News & Sports For April 5th

Search Warrant Leads To Drug Bust
Responding to a tip, sheriff’s deputies used a search warrant to enter a home on Culpepper Lane last Friday morning. What they found was a home being used as a base to sell drugs. When a man opened the door, deputies patted him down and discovered 35 rocks of cocaine in his pockets. In addition, four grams of marijuana, rolling papers and other drug paraphernalia was uncovered. Also $308 was confiscated from inside the home. 37-yr-old Steven Lavene March was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, drug possession with intent to sell & distribute and maintaining a home for the sale of drugs.

Money Stolen From McGrady Home
A McGrady woman returned home on Sunday to find that thieves had paid her a visit. Taken from inside was over one thousand dollars in cash, that had been secured within the home. Despite the theft, there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. There is however a suspect and that investigation continues.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Wilkesboro Homes
Mailbox vandals hit a series of homes in the Wilkesboro area earlier this week. The incidents all happened on Industrial Drive, as people walked outside to find their mailboxes had been smashed. In addition, the vandals had damaged a car parked in a nearby lot. All total, an estimated $500 worth of damage was done, however no one could recall hearing or seeing anyone during the night. That investigation is ongoing.

Vandals Decorate North Wilkesboro Home
Who would sneak onto a piece of property just to do some decorating? That’s what a North Wilkesboro man is wondering today. He came home on Sunday to find that the cement ornaments in his yard had been moved around and some had been broken. An estimated $200 worth of damage was done as the would be decorators moved things around. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
Blood is needed somewhere in North Carolina every two seconds. With that in mind, it’s important to have a large supply on hand, to assist other counties if not our own. The Wilkes Red Cross is holding a drive today at Wilkes Community College from 9:30am til 3pm. Please remember you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs to donate. If you want to make an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

Focus On Jobs
The job market here in Wilkes County has taken a hit in recent months, with over 200 people on unemployment since January. However coming up next week there will be a Job Fair at Wilkes Community College, to help put people in jobs that fit their abilities. The fair is put on by the Wilkes Joblink Center and coming up this Thursday, Beth Foster and Ricky Roten from the Joblink Center will be Brian’s guests this week for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be discussing not only the upcoming Job Fair but some other tools people can use to find a job here in Wilkes. That’s coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Two Cars Totaled On Hwy 18
Wilkesboro police were called out to the scene of an accident Monday morning on Hwy 16/18. A Wilkesboro woman was slowing down for traffic with another car following close behind. Thanks to the rain, that second driver couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. Both vehicles were totaled and had to be hauled off, however thankfully no one was injured in the accident. An estimated $11500 worth of damage was done in the wreck.

Recall Ordered Of Cigarette Lighters
This next bit of news is for all those cigarette smokers out there. A recall has been issued of over half a million Speedway Cigarette Lighters, due to some malfunctions in the equipment. The Speedway SuperAmerica Corporation announced the recall this week, due to a defect which can cause lighters to suddenly catch fire after a undetermined amount of time. At least six serious injuries have been reported across the nation, dealing with burns to the head and hands when the lighter suddenly goes up in flames. All recalled lighters have the “Speedway” logo on the front and “Acculite” written on one of the sides. They were sold in convenience stores across North Carolina and throughout the U.S. for the last year. Anyone who has one is being asked to return it to the store for a full refund and for more information you can call the company at 1-800-643-1948.

Vandals Target Car In Moravian Falls
A Moravian Falls man got a surprise when he walked outside Sunday morning. Someone had tossed a rock through the window of his car. The vehicle had been parked close to the road and it looks like someone just heaved a rock from a passing car, shattering the rear window and causing $300 worth of damage. Despite all the noise such an act would cause, the homeowner couldn’t recall hearing or seeing anything unusual the night before. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

State News

Colin Powell To Speak At Elon
A former member of the Bush administration will be delivering the keynote address during Elon University’s spring convocation. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell will be at the event, receiving an honorary doctor of law degree. Powell served as Secretary of State under President Bush from 2001-2005 before retiring. Before that, at age 52 he was the youngest officer to serve as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989-1993. The event is held each year at Elon to honor the Dean’s and President’s List students, as well as graduate students, current seniors and other members of the school body.

NC Lottery Right On Track
Within the first five days of operation, North Carolina’s new lottery has generated over $24 million but fell just short of the projected goal. Operators had hoped to make $25 million during the first week, but still called the project a very successful startup. Lottery commission members are planning to release at least one new game every two to three weeks, with the target being to have 30 games in play by 2007.

Might Help To Fill Up
Thieves broke into a middle school in Huntersville Monday night, but made one key mistake as they drove away. They forgot to fill up the gas tank. Late Monday night, Bradley Middle School was broken into, with audio & visual equipment being the only things taken. However they apparently didn’t notice the pickup truck used was on empty and ran out of gas a few miles down the road on Belhaven Drive. Residents called police after a man was seen going door to door in the area, asking for gas money. When officers arrived, they found the missing items inside the vehicle. Two suspects in the case took off before police arrived and are still at large.

Drought To Force Water Restrictions In Raleigh
While rain has fallen across the Foothills, parts of North Carolina are still under drought conditions. In Raleigh, local officials are considering some new rules that would affect life throughout the year. The city’s water conversation task force is recommending that year-round water restrictions be imposed in Raleigh. That would mean lawns could only be watered a maximum of three days a week and there would be changes in the city’s water rates. If you use more water, you’d pay more for it. An official decision isn’t expected for a few more weeks.

Rates Going Up For Gas In Some Counties
The cost of natural gas could be going up in some North Carolina counties. PSNC Energy has asked the State Utilities Commission to allow for a 3.6% rate increase in their natural gas services. The move, which affects people in 28 counties, would give PSNC an additional $28.4 million in yearly revenue. For most customers, that would mean an additional $3.75 each month on the power bill.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Scoreboard
Taking a look around the high school scene, somewhat of an upset last night as Wilkes Central knocked off Ashe County 7-4 in varsity baseball. With the victory, Central continues its’ two game winning streak, started last Friday against Starmount. The Eagles next opponent will be this Friday as they head up the road for an away game against North Surry.

Hunt Is On For New Wolfpack Coach
In college basketball, NC State’s search for a new coach has officially started. The frontrunner for the job, Texas coach Rick Barnes, has publicly declined the offer, saying that he’s happy in the Longhorn State. Other candidates for the job are Villanova’s Jay Wright, however he just now signed a new deal with the Wildcats. Also Iowa’s Steve Alford and Jim Larranaga from George Mason are being talked about as possible contenders. This will be State Athletic Director Lee Fowler’s first major hire, as he came on board with the Wolfpack back in 2000.

NCAA Women’s Scoreboard
On the women’s side of the court, a national champion was crowned last night as the Lady Terrapins of Maryland beat Duke 78-75 in overtime. Duke senior Monique Currie saw her college career end with a 22 point performance as the Lady Blue Devils end their season at 31-4.
NBA: Minnesota vs. Charlotte
It went down to the wire but the Charlotte Bobcats were able to knock off Minnesota 97-92 on Tuesday night. Brevin Knight had 24 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds to lead the Bobcats, who improve to 21-54 with the win.

Felton Named Rookie Of The Month
In other Bobcats news, rookie Raymond Felton received another award this week. For the second straight time, he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, after averaging 17 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds a game during March. This marks the second time in two years that a Bobcats rookie has won the award in back to back months. Emeka Okafor did it last November and December.