across North Carolina, an estimated 6000 people will get part of the settlement and will be contacted over the next few weeks by the state’s Attorney General office.

Local Churches Working To Help Hurricane Victims
Two local ministries are asking for help in reaching out to a family in need. Calvary Baptist Church has been working to rebuild a home for a family in Gulfport Mississippi. Now in connection with Rescue America Baptist Missions they want to finish the job. The outside of the house is fine and a new roof has been put on, but the inside still needs work. The two ministries have been told that it will cost about $20,000 to finish the project. They are asking for any type of help possible, from volunteers to pick up a hammer to anyone looking to donate supplies or money. They need doors, sheetrock, lumber and anything else available to give. The house belongs to a couple and their two kids and if you or your church can help by volunteering or through financial means, the person to call is Jean Hodges at 262-0385.

Regional News

Local American Idol Sees Dream Come Short
A local girl fell just short in her dream to become the next American Idol. 22-yr-old Heather Cox of Jonesville was eliminated last week from the program. Cox had performed the song “Hero” by Mariah Carey and got the second lowest vote total of the night. However Cox took the announcement in stride, saying she was blessed to have been a part of the competition.

One Teen Dies After Race Ends
One teenager is dead in Lenoir today as a high speed race ended in tragedy. On Friday’s news we told you about a race near the Lowes Hardware complex, between two cars driven by teens. The two vehicles collided on an extension road near the business and went over a 60 ft. embankment, with two of the teens being taken to the hospital. Adam Collins Lackey was one of those teens and he died after being airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. The Lenoir teen was one of the drivers and his passenger, a 16-yr-old Lenoir boy, has already been treated and released from Caldwell Memorial. The other driver, 19-yr-old Brian James Overton, walked away without injury. According to Lenoir police charges are pending in the case.

State News

Changes Possibly Coming For College Tuition
The way you pay for college could be changing soon across North Carolina. A proposal has been put forth to the North Carolina college board, suggesting that students pay per credit hour instead of a flat fee. Officials believe that would discourage students from taking a heavy course load and possibly improve their focus on the ones that remain. Also officials believe students would graduate quicker, as they would be more likely not to enroll for a double major or minor in a subject. A decision is expected before the start of the fall semester.

Student Kicked Out For Selling Tickets
A freshman at Duke University thought he’d make some extra cash this weekend but ended up with an eviction notice. Since the first week of January, several thousand Duke students have lived in the tent city known as Krzyzewskiville, vying for tickets to the Duke-Carolina game. One student however decided he wanted money rather than to see the game and put his ticket up for auction on Ebay. The problem for him was that a former usher at Cameron Indoor Stadium saw the auction and let a line monitor in the tent city know what was happening. The student was tracked down and kicked off, going back to the dorm empty handed after living for over a month in a tent.

Charlotte Firefighters Uncover Bodies
A fire in north Charlotte has turned into a murder investigation. Firefighters were called out late Saturday night to an apartment complex to put out the blaze. What they found inside were two bodies that didn’t appear to have been killed by the flames. It’s still unclear exactly how the two people were killed and the Fire Investigation task force has taken control of the case.

Police Searching For Bank Robbery Suspects
Officials in Rowan County are searching for two women that attempted to rob a local bank. Friday morning, the pair walked into First Bank in Salisbury and gave a note to a teller, demanding money. It also said they would start shooting if they didn’t get the money. However before the teller could react, both women took off running out the door and disappeared. It’s believed they had a getaway car waiting and officials are using security cameras to piece together what exactly happened.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
In college basketball this weekend it was a time of old finishes and new beginnings. Appalachian State saw their hopes at a conference title end, as they lost in the Southern Conference tournament to Chattanooga 78-75. DJ Thompson had 25 points and 6 assists for the Mountaineers, one of four players to finish in double figures for the team but it wasn’t enough as the team goes to 14-16. Also in Southern Conference action it was Elon losing to Davidson 65-58. The Phoenix will wrap things up with a 15-14 record. Also the 7th-ranked George Washington team survived an upset bid by UNC Charlotte, winning 86-85 in overtime. Senior Curtis Withers had 18 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the 49ers, who fall to 18-11.

ACC Scoreboard
Taking a look at the ACC, two upsets involving North Carolina teams as Wake Forest knocked off NC State and the UNC Tarheels beat Duke. The Demon Deacons beat the Wolfpack in a blowout 76-63, thanks in part to 22 points and 16 rebounds from Eric Williams. Evan Atsur had 23 points for State, who fall to 21-8, all the way down to fourth place in the ACC while Wake improves to 15-15, still dead last in the conference. In Durham, things didn’t go as planned for the Blue Devils on Senior Night as they lost to UNC 83-76. J.J. Redick had an off night, only scoring 18 points as the Blue Devils drop to 27-3 but maintain their position atop the ACC standings. Tyler Hansbrough had 27 points to lead Carolina, who improve to 21-6 and slide into sole possession of second place.

NASCAR Busch Series Results
The NASCAR teams were off this week, leaving the spotlight on the Busch racers. Denny Hamlin won Sunday’s Tercel-Motorola 200 in Mexico City, beating out Boris Said by just over one second. Kevin Harvick took the third spot. NASCAR meanwhile will return to the track this coming Sunday for the UAW Daimler-Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas.

Kasey Planning To Return
While some of the Carolina Panthers are still undecided about their future, one member of the team isn’t afraid to commit. Kicker John Kasey, the only one left from the original Panthers roster, announced on Thursday that he was going to be returning for his 16th season in the NFL. ESPN had been reporting that Kasey was possibly leaning towards retirement, but the kicker said that was nothing but gossip.

Hurricanes Continue Winning Streak
The Carolina Hurricanes kept their winning streak alive over the weekend, beating Pittsburgh 7-5. Eric Cole led Carolina with two goals on the night, before leaving in the 3rd period with an injury. With the win, Carolina improves to a league best 42-14, with a game later tonight against the New York Rangers.