News & Sports For March 7th

Dropout Rate In Wilkes On The Rise
Some mixed results for Wilkes County schools, as the latest dropout report has been released by North Carolina. Overall the dropout rate for high schools here in the county rose during the 2004-2005 school year, with 4.74% of students quitting. This marks the third straight year Wilkes County’s dropout rate has increased, up from 4.73% in 2003 and 4.24% in 2002.

Triplett’s Grocery Falls Victim To Thieves
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Triplett’s Grocery on Sunday, after thieves paid a visit. Three people came into the store, grabbed some wine and hot sausages before taking off out the door. However the joke appears to be on the thieves, as they were caught on the security tape, which was turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation continues.

Two Cars Damaged After Wreck On 421
A wreck on 421 Sunday afternoon damaged two vehicles. A Wilkesboro man had to stop suddenly due to traffic, however the car behind him couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. No one was hurt in the accident and estimated damages were placed at $750.

Warm Weather To Stick Around
While it may not feel like it this morning, warm weather is expected to make its way to Wilkes County. Forecasters are predicting some of the warmest temperatures this year to descend upon the county in the next two weeks, thanks in part to the La Nina weather system. Temperatures are expected to hit the mid 70s by Friday and stay that way until at least March 17th. But the spring weather is just making a visit, as March 18th is expected to mark a return to cold temperatures as another system moves in.

Thieves Hit Millers Creek Home
Thieves targeted a home in Millers Creek over the weekend, apparently with music in mind. It’s unclear exactly how they managed to get inside the house on Friendly Grove Church Road, as there was no damage done to the property. But once in the door, they went straight for the homeowner’s pocketbook along with a nearby IPod. The woman’s checkbook and several other items were inside the pocketbook and information has been turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Gun Stolen From Millers Creek Residence
A gun was taken from a residence in Millers Creek Sunday afternoon. The homeowner returned to find the 9mm Colt missing, without any sign of a break-in or anything else taken from inside. There is however a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Highway Patrol Out In Force This Week
Be careful if you’re out and about on the roads this week, as the Highway Patrol has launched Operation Slowdown. Officers are trying to reduce the amount of speeding on North Carolina highways, mainly targeting the interstate system using helicopters and motorcycles. Across the state, speeding violations over 100 mph have grown 175% in the last seven years.

Thieves Roll Off With Tires From Local Home
A Moravian Falls man didn’t exactly get the homecoming he expected when returning from the hospital this week. He came back on Sunday to find that thieves had paid a visit, running off with tires and wheels from his front yard. All total an estimated $250 worth of material had been stolen. That investigation is ongoing.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
We’ve talked a lot here on the news about the need for blood in Wilkes County. But thanks to last year’s hurricanes and the cost of relocating survivors, the local Red Cross needs help of a different kind as well. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

State News

More Soldiers Return Home
There were smiles and hugs handed out earlier this week at Fort Bragg as more troops came home. Members of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment arrived home on Sunday to a warm welcome from family & friends. For many of the 250 troops, this had been their third deployment since 2001, serving in Afghanistan.

Judge Threatens To Shut Down Schools
19 schools in North Carolina will be closed down unless they improve, according to a state judge. A 17-page letter was sent to State Superintendent June Atkinson and the State Board of Education, calling for massive changes in each of the schools targeted for closing. Instead of financial shortages, Judge Manning said that poor leadership from principals and other school officials were to blame for the results in the classroom. Under the judge’s ruling, schools whose students manage a 55% or worse passing rate on state tests will have their principals replaced before the fall term.

Chapel Hill Grad Says His Trial To Offer Lesson
The UNC Chapel Hill graduate who drove his vehicle into a crowd of students last week said that he’s glad to be going to trial. 22-yr-old Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar told the judge in his case that he was glad she would be hearing the trial, because it would help her learn more about the will of Allah. Taheri had told police when they arrested him that he attacked the students as a way of avenging the American treatment of Muslims. A hearing date has been set for March 16th and Taheri plans to represent himself.

Zoo Asks For More Money
A price tag has been set at $6 million by the North Carolina Zoo, for repairs and improvements, money they’re asking to be given by the General Assembly. The zoo would use the money to renovate their ampitheater, add a children’s center and some new barns as well. This would mark the first time in over 14 years that state money has been given out to the zoo for such a project. In the meantime it has survived mostly on private donations.

Monday Marks Anniversary For Winston
Monday marked a historic occasion in Winston Salem, as the city celebrated the 40th anniversary of Piedmont Airlines’ first flight into the area. Piedmont began operations back in the late 1940s, flying between the Carolina coast and the Ohio River Valley. Later on it would merge with US Air to become US Airways.

Charlotte Named Site For Hall
The worst kept secret in all of racing was made official on Monday, as Charlotte was announced to be the site of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The city’s location was a key factor in landing the Hall, according to NASCAR officials. Most of the NASCAR teams are stationed either in the city itself or in nearby towns, with many drivers and their families living in the area.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scene last night, it was UNC Wilmington getting a spot in the NCAA tournament by beating Hofstra 78-67 in the finals of the Colonial Conference. With the win, Wilmington improves to 25-7 and awaits Selection Sunday next week, when they’ll find out where they’re seeded.

Heels Name Defensive Ends Coach
In college football, UNC Coach John Bunting wasted no time in plugging the holes in his staff. Charlotte native Danny Pearman was named as the Heels new defensive ends coach on Thursday. Pearman played as a tight end at Clemson from 84-87 before accepting a job at Virginia Tech as an assistant. He’ll replace Brad Lawing, who left to join Steve Spurrier’s staff at South Carolina. In addition, wide receivers coach Dave Brock has also been named the new recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Miami
In the NBA, it went down to the wire but the Charlotte Bobcats fell just short against Miami 106-105. Gerald Wallace led Charlotte with 25 points, 15 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 blocks on the day, while Raymond Felton adding 19 points. The team drops to 16-45 with Golden State coming to town on Wednesday.

NHL: Carolina vs. NY Rangers
On the ice last night, it was the Carolina Hurricanes over the New York Rangers 2-1. The Hurricanes keep their winning streak alive, having gone 4-0 since the Olympic break, as the team improves to 43-14, the best record in the NHL.

Cole To Miss Rest Of Regular Season
The Hurricanes got some bad news before last night’s game as Eric Cole will miss at least 6 weeks. Cole was injured Sunday night when a Pittsburgh player slammed him headfirst into the boards, fracturing part of his vertebrae. The 27-yr-old had scored a career high 60 goals in 60 games so far this season. To fill his spot on the roster, Carolina called up Andrew Ladd from the minor leagues.

Comments

[Askinstoo]

hey guys! love this blog! check mine out! Found a place where you can make some extra cash. Just put in your
zip code and fine a bunch of places where you can make some extra cash. I live in a small town and found several.

http://www.surveywv.com" REL="nofollow">http://www.surveywv.com