News & Sports For July 4th

Hottest Day Of The Year Hits NC
The temperature gauge might not have registered it as such, but yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far here in North Carolina. Temperatures hit the mid 90s with it reaching 95 degrees in Wilkesboro. The problem was the humidity, which pushed the local heat index up past 100 for the day. Weather forecasters do offer some hope for the rest of the week, with a chance of rain and temperatures not expected to reach above 90 degrees. However until the hot weather dies down, the state’s Health Department is suggesting to keep children, elderly adults and pets inside as much as possible, to avoid excessive heat exposure.

Celebrations Planned For Tonight
Wilkes County is planning to celebrate July 4th in a big way, with events going on throughout the night. At 8:45pm tonight, the annual Emergency Vehicles Parade will get underway. The parade will start at West Park, then head onto West D Street and continue on in a loop until it reaches the new Board of Education offices on Cherry Street. Following the parade, the Wilkes Law Enforcement Association will start setting off fireworks from their normal spot at Memorial Park.

Break-In At Greene Lumber
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Greene’s Lumber on Sunday, after thieves broke in. Someone shattered a window at the business and climbed in to do some shopping. However once inside, the thieves left almost everything where they found it. No money was missing and nothing else was damaged inside. The only things taken were several papers that contained information about the business. Deputies were later able to track down the papers and return them to the owner. The investigation into the break-in continues.

Rocket’s Red Glare Lights Up Traphill Mailbox
A Traphill woman got a little more than she expected in the mail over the weekend. Sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning the mailbox exploded, thanks to a firecracker that had been placed inside. This marks the 12th time in the past fives years that vandals have targeted the house, located on Traphill Union Road. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

3WC Healthwatch: Beware of Fireworks
Before you light up that sparkler tonight, there are some things you need to be aware of, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. Over the past ten years, an estimated 85,000 kids have been treated in the ER for fireworks related injuries. Last year alone, sparklers were responsible for nearly half of the injuries to kids five and younger. In order to have a safe 4th of July celebration, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a list of suggestions on how to prevent fireworks from getting out of control. First only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface, away from the house and any dry leaves or other flammable material. Also be sure to throw away any fireworks that didn’t ignite correctly. Otherwise could come by and pick them up, leading to a trip to the emergency room. Above all else, be sure that your kids are supervised. The information shows that children are 11 times more likely to get injured if they’re on their own and not under adult supervision. The information comes from a study set to be published in the July edition of Pediatrics.

Medication Stolen From Roaring River Home
Thieves broke into a Roaring River home over the weekend, running off with several hundred dollars worth of medication. A woman and her husband had gone to visit her mother, dropping off some medicine that was needed. She put the medicine in the kitchen and within a few hours it was gone. Taken in the theft were several bottles of the painkillers Roxycodine and Oxycotin. There is a suspect and the investigation is ongoing.

Vandals Target Moravian Falls Home
Vandals took aim at a Moravian Falls house over the weekend. The homeowner was asleep Saturday afternoon when he heard glass breaking and came to check it out. As he got to the front door, a vehicle was speeding off and he noticed that one of the windows had been shattered. Information has been turned over to deputies regarding a possible suspect and the investigation continues.

Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest
A routine traffic stop led to an arrest for Wilkesboro police recently. Officers pulled over a man for having an expired tag on his vehicle. When they called in the tag, it was reported back as being a fake. In addition, the driver didn’t have any insurance for the vehicle and the inspection sticker had expired. 26-yr-old Christopher Justin Spencer was arrested and charged with misdemeanor counts of having a fictitious license and not having insurance, along with one count of driving with an expired inspection sticker.

