News & Sports For April 26th

What Does The Bush Announcement Mean?
On Tuesday, President Bush announced plans designed to lower the cost of gasoline. But how will they really affect your wallet? Bush called for a temporary stoppage on gas deposits made to the national petroleum reserve, releasing those gallons back to the public. Administration officials said that the reserve had enough stored up that even in the face of a major crisis, there would be enough to distribute. Deposits will begin again in the fall. Also the president ordered that environmental rules for gasoline be halted, to help meet the growing demand. What that does is remove the restrictions companies have in developing their gas products, allowing them to keep the gas free of additives such as ethanol that are put in to meet the clean air standard. That could mean a better quality of gas at the pump this summer but some analysts are advising caution. The new guidelines mean that a higher sulfur content is also possible in the gas. Coming up tomorrow in the 3WC News, we take a look at what that extra sulfur could mean and some warning signs to help prevent long term damage to your car.

3WC Eye On Politics Part II: Clerk Of Court
As we continue the countdown to next Tuesday’s election, 3WC News is wrapping up our political coverage over the next two days. Today and Thursday we’re concluding the conversations with candidates for the Republican primary for Clerk of Court. On today’s newscast we’re talking with John Yates.
7am-Mr. Yates explains why he decided to run
8am-In the second segment of our conversation, Mr. Yates discusses how important experience is in a job like this
noon-what changes he would make
5pm-wrapup
Coming up tomorrow we wrap up our conversations with the candidates by talking with Geoff Farmer.

Thieves Hit Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a mobile home in Wilkesboro on Monday after thieves paid a visit. Over a thousand dollars worth of merchandise, including a set of speakers and some DVDs were taken from the residence. The owners had moved out of the home several weeks ago after it had caught fire, but kept some of their materials inside for storage. However the fire damage prevented them from being able to lock the door and thieves walked right in. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
There have been several blood drives going on over the last few weeks, in an effort to help rebuild the area’s supply. But if there aren’t any wrecks or massive surgeries, why do we constantly need more blood? It's due to the fact that blood is a living product, one only good for forty two days. After that time period it has to be thrown out. There will be a blood drive going on later today at the Alleghany campus of Wilkes Community College from 2-6:30pm. To set up an appointment, you can call the local Red Cross at 838-4563.

Focus On The Children
With the upcoming Share-A-Thon and Singing in the Foothills later this summer, there are a lot of events set up to support Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home. But what’s going on now at the home? How far along are they with the Hope home? And what do they have planned for the future? Coming up on tomorrow’s Focus on the Foothills, 3WC’s own John Wishon will be Brian’s guest as they’ll be talking about the upcoming projects to benefit Ebenezer and a little about the Home itself. That’s coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Baby Teethers Recalled
Before you give that teether to your baby, there’s some news you need to hear. A recall has been ordered of five different styles of teethers, put out by The First Years Inc. 500,000 of the teethers have been called back due to a possible contamination of bacteria inside. The company has learned that in several liquid filled teethers, the bacterias aeruginosa and putida can be found. If somehow the teether gets punctured and a baby ingests the liquid, that can cause serious illness. The recall involves all Disney Days of Hunny Soft Cool Ring Teethers, all Disney Soft Cool Ring Teethers, the Sesame Beginnings Chill and Chew Teether, the First Years Cool Animal Teether and the First Years Floating Friends Teether. A hotline has been set up to get more information at 1-866-725-4407. You can also get information from the company’s website at www.thefirstyears.com.

Be Careful Where You Leave Your Keys
It’s always a good idea to take your keys with you when you leave. A Wilkesboro woman found out why earlier this week. Monday night, she had come home and parked her car, leaving a set of keys inside. Later on, she heard noises outside and saw a man entering the vehicle. He grabbed the woman’s car keys, before slashing all four tires and running off. The homeowner was able to identify the vandal and warrants were taken out on 36-yr-old Brian Keith Icenhour for breaking & entering, misdemeanor larceny and property damage. An estimated $275 worth of damage was done to the vehicle.

Samaritan’s Kitchen Needs Help
It’s hard at times to put food on the table and also pay your bills. Here in Wilkes, several organizations reach out and help people who are struggling through hard times, including Samaritan’s Kitchen. Now however the Kitchen finds itself needing some help of its’ own. So many people have been by in recent weeks that the shelves are almost empty and there aren’t enough workers to prepare meals on the weekends. If you can set aside thirty minutes or three hours, whatever you can spare, please give the Kitchen a call at 838-5331.

State News

Student Charged After Hostage Situation
A Chapel Hill high school student is facing charges today after igniting a hostage situation Monday night. 17-yr-old William Barrett Foster walked into a classroom at East Chapel Hill High around 5pm on Monday, pulling out a shotgun and taking hostages. A sophomore from the school along with a teacher were held inside, as Foster repeatedly fired the weapon. No one was injured and within an hour he took off running out the door. The school was placed in lockdown while officers searched the area for Foster, who was discovered by his parents and put in the hospital. It’s still unknown what caused the teenager to bring the gun to school, however as a result he’ll face charges once released by the doctor. Foster will be charged with possessing a firearm on school property, discharging the weapon on school grounds, assault and two counts of second degree kidnapping.

