News & Sports For June 27th
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 9:45AM Wilkes County Still Under Flood Watch
Wilkes County is under a flash flood watch today, which is expected to remain in effect until at least tonight and possibly Wednesday morning. With rainfall already reaching over 2 inches in places, the National Weather Service is warning that small creeks and streams could flood their banks. The rain is expected to continue periodically throughout today, as a front is remaining stationary over the Appalachian Mountains. Also this rainfall may be heavy at times, with an additional 2 to 3 inches predicted to fall by Wednesday.
Sex Offenders Leaving List
Monday on the 3WC News, we told you about a new program State Attorney General Roy Cooper wants to install, to protect against sex offenders. Now we take a look at why it’s needed. Under current North Carolina law, sex offenders have to be registered for a 10-yr-period and then their names are taken off the list. For those offenders who were registered in 1996, that means they’re no longer in the system as of this year. That however doesn’t apply to repeat offenders or violent predators, who have to stay registered for life. In Wilkes County, there are currently 97 registered sex offenders living in areas stretching from North Wilkesboro to Boomer, none of which are classified as violent. Across North Carolina, there are over 9000 people registered as sex offenders. As we approach the midpoint of election year, members of the House are re-examining the law to possibly make changes and keep all offenders registered for life. No decision has been reached however, on the Attorney General’s proposed program.
Mailbox Vandals Target More Homes
Deputies are investigating two more cases of mailbox vandalism that occurred over the weekend. On Mountain View Road, a man called deputies after vandals hit his mailbox on both Friday and Saturday night. An estimated $60 worth of damage was done and deputies were able to retrieve some evidence from the scene, as part of the vandals’ car appears to have fallen off. Deputies were also called out to Center Church Road in Thurmond, as vandals targeted another home. Sometime early Sunday morning a car drove by the house and ran over the mailbox, causing an estimate $20 in damage. Both investigations are ongoing.
Truck Stolen From Wilkesboro Home
Thieves drove off with a Wilkesboro man’s truck over the weekend. The man, who lives on Fishing Creek Arbor Road, called deputies after coming outside Sunday morning to find his truck was missing. There were signs that a tow truck at been in the driveway and it appears that the vehicle was hooked up and towed away. A description of the vehicle was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.
Recall Ordered For Pacemakers & Defibrillators
Some bad news today for anyone who has a pacemaker, as it could be defective. That was the announcement made on Monday by the Boston Scientific Corporation, which has issued a recall of an estimated 23,000 pacemakers and defibrillators. The problem comes due to a malfunction in one of the device’s electrical components, which can cause the device to short out. Already five such malfunctions have occurred after patients went through surgery to receive the device. In two cases the patients became temporarily unconscious as a result. Those who have pacemakers are being asked to set up an appointment with your doctor at the earliest possible time, to determine if your device is one that falls under the recall and what steps to take.
Thieves Break In To Play Video Games
It appears thieves had just one thing on their mind after breaking into a home on FA Foster Road this weekend and that was playing video games. The homeowner returned from church on Sunday to find one of his windows had been shattered and the screen pulled out, but for the most part, things were just like he had left them inside. The only things missing were 50 Playstation games, worth over $1000. However a neighbor down the road was able to give deputies a description of a truck that had been at the residence earlier in the day along with a possible suspect. That investigation continues.
Samaritan’s Christian Ministry Update
Samaritan’s Christian Ministry has been expanding their operations in the last few months, to the point where they now deliver meals to over 450 different families across Wilkes County. That’s just over 1600 meals that need to be prepared, loaded up and delivered each week. With that progress comes a greater need for volunteers, as the organization finds itself falling short in most categories. The man need is for drivers to transport the meals on Saturdays, however cooks, assembly line workers, greeters and other volunteers are needed as well. If you’re interested in volunteering or just want some more information, you can give them a call at 838-5331.
Car Damaged While Visiting A Friend
A North Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when she came back to her car Saturday night. The back glass was shattered and an estimated $400 worth of damage had been done to the vehicle. The incident happened on the Red, White and Blue Road, as the woman was visiting a friend. Despite the damage, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone around the property. That investigation continues.
State News
Catawba Schools Go After Google
The Google search engine is under attack by a school system here in North Carolina. On Friday, the Catawba County School System filed an injunction against the company, demanding that any information related to it be removed. The problem was discovered last week, when a Catawba County official performed a search on the web and uncovered the Social Security numbers and test scores of 619 of the county’s students. They were on a Google search page, available for anyone to see. It’s still unclear exactly how the information was accessed by the search engine in the first place.
