Problems For Wilkes County Schools
There were some problems for Wilkes County schools this week, as Yearly Progress Reports were released. The reports are part of the No Child Left Behind Program, detailing how each individual school performed in regards to reading and secondary math. The math section of the report was delayed due to some mistakes at the state level and won’t be released until October 5th. But the reading reports were released late Tuesday night and show that several schools here in the county have work to do. 17 of Wilkes County’s 21 schools made Adequate Yearly Progress, according to the report, roughly 81% of the system. Out of those 17, 11 were elementary schools, 3 were middle schools and 3 were high schools. On the list of those who failed to meet expectations were CC Wright Elementary, Mulberry Elementary, Central Wilkes Middle and East Wilkes High School. Coming up on the news today, we'll hear from CC Wright principal John Worley and Mulberry principal Helen Johnson about what exactly the problems are and what steps are being taken to correct them.

Meet The Principal At Wilkesboro Elementary
Wilkesboro Elementary was one of the local schools that made progress, according to federal standards. Now the school’s PTO wants to celebrate that achievement and help welcome in the new principal with a meeting tonight. New principal John Parsons will be on hand to talk with parents and students, starting at 6pm. The event runs until 7:30pm tonight with refreshments available in the cafeteria.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves targeted another Wilkes County business this week. The incident happened Tuesday morning at the Deep Ford Market, where a white man pulled up, pumped $15 worth of gas and then drove off in his car. A description of both the driver and his vehicle was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

Lawmakers Cast Votes On Stem Cell Research
Stem cell research has been a controversial topic both here in Wilkes County and across the nation, with both parties seemingly deadlocked on the issue. But one North Carolina senator surprised members of the Republican party this week by breaking ranks and voting to expand research into embryonic stem cells. Senator Richard Burr cast his vote for the measure, as part of the 63-37 majority that approved the bill and sent it to the president’s desk. Burr didn’t issue any press releases or give any reason as to why he voted for the bill. Fellow North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole voted against it and in the House, so did 5th District Representative Virginia Foxx. Wednesday afternoon, President Bush used his veto power for the first time to defeat the measure.

Foxx Aids Support To Fetal Protection Bill
Also in Washington, Congresswoman Foxx helped to pass a bill designed to protect unborn children. The Fetus Farming Prohibition Act would prevent researchers from harvesting fetal tissue from aborted babies that were conceived for that purpose. It later passed the House by a vote of 425-0. The congresswoman sent out a press release saying that she was proud to support a bill designed to “ban the despicable practice of growing human embryos for the purpose of harvesting them”.

Thieves Run Off With Pain Medication
A Ferguson woman was assaulted and robbed earlier this week. Tuesday afternoon, the victim was walking near her home on the Champion Road when she was stopped by another woman. The assailant then threw the woman to the ground and started beating her before grabbing some pain medication from her purse and running off. The victim was able to recognize her attacker and turned over the name and description to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Focus On The Internet
All the time we hear horror stories about kids talking with strangers on the internet and then being abducted. But how much of a problem are internet predators? Security expert Vicki Courtney will be Brian’s guest this week for Focus on the Foothills, as they discuss ways that parents and grandparents can keep kids safe while on the net. They’ll be talking about terms parents should know, sites they should be aware of and also some tips to keep the predators at bay. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Wilkesboro Man Arrested For Drug Possession
A Wilkesboro man was arrested this week under drug charges. Deputies found 25-yr-old Byron Anthony Parsons on the Elkin Hwy and went to pick him up, as there was a warrant out for his arrest. After getting consent to search, they found 9.5 grams of marijuana and 5.5 grams of crack cocaine in his pockets, along with $177 in cash. In addition to the earlier warrant, Parsons was arrested and charged with drug possession and possession with intent to sell and distribute.

Regional News

Elkin Schools Get AYP Report
Schools in the Elkin District also got a report card on their progress this week, with impressive results. All of the local schools met or exceeded federal requirements for the No Child Left Behind program. Elkin Elementary School met all 11 of its’ target goals, while Elkin High School achieved all 9 of the goals set out this year. The final results for Elkin Middle School have been delayed due to some incorrect data being sent in to state officials, but the preliminary report shows that the school met all 7 of their goals.

