News & Sports For July 18th

Gearing Up For Hottest Week Of The Year
If you didn’t like Monday’s weather, you may want to stay indoors the rest of the week. According to the National Weather Service Wilkes County is set for the hottest week of the summer, with temperatures expected to hit the mid 90s from now til Thursday. Humidity levels are also expected to climb, as a tropical system continues to form off the coast. What does that mean for people in Wilkes? Those most at risk according to the Department of Health are infants, small children and those age 65 and older, in addition to those dealing with weight issues. Health officials are asking that people drink two to four glasses of water per hour if you’re outside working, due to the salt and minerals lost from sweat. Gov. Easley has also sent out a release asking people to stay indoors if at all possible, to protect against any heat related illnesses. Coming up on tomorrow’s newscast we’ll take a look at what exactly these illnesses are and how you can tell the symptoms.

Proposals Handed In For Hospital
On Monday afternoon, lease proposals were turned in for Wilkes Regional Medical Center. However out of the seven companies that had expressed interest in leasing the property, only three turned in a proposal. The current hospital operating board submitted one, as did Novant Health and Community Health Systems out of Tennessee. Both the hospital board and Novant Health are non profit groups, as opposed to the for profit status of CHS. Town Manager Hank Perkins Jr. cut open the boxes which contained each proposal before the nine people in attendance, saying that he wanted to make it clear this was the first time each one had been examined. He also explained where the process goes from here, as each proposal will be turned over to the town board of commissioners for review. After that, the commissioners will decide which, if any of the companies they want to hear more from and a presentation will be set up. Mayor George Church told reporters that he was surprised there were only three proposals, as he expected more. A deadline of September 15th has been set for a proposal to be selected and negotiations to begin.

Recall Ordered Of Battery Charger
A recall has been ordered of several thousand battery chargers across the nation. Pelican Power is calling back an estimated 231,000 of its’ Brick Battery Charger. The problem comes due to a malfunction in the charger’s circuit board, which can lead to overheating and possibly a fire hazard after extended use. Customers are asked to call Electro Source LLC to receive a replacement at 1-800-263-1156 or through the website www.powerbrickrecall.net.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
One local man’s good deed has caused him nothing but headaches, several dollars worth in fact. An acquaintance came to the man’s home, located on the Suncrest Orchard Road Sunday morning and asked to borrow some money. The homeowner agreed and took the borrower’s wallet and ID as collateral until he could pay it back. Several hours later, the man returned to pay back the loan, collecting his wallet and deputies believe, several other items. Later in the day, checks were written from the victim’s account at the Grocery Bag by the same thief. The name and description of the thief was turned over to sheriff’s deputies, along with the make and model of the car he took off in.

Thieves Target Foster’s Grocery
Deputies were called out to Foster’s Grocery Sunday morning, after some would be thieves dropped by. During the night, the Pepsi drink machine outside was damaged as it appeared someone was attempting to get inside. When that failed the would be thieves apparently started kicking the machine before taking off. All total an estimated $400 in damage was done and store employees turned over tape from the security camera. There is a suspect as the investigation moves forward.

3WC Healthwatch: The Problem With Beef
Before you fire up the grill this week, you might want to make some changes to the menu, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A study done by the American Association for Cancer Research found that a compound that can be formed when barbequing meat actually raises the risk of prostate cancer. The compound, called PhIP, is created when meat is cooked at very high temperatures, until it’s charred. Once ingested, that charred meat can act as an ignition switch, possibly leading to prostrate cancer. Now that doesn’t mean you have to toss out the grill, just be careful when cooking your meat. The Association recommends that you marinade meat before cooking, using about 4 fluid ounces of marinade for every 1 lb. of meat. That cuts down on the amount of carcinogens inside, possibly up to 90%. And while using the marinade, be sure and turn the food over from time to time, to make sure all areas are covered. Also another way to protect against cancer is to cut the fat off meat before cooking it and then also cutting off any charred or burned pieces before you start eating. It might mean a few extra minutes before supper is ready, but that could also be the difference between a clean bill of health and a trip to the hospital for cancer treatments.

Items Stolen From Construction Site
Thieves ran off with over $5000 worth of tools from a construction site over the weekend. The incident happened at a site on Fishing Creek Road, as members of the work crew came by to pick up some items, only to find them missing. Taken in the theft was a generator, an air compressor, three sets of drop cords and a 4-wheeler. There are suspects in the case and the investigation continues.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
We’ve talked a lot here on the news about the need for blood in Wilkes County. But thanks to last year’s hurricanes and the cost of relocating survivors, the local Red Cross needs help of a different kind as well. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Local Home
Mailbox vandals took aim at another Wilkes County home over the weekend. A woman on the Rock Creek Church Road called deputies Sunday morning after waking up to the sound of a vehicle in her driveway. She went to the window and watch as a man got out of a truck, grabbed a baseball bat and started smashing the mailbox. A description of both the vandal and his truck were turned over to sheriff’s deputies as the investigation continues.