Search Continues For Two Brothers
Officials in Charlotte are continuing the search for two brothers that have gone missing. Monday night, two boys walking down Birchcrest Drive in Charlotte were approached by someone in a vehicle. They climbed in and the driver took off. Now two days later no one has heard or seen the boys since. Witnesses place the time of the disappearance at 7pm and describe the vehicle that came up as a dark blue SUV. 9-yr-old Trevell Bellman was last seen wearing jean shorts, a gray short-sleeve shirt and white Airforce One shoes. His brother, 10-yr-old Latrell Adgerson was wearing black mesh shorts, a yellow short sleeve shirt and light blue Nike shoes. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-704-334-1600.

Piedmont Natural Gas Facing Fines
A North Carolina utilities company is facing almost a half million dollars in fines if it doesn’t change its’ current policies. Piedmont Natural Gas was ordered to improve customer service by the NC Utilities Commission, which told the company that it will be fined $100,000 for each month next winter that things stay the same. In addition, another $100,000 fine will be handed out each month if the company continues to estimate certain bills instead of going out and performing a meter reading. As a result, Piedmont has promised to double their customer service staff before the proposed September 1st deadline.

Great Battery Roundup Begins
Virtually everyone has an old car battery lying around the house somewhere and every week you promise yourself it’s going to the dump. One North Carolina company is looking to solve that problem and help save the land at the same time with the Great Battery Roundup. AAA of the Carolinas is now paying $1 for every car battery that people bring in to one of their affiliated locations. AAA officials said they wanted to help cut down on contamination brought on by the illegal dumping of car batteries in dumps and some waterways. That deal ends on April 29th.

Accused Thief Turns Herself In
Wake County officials got a surprise this week when Elizabeth Christopher turned herself in. The 20-yr-old had warrants out for her arrest on suspicion of stealing over $2 million worth of merchandise from a home in Apex. Christopher and her husband had worked in the home, helping out the owners by doing different jobs. Then in late February someone broke in and ran off with jewelry, coins and some electronics from inside. Then next day, the couple had vanished, pawning off the items in shops stretching from Florida to Colorado. Christopher had been arrested in March on similar charges up in Colorado, but then released from jail. She and her husband returned to North Carolina, where she turned herself in this week.

Sports Headlines

Free Baseball Clinic Coming Up
Baseball players ages 5-10 years old will have an opportunity next month to work on their skills with the Wilkes Wildfire team. On May 20th, a free clinic will be held over at the VFW Field from 2-4pm. The focus of the clinic will be on helping the kids develop their hitting skills. However space will be limited to just 30 kids for the clinic, so if you want to sign your child up, you can call 667-3867 or 927-3348.

Two Wolfpack Players Set For First Round
With the NFL Draft set to start on Saturday, players are waiting to see which team will pick them up. According to scouts and analysts, two players from North Carolina schools are set to go in the first round. Defensive end Mario Williams from NC State is almost a lock to go in the first five picks. The 6’7 ft. 295 lb. Williams is a pass rusher that could one day rival Julius Peppers of the Carolina Panthers, according to scouts. The Texans, Packers, Jets and Saints are all interested in signing him. Williams’ teammate from the Wolfpack, fellow defensive end Manny Lawson is also considered a first round lock. The 6’5 ft. 241 lb. Lawson however is expected to make a position change in the NFL. Too small to match up against offense lines, Lawson will most likely become a linebacker in the pro scene. The Chiefs, Patriots, 49ers and Buccaneers all have an interest in drafting Lawson.

Former Coach In Critical Condition
Some sad news today for the ACC as a former football football coach for both UNC and Wake Forest is fighting for his life. Former coach Bill Dooley is in critical condition after surgery last week to fix an aneurysm. Dooley worked with the UNC Tarheel football team from 1967 to 1978, claiming the ACC title in three of those years. Later on he took the same job at Wake Forest and guided the Deacons to their first bowl game in almost 20 years. Over a 26 year coaching career, Dooley has a record of 162 wins and 125 losses. Dooley’s family has asked for people’s prayers as he struggles to recover.

Wachovia Championship Has Mickleson
In golf, two big names have committed to play in the Wachovia Championship this May. The event in Charlotte, which takes place May 1st-7th, has landed Masters champion Phil Mickelson. Mickelson has finished in the top ten both times he’s played at the championship and will be looking for number three this year. In addition, David Duval has also added his name to the list of commitments.

Change Of Pace On The Busch Circuit
Some changes could be coming soon on the Busch circuit as NASCAR plans to experiment. NASCAR wants to separate Busch from the Nextel Cup, with not only different drivers but now possibly different vehicles. Plans are being put together for Busch drivers to have their choice of several different car models, although no definite candidates have been announced yet. If the deal goes through, Busch drivers would also get the option of switching over to a V-8 engine instead of the current V-6 used. All Nextel Cup cars run on a V-8 motor. A decision is expected before the end of the season.