News & Sports For May 4th

Wilkes Unemployment Rate Drops
Some good news for Wilkes County as the latest unemployment numbers come in. At the end of March, Wilkes had 1635 people out of work, equating for 5.1% of the county’s workforce. That’s down from the end of February, where 1814 people were hunting for a job. Also the workforce itself grew, from 32049 at the end of February to 32167, meaning that 118 people have come into the county over the past month. The news wasn’t all good however as only Caldwell and Surry have a higher unemployment rate of the eight county region surrounding Wilkes. Caldwell’s jobless rate is at 7.3% while Surry County is just above Wilkes at 5.3%

Wilkes Teacher Facing Charges
Charges have been brought against a former teacher here in Wilkes County. 26-yr-old Stephen George Kennedy is facing charges of second degree statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a student along with other crimes of a sexual nature. Kennedy worked as a teacher and wrestling coach at North Wilkes Middle School and also at North High until leaving his post last year. He now faces possibly over 10 years in jail if convicted on all charges. Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to the situation over the weekend, as the parents of the student involved came forward. According to detective Steve Cabe other charges are pending further investigation in the case.

Opening Night
Last night was opening night for the new Larry Stone Family Center for Performing Arts at the Wilkes County Schools' new central office. Several hundred people ate dinner and watched entertainment by students in the new facility that seats 600 people. The 8,500-square-foot performing-arts center has an auditorium that features a stage, lighting, sound system and a grand piano. The center is part of the new central office complex that will house system's administrative offices, a 100 seat boardroom, an art gallery for student work, instructional training rooms, technology labs, a kitchen/catering area, space for Communities in Schools, and a space in the back for students to build a Habitat House.

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.

Local Business Falls Victim To Thieves
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Precision Fabricators on Monday, after thieves paid a visit to the business. When the owner came to open up the store, he discovered that an estimated 250 ft. of copper wire was missing from where it had been stored outside. Nothing else was damaged or even touched in or around the business itself. There is however a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Wilkes Facing Possible Postal Rate Increase
If the recent increase in gas prices wasn’t enough, now comes news of another crunch to hit your wallet. The Postal Service announced yesterday that it wants to raise the price of a first class stamp. If the increase goes through, the price of a stamp would climb to 42 cents, up three cents from the current rate. Also Express Mail would rise under the proposed plan, climbing to $16.25 from the current price of $14.40. And the price hikes could cause a chain reaction in places such as bookstores. The cost of bulk-mailing weekly magazines would be raised 2 cents, to 20 cents a copy and all presorted catalogues will rise to 33.6 cents. The U.S. Postmaster General explained to reporters on Wednesday that the agency desperately needs the extra money, thanks to the increase in gas prices. According to Postmaster General John Potter, every time gas goes up a penny, it costs the postal service an estimated $8 million dollars. If the change is approved by the Postal Rate Commission, it will take effect starting in 2007.

Gas Thieves Target McGrady Fire Department
The rise in gas prices led to thieves targeting one of the local fire departments earlier this week. Sometime early Monday morning, thieves broke into the McGrady Fire Department on Sparta Road. Nothing was missing from inside and no damage was done, however one of the fire trucks had approximately 7 gallons less then when it was parked over the weekend. The assistant fire chief called sheriff’s deputies out after noticing that one of the sliding glass doors leading into the building had been shattered. Estimated damage was placed at $300 and that investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Food For Thought
It turns out that mom was right about eating your vegetables, as we explain in today's 3WC Healthwatch. A study has been released in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showing that people who eat foods rich in antioxidants are less likely to have vision problems as they get older. Foods rich in vitamins C, E and zinc, along with beta carotene help to lower the risk of macular degeneration, according to the study. Over a thousand people were used in the study, which took place over an eight year period. Those who had a diet containing carrots, eggs, grains, peppers and potatoes, among other antioxidant rich foods were 25% less likely to be affected by the disease. Doctors said that if people begin following such a diet now, it'll help prevent problems 10 to 15 years down the road.

Thieves Run Off With Lawnmower
Who would steal a push mower? That’s what a man in North Wilkesboro is wondering today. After doing some yard work earlier this week, he parked the mower and went inside his house. Monday afternoon, he came outside to find the vehicle was missing. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone near the property during the morning hours, but the investigation continues.

