News From The Commissioners’ Meeting
For the last time before the primary election, Wilkes County commissioners met and discussed several items last night. The BROC agency asked for an extra $17,252 to last until the end of the fiscal year, as they’ve already exhausted their budget. The problem comes from increased gas prices, as they’ve had to raise the amount of reimbursement drivers get for delivering meals. BROC drivers travel an estimated 900 miles per day, five days a week and the bills are starting to pile up. In addition, the agency has seen an increase in the number of people who come out to the Fairplains complex looking for either a meal or assistance. Commissioners unanimously approved the motion. Also a resolution was put before commissioners to promote the Yadkin River Heritage Corridor, an ambitious project put together by the Planning Department. Over the next few years, the counties of Wilkes, Caldwell, Surry and Yadkin will be working together to connect the Greenway trail, beginning at Fort Defiance in Happy Valley, running through the current Wilkes Greenway and on into Surry County. Once the project is finished there’ll be canoeing, fishing and other activities available for people to take part in. Commissioners approved the project and allowed Planning Officer Eddie Barnes to get started with the next phase. Gary Page also brought before the commissioners a Medicaid Relief Resolution, calling for the state to either put a cap on the amount counties spend on Medicaid or completely take over funding. North Carolina is one of only two states that requires counties to pay part of the Medicaid cost. This year, Wilkes had to contribute $5,012,330 to the program, an increase of over 60% from the year 2000. The resolution passed and will be sent to the General Assembly. Also the commissioners approved resolutions designating May as Workforce Development Professionals Month and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.

Clean Water Bond Makes It To The Ballot
People going to the polls this November will have a bond referendum placed before them, after last night’s commissioner’s meeting. County commissioners approved the 2006 Clean Water Bond, allowing it to be placed on this November’s ballot for citizens to decide. Across the state , $16 billion worth of repair and other water projects are needed in the 100 counties. People would have the chance to vote yes or no this fall, determining if the state should sell bonds in order to pay for the needed repairs.

Wilkes Community College Asks For Money
Wilkes Community College will have more money coming in for repairs and upgrades, thanks to county commissioners. The school had requested that an additional $165,000 be given to them before the end of the fiscal year, so that they could continue with needed repairs and also some proposed improvements. As the money for this project would come from the existing fund balance, Keith Elmore suggested that $56,000 be given out now and the remainder of the money be set aside in next year’s budget. His motion was defeated 4-1. The commissioners then voted to approve the full $165,000 this year, again with a 4-1 vote. Keith Elmore was the lone dissenting vote.

National Day Of Protest Not Affecting Wilkes
People across the country stayed out of work on Monday as a National Day of Protest in support of illegal immigrants. Around North Carolina several Tyson plants shut down to avoid problems with their production schedule. However here in Wilkes, the effects were barely noticed. At the local Tyson plant officials said that a few people were out of work today, but not enough to affect the day’s schedule. Officials said that things went on a regular schedule with no interruptions. In other places around town the protest was more visible, as the Monte Del Ray restaurant was closed for the day.

Election Day Arrives
As people head out to the polls today, there are a few changes in store. We mentioned last month that due to the fire at the Clingman Community Center, the polling place for voters in the New Castle Precinct has been moved to the Ronda Clingman School gym. Now the Mt. Pleasant Precinct has been moved as well. Voters in the Mt. Pleasant area who cast their ballots on May 2nd will now be heading out to the Mt. Pleasant School Media Center instead of the cafeteria. Polling places across the county will be open today starting at 6:30am and continuing until 7:30pm tonight.

Tools And Other Items Stolen From Local Church
Thieves broke into the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church over the weekend, running off with over $100 worth of merchandise. Early Sunday morning, church officials found the radiator hose on the bus had been cut and someone had damaged the bus doors, while stealing the license tag. The thieves also broke into the church’s pump house, where they cut an electrical cord. That investigation continues.

Criminals Attempt To Steal Money
A Wilkesboro woman got a surprise phone call earlier this week, from Western Union. The caller informed her that he had someone trying to wire $500 from her bank account to a person in New York and needed her personal approval for the transaction. The woman refused and through Western Union discovered that someone had obtained her personal information over the internet, including her social security number, bank account, full name and date of birth. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies in the case.

Cash Taken From Hays Home
It’s not a good idea to leave money lying around, especially when other people are in your house. A Hays man had an estimated $7000 stolen from the dresser in his bedroom, where he had kept it stored. There is a suspect in the case, as he had allowed another man to live in the home for the last month and after the theft the person vanished. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Thieves Run Off With 4-Wheeler
Thieves hit a home in the McGrady community over the weekend, driving off with the homeowner’s 4-wheeler. Someone broke into a shed on the property and rode off with the vehicle, but it’s unclear how they got inside as there was no damage done to the shed. Nothing else was taken from the property and that investigation continues.

Recall Ordered Of GM Vehicles
A recall has been ordered of several different GM vehicles this week. GM has called back the 2005 models of the Cadillac SRX and STS, due to a problem with the rear suspension. After an extended period of time, parts of the rear suspension toe link can separate because it wasn’t welded properly. If this happens, the vehicle’s steering would be affected and could cause an accident. You can return the vehicle for a free repair to the dealer that you bought it from. A hotline has been set up for anyone with questions at 1-866-982-2339.

