News & Sports For May 1st

Wilkes’ Contribution To Lottery Nears One Million Mark
Wilkes County’s contribution to the state lottery is quickly approaching one million dollars, according to a report 3WC News obtained on Friday from the Lottery Commission. As of April 28th, the county had spent $639,600 on lottery tickets, ranking 48th out of the entire state. Out of the eight counties surrounding Wilkes only Caldwell and Iredell have generated more lottery revenue. Iredell ranks 23rd, having spent $1,490,700 and Caldwell is ranked 33rd, having spent $927,000 on the lottery. Overall in North Carolina $93,890,400 in lottery revenue has been brought in, with over 58 million tickets sold.
Total Bought Total Prizes
ASHE Total $144,000 $71,287
ALLEGHANY $73,500 $35,838
ALEXANDER $256,500 $129,894
CALDWELL $927,000 $464,820
IREDELL $1,490,700 $730,062
SURRY $431,700 $212,762
WATAUGA $235,500 $115,854
WILKES $639,600 $323,043
YADKIN $231,600 $117,057

Wilkes County Schools Above NC Average
A new study has been released from the NC Child Advocacy Institute, detailing the conditions in each county here in the state. What the report found was that Wilkes County schools actually spent more than the state average per student. On the whole, Wilkes County spent $6993 per student, while the state average was $6702. In fact, Wilkes spent more than some systems with over ten thousand students including Johnston County which spent $6546 per student and Wake County which spent $6768. Stay tuned, coming up later this week in the 3WC Nes, we’ll be taking a look at the full report from the Child Advocacy Institute and what it means for Wilkes County

Rabies Clinic Coming Up
With warmer weather on the way, it’s important to get your pet vaccinated as soon as possible. Here in Wilkes County, a series of vaccination clinics will be going on over the next week in several locations. The cost to get a dog or cat vaccinated is $7 each and you must present proof of a current rabies vaccine in order to get the 3-yr-shot. Under state law, it’s illegal for a dog or cat four months or older to go around without the rabies vaccine. In each clinic, a licensed vet will be giving the shot and all dogs must be secured on a leash when they’re brought in. Cats meanwhile must be in a carrier or a box. Later today, clinics will be held from 6:30-7:30pm at Boomer Community Center, Millers Creek Elementary, Mt. Pleasant Elementary, Mtn. View Elementary, Southeast Community Center and Traphill Elementary. Vaccine clinics will also be held at four other sites on May 6th.

Car Stolen From Traphill Residence
A Hays man walked outside Thursday morning to find his car had been stolen. The keys had been left inside overnight and it appears the thieves just got in and drove off. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual during the night, however a few hours later deputies found the car wrecked at the intersection of Cane Creek Church Road and Gowings Knob. Over a thousand dollars worth of damage was done and the investigation continues.

Fox To Have Wilkes County Office Open
As we’re knee deep in the political season, people have issues for their elected representatives. This being the first week of May, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will have her office in Wilkes County open. On the first and third Friday of the month, the congresswoman has representatives available at the Wilkes County office building from 2-4pm. If you’re not able to make it out during those hours, you can also send your comments or concerns to the congresswoman via her website, which is located at www.fox.house.gov.

3WC Techwatch: Must See TV
A new creation could soon be affecting what you watch on TV, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. Researchers at Phillips Electronics have developed a new type of technology that may start being built into new television sets. For a fee, it would allow the broadcast networks to literally freeze the channel when a show goes to commercial, making it impossible for the person sitting at home to channel surf. Officials with Phillips said that the only way people would be allowed to change channels on the new system is if they paid some sort of fee directly to the network, in exchange for a password. If all goes according to plan, these new “pay per view” tvs could hit stores next year.

Blood Drive Later Today
There have been several blood drives going on over the last few days, in an effort to help rebuild the area’s supply. But during slow periods such as the summer months, 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. Two blood drives are going on today across Wilkes County. From 2-6:30pm you can give blood at First Baptist Church and then from 3-7:30pm you can donate at the Traphill Volunteer Fire Department. In order to schedule a time to give the number to call is 838-4563.

