News & Sports For May 3rd

State Election Results
Taking a look at the election results from last night, it was David Blust winning the Republican primary for the 45th District of the North Carolina Senate. Blust had 61% of the vote to Garwood’s 39%. Blust will now advance to face Democrat Steve Goss in the November election. Also winning in last night’s primary election was incumbent Tracey Walker, who took the Republican primary for the 94th District of the NC House. Walker got 61% of the vote, while his challenger Barry Brown received 39%. Walker will go up against Democratic challenger Judith Porter this November.

Local Results
In the local races, the field is set for this year’s county commissioner election. In the Democratic primary, it was Luther Parks and Matt Ledford advancing to the November election while on the Republican side it was Zach Henderson and David Day moving on. For the Board of Education race, two seats were up for grabs between four candidates. Karen Reeves was elected to another term, her third on the board with 30% of the vote while Francis Tharpe also finished with 30%, winning a seat in her first campaign. Finally in the Republican primary for Clerk of Court, it was Janet Handy taking 40% of the vote and moving on to the November election. Handy had served as the interim appointee to the position since former clerk Shirley Randleman retired last year. Handy now moves on to face Democrat Brenda Barber in the November election.

Deputies Bust Drug House
Responding to a tip, sheriff’s deputies discovered a crack house on Dowell Ridge Circle this week. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies went inside the home and found drugs, cash and weapons. 70 rocks of cocaine were found hidden in a dresser drawer in one of the bedrooms and deputies also found drug paraphernalia including a metal crack pipe. Two pistols and police scanners were also seized from the house, along with $421 in cash. After running the serial numbers, deputies discovered that a scooter outside of the house had been reported stolen several days earlier. 55-yr-old James Arthur Bailey was arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to sell and distribute, along with maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs. 39-yr-old Pamela Jane Bailey was arrested and charged with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Focus On The National Day Of Prayer
Since 1988, Americans have gathered together on the first Thursday of May, setting aside time to pray and ask God’s blessing on our nation. Coming up tomorrow, 3WC will be bringing you complete coverage of the Wilkes County events for the National Day of Prayer, in place of our regular programming including Focus on the Foothills. Ted Hayes will be out broadcasting live beginning at 12 noon.

Medication Stolen From Hayes Home
How could someone break in without leaving any evidence behind? That’s what a Hayes man is wondering today. He had to be rushing to the hospital on Monday, then returned later that night to find someone had gone through his medicine cabinet. Taken from inside was all of his pain medication, along with some other pills. However despite the theft there was no sign of a break-in or anything else damaged in the house. That investigation continues.

Duke Energy Takes Major Hit
Bad news today for stockholders in Duke Energy, as the company reported a large drop in profits for the first quarter of 2006. Net income for Duke was reported at $358 million, which translates into 37 cents a share, from January to March. In this same period last year, the company reported $866 million in profit. One thing for investors to consider however is that profits from the newly acquired Cinergy Corporation were not included, however the cost of the acquisition was.

Vandals Target Local Worksite
Vandals hit a local worksite earlier in the week, causing over $200 in damage. When work crews arrived Monday at the site on Foster Payne Road, they found that someone had cut all of the locks off of the storage units, stealing several tools inside. There are however suspects in the case and that investigation continues.

More GM Vehicles Recalled
Bad news for more GM owners, this time involving your trucks. An estimated 400,000 GM trucks have been recalled, to to a malfunction in the brake light system. All 2004, 2005 and 2006 models of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are included in the recall, along with the 2006 models of the Isuzu I-280 and I-350. The problem comes from a malfunction in the brake lights, due to faulty installation. After an extended period, the brake lights in the truck may go out completely or stay on permanently. Also as a result of the malfunction, cruise control on the vehicles will become inoperative. Owners can take the vehicle back to the dealer they bought it from for a free repair.

Thieves Run Off With Everything But The Kitchen Sink
Thieves broke into a house under construction this week, running off with everything but the kitchen sink. When the construction crew returned to the site on Monday, they found several thousand dollars in tools had been taken from a storage building. The thieves broke into the building, then raided it, stealing several saws, a nailgun, an air compressor and over a dozen other items. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Driver Killed In Surry Wreck
One person was killed in an accident Tuesday morning in Surry County. A West Virginia woman was turning off of Interstate 74 but didn’t pay attention and merged right in front of a tractor-trailer, who couldn’t stop in time to avoid an accident. The 26-yr-old woman was killed in the wreck, which blocked the eastbound lanes of Highway 89 for several hours before things were cleared up at 11am. The truck driver walked away from the accident unharmed and no charges are expected to be filed.