State News

Tropical Storm Moving Away
There’s good news for residents of North Carolina, as Tropical Storm Beryl is on the way out. Early predictions were proved wrong on Wednesday, as the storm continued to move away from North Carolina and out into the Atlantic. As of last night, the tropical storm was hitting sustained winds of 40 mph while heading north at a speed of 9 mph. Officials from the National Hurricane Center say that the storm is likely to strengthen over the next 24 hours but it’s unlikely to develop into a full blown hurricane. It’s expected to stay offshore before dissipating over the weekend.

Lawmakers Increase Money For Grant Program
North Carolina lawmakers increased the amount of grant money handed out this week. Due to the state’s Job Development Investment Grant, over 14,000 people have been given work within the last year. The program gives companies a cash grant which equals an amount up to 75% of state withholding taxes based on how many jobs they create. State lawmakers increased the amount of money in the program to $30 million, up from the current amount of $15 million.

Wrightsville Beach Changing The Rules
There’s going to be a change in the rules when people head to Wrightsville Beach next summer. Local officials cleaned up 21 truckloads of trash after the July 4th holiday, with beer cans accounting for most of the garbage. As a result, Town Manager Bob Simpson is ordering a crackdown on alcohol. From now on, police officers won’t ignore evidence of people drinking. If you’re caught with alcohol in hand at the beach, you’ll face possibly up to a $100 fine. During the summer season and on holidays, police will also be out performing random searches of those places deemed alcoholic problem areas.

State’s First Toll Roads Closer To Reality
North Carolina came one step closer to having a toll road this week, with the passage of a bill in the House. If the bill passes the Senate, a toll booth would be set up on I-540 when it’s finished next year. Tolls would also be charged on the segment of interstate in Durham and Wake County running from I-40 to the intersection with NC Hwy 55. The Senate, which has already given partial approval to the bill, takes it back this week for one final vote and then it’ll be sent to Gov. Easley’s desk to become law.

Sports Headlines

North Wilkes Has New Coach
The North Wilkes men’s basketball team finally has a new head coach. Mark Shumate was hired for the job this week, replacing Tommy Johnson, who left to take over the program at Canton Pisgah. Shumate inherits a Viking team that went 4-20 last season and will be playing for their fourth new coach in the last four years. Shumate is a North Wilkes graduate and was formerly an assistant on the varsity team, while also serving as head coach of the JV squad.

Wake Forest Adds Another Recruit
The Wake Forest football team added another recruit this week, as Jordan Williams committed to the school. Williams, a 6’2 ft. 180 lb. wide receiver from Florida received a scholarship offer after running a 4.5 time in the 40-yd dash during a Demon Deacon summer camp. He said that the school had everything he was looking for and also was a big hit with his parents.

Recruit Turns Down UNC For Fayetteville
Another college football recruit is getting recognition for who he turned down, instead of where he’s going. Quarterback Ben Williams from Olympic High School in North Carolina was being recruited by Appalachian State, Wake Forest, UNC Chapel Hill and Virginia. But he turned all of them down to play at Division II Fayetteville State. The 6 ft. 185 lb. Williams is a triple threat, able to play cornerback and wide receiver but he had his heart set on being a college quarterback. So when the Division I schools asked him to switch positions, he told them goodbye and took Fayetteville’s offer. Last season Williams tossed for 3041 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 767 yards.

Panthers Super Bowl Pick Again
Yet another national organization has the Carolina Panthers picked to go to the big game. ESPN’s football crew handed out their picks for the upcoming season this month, selecting the Panthers and Denver Broncos as the two teams they expect to battle it out in the Super Bowl. As for who wins? The ESPN crew expects there to be another national title on the way to Carolina, as they have the Panthers walking away with the trophy.

Hurricanes Make Trade
The Carolina Hurricanes made a trade this week, picking up forward Scott Walker from the Nashville Predators. In exchange, Carolina sent out center Josef Vasicek, a bench player who never fully developed in the Hurricanes’ system. Walker gives Carolina a scoring threat off the bench, to replace the departed Matt Cullen. The 33-yr-old was the all time scoring leader in Nashville with 247 points in his career.

NASCAR Crew Chief Swap
In NASCAR, there will be a change in the pits for one team this weekend. The No. 21 Ford of Kenny Schrader will have a new boss, as Michael McSwain takes over as crew chief. No reason was given as to what caused the switch, as McSwain will be in the pit for this weekend’s race at Pocono.