Money & Ice Cream Stolen From Local Church
Sheriff’s deputies were called out Sunday night to Charity Methodist Church after thieves paid a visit. A man was seen pulling up to the church, then going inside the kitchen and putting things inside a brown shopping bag. As he came out, the man also had a container of ice cream in his hand. Witnesses gave a description of the man and his vehicle, also informing deputies where he went. Church officials were alerted and found $30 missing from inside, along with 3 plates, 2 boxes of ice cream cones and one container of ice cream. Deputies went to the house the witnesses pointed out to investigate, finding a vehicle and a suspect that matched the description. The homeowner told deputies he hadn’t been anywhere near a church, despite the fact the plates, boxes of ice cream cones and ice cream were all in plain sight, sitting on a table. 34-yr-old James Anderson Kuhn was arrested and charged with breaking into a house of worship and felony larceny.

Pre Holiday Planning
As we’re counting down to the holiday weekend, there are some things you need to be aware of before setting out for that Memorial Day road trip. Make sure and do a basic check of oil, transmission fluid, windshield wash and tire pressure on your car. Also you need to test the strength of your battery, as the warm weather can wreck havok on a car’s internal system. Be sure to also take a look at all belts and hoses to make sure there are no tears or cracks that would cause it to pop off on the highway. While most of that might seem to be common sense, the majority of breakdowns on the highway are caused by things a little planning could have avoided. Finally make sure you have an emergency kit, full of band aids and other medical aids, along with a tool box just in case your vehicle breaks down. Otherwise drive safely, watch out for some of those crazy people on the road and have a great trip.

Cheeks Market Falls Victim To Thieves
Deputies were called out to Cheeks Market Monday morning, after thieves dropped by the business. When the store’s owner came in that morning, she found over a thousand dollars worth of merchandise had disappeared from inside. It appears the thieves climbed in through a window at the back of the business, then stored the items in trash bags so they could carry them out. Taken from inside were 25 cartons of cigarettes, several boxes of Goody Powders, over 20 bags of Doritos chips, several cases of beer and $500 from the register. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Recall Ordered Of Salad
Before you eat that salad tonight, you might want to hear this next bit of news, especially if it was prepackaged. House of Thaller Inc. is ordering a recall of an estimated 160,000 lbs. of its’ Ham Salad, Chicken Salad, Turkey Salad, Tuna Salad, Seafood Salad, Seafood Salad Mix, Pea Salad Mix, Shrimp Salad, Artichoke Shrimp Dip, Crab Dip and Cajun Crab Dip. These items have been sold & repackaged in some occasions under different brand names. Those brands involved are House of Thaller, Kroger Brand, Mrs. Gerry’s, Dairy Fresh, The Fresh Market, Southern Gourmet and Southern Style. The problem comes from an issue at the processing plant, as some of the packages weren’t processed correctly and as a result a strain of bacteria could get inside. Customers are being asked to throw out the packages, even if they don’t appear spoiled or smell rotten. All 7.5 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz containers with a sell by date of June 2006 are included, along with all 5 lb., 10 lb. & 20 lb. bags of the products. For more information, people can call House of Thaller at 1-800-462-3365.

Health Department Offering Car Seat Help
85% of child safety seats across Wilkes County are not installed correctly, according to the local SafeKids organization. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it’s still high enough for concern. However if you’re still trying to figure out what the right way to install one is, you don’t have to wait until the next safety check. The Wilkes Health Department is partnering with SafeKids to help show parents the right way to install the seats. You can contact the Health Department and make an appointment anytime during the week by calling Jean Edwards at 651-7478.

Three-Wheeler Driven Off From State Road Home
Be careful where you park your vehicles. That’s what a State Road man learned this week. He had parked his three-wheeler in the front yard, before leaving to run some errands Sunday night. When he returned, the vehicle was missing. Nothing else was taken from inside the home and there was no damage done to the property. That investigation is ongoing.

Thieves Run Off With Chain Saw
Thieves broke into a North Wilkesboro home on Monday, running off with several tools. Taken from the home on Roten Hollow Drive was an air compressor, a radial arm saw and a chainsaw, totaling just under $2000 in value. It’s unclear exactly how the thieves managed to get inside, as there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Samaritan’s Ministry 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 Christian Ministry. Now however the organization 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.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after an accident Monday morning on Hwy 421. The incident happened just before 8am, right at the intersection with Kennedy Street. A Wilkesboro man was slowing down, as the car in front of him was turning off. However the driver behind him, a Mount Airy woman, didn’t see his brake lights come on before it was too late to stop. Estimated damages were placed at $7000 and the woman refused treatment by Wilkes EMS.

