Blood Supply Goes Critical
Wilkes and the surrounding areas are facing a problem today with the blood supply. Due to extremely poor turnouts at recent drives and a number of accidents and other injuries over the July 4th holiday, the local supply stands at just above one day’s worth. According to Red Cross officials, a serious wreck could almost wipe out everything that’s on hand. Especially needed at this time are O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative. A drive is going on today at Peace Haven Baptist Church from 2-6:30pm. However before giving, please remember you must be at least 18 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To set up an appointment you can call 838-4563.

Vandals Target Wilkes County Church
Yet another Wilkes County church fell prey to vandals last week. This time the target was Beulah Land Baptist Church, which was hit sometime either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Vandals came up to the church on North Ridge Road and pulled the church sign out of the ground, rolled paper towels on the roof of the building and unhooked the parking lot chain, tossing it up on the roof as well. In addition, obscene phrases were spelled out using parts of the chain and other items were damaged, including the front porch light bulb. All total over $400 worth of damage was done and the investigation continues.

3WC Nominated For More Awards
As 3WC celebrates 12 years of broadcasting Southern Gospel Music in July the station has been honored with more award nomnations. The TOP 10 Nominees for The Southern Gospel Music Awards 2006 have been announced and 3WC is a Finalist for favorite radio station. 3WC's John Wishon is also nominated as favorite Southern Gospel DJ. In addition to the radio station's nominations, Singing in the Foothills has been nominated for Concert Event of the Year. If you have a valid email address you may log on and vote now at www.thesoutherngospel.com

Thieves Run Off With A Set Of Cards
Who would break in just to steal a set of cards? That’s what sheriff’s deputies are trying to determine. A local man sent out cards from his home based business, putting them in the mail two weeks ago. However before long letters started coming in from customers, wanting to know where the packages were. It turns out the same day the packages were put in the mailbox vandals targeted several other mailboxes in the area and it’s believed there could be a possible link. All total $350 worth of Magic: The Gathering cards were taken in the theft. That investigation continues.

Mailbox Vandals Target Local Home
Deputies are investigating another case of mailbox vandalism, this time on the Austin Little Mountain Road. A woman came outside Friday morning to find her mailbox had been smashed during the night. Despite the damage, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything. An estimated $30 in damage was done and the investigation continues.

Young Workers Could Be Hit Hard By New Bill
Young workers in the Wilkes County area could see a major pay cut under a new bill in the state Senate. Friday morning, a Senate subcommittee passed a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $6.15 an hour. But there is a catch, as all new employees or any workers 20 and younger would see their hourly wage drop to $4.25 an hour for the first three months the bill is in effect. The compromise was reached as a way to help families by increasing the minimum wage while at the same time helping companies cut their labor cost. The bill is set to go before the full Senate this week.

Wilkes County Native The Subject Of Vote
A Wilkes County resident and former County Manager for Wilkes County is at the heart of a controversy in Yadkin County today. Last Monday, Yadkin County Manager Cecil Wood resigned from the position he held for the last ten years, citing problems with certain county commissioners. The move left Yadkin County without a manager at a time when just over $400,000 needs to be trimmed from the budget. Last Thursday the situation spilled out during the commissioners’ meeting. Kim Clark Phillips accused three of her fellow commissioners , Brady Wooten, Allen Sneed and Leon Casstevens of forcing Wood to resign. Phillips made a motion that Wood be rehired and after a heated discussion, a vote was taken and the matter was defeated 3-2. The three dissenting votes were the same three commissioners Phillips had singled out earlier in the night. Yadkin County commissioners have frozen all capital and equipment purchases until they can find an interim county manager.

Regional News
A man who was shot in the head Friday afternoon in Surry County died Saturday morning at a Winston Salem Hospital and an autopsy is scheduled for today. According to the Surry County Sheriffs Department, 42 year old Hipolito Vargas was shot around 2pm near his US 601 address. Paramedics found Vargas lying outside and suffering from a gunshot wound. Authorities are questioning another man who was there, but no charges have been filed.