State News

Taheri-Azar Indicted For Attack
A UNC Chapel Hill graduate facing nine counts of attempted murder was indicted on Monday. Back on March 3rd, Mohammed Taheri-Azar drove through a popular hangout known as the Pit, attempting to run over a crowd of students. Later in court, Azar said that he was acting in retaliation for the Muslims killed across the world by the United States. In addition to the attempted murder charges, Azar faces nine counts of assault with a deadly weapon. No trial date has been set in the case.

Police Hunting For Charlotte Arsonist
An arsonist is loose in Charlotte today. Officials in the Dilworth community made that announcement this week, after three fires were ignited over the last seven days in the area. All total, an estimated $800,000 in damage was done before firefighters could get the fires under control. Police do have a description of a possible suspect, although details are slim. The suspect is believed to be a short and skinny person with blonde or light brown hair.

Transportation Secretary Visits North Carolina
North Carolina got a visit from a member of the President’s cabinet on Tuesday, as Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta went through Charlotte. Mineta discussed his plans to help make it less painful for people to pay at the pump. He’s calling on American manufacturers to create more fuel efficient vehicles and also encouraging people when possible to try public transportation such as buses or the new light rail system being built near South Boulevard.

More Jobs Leaving North Carolina
Bad news for any North Carolina workers at Carolina Mills plants, as the company announced this week that it will be going through a major change in June. At the end of June, all of the company’s yarn manufacturing in the United States will come to a close, meaning thousands of people will be put on the unemployment line. Here in North Carolina, over 300 people will be out of work, with plants closing in Maiden, Lincolnton and Statesville. Competition from overseas was given as the main reason for the change.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
Around the local high school scene last night, it was Forbush beating North Wilkes in varsity baseball 10-0. With the win, the Falcons lock up the Mountain Valley Conference regular season title after a year that saw them go undefeated in conference play. In earlier action it was the JV boys of Forbush beating North Wilkes 6-2 and in softball the Lady Falcons beat the Lady Vikings 12-0.

Old Friend Returning To UNC Charlotte
Taking a look at the college basketball scene, an old friend is returning to the sideline at UNC Charlotte. To fill the void left behind when two of his coaches left for other jobs, Bobby Lutz brought in Rob Moxley. The 37-yr-old Moxley served as Lutz’ assistant for seven years before leaving to take the same job with Maryland. Now he returns with a new title, that of associate head coach. Moxley said the chance to work as an associate head coach and help out an old friend in the process convinced him to return to the Queen City.

Panthers Sign Free Agents
With the NFL draft having come and gone, a lot of college players are out trying to impress a team and get an invitation to training camp. The Carolina Panthers signed 13 rookie free agents this week, giving all of them a chance to make the squad. Quarterback Brett Basanez from Northwestern will have a shot at competing with Stefan Lefors for the third string job. The 6’2 ft. 210 lb. Basanez had 10,580 yards in his college career to go along with 996 yards rushing. Also making the list were offensive tackles Adam Stenavich from Michigan, Seppo Evwaraye from Nebraska and Albert Toeaina from Tennessee, in addition to cornerback Jarrett Bush from Utah State, UCLA cornerback Marcus Cassell Oregon defensive end Devan Long and Greensboro native Adam O’Conner. The 6’8 ft. 270 lb. O-Conner won the national strength and conditioning award last season as a defensive end for William & Mary.

NHL: Hurricanes In Playoffs
On the ice last night, it was the Carolina Hurricanes advancing to the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadians. Cory Stillman scored the game winning goal in overtime, as the Hurricanes take the series 4 games to 2. Up next Carolina will face the New Jersey Devils.

Red Bull Entering Nextel Cup A Little Early
Around the Nextel Cup circuit, a new team will be entering the field slightly ahead of schedule. Red Bull Racing, which is set to have two Toyota cars on the Nextel Cup in 2007, announced plans this week to run in at least five races this season. However the Toyota Camry won’t be approved for competition until next year, meaning that Red Bull will have to run another vehicle in the 2006 races. The company is building a Dodge Charger to use in its’ limited schedule and hunting for a driver, with the frontrunner currently being Bill Elliot.