DOT Warns Drivers To Move Over
As we’re celebrating July 4th, the DOT is offering some advice for drivers. Even though construction is shut down for the holiday, drivers will be assessed a $250 penalty for speeding through a marked work zone. Even though the workers won’t be there, speeding though such places can be dangerous there could be sections with just one lane open. 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

State News

Preparations Continue For Bush Visit
Preparations continued on into the night at Fort Bragg for the President’s scheduled visit today. He is set to arrive at the post this afternoon and spend most of the day there before heading back to the nation’s capital tonight. The visit will be Bush’s third to Bragg within the last five years. In 2002, he spoke to the troops about the war in Afghanistan and then in 2005 came back to discuss why we needed to enter Iraq. Republican lawmakers voiced their approval of the President’s decision to return, citing Fort Bragg’s heavy involvement in the war on terror.

More Jobs Coming To Edgecombe County
There’s some good news on the way to Edgecombe County, as more jobs are headed to the region. Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pools announced plans over the weekend to building a manufacturing facility in Edgecombe. The move will bring in 69 new jobs over the next three years and was made possible by a $45,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. Blue Hawaiian officials said they chose North Carolina for the site because of its’ highly trained workforce and good location.

Company Sets Up Family Reunion For 4th
One company in Greensboro is helping families get in touch with their loved ones for the 4th. During today’s Fun Fourth Festival in Greensboro, people will be able to speak to soldiers in Iraq via Webcast, talking to people that for some haven’t been seen in over a year. Grassroots Productions is helping to sponsor both the festival and the webcast. Company officials said they wanted people to see what life is really like over there and to let the troops know that they have support back here at home. The Webcast runs today from 9:30am til 1pm.

Meth Lab Uncovered In Randolph County
An abandoned residence in Randolph County has been condemned by the Health Department, after officials found a meth lab operating inside. A complete lab was discovered at the home on Old Thomasville Road, with deputies carrying off loads of chemicals and meth paraphernalia. Because of the chemicals and the potential hazard they pose to residents, the local Health Department has condemned the building and the investigation continues.

Sports Headlines

Cremins Returns To The Sideline
A former Appalachian State head coach will be back on the sideline this fall as Bobby Cremins has joined up with the College of Charleston. He was formally introduced during a press conference on Monday after agreeing to a six year contract with the Cougars. Cremins had been out of coaching since 2000, when he retired as head coach of Georgia Tech. Before that he got started at Appalachian State back in 1975, putting up 100 wins during his six years in Boone. Cremins will be coming back to the site of his first coaching job this season with the Cougars, who play at home and away against Appalachian State as part of the Southern Conference schedule.

Bobcats Sign Another Player
The offer was mentioned earlier in the month, but on Friday it became official. UNC Charlotte forward Curtis Withers will be joining the Charlotte Bobcats for their summer league team, receiving an invitation to try out and make the roster. As a senior last year, Withers averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds for the 49ers, displaying an impressive rebounding ability. The first summer league game is set for next Monday.

Familiar Faces On Bobcats Roster
As far as the rest of the Bobcats summer league roster goes, there are a few familiar faces making an appearance. The team’s draft picks this year, Adam Morrison and Ryan Hollins will be on board, along with current third string point guard Kevin Burleson. Also making his first appearance on the court in over four months will be forward Sean May, who is still working himself into game shape. Emeka Okafor will also be practicing with the team, to help rehab his own injury. Mini-camp started yesterday at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Hurricanes Lock Up Free Agents
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes are looking to bring back most of their championship team next season. To do that, the Canes announced deals with four of their free agents over the weekend. 21-yr-old forward Eric Staal was inked to a three year deal after a season where he led the team in scoring, putting up 100 points during the regular season. In addition, defenseman Mike Commodore and right winger Chad LaRose were both resigned to two year contracts and goalie Cam Ward has a new backup, with John Grahame coming over from Tampa Bay.

Possible Changes On The Way For NASCAR
There could be some changes on the way for NASCAR, according to chairman Brian France. Talking with reporters over the weekend, France said that officials are looking at some alternations to the Nextel Cup circuit, which would take effect next season. The major change that’s being considered is an increase in points handed out to the winners of each race, to award victory and not just consistency. Also the number of spots in the Chase for the Cup could climb, as currently the top ten drivers have a shot at the title. That could expand to possibly 12 or even the top 15.