Vandals Strike Local Woman’s Car
A North Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when she walked out of her house earlier on Sunday morning. Someone had scratched her car, all the way from one side to the other. Estimated damages were placed at $250 and despite the vandalism, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual during the night. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Murder In Alexander County
Officials in Alexander County are trying to determine who killed a local man in his home Monday night. The incident happened just after 10pm on Monday, as a couple heard a knock on their door. The husband went to answer it and a man was standing outside, asking if he could borrow some gasoline. The husband agreed and went to the house’s basement to get some, followed by the stranger. Minutes later gunshots rang out and the wife came down to find her husband, 84-yr-old Buster Stikeleather (as it sounds) dead. Sheriff’s deputies are asking anyone with information to call 1-828-632-4658.

State News

NC Schools Given Millions
More money is coming to the North Carolina school system, courtesy of Bill Gates. The billionaire has donated $10.4 million to the state, to help in developing better public schools. The money comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and contains $9 million to add in the creation of new schools.

Illegals Arrested At NC State
A search for clues in a highway accident led to some illegal immigrants being uncovered at NC State on Tuesday. Highway Patrol officers had asked Immigration to get involved as they investigated a wreck Monday morning on I-40. A man driving a 1993 red Toyota slammed into a Chevy van close to the Durham-Wake county line, then fled the scene. Immigration and Highway Patrol officers came to the construction site at NC State’s football stadium, looking for anyone who might have information about the driver. Instead as the agents entered the area, several construction workers took off running, fleeing from the stadium area. INS agents were able to track down and detain the workers, as they attempt to determine if they’re here in the country illegally.

Warrants Issued For Two NC Pharmacies
Two North Carolina pharmacies have come under fire from both the DEA and the SBI this week, accused of illegally selling drugs over the internet. The pharmacies in Mooresville and Denver are both part of the Woody’s store chain. SBI agents have served warrants on both businesses, as evidence has come to light indicating they were filling prescriptions online. No details have been released, except officials from the NC Board of Pharmacy said that there was sufficient evidence for them to cooperate in the case.

Meeting Held To Impeach Bush
A group in Chatham County held a meeting last night with one goal in mind, to impeach the president. The NC Grassroots Impeachment Movement has been working over the past few months to grow in size and support. Earlier this year they helped the town of Chapel Hill to pass a resolution, demanding Bush be impeached and removed from office. Several local pastors, civil rights leaders and congressional candidates from the area came out to a meeting held last night at the Chatham County courthouse. Group officials say they plan to grow and get support from across the state, in hopes of convincing state lawmakers to pass a similar resolution.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Broadcast Season Starts Tonight
The season has started for Wilkes Post 31 baseball and we’re going to be on hand to bring you the action. The 3WC Sports Team will be heading up the road to Moravian Falls, as Post 31 takes on Statesville tonight. The game is going to be held at Wilkes Central and the first pitch is set for 7pm. We’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show at 6:45pm and then turn things over to Ken Byrd for the play by play.

Central Girls In Action Tonight
Post 31 baseball isn’t the only local team in action tonight. The Wilkes Central Lady Eagles are moving on in soccer, looking to advance to the championship. They’ll be facing off tonight against Albemarle, who brings in a record of 20-4 to face the 24-2 Lady Eagles. Gametime is set for 7pm at Wilkes Central.

UNC Pitcher Set To Become #1
As the UNC Tarheels continue their run to the College World Series, a member of the pitching staff is raking in awards. Andrew Miller received the ACC’s Pitcher of the Year award this week, after putting up an 11-1 record in the regular season and recording 98 strikeouts in 89 innings of work. Miller could also be seeing big bucks, as he’s expected to be the first pick in next month’s MLB draft, going to the Kansas City Royals.

NBA Draft Lottery
The NBA held their annual draft lottery last night and the end result was good news for Charlotte Bobcats fans. The team landed the third selection in this year's draft, which will be held at the end of June. Teams will have a loaded field to select from, including Duke's Shelton Williams & J.J. Redick, along with Tyrus Thomas of LSU and Adam Morrison of Gonzaga.

Former Panthers Announcer Now NFL Voice
A man who most people know as the voice of the Carolina Panthers will now be taking his talent around the country. For the team’s entire existence, Bill Rosinski was the radio voice of the Carolina Panthers, until he was fired before the start of the 2005 season. Now Rosinski is back on the air and will be broadcasting NFL games again this fall, after signing a deal with Westwood One. Rosinski agreed to become the play by play announcer for 16 NFL games this season, to be broadcast over CBS Radio, in addition to the annual Thanksgiving Day on the network.