Preparing For The Bird Flu
Every day we hear more talk about the bird flu and how the United States isn’t prepared for it to spread this way. However what some people may not know is that a strain of the bird flu has already been in North Carolina before and members of the State Cooperation Extension are working on measures to protect against infection. For anyone wanting more information about the bird flu and how it could affect North Carolina, a special public hearing will be going on May 18th at the Kulynych Family Life Center here in Wilkesboro. That’s located just across from the new county courthouse. The program starts at 3pm and continues until 5pm but you must come before 3pm to register.
Wilkes County Loses Beloved Doctor
A doctor loved throughout Wilkes County has passed away. Dr. Nicholas Cirillo died Saturday at his home, due to heart problems. The family will hold a receiving at Reins Sturdivant Friday night from 5pm until. Funeral services will be this coming Saturday at 11am at St. John’s Catholic Church. Dr. Cirillo was 46.
Gas Thieves Hit Neighbors’ Store
Gas thieves hit another business in the Wilkes County area over the weekend, targeting Neighbors’ Store in Elkin. An older man pulled up to the store Friday afternoon in a yellow Nissan Maxima, pumped $15 worth of gas and then took off down the road. Employees inside were able to give sheriff’s deputies a description of both the man and his vehicle and that investigation continues.
Insurance Rates To Drop
Some good news for all car owners in Wilkes County. Your insurance bill soon won’t cost as much. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long issued an order earlier this year requiring all companies in the state to drop their private passenger auto rates by 2.5%. In addition, all motorcycle liability rates must be dropped by 6%. Long said that after taking a look at current numbers, not only did he decline the insurance bureau’s request for an increase, but he felt that the rates should go down. All total, this will save North Carolina car owners an estimated $404 million in premiums. Each year on February 1st, the Insurance Commissioner sets premium rates for the next 365 days. This new decrease will take effect next Monday May 15th.
Tag Stolen From North Wilkesboro Car
Over the weekend, a North Wilkesboro woman parked her car at the Clingman Pitstop and carpooled with friends out of town. When she returned to the vehicle late Saturday night, the car’s tag had been ripped off. Nothing else was damaged or missing from the vehicle and that investigation continues.
Mailbox Vandals Strike Again
Yet another homeowner in Wilkes fell victim to mailbox vandals over the weekend. The latest incident happened at a residence on Hollygreen Drive, as a man came outside Friday night to find damage had been done. An estimated $40 worth of damage was caused, as it appeared the boxes had been hit with some type of vehicle. No one in the area however could recall hearing or seeing anyone pull up during the day. Deputies are continuing that investigation.
Recall Ordered Of Chrysler Vehicles
Bad news for owners of some Chrysler vehicles out there, as the car manufacturer has ordered a recall. An estimated 44,000 cars are being called back, including all 2006 models of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum. The reason is due to a potential malfunction in the brake system. In some of the vehicles, the brake tube wasn’t built far enough away from the exhaust recirculation tube. After an extended period, the two can make contact, causing a leak in the brake fluid and potentially a fire in the engine. Owners can return the vehicles for a free repair and if you have questions a hotline has been set up at 1-800-853-1403.
One Car Totaled After Wreck On 421
Two cars were damaged and one was totaled after an accident Sunday on Hwy 421. A Virginia woman was at the intersection of 421 and Addison Avenue, getting set to turn left. However at the last minute she changed her mind and also changed direction, attempting to swerve into another lane. What she didn’t see however was the car in that other lane, driven by a North Wilkesboro woman. The two cars collided, causing an estimated $1600 in damage and totaling the North Wilkesboro woman’s vehicle. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.
State News
Gov. Easley Puts Forth Money For Spending Gaps
Gov. Easley has requested that state lawmakers add another $47.7 million to this year’s budget, in order to cover spending gaps currently in place. Easley pointed the finger at Washington, saying that federal lawmakers were taking away money needed to protect North Carolina. As an example he cited $2.9 million in federal funds that has been given out each year to states, for use in upgrading security measures. That money is set to expire this June. As part of his new budget, which will be unveiled later today, Easley called for $1.9 million to upgrade the state’s fingerprint monitoring system, $5.1 million to hire 90 assistant D.A. to lighten the caseloads across North Carolina and $13.1 million to upgrade the state’s computer system, including adding a GPS or global positioning device to the state’s sex offender tracking system.
Students Get One Final Wake Up Call Before Exams
Students preparing for finals at UNC Charlotte got a surprise Sunday night, as smoke started filling the air and fire alarms went off. The Cypress Hall dormitory was evacuated late Sunday night and firefighters were called to the scene, to deal with what turned out to be a prank gone wrong. Someone had set a fire in one of the dorm’s trash cans, which spread and started filling the area with smoke. No one was injured and smoke damage was minimal.
Asheville Planning To Send In The Bugs
Who do you call for a bug problem? Instead of pest control, the city of Asheville is bringing in some four legged fighters of their own. City officials are spending $10,000 to buy some specially bred predator beetles, which will help eliminate the woolly adelgid (A-dell-gid). The woolly bugs eat the sap produced from hemlock needles and can destroy an entire forest within ten years. 5000 predator bugs have already been released to deal with the problem.
Civil War Cemetery Vandalized
Officials in the Charlotte community are investigating a case of graveyard vandalism today. Over the weekend, someone broke into the history Elmwood-Pinewood Cemetery, one of the oldest in the state. Heads were knocked off some of the statues and grave markers were turned over in some of the oldest parts of the area, where Confederate soldiers and some even predating the Civil War are laid to rest. The cemetery has been the focus of vandals recently, with over $300 worth of damage done this year alone.
Sports Headlines
Duke Lands Late Recruit
We’re less than six months away from the beginning of college basketball season, but the Duke Blue Devils have landed another recruit. High school senior Lance Thomas, ranked as the 16th best player in the nation, has announced he is going to Duke. The 6’8 ft. 200 lb. Thomas turned down offers from Louisville, Florida and his hometown university of Rutgers to join the Blue Devils, where he’ll be part of a freshman class that has three other players in the nation’s Top 50. Thomas joins 15th ranked guard Gerald Henderson, 20th ranked guard Jon Scheyer and 38th ranked Brian Zoubek, a 7’2 ft. center.
Changes Coming For NCAA Division II
The next two years are shaping up to be a time of change for college athletics, at least for schools in NCAA Division II. The NCAA has put together a plan breaking all Division II schools into eight regions. As for the teams’ nonconference schedule, they’ll only be allowed to play games against teams in their region. For example if Lenior Rhyne wanted to schedule a game against Colorado College, they wouldn’t be able to under the new agreement. NCAA officials said the change was designed to help schools cut travel costs and keep students from missing classes while on the road for games.
NHL Playoffs: Hurricanes vs. Devils
NASCAR Standings
Taking a look at the NASCAR standings after this weekend’s race, it’s Jimmie Johnson in first place, 55 points ahead of Tony Stewart. Matt Kenseth sits in third place, 99 points behind Johnson while Mark Martin has fallen 176 points behind, good enough for fourth place. Rounding out the top five is Kevin Harvick, 208 points behind the leader.
US Gearing Up For 2016
America’s quest to bring back the Olympic Games got another shot in the arm this week. Members of the U.S. Olympic Committee are planning to look at several locations including Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, LA and San Francisco over the next two weeks, to select a finalist to bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. Around the world, it’s believed that America will have the best chance to claim the 2016 Games, as most of the other contenders in South America and Africa don’t expect to be ready for presentation until the next go around in 2020.