News For Tuesday July 11th 2006

Today: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s.

Mill Creek to Be Protected
Some land bordering Wilkes in the Thurmond Community now has permanent protection. The Piedmont Land Conservancy acquired 75 acres, which is in the Mitchell River Watershed, through a grant awarded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The property now provides protection for more than 3,000 feet of Mill Creek, which flows into nearby Lake Laurel.

Advertising Campaign & New Signs
An advertising campaign is underway to bring attention to Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area plans to purchase newspaper inserts to promote the heritage of the Northwestern portion of North Carolina. The campaign focuses on five main themes - agriculture, Cherokee heritage, crafts, music and natural heritage. The campaign also includes new signage at main entrances of certain Heritage areas across the region. As for Wilkes County, interpretive signs are in the works for Stone Mountain State Park, Blue Ridge frescoes trails, and the Old Wilkes County jail.

Heat Relief Available For Elderly
Summertime can mean problems for the elderly, with rising temperatures leading to sickness and possibly death. With that in mind, the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council is giving away fans this summer to any senior citizen that meets their requirements. In order to get a fan, you must be at least 60 years old, live in Wilkes and be served by Duke Power. In addition, your home situation must present a threat to your life without the fans. Applications are being taken from 8:30am til 5pm at the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council office, located at 228 Fairplains School Road. For more information you can contact them at 651-7811.

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

Bank Of Granite Profits Up
One of the newest banks in Wilkes County announced yesterday that net income rose for the second quarter of 2006. Bank of Granite Corporation says that it had a 14 percent increase in net income to nearly $4.5 million. Diluted earnings rose 5 cents to 35 cents a share. The bank said that the net-income growth came from an increase in loans and deposits.
Regional News
A furniture theft case in Surry County has been turned over to the SBI. The State Attorney General's Office will now take over the case against former Bassett Furniture employees accused of stealing enough furniture from the company to fill up five tractor-trailers. Over a seven year period officials believe the former employees of the Mt. Airy plant managed to steal millions of dollars' worth of furniture. So far, detectives have recovered about $2 million worth of the missing goods.

The town of Mocksville will soon be getting some new jobs. A garage-door maker will open a plant in the Davie County town that will bring 140 jobs to the area. According to Governor Mike Easley, the Amarr Company will invest $10.5 million in the area over the next three years.

Gasoline prices are up again including here in Northwest North Carolina. Triple-A of the Carolinas says the average price of self-serve unleaded regular is around $2.87 per gallon. That's about six cents a gallon higher than a month agoand about 76 cents higher than this time last year.
State News

The North Carolina General Assembly gave final approval to a $1-an-hour increase in the minimum wage yesterday. The increase comes after the issue appeared dead in the water over a year ago due to opposition from small businesses. Some small business leaders in the state say that the increase will lead to shorter hours or layoffs.

Recall Of Insulin Syringe
This next bit of news is for anyone out there who takes insulin shots. Boca Medical Products has announced a recall of their Ultilet Insulin Syringes. All of the recalled products have 5GEXI displayed on their inside case. All total 3984 boxes were recalled from a ten state area including North Carolina. The reason is that some of the syringes are believed to be contaminated with a bacteria that can degrade & possibly break down the insulin, making it virtually useless. Everyone using one of these syringes are being asked to return it to the store for a full refund. If you have questions a hotline has been set up at 1-800-354-8460.

3WC Techwatch: Sniffing Out A Good Movie
The next time you’re in a movie theater, you might be able to smell what’s happening on screen, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. A Japanese company has developed “smellovision”, a new way for movie audiences to interact with the characters. When certain scenes appear on the screen, special machines under the seats release different fragrances. For an emotional scene, you might smell peppermint or for a joyful time you could smell a blend of orange and grapefruit. The idea is being tested out on Japanese audiences this summer and if it proves successful, could be coming to a theater near you by 2007.