Local Agencies In Need Of Help
Even though winter here in Wilkes County has been mild, the lack of jobs has sent people out in search of food. For most of the local relief agencies, that means their shelves are virtually empty. Wilkes Cares and Samaritan’s Kitchen both find themselves in need of any help possible. Everyone from retirees to those who just want to give a few hours in community service are asked to come out and help the organizations. You can call Samaritan’s Kitchen at 838-5331 or Wilkes Cares at 838-4900.

Focus On Our House
For many people in the Wilkes County area, the name Our House has become associated with caring and support. But while many may have heard the name, they’re not sure what exactly goes on at the organization. Sherry Mabry, executive director at Our House, will be Brian’s guest this week on Focus on the Foothills as they’ll be talking about Our House and some opportunities for you to get involved with the organization. That’s coming up Thursday afternoon at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Business Expo Coming Up Today
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 today. 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.

Cheaper Way To File Taxes
March 15th is less than a week away and if you haven’t filed taxes yet, now’s a good time. But 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.

Small Business Seminar Tomorrow At WCC
It can be hard starting up your own business, especially if you have to compete with larger companies. What business model should you follow? Can your idea even succeed in the current economic climate? Coming up on Thursday, the Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College will have a seminar to answer those questions and provide advice to would be employers. In the second part of their Small Business Start Up Series, the topic will be “Is My Business Concept Viable?” You can pre-register by calling WCC at 336-838-6210 or 336-838-6113. The seminar is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend.

Warning Issued For Antibiotic
A warning has been issued for anyone using the antibiotic Tequin, as it can lead to life threatening side effects according to a recent study. The study, which will be released in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that elderly people who used the drug were 17 times more likely to develop side effects such as diabetes or low blood sugar than those who used other medicines. Tequin, or gatifloxacin as its’ generic form is known, is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs, sinuses, skin and urinary tract. The FDA has not made any official decision regarding the drug, but a warning label has been attached to the drug advising patients with diabetes not to take it.

Regional News

Driver Charged In Friday Death
Charges have been brought against the surviving driver in a deadly race in Caldwell County. Last Friday two teenagers got into a street race on the extension road next to Lowes’ Hardware in Lenoir. Both drivers lost control and collided, going over the 60 ft. embankment nearby. One of those drivers, 16-yr-old Adam Lackey died at Carolinas Medical Center over the weekend. Now the other driver, 19-yr-old Brian James Overton is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

State News

Elections Probe Put On Hold
A state investigation into the video poker industry has been put on hold while officials sort through the evidence already collected. North Carolina’s Board Of Elections has been investigating potentially illegal campaign contributions from video poker companies to several state lawmakers. A hearing date has been set for March 21st for testimony and to present evidence in the case.

Jobs Possibly Coming To Camden County
Good news today for people in Camden County, as more jobs could soon be headed to the area. Blackwater USA, a military contractor, is planning to build two airstrips, a pilot building and a hanger in the area to handle all of its’ air traffic. Construction wouldn’t begin until April, after the local planning board has had a chance to review the request. The plans would be an expansion of Blackwater’s presence in Camden, as they already have several firing ranges, classrooms and other buildings in the area.

Local Schools Losing Scholarships
Two North Carolina schools could lose scholarships after their athletes turned in bad grades. Under the NCAA’s new academic standards, teams at each school have to meet a minimum requirement. If they fall below that standard, not only are the students deemed ineligible, but scholarship money is taken away as well. Overall 65 sports teams fell below the standards with East Carolina and Gardner-Webb being the only two local schools involved. Gardner-Webb’s football team took a hit with nine players failing. The East Carolina basketball program will also possibly shrink with two students failing. Those students have a chance to play next fall if they improve this semester.

Defense Asks To Spare Inmate’s Life
An inmate scheduled to be executed on March 17th is now at the center of a court battle. Patrick Moody was sentenced to die in 1995 after pleading guilty to the murder of Donnie Robbins, whose wife he’d been having an affair with. Now defense attorneys have filed one final appeal, saying that Moody’s life should be spared because they believe him to be mentally retarded. The appeal also questions North Carolina’s use of lethal injection, calling it inhumane.

Project To Save Cape Lookout Begins Today
A project is beginning to help save the Cape Lookout Lighthouse this week. The lighthouse has stood on North Carolina’s coast for almost 150 years, but recent storms combined with natural erosion have put the structure in danger of toppling into the ocean. To prevent that, officials with the Cape Lookout National Seashore are dredging nearby soals to rebuild the shoreline. By the time the project is finished, 75 feet of sand will be dumped on the beach as protection.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Tonight
With the weather turning warm, it’s time for high school baseball here in the county. 3WC will be on hand tonight to bring you the game between Elkin and North Wilkes over in Viking County. We’ll go on the air at 6:45 with the McDonald’s pregame show, then turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand for the first pitch at 7pm.

Charlotte, Duke And UNC Players Chosen
Around the college basketball scene, several conference honored players this week. In the Atlantic 10 conference, two UNC Charlotte players were named to the All-Conference team, as De’Angelo Alexander and Curtis Withers both made the squad. Teammate Leemire Goldwire made the honorable mention list. In the ACC, the All-Conference list read like a Duke-Carolina roster. J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams and Tyler Hansbrough were all named to the team, each a unanimous vote from all of the 108 ACC Sports Media Association. UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough also made history as the first freshman to ever earn a unanimous nomination. He was one of two Tarheels to make the all-freshmen team along with Bobby Frasor. Josh McRoberts and Greg Paulus from Duke were the other Carolina players making the list. On the All-Defensive team in the ACC, Duke had Shelden Williams and Cedric Simmons represented NC State.

Injured Bobcats Possibly To Return
Good news for Bobcats fans, as the team prepares to take on Golden State tonight. Two of their injured players could be on the way back. Power forward Emeka Okafor says he expects to play before the end of this month. Okafor sprained his ankle December 19th, then reinjured it in early January. Since then he’s missed 35 games and has just recently been able to start walking on it.
Also forward Sean May, who’s missed most of his rookie season due to injury, could make an appearance before the end of the season as well. May has been cleared by doctors to practice, dunking and running with the rest of the team. The team however wants to take it slow and make sure May doesn’t aggravate the injury while rehabbing it.

Former Warthog Looking For a Major Shot
A former member of the Winston Salem Warthogs is getting his shot at the majors this spring. Leo Daigle made history last year as the first Carolina League Triple Crown winner in over 50 years. He batted .341 with 29 home runs and 112 RBIs. But the 26-yr-old was released by the Chicago White Sox, as they didn’t have a spot for him on the major league roster. Now he’s in training camp with the Baltimore Orioles, having signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Daigle might have the inside track to stick with the team, as they’re short on both outfielders and 1st basemen, the two positions he plays. He’s started things off on the right foot so far, homering in his first intersquad scrimmage.

Harvick With Decisions To Make
In NASCAR, a decision will be coming up for Kevin Harvick. He told reporters that around the first of April, he’ll be a making a decision whether to stay with Richard Childress Racing or to go off on his own. Childress says that Harvick is one of the most talented drivers on the circuit and he wants to keep him, but the negotiations have to be a two way street.