State News

Bragg Troops Set To Leave For Border
Several North Carolina troops are packing up again, but this time they’ll be staying in the country. 200 soldiers from the 252nd Combined Arms Battalion have started training to protect the U.S. border. On August 5th, the troops will ship out to Arizona, where they’ll spend two weeks as part of a rotation to guard against illegal immigrants. Under the plan, a new National Guard unit will move in every two weeks, to keep the troops fresh.

North Carolina Considering Change In Law
A 200-yr-old law could soon be off the books in North Carolina if the ACLU has their way. The state chapter of the organization has filed a lawsuit, arguing that North Carolina’s law against unmarried couples living together is unconstitutional. Attorney General Roy Cooper has said the lawsuit has no basis because it was filed as a challenge to a criminal statute and that can only be done if there’s a criminal case currently going on. Opening statements in the case were heard yesterday.

Shipwrecks Found In Currituck Sound
Archeologists have possibly uncovered several pieces of North Carolina’s history. Officials from the state’s Department of Cultural Resources announced over the weekend that divers have located the remains of two shipwrecks in Currituck Sound. Portions of the steam freighter Undine, which sank back in March 1912 were discovered in the Sound with most of the structure still intact. In addition, the remains of a sailing vessel dating to before the Civil War was located by divers near Monkey Island. State archeologists plan to study the debris and possibly attempt to raise what’s left.

Church Attendance Streak Going Strong
Records are celebrated in all kinds, from sports to politics. But one North Carolina woman has made her own mark by simply going to church. This past Sunday, Mary Payne recorded her 2766th consecutive week in the pew. The Charlotte resident and preacher’s daughter celebrated her 53rd birthday by attending service at Berryhill Baptist Church, where she was honored for attending every Sunday since birth. Church officials told about how Payne was hit by lighting last June on a Friday night. Despite the requests of her doctors, she made it to church that Sunday. Before that, back in 2004, she had surgery following a car wreck and that Sunday, she was in the pew being wheeled in by a nurse.

Mecklenburg Restaurants Go Without Inspection
If you eat in a Mecklenburg restaurant, it might be a good idea to exercise caution. County officials admitted to reporters on Monday that not all restaurants get a full inspection because of a lack of funds. On average, county officials estimated that 62% of Mecklenburg eateries are inspected the required four times a year, with most getting just one or two visits. There are currently 14 full time inspectors in the county, with plans on track to add 11 more by the end of this year. County commissioners said in a statement that the issue should have been dealt with earlier but was never a top priority.

Sports Headlines

Little League Results
It was a busy night for Wilkes County baseball teams. In the 11-12 year old division, Wilkes County’s All Star team beat Watauga 8-7. Meanwhile in the 13-14 year old division, it was Wilkes beating Caldwell County 8-5. With the victory over Caldwell, Wilkes remains undefeated in the double elimination tournament and now advances to the next round.

UNC Gets Yankee Money
Switching gears to college baseball, the UNC Tarheels are getting help in rebuilding their stadium from an unlikely source. The Heels have received one million dollars from new York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, to use in renovating Boshamer Stadium. UNC baseball teams have played at the park since 1972 and in recent years it’s started to show its’ age. The New York Yankee organization has a connection to the park as well, as they played against a UNC team in several exhibition games back in the late 70s. Also Steinbrenner’s daughter Jenny and her husband Stephen Swindal are both graduates of UNC Chapel Hill.

Wolfpack Land Wide Receiver
Good news for the NC State football team, with another recruit signing on. Rising high school senior Stewart Howard has committed to the school. Howard, a 6’3 ft. 185 lb. wide receiver from Olympic High School, turned down scholarships from Wake Forest and Vanderbilt to play for the Wolfpack. As a junior last season, Howard had 49 catches for 748 yards to go along with 8 touchdowns.

NC Golfer Ranked Number One
In the golfing world, one Wake Forest student is on the rise. Wake Forest golfer and Raleigh native Webb Simpson is the new No. 1 player in men’s amateur golf, according to the latest rankings from Golfweek. A rising college junior, Simpson has finished second in both the Northeast Amateur and Dogwood Invitational tournaments, capping things off with a win at the Sunnehanna Amateur. Simpson, who’s majoring in religion, told reporters over the weekend that he plans to stay two more years and get his degree before trying out for the PGA Tour.

Issue Arises For Montoya
When Juan Montoya makes the jump to NASCAR next season, he’ll be facing several new obstacles. An announcement was made by Nextel Cup officials over the weekend that when Montoya takes over from Casey Mears, he’ll only have the points exemption available for the first five races. After that, Montoya will have to qualify on his own or be left out of the field. He’ll make his debut for Chip Ganassi Racing in next season’s Daytona 500.

Rudd Possibly Coming To Gibbs Racing
A familiar face could be popping up at the Joe Gibbs racing garage next season. Gibbs is in talks to add a fourth car to the team and is trying to recruit Ricky Rudd for the job. Rudd is no stranger to the Gibbs team, as he drove for Tony Stewart last month. But Gibbs isn’t the only one trying to land Rudd, as Team Red Bull also has an offer out to the veteran driver.