Search Over For Florida Couple At Stone Mountain
The search is over for two missing hikers at Stone Mountain. 44-yr-old John R. Patterson and 35-yr-old Julia Martinez both disappeared last Friday around noon after going to the park for a picnic lunch. Officials spent most of the weekend searching for the two hikers, who were in Wilkes from Miami Florida visiting with family. Just after 10am this morning, the pair were located and taken to the hospital for evaluation. We'll have more on the story as it becomes available.

Fire Burns Local Home
Three fire departments were called out to a structure fire Thursday night in Traphill. The blaze happened at 3125 Traphill Road with Mountain View, Traphill and Mulberry departments all responding to the blaze. Wilkes Fire Marshal Nikki Hamby was also called out to the scene, to help determine what caused the place to go up in flames. According to Fire Marshal Hamby, lightning during Thursday’s storms struck the roof of the building and ignited the fire. Before firefighters could arrive on the scene, most of the roof and also portions of the living room had been burned to the ground. There were sections of the home left standing, but the damage is believed to be too extensive to repair. The fire was called in by a man who was mowing grass on the property. He had just left to go home when the lightning struck.

Blood Drives Going On Today
1500 pints of blood are needed each day in hospitals and clinics, not just here in Wilkes County but across the state. However as we approach the end of July, the local supply has fallen into critical levels. There is currently just over one day’s supply for O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative here in Wilkes. To help solve the problem, a blood drive is going on today at the Wilkesboro Civic Center from 2-6:30pm. You can either just drop by or set up an appointment by calling 838-4563.

Sprint Equipment Stolen On Hwy 421
Thieves ran off with several thousand dollars worth of Sprint equipment last Thursday. A Spring employee was working to repair the phone line at a residence on Old Hwy 421 when he left to get some needed tools. He returned about 10 minutes later and the equipment he had left behind was missing. Witnesses in the area gave deputies a description of a man in a blue car, who pulled up, grabbed the equipment and left. An estimated $3500 worth of equipment was stolen and the investigation continues.

Thieves Run Off With Local Man’s Mower
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he went to cut his grass last Thursday. Someone had stolen his mower. The incident happened on the Fairplains Ridge Road but despite the theft, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything. There was also no sign of a break-in and no damage done on the man’s property. That investigation is ongoing.

Gas Thieves Hit Local Home
A Millers Creek woman fell prey to gas thieves late last week. According to an eyewitness, a blond woman and a dark haired man walked up to the woman’s house on Tumbling Shoals Road and into her carport. They picked up a gas can and started pouring the gas into a container, before grabbing a lawn chair and running off. A description of both suspects and their vehicle were given to deputies and a short time later they were caught just off the North Minton Road. Along with the woman’s chair and gas there were items that had been stolen from several other local homes. 38-yr-old Ronnie Anglin and 24-yr-old Amanda Dawn Inscoe were arrested and charged with larceny.

Two Cars Totaled On Hwy 421
Two cars were totaled in a wreck last Thursday on Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro. The incident happened just before noon as a Chapel Hill woman was stopped at a red light. The driver behind her, a Jefferson man, didn’t realize that the light was red until it was too late to avoid a crash. Thankfully no one was injured in the wreck however an estimated $13,500 worth of damage was done.

More Toyota Vehicles Recalled
The bad news keeps coming for Toyota owners, as still more vehicles are being called back. The auto maker announced plans over the weekend to recall 157,000 pickup trucks due to a safety issue. All 2003, 2004 and 2005 models of the Toyota Tundra are involved in the recall. The problem is that some of the vehicles don’t have anchors so that child safety seats can be attached in the front seat. Customers can take the vehicles back to the dealer they got it from for a full repair.

3WC Up For Several Awards
As 3WC celebrates 12 years of broadcasting this month, the station has been honored with several more award nominations. The list of TOP 10 Nominees for The 2006 Southern Gospel Music Awards has been released 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 .

Vandals Strike Across Wilkesboro
Vandals targeted people staying at two Wilkesboro hotels over the weekend. At both the Red Carpet Inn and Addison Inn, customers came outside on Friday to find the tires had been slashed on their vehicles. All total, an estimated $650 worth of damage was done. No one could recall hearing or seeing anyone hanging outside in the parking lot at either location. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Regional News

Surry Men Busted For Trafficking Meth
Two men have been arrested in Surry County on charges of trafficking meth. On Thursday of last week, police arrested 18-yr-old Martin Alejandro of Elkin and 24-yr-old Carlos David Soriano-Enriquez of Lowgap within 6 hours of each other. Both stand accused of trafficking meth after more than 28 grams of the drug was found in their possession. Both men are in the Surry County jail, with bond set at one million dollars.