State News

Lottery Oversight Commission Created
Officials from across the state are growing concerned that as time goes on, profits from the NC lottery will be used for things other than education. To help make sure that doesn’t happen, the House created a new lottery oversight committee over the weekend. The panel will be in charge of tracking how lottery profits are used and to guarantee they aren’t supplanting money already in the budget. Each panel member would be selected by the Senate pro temp and the Speaker of the House, to form a group consisting of lawmakers, county commissioners and board of education members. The concept now goes to the Senate for final approval.

Toll Roads Could Be On The Way
North Carolina drivers could have to start putting in change before they step on the gas pedal. The state Senate has passed a bill that would allow North Carolina’s Turnpike Authority to charge drivers who travel on any road connected to or adjacent to a toll road. Currently state law doesn’t allow for tolls to be collected on existing highways, but the new bill would change that. The bill’s sponsor, Edgecombe Senator Clark Jenkins, said that the tolls are needed because of a lack of cash for road projects. If the bill goes through the House, I-485 is being considered for the first toll project.

Cabarrus County Set To Lose Jobs
A massive healthcare merger in Cabarrus County will end up costing over 100 people their jobs. Pathways Homecare Service is being merged by Northeast Medical Center with Advanced Home Care, a local nonprofit healthcare group. 129 people will have their jobs terminated in the move, marking the largest set of layoffs in the area since Pillowtex closed down back in 2003. Those laid off are personal care workers, who help people with bathing and preparing their meals. Advanced Home Care doesn’t currently offer those services and it was decided to do away with the program entirely. The jobs are expected to be completely phased out by September 8th.

Sports Headlines

Fall Soccer Registration Has Started
For any kids wanting to play soccer this fall, the Tri-County League is holding registration. You can stop by the Elkin Recreation Department anytime to pick up a registration form, plus there will be three days of open enrollment coming up later this month. This Saturday July 15th starts the open registration, with additional dates available on July 22nd and July 29th. There is a fee however. For the 10 and under groups, it’s $35 a person while for kids 11-14, it’s $45. For more information you can call 336-874-2398.

NCAA Names Raleigh As Tournament Spot
Taking a look at college basketball, the NCAA will soon be returning to North Carolina. In 2007, Winston Salem will host games for the first and second round of the tournament, then in 2008, the reins will be turned over to the RBC Center in Raleigh. Charlotte will also be a host city in 2008, as several regional matchups will be played there. Finally in 2009, Greensboro comes back into the mix as a host, for both first and second round action of the men’s tournament.

Bobcats Could Sign International Player
As summer league play gets underway in the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats are looking to add another piece to the puzzle. Later this week, the team will bring in Walter Hermann for a tryout. The 6’8 ft. Hermann was a key player on the Argentinean basketball squad that won the gold medal in the 2004 Olympic Games. During the past three years Herman has been playing for a team in the Spanish league and wanted to give the NBA a shot. He’ll come in for a tryout and if it goes well, will be suiting up for the summer league squad with a chance to make the final roster.

Former State Star Getting A Chance
In other NBA news, a former NC State star is getting his chance this summer to make a roster. 6’4 ft. Cameron Bennerman went undrafted last week and has since signed a free agent deal with the Miami Heat. Under terms of the contract, Bennerman will play on the Heat’s summer league squad this week and have a shot at making the final roster. Also on the Heat summer league team this year is former UNC Tarheel Joseph Forte.

Carolina Hurricanes Sign Two More
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes continue to wheel and deal, putting the pieces together for next season. Over the weekend, the team announced they’ve come to terms with defenseman Glen Wesley on a one year contract. Wesley had been considering retirement after the Canes won the Stanley Cup this season but decided to stick around one more year to defend the title. Also Trevor Letowski (Le-towl-ski) signed on with the club. The 29-yr-old Letowski played last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, recording 10 goals and 18 assists. He signed a two year contract to replace ring winger Doug Weight, who left to join St. Louis.

Talladega Will Be Tested
In NASCAR, some changes will be coming to the Talladega Superspeedway before drivers return this fall. The speedway is being repaved, with pit road being widened by an additional 12 feet. Also each race crew’s pit stall will be bigger, as they’ll have two additional feet to work with. In addition, NASCAR announced that the Talladega race could be the first on the Nextel Cup schedule to feature drivers using unleaded fuel. NASCAR had decided to put off testing on the Nextel Cup circuit until next season, but now officials are considering using the Superspeedway as a starting point when drivers make their way back this October.