News & Sports For Wednesday May 10th 2006

Wilkes Income Standard Smaller Than Most Around

More economic problems for Wilkes, as new reports find the county on the lower end of the financial spectrum. The North Carolina Budget and Tax Center has released a report, detailing the income standard for each of the state's 100 counties. In 2005, the income standard here in Wilkes was $25,404, that's good enough to rank 57th in the state. Also Wilkes falls short in the immediate area, as only three out of the eight counties that surround it have a lower income. Those counties are Alleghany, Ashe and Surry, all with standards of $25,068. Watauga is the highest in the region, with an income standard of $30,876. Alexander and Caldwell County both come in just slightly above at $26,664, while Iredell has a standard of $28,704 and Yadkin is at $30,012. Overall across the state, Orange County has the highest income standard at $37,512 while Edgecombe County is dead last at $24,804. Coming up tomorrow in the news we take a look at other information released by the Budget and Tax Center, including how the county ranks in regards to fighting poverty.

3WC Healthwatch: Weight Watchers

There’s a new reason for people to watch their weight, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A study has been released from the University of California at San Francisco, which found that there’s a major link between obesity and kidney failure. The study found that even moderately overweight people have a higher risk of kidney failure, but for those seriously overweight, the risk was 700% higher. The study, which was done over a period of 26 years, used over 300,000 people of different sizes. Out of that number, 1471 suffered kidney failure. The only tested and proven way researchers found to try and ward off kidney failure for anyone in the same situation is to work at losing the weight.

Thieves Target Paper Racks For Spare Change

Several more newspaper racks have been stolen over the last three days at local businesses. Thieves hit both the Little Market Basket on Hwy 268 and Mike’s Bait & Tackle, in each case running off with the paper rack outside. Nothing else was taken or even disturbed at the businesses and that investigation continues.

Newest Protection Against Fraud

With summer on the way, this is a busy time of year for thieves, both the usual kind and those who travel on the internet. Credit cards, social security numbers and other personal information is a major target. But people here in North Carolina can take steps to protect themselves against ID Theft. The Identity Theft Protection Act, a new law that went into effect last December allows you to block access to your credit records, preventing any would be thieves from gaining access and ruining your finances. You will be able to do that thanks to a security freeze. However confusion has sprung up over the last four months, due to some technical details in the program. While thieves won't be able to use your credit to purchase things, neither can you. Once the freeze is placed on, no company or business can check up on your credit history until its' lifted. If you do want to fill out an application for a credit freeze or just want more information, you can log on to the state Department of Justice website at www.ncdoj.com/idtheft.

Officials Launch Truck Safety Program

It’s going to be a little more expensive to drive a truck and not wear your seat belt, thanks to the Highway Patrol. A new “Buckle Up In Your Truck” program has been created, kicking off this past Monday and continuing until May 21^st. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 71% of those killed in pickup truck crashes in the Southeast weren’t wearing seat belts. In North Carolina alone, 62% of those killed had left their seat belt off.

Checkpoints are going to be set up over the next two weeks across Wilkes and the rest of North Carolina, in hopes of getting people to wear their seat belts.

Thieves Hit Local Business

The high price of gas apparently caused a break-in at a local business this week. When employees came in to open up at Cars “R” Us Monday morning, they found several items missing. Taken in the theft was 40 gallons of gas and 2 car batteries, however there was no damage done and no indication as to how the thieves got inside. There is however a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Regional News

National Guard Holds Appreciation Day

Spouses of National Guard troops are being honored today in Winston Salem. From 8am til 5pm today at the JC Penny Salon, wives of National Guardsmen from anywhere in the state will be given their choice of a free facial, shampoo or a manicure & pedicure. That’s taking place at the JC Penny Salon in Hanes Mall, at 3320 Silas Creek Parkway in Winston Salem. JC Penny officials said they wanted to hold a day expressing their appreciation for everything the wives do for their families and communities.

State News

Easley Unveils Budget Plans

Gov. Mike Easley presented his plans for the state’s new budget on Tuesday, setting forth $18.9 billion in spending. Under the proposal, teachers would see an 8% raise in pay to help bring them above the national average by 2008. In addition, state employees would also see a 4% raise and spending in general would increase for the public school system to the tune of an extra $864 million. That’s in addition to $425 million expected to be given to schools from the lottery. Extra money will also be set aside to cover the cost of an gas increases for school buses, with $37 million put in for that. Easley also wants to lower the sales tax by ¼ of a cent, which will drop it down from 7% to 6.75%, costing the state $200 million a year in revenue. Easley also wants the state’s gas tax capped at 29.9 cents per gallon, guaranteeing that it can’t be increased in the future. Minimum wage workers will see a bonus in the new budget as well, with their salary increasing from $5.15 to $6 an hour. There is however one department that will see a drop in salary due to the budget. The Department of Health and Human Services will have a budget $55 million lower than the one already approved.