Always Lock Up Before You Leave
It’s always a good idea to lock up before you leave. A Wilkesboro woman found out why earlier this week, after thieves ran off with over $500 worth of merchandise. She had packed the car on Boone Trail and then went inside a nearby store. The woman came running back out when she heard the car alarm going off. By the time she arrived at the vehicle, no one was in sight but plenty of damage was done. An estimated $250 worth of damage was done to her car’s radio and $300 in cash was missing from inside. That investigation continues.

One Car Totaled In Wal-Mart Accident
One car was totaled over the weekend trying to make it out of the Wal-Mart parking lot. A Wilkesboro man was heading through the parking lot when he slowed down for another vehicle, driven by a Wilkesboro woman. Both vehicles stopped at the same time and then decided to start up again, slamming into each other in the middle of the parking lot. No one was injured, but estimated damage to the woman’s car was placed at $1500. The man’s car was damaged less severe, with estimates placing the cost of repair at $350.

State News

Lottery Already To Change?
The state lottery isn’t even one year old yet and already some lawmakers are wanting to change the way it’s run. Members of the General Assembly are looking to guarantee that lottery revenue will be added to the current education budget, not brought in to replace money already earmarked for the school system. Lawmakers plan to bring the issue up for discussion next week as we approach the mid-point of election year. An estimated $400 million is expected to be brought in by this year’s lottery games.

State Contract Was Illegal
A North Carolina judge has ruled that one of the state’s contracts given out to purchase supplies was not only unfair, but cost taxpayers extra money. A lawsuit was filed against the state by Corporate Express, a company who failed to win the bid for the contract. However the Colorado based Corporate Express believes the process was rigged, because the consulting firm hired by North Carolina had worked for the winning bidder, Home Depot, for several years. After reviewing the facts & hearing testimony, Judge Gus Gray said that he believed the state was overcharged to the tune of $10.8 million and expects changes to be made soon.

Billy Graham To Be Honored
When the Southern Baptist Convention gathers together in Greensboro next month, a very special ceremony will take place. The Rev. Billy Graham will be honored at the June meeting as a statue created in his honor will be unveiled. The statue shows Graham with arms outstretched before a giant cross, holding a Bible in one hand. The statue’s creator said that he designed the image with arms wide open to symbolize an invitation to all people to accept Christ. After its’ unveiling, the statue will take up permanent residence in Nashville, Tennessee.

Charlotte Students Protesting Illegals
As supporters of illegal immigrants gathered yesterday across the nation, so did groups of their detractors. The Young Republicans at UNC Charlotte have started selling bricks, as a form of protest against the influx of illegals from all countries. The “Buy A Brick, Secure Our Nation” campaign allows people to purchase a brick for $5, then get a personalized message put on it. The group has the support of North Carolina Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, along with Tennessee Senator Bill Frist.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Tonight
The regular season is wrapping up for high school baseball and the 3WC Sports Team will be out later tonight as the playoff race shapes up. We’ll going on the road to Viking County, as North Wilkes plays host to Forbush. The Falcons have yet to lose in conference play, so a win tonight by North could really shake up the Mountain Valley standings. We’ll go on the air at 6:45pm with the McDonald’s pregame show and then turn things over to Ken Byrd at 7pm for the play by play.

Wake Forest Facing Changes
Wake Forest is facing some restructuring of their athletic department after a member of their basketball staff quit over the weekend. Director of basketball operations Tim Fuller has resigned, leaving to become an assistant coach at Fairfield. Fuller has been the director of basketball ops at Wake since 2004, after playing at the school from 1996-2000.

Recruits Coming In For Football
While the basketball team suffers, good news on the recruiting front for the NC State football team. One more high school junior has committed to the class of 2007, joining wide receiver Steven Howard from Olympic High School in Charlotte. 6’6 ft. 257 lb. tight end George Bryan announced this week he’ll be joining the Wolfpack. Bryan, who will wrap up his senior season next year at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, turned down offers from the UNC Tarheels, East Carolina, South Carolina and Clemson to attend NC State. Bryan runs the 40 yd dash in 4.78 seconds and can also play receiver and defensive end, in addition to tight end. Wolfpack coaches plan to exploit that talent, by moving him around at all three positions. One of the biggest reasons Bryan picked State is due to the fact both his father and grandfather are diehard Wolfpack fans.

Minor League Scoreboard
One game taking place last night around the local minor league circuit, as it was the Winston Salem Warthogs beating the Fredrick Keys 7-4. The Hogs ended a three game losing streak with the victory, thanks to a great pitching performance from starter Michael Moat, who only gave up one run in five innings of work. Moat earned his first win of the season and brought his ERA down to 0.63, the best on the team. Game two of the series takes place tonight at Fredrick, with Adam Russell getting the start for Winston.

NASCAR Results
Around the Nextel Cup circuit yesterday, it was Jimmie Johnson taking the win at Talladega in the Aaron’s 499. Tony Stewart came in second, Brian Vickers third, Jeff Burton finished fourth and Jamie McMurray rounded out the top five. Next up drivers head to Richmond this weekend for the Crown Royal 400.