Be Careful When Carrying Pesticides
North Carolina’s Agricultural Department has put out a warning for all farmers this weekend regarding pesticides. Apparently there have been several accidents when transporting the chemicals and the department released some tips to consider. First, make sure that the chemicals are separated from any food, seed, grain or livestock feed. Also do not carry pesticides in the passenger seat of your vehicle. The reason being that vapors can be released from the canister and prove deadly to the driver and anyone else in the vehicle. Also when purchasing pesticides, make sure to check the product labels are clearly seen and also tighten any caps, plugs or stoppers that appear loose.

State News
Pastor Indicted On Federal Charges
A Charlotte pastor is facing jail time after being indicted over the weekend on federal charges. Pastor John Henry Walker of Macedonia Baptist Church was charged with tax evasion and making false statements to banks, along with lying to federal officials. It’s believed that Walker lied about his income, hiding an estimated $550,000 and failed to pay over $125,000 in federal income taxes.

Jobs Coming To Wilson County
Good news for people in Wilson County today, as more jobs are headed to the region. The Sandoz company, which makes generic drugs, announced plans over the weekend to expand its’ current Wilson County facility, which will bring in an estimated 65 new jobs. The jobs come thanks in part to a grant of $150,000 from the One North Carolina Fund.

Sports Headlines

One More Candidate Bites The Dust
The bad news continues for the NC State basketball team, as their coaching hunt continues. After meeting with officials from the Wolfpack last week, former UNC coach and player Phil Ford was rumored to be in the running for the State job. However the weekend came and went with a different story being told officially, that Ford was never offered the position. However time is ticking away for the Wolfpack, as recruiting season is in full swing and they're without a leader for the team.

NC Players Fill Out Draft
This past Saturday the NFL held their annual draft, with NC State’s Mario Williams becoming the first pick. The defensive end, who was selected by the Houston Texans, became the first ACC player in history to be picked #1. Also taken in the first round were Williams’ teammates Manny Lawson and John McCargo. Lawson was picked by San Francisco in the first round and McCargo was taken by the Bills. That was the beginning of a draft filled with players from North Carolina schools. Wolfpack linebacker Stephen Tulloch was taken in the 5th round by Tennesee, while his teammate, cornerback Marcus Hudson was taken in the 6th round by San Francisco. Another Wolfpack player, tight end TJ Williams, was selected by Tampa Bay in the 6th round. Defensive tackle Chase Page was the only North Carolina player selected in the draft, taken in the 7th round by San Diego. Wake Forest was also represented by punter Ryan Plackemeier, who was taken in the 7th round by Seattle.

Panthers Loaded Up
The Carolina Panthers plugged holes and added depth with their draft picks this year, starting with Memphis runningback DeAngelo Williams. Williams was the Panthers’ first pick, after a college career that saw him run for 6,026 yards, only the fourth back in NCAA history to do that. Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall was taken in the second round. Marshall will also be counted on to handle some of the kick return duties for the Panthers. Linebacker James Anderson from Virginia Tech was taken by Carolina in round three, followed by Miami offensive tackle Rashad Butler Ohio State safety Nate Salley, Virginia Tech tight end Jeff King, Virginia Tech center Will Montgomery and defensive end Stanley McClover from Auburn were all taken in day number two.

NHL: Carolina Hurricanes Win Again
On the ice last night it was the Carolina Hurricanes pulling out the 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadians. With the win, Carolina moves ahead in the playoff series with a 3 games to 2 lead and can close it out Tuesday night to advance.

NASCAR Rained Out
On the Nextel Cup circuit, weekend showers delayed the running of the Aaron’s 499. Drivers will start their engines later today at Talladega with Elliot Sadler sitting on the poll. Tony Stewart will start second and Carl Edwards will take off in third.