Fort Bragg To Cut Jobs
Bad news for people living around Fort Bragg, as the base is having to cut civilian jobs in the wake of a budget crunch. The organization in charge of overseeing Army bases, the Installation Management Agency, has announced that they plan to drop the current budget by at least an estimated $530 million as of September 30th. That leaves Bragg operating at 1/5 of their normal budget, which stands at $1 million. As a result, nine temporary civilian positions at the base have been eliminated, use of government vehicles on the base has been limited and office staff won’t have the money to buy new pens, paper or other supplies until October 1st. In addition, agency officials said that further cuts could be coming in 2007, as they look to provide as much money as possible to the units deployed oversees.
Body Turns Up In Rocky Mount
A father and son in Rocky Mount got a surprise over the weekend during a trip to the park. While tossing rocks into the Tar River, the pair found something floating in the water and tried to get a closer look. What they found was a partially decomposed body that was traveling down the river. Rocky Mount police are working to determine both the victim’s ID and also what caused his death, as it appeared he had been in the water for some time.
Gardner-Webb Vice President Dies In Crash
Gardner-Webb University is mourning the loss of a staff member today. Over the weekend, David Boan (Bo-ann) was killed after a car wreck in Tennessee. Boan, who served as the university’s vice president for development, was traveling on Hwy 154 when he lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over. According to the Highway Patrol Boan wasn’t speeding and he was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. He had just been promoted to his current job in March of this year, after working in the university’s fundraising department since 2002. A funeral will be held later today at 2pm at the Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
Stanley County Residents Evacuated After Leak
On Monday, residents of one Stanley County neighborhood were evacuated after a gas leak was discovered at a local plant. Just after 9am, an accident occured at the Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant. Workers were attempting to change gas cylinders when one of them malfunctioned and chlorine gas started leaking out. It took all of the morning and most of the afternoon to contain the problem, as local officials ordered an evacuation of a half mile all around the plant. No one was seriously injured in the accident, however two plant workers had to be taken for treatment at Stanly Regional Medical Center.
Sports Headlines
Beavers Win World Series
On the college scene, there's a new national champion in college baseball. The Oregon State Beavers knocked off the UNC Tarheels last night 3-2 in the third and final game of the College World Series. The win marks Oregon State's first ever national title.
UNC Lands Coveted Running Back
In college football, the UNC Tarheels added another member to their 2007 team with Ryan Houston committing to the school. Houston, a 6’2 ft. 245 lb. tailback at Butler High School in Matthews, rushed for 1914 yards as a junior while putting up 34 touchdowns. Scouts say that Houston’s size, along with his 4.6 speed in the 40-yd-dash remind them of former NFL star Natrone Means. Houston turned down offers from Clemson, Florida and Miami to join the Heels, saying that he felt the new offense run by Heels coordinator Frank Cignetti would fit him the best.
Coaches Want NCAA Tournament To Increase
If several college coaches have their way, the NCAA basketball tournament will see a major expansion next year. This week the NCAA is holding its’ annual coaches basketball committee meetings in Florida and the main topic is expanding the tournament. Instead of the current 65 teams involved, a proposal is one the table to double the size and allow 128 teams to play for the title. Members of the National Association of Coaches suggested the increase because they believe that making the postseason could help several of their colleagues keep their jobs.
State Lands Basketball Recruit
In other college hoops news, NC State got a much needed shot in the arm on Sunday, as Johnny Thomas committed to the school. Thomas, a 6’5 ft. shooting guard/small forward at Greensboro Day High School, is the first recruit for new Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe. As a junior last season, Thomas averaged 17 points a game and also impressed college scouts with his ability to rebound and great shooting skills. He turned down an offer from Virginia Tech to play with the Wolfpack, saying that he thought it was a better fit.
Hurricanes Lock Up Coach
Less than a week after winning the Stanley Cup, Carolina Hurricanes officials showed their appreciation to head coach Peter Laviolette by inking him to a new five year contract. Laviolette’s current contract had been set to expire at the end of June along with members of his staff. The assistant coaches were also resigned, with Kevin McCarthy and Jeff Daniels both agreeing to five year contracts. McCarthy will also see a promotion, as he’ll now be the new associate head coach of the Canes.
Vickers Officially A Red Bull
In NASCAR, Brian Vickers now has a ride locked up for 2007. The current driver of Hendrick Motorsports No. 25 Chevy will switch teams and race for Team Red Bull beginning next season. Earlier this year the 22-yr-old Vickers had asked for his release from Hendrick Motorsports, to pursue other opportunities. In the current season, Vickers stands 20th in points, 1619 behind current leader Jimmie Johnson.
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