News For Friday, July 14th

Today...Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms May produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Wreck Update
The name of the driver of a tractor trailer driver who lost his life on US 421 North at the upper sandpile has been released. The accident happened on Wednesday night around 10pm. 32 year old Iziah D. James of New Jersey was carrying a load of liquid detergent that weighed around 40,000 pounds in large shipping containers. Officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol says the load went through the front of the trailer and the cab. James was on his way to West Babylon, N.Y. Champion Fire Department, First Responders, the Rescue Squad, and Emergency Management all responded to the crash.
Ronda Budget Approved
The 2006-2007 budget for the Town of Ronda was approved on June 20th during an unannounced meeting. The commissioners approved a budget of $206,450, which leaves the tax rate at .40 cents for every 100 dollars of property valuation. Presiding over the meeting was Ronda mayor Howard Prevette, who had resigned his seat a week earlier. The town's administrator said that the mayor's resignation was not "official" because it was not in writing.
Start of School Around The Corner
The summer break is winding down for students in Wilkes County who are scheduled to go back to school on August 8th. Teacher workdays will begin on August first. The 2006-2007 School calendar has 6 snow days built into the calendar and also one "no day" on February 5th in which students and 10 month employees do not attend school. The day was built into this year's calendar to be used as Snow Make-Up day if needed.
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. There are several more chances to give blood this month including a drive open to the public on July 24th at the Wilkesboro Civic Center. Also, a drive is going for Lowes Companies employees July 19th & 20th. 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.

DOT Warns Drivers To Move Over
As we’re right int he middle of Summer travel season, the DOT is offering some advice for drivers. You will will be assessed a $250 penalty for speeding through a marked work zone if you are caught. Also the DOT advises to leave early if you have to be somewhere, not just to get a head start but also to avoid driving at times with a lot of traffic congestion. For anyone wanting to see what road conditions are like before leaving the house, you can dial the state’s travel information line at 511 or log on to www.ncdot.org/traffictravel
Stuff The Bus Continuing
The annual Stuff the Bus program is continuing around Wilkes County. Several locations have been set up around the area to take donations. Each year, Communities in Schools attempts to help needy kids around Wilkes, by providing them with the supplies they lack for class. If you want to donate supplies, there are buses at several locations including Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd, Staples and also between the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in North Wilkesboro. You can also drop off items at the Communities in Schools office. All different types of school supplies are needed, everything from paper to pens to calculators. For more information you can call Communities in Schools at651-7830.

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.
State News
Heavy thunderstorms moved through the Northwest Piedmont of North Carolina last night knocking down trees and power lines in several counties. Damage was so bad in Walnut Cove that Police Chief Barry Conaway closed the town because of extensive storm damage. At one time during last night's storms, Duke Power had over twenty thousand people without power.

Legislation approved by the state House Thursday would create a pool of money to provide special health insurance for people who can't afford or do not qualify for traditional health insurance plans. The pool would be funded through premiums, along with a fee on insurers of up to two dollars per each traditional customer. The "North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool" would guarantee coverage to patients, with premiums that cost no more than 150% the rate of an individual covered by a standard health care plan.

People who have the responsibility of taking care of an elderly family menber will soon have another way to research the quality of care given in nursing homes and assisted-living homes across North Carolina. Beginning this Fall the Department of Health and Human Services said it will post information on it's website. Caregivers will be able to log onto the website and see the facilities that have been hit with serious violations and fines.

Comments

[Ronan Jimson]

good morning , I like your blog and I want to exchange your blog link with my link,
my blog is http://arts-collection.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow"> Arts Collections .
pls feedback to me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Google Link About Arts