Complaints Already Out For Easley Budget

Groups are already coming out to attack Gov. Easley’s budget, in disagreements that amount to little more than a few percentage points. In the new budget, Easley had set aside money for a 4% pay raise for state employees, but apparently that’s not good enough. Officials from the State Employees Association are calling for a veto of the budget, unless they get a 5% increase, saying they believe that’s what’s fair. Also some state Republicans are calling for a deeper cut in the sales tax, requesting that a half cent be trimmed off instead of the ¼ currently proposed. Meanwhile state Democrats are also attacking the governor’s plan, because there was no income tax reduction for the top bracket, for the wealthiest citizens of North Carolina.

Wake County Teacher Under Investigation

Officials in Wake County are investigating a middle school teacher today. Reports have come in from parents of the students that one of the teachers, Christine Wolfe, has been hitting an autistic student. According to the parents, this wasn’t a one time thing and the 13-yr-old has been hit several times during the semester at Carnage Middle School. However as of Tuesday night, no charges have been filed in the case.

Catawba County Employee Arrested For Embezzlement

One former North Carolina resident is in jail today, facing charges of embezzlement. Officials in Newton have arrested 40-yr-old Iris Riddle, a former Catawba County employee who stands accused of stealing over $15,000 from her job. Riddle worked as an administrative assistant in the county’s planning department for several years, before an audit discovered that $15,361 had gone missing. The missing money was traced to a county credit card that Riddle had access to.

Sports Headlines

NC State Recruit Wants Meeting

Some good news could be on the way for the NC State Wolfpack, who have seen recruits leave and questions be raised as they searched for a head coach. Now that Sidney Lowe has taken the job, at least one of the State’s commitments is changing his mind about leaving. 6’7 ft. Dennis Horner, a forward from Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey, had considered turning down his scholarship offer to State, but now says that he wants to meet with new coach Sidney Lowe before making any decision. Horner was recruited by State for his great three-point shooting ability and skills to handle the ball, which remind some people of former State star Julius Hodge.

State Player Given Extension

The news was also good for another member of the Wolfpack, who gets to stay in the country at least temporarily. Immigration officials had accused NC State player Gavin Grant of entering the country illegally back in 1994 at the age of 9. The 21-yr-old Grant was given an extension of six weeks by an immigration judge, allowing his legal team to track down documents proving he immigrated legally. As a sophomore for State this season, the 6’7 ft. Grant averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Gerald Wallace In Top Ten For Defense

Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons walked away with the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award this week, but another Wallace also made the list. Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace was one of the top ten vote getters, finishing 9^th in the balloting after a season where he averaged 2 blocks and 2 steals a game, the only player in the league to do that.

Hurricanes In Running For Awards

As the Carolina Hurricanes get set for the playoff semifinals, two members of the team are in the running for some awards. Center Rod Brind’Amour is of the top three finalists for the Selke Trophy, handed out each year to the best defensive forward in the NHL. The Hurricanes’ coach, Peter Laviolette is in the hunt for coach of the year honors. The nominations mark the first time in three years that a member of the Carolina team has been in the running for an award.

New Baseball League In The Works

For any baseball fans out there, a new league is in the works for 2007. Several former major league players have helped to design the Continental Baseball League, which is set to begin in May of next year. Under the rules of the new league, there’s virtually no chance of a blowout. In the seventh inning, if the losing team hits a home run, it’s worth double the points. For example if the player hits a grand slam, it’ll automatically be worth eight points instead of four. An estimated 10 teams are expected to be part of the league, in towns across the Southeast. No official deals have been reached as of yet.

Jarrett Crew Chief Suspended

Taking a look a the NASCAR scene, Dale Jarrett’s team will be going through changes over the next few weeks. Crew chief Richard Slugger Labbe has been suspended for four races by NASCAR, after officials found some violations on the No. 88 Ford. The violations were discovered right before the Crown Royal 400 on Saturday. Officials said that Labbe used car parts, components and/or equipment that didn’t conform to NASCAR rules. Jarett was also hit with a penalty, losing 25 points in the Chase for the Cup. Yates Racing said they plan to appeal.