State News

Jobs Coming To Catawba
There’s good news today for people in Catawba County, as more jobs are headed to the region. Target announced plans on Friday to build its’ regional distribution center in Newton, a project which will cost $90 million and bring in a reported 580 jobs. Construction will begin in the summer of 2007 with a target completion date set for June of 2009. The first 450 workers will be hired beginning in January of 2009 and if the company’s job targets are met, state officials have pledged an estimated $7 million in incentives.

Man Dies After Chase
The SBI is investigating today after a man died in police custody in Chatham County. Just after 5am Sunday morning, police were called out to the Chatham County Courthouse, as a man was reported to be causing a disturbance there. When officers got to the scene, 37-yr-old Shannon Johnson jumped into his truck and led them on a high speed chase down U.S. 64. Just west of Asheboro, Johnson lost control and wrecked his truck, being placed under arrest after a brief struggle. However soon after his arrest, Johnson started having problems breathing and fell unconscious, later being pronounced dead at the Randolph County Hospital. Johnson’s body has been sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s office as the SBI and Highway Patrol investigate the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

John Deere Workers Out Of A Job
The high gas prices mean bad news for workers at one John Deere plant here in North Carolina. Officials at the Fuquay-Varina plant announced on Friday that the rising price of gas is cutting into their business and steps have to be taken to correct the problem. 500 workers are being asked to take a three month leave of absence without pay to help the company save money.

Teens Arrested For Stealing From Animal Hospital
Raleigh police have arrested two teens for stealing from the local animal hospital. Stephen Vorwerk worked at the Swift Creek Animal Hospital and used his position to steal an estimated $4000 worth of pain medication from the facility with the help of a friend, Kaylyn McCracken. Police are still unclear exactly how and when the medication was taken.

Sports Headlines

UNC Lands Football Recruit
The UNC Tarheels added another name to their recruiting list in football, as Chris Gray committed to the school. The rising high school senior from Landrum South Carolina is a 6’5 ft. 245 lb. offensive and defensive lineman. He runs a 5.0 in the 40 yard dash and was named to the All Region team by coaches. Gray is expected to play offensive tackle at UNC, turning down offers from Ball State and Gardner Webb to attend the school.

Heels To Lose Three Players
But the news wasn’t all good for the Heels, as they lost three other players from the football team. Defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell will not enroll at the university for his junior season due to some off field issues, according to the coaching staff. The 6’6 ft. 297 lb. Mitchell recorded 13 tackles and recovered two fumbles while playing in 11 games last season. Meanwhile running back Antwain Carey informed coaches that he’s given up on football, renouncing his scholarship to focus on running track. Fellow running back R.J. Waters has also left the team, as he’s transferring to Norfolk State.

Wake Forest Heading To The Bahamas
In college basketball, Wake Forest is heading to the islands. Skip Prosser announced last week that the team will be playing two games in the Bahamas on September 2nd and 3rd. Under NCAA rules, all teams are allowed to take a trip to a foreign country once every four years. Also the teams are allowed 10 practices before the trip, something that the Wake coaching staff desperately wanted with six incoming freshmen and five other underclassmen. Wake’s opponents for the games have not been announced.

Former Duke Player Gets Second Chance
In the NBA, a former Duke star is getting a second chance at his career. Jason Williams almost died in a motorcycle accident back in 2003 and the resulting nerve damage caused him to be released from his contract with the Chicago Bulls. Now the 24-yr-old Williams is back looking for another chance after extensive rehab. Over the past two months he’s worked out for 10 teams with two expressing their interest. If all goes according to plan, he’ll be in training camp this fall with either Cleveland or possibly the world champion Miami Heat.

Hurricanes Continue To Deal
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes continue to make deals and rebuild their team. They agreed to a one year contract with defenseman J.D. Forrest over the weekend. The 25-yr-old Forrest was a 6th round pick for the Hurricanes back in 2000 but opted to play overseas in Finland, where last season he scored six goals and recorded five assists.

NASCAR Results
On Sunday, it was Denny Hamlin taking the checkered flag in his first ever race at Pocono. Kurt Busch came in second in the Pennsylvania 500, with Jeff Gordon third, Brian Vickers fourth and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top five.