Vandals Strike Local Home
Vandals hit a home on Lump Road earlier this week, but never made it past the front door. The only thing damaged was the front door of the building, which was called in by an employee of the electric company who came by to read the power meter. The home itself had been abandoned for some time, as the owner had moved out of state and put the property up for sale. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

More Jobs Coming To Morganton Area
Good news for people in Burke County, as more jobs are headed to the region. A Canadian water bottling company announced plans this week to open up a new plant in Morganton, a move that would bring in 53 new jobs and an investigation of over $11 million. The Ice River Springs Water Co. plant will be located just off of I-40 and will bottle spring water, in addition to manufacturing their own plastic bottles to use. The move comes thanks in part to a $100,000 grant from North Carolina, along with an additional $100,000 given out by Burke County.

All The Milk That’s Fit To Spill
Works crews were out Wednesday morning cleaning up an accident on Highway 29 in Greensboro. Just before 5am a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and the tanker wrecked, spilling most of the milk stored inside. Police had to reroute traffic for the morning and most of the afternoon, as it took almost six hours just to get one lane open due to the spilled milk.

Raleigh Schools Ranked In Nation’s Top 100
Two North Carolina schools rank in the Nation’s Top 100, according to an article put out by Newsweek. Raleigh Charter School was ranked 53rd in the nation this year and nearby Enloe High School came in 59th. Each year Newsweek ranks schools across the nation based on a math formula. They take the number of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests finished by the students and divide that by the number of seniors who graduated. The magazine said the yearly project is designed to try and honor schools that do the best job in convincing average students to challenge themselves and take college level courses.

NC Department Of Public Instruction Made Mistakes
Some questionable decisions have landed the State Department of Public Instruction in financial trouble, according to an audit that was released this week. What the auditor found was that department officials turned too much financial control over to a special consultant, leading to some major holes in the budget. $6035 was spent to create a Reading First program, designed by the federal government to help train teachers in the areas of reading and writing. However $870 of those funds went to the children of the consultant who developed the program. In addition, the head of the Reading First program ran up over $1000 in unauthorized travel reimbursements along with $2559 in program expenses that included buying 80 rolling tote bags. After the report was released, the Reading First director was ordered to refund all unauthorized reimbursements and the audit has been sent to Attorney General Roy Cooper’s office, to determine if any laws have been broken.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Tonight
Coming up later tonight, 3WC will have an extra helping of our Game of the Week. Wilkes Central is playing host to North Surry, in a game with major playoff implications. The winner of tonight’s matchup is guaranteed a spot in the state playoffs while the loser will be stuck at home watching. We’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show at 6:45 and then turn things over to Ken Byrd at 7pm for the first pitch.

UNC Lands High School Quarterback
On the college football scene, the UNC Tarheels have landed another big time recruit, one with a local connection. High school junior Mike Paulus, a quarterback from Syracuse New York committed to join the Heels freshmen class of 2007. The 6’5 210 lb. Paulus turned down offered from LSU, Miami and Tennessee to join North Carolina’s team, after a season that saw him throw 23 touchdown passes and toss for 2100 yards. Paulus said that the opportunity to compete for a starting job helped lure him to Carolina, where he’ll be playing just up the road from his older brother. Greg Paulus is the starting point guard at Duke University.

NBA Assistant Interested In State Job
More news from the NC State coaching hunt, as another name has been entered into the hat. Detroit Pistons assistant coach Sidney Lowe, when talking with reporters this week, said that he’d be interested in returning one day to his alma mater to work as head coach. Lowe was a member of the 1983 national championship team for State, but one obstacle stands in his way. The 46-yr-old Lowe doesn’t have a bachelor’s degree, which is one requirement that Wolfpack officials have set for their next coach.

Panthers Resign Fordham
The Carolina Panthers continue to put pieces of the puzzle together, this week resigning offensive tackle Todd Fordham. Last season Fordham served as the number one reserve on the offensive line, subbing in for both Travelle Wharton and Jordan Gross. Now he’ll compete for a roster spot with rookie Rashad Butler and several of the undrafted free agents brought in this week.

Other NFL News
Taking a look at other news around the NFL, another former basketball player is making his way onto the football field, one Tarheel fans remember all too well. Former George Mason forward Jai Lewis signed a deal this week with the New York Giants, giving up basketball for a career in the NFL. Giants officials plan to use the 6’7 ft. 290 lb. Lewis as an offensive lineman, defensive end and possibly also in the tight end position. Another undrafted rookie making headlines is John David Washington, a running back who signed this week with the St. Louis Rams. Washington, who comes from NCAA Division II university Morehouse, is the son of Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and will be competing for a backup role on the team.