Update Given From Wilkes Economic Development
Wilkes Economic Development Director Don Alexander presented an update to county commissioners last night, detailing the program’s process since he took over back in March. In those four months, Wilkes Economic Development has worked with 10 local businesses to help create an additional 169 jobs. That growth came thanks in part to a variety of incentives totaling $7.5 million. Also the corporation is currently in talks with 19 other businesses to discuss a potential move here to Wilkes. Collectively, the potential businesses would bring in an estimated $484 million to the area along with 1645 new jobs. Director Alexander told commissioners that while he didn’t expect to land them all, he is confident that several of the businesses could end up with a Wilkes County address. Members of the board also inquired about Fibrowatt, as to when they would name a site here in North Carolina. Director Alexander said that at the most a site announcement will be coming within the next two months and could possibly be a matter of weeks.

Wilkes County Facing Forestry Problems
The growth and development of new homes in Wilkes County could lead to problems, according to the Forestry Service. County Forester Jody Brady gave his annual report to county commissioners’ last night, outlining some issues Wilkes is facing. He explained that the seasons cycle between rain and drought, with 2006 on the drought side. Already there have been 69 forest fires in the county, burning over 1000 acres with an estimated $40 million in damage. There was some good news however as the Forestry Service has replanted 2100 acres over the past six months.

Positions Up For Consideration At Meeting
Several positions were up for consideration at last night’s commissioners’ meeting. Last month, Tom Gorich resigned from his position with the Airport Authority, citing the demands of his personal business. As a replacement, the Authority nominated Jim Faw and brought that recommendation before county commissioners last night. It passed through a unanimous decision. Two people were also recommended for positions in the Wilkes Library Board, to replace the expiring terms of Rose Herring and Glenda Adams. Arnold Lakey and Joe Samuel were nominated to replace them by the board but county commissioners held up the appointment. Commissioner Faye Byrd brought up the fact that there was no one on the board to represent the eastern or western parts of the county, requesting after a brief discussion that consideration be made to other candidates. Commissioners agreed to table the vote and send it back to the Library Board.

Other News From Commissioners’ Meeting
In other news from last night’s commissioners’ meeting, the weekend of August 4th & 5th was selected as Relay for Life weekend. During that time, events will be held at Wilkes Community College, starting at 6pm on August 4th. Money was also transferred from the fund balance to help pay for construction of the bathrooms and concession stands at Lowes Park. The money had been set aside in last year’s budget for the project, but when construction didn’t start by July 1st, it went back into the fund balance. $105,000 was transferred in, bringing the current total for the project to $165,000.

Thieves Target Ferguson Store
Thieves stole money from a Ferguson store early Wednesday morning. A witness saw the thieves drive up to Michelle’s Market on Mt. Pleasant Road and then walk up to the drink machines beside the business. The thieves used a key to unlock each machine, then ran off with an estimated $60 in change from inside. A description of the thieves was turned over to deputies and the investigation continues.

Focus On Freedom
Despite what you hear and read today, the founding fathers didn’t all want God out of government. As we celebrate our Independence this week, an organization in Wilkes County wants to remind people that faith played a major part in the founding of our country. Chuck Houchins has helped create Founding Quotes, to explain through their own words how the founders felt about religion. Mr. Houchins will be Brian’s guest this week for Focus on the Foothills as they’ll be discussing his research into the founders, talking about their faith and hearing their very words on the subject. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Car Stolen From Behind Burger King
A Purlear man got a surprise when he came back to pick up his car this week. He had left the vehicle parked at the Wilkesboro Burger King Monday night, departing with friends. Then the next day he returned to find the vehicle missing. None of the store employees could recall seeing the vehicle and there’s evidence of any shattered windows or other damage. Information about the vehicle was turned over to Wilkesboro police and the investigation continues.

Duke Fan Goes Crazy For A Hat
For one Duke fan, nothing was going to stop him from getting a hat. The man walked into the Run-In on Oakwoods Road Tuesday morning, walking around the store for a few minutes. Then an employee saw him pull a Duke Blue Devil hat off the rack and stuff it into his shorts, before running out the door. The man then sped off in his car, but not before employees were able to get a description of both him and his vehicle. The evidence, along with a security camera video was turned over to Wilkesboro police.

Thieves Run Off With Local Man’s Tools
A local man went back to his house on Tuesday only to discover that thieves had paid a visit. A lock had been pried off a storage building on the property, allowing thieves to walk inside and go shopping. They ran off with a floor jack and chainsaw, worth an estimated $240. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

Budget Gets Initial Approval
North Carolina came one step closer Wednesday night to having a budget in place, as it received tentative approval from both the House and Senate. Gone is the proposed increase in the minimum wage, which would have brought it to a flat $6. Teachers and the school system however were a major focus of the budget, as an 8% average raise for public school teachers was approved. Also a 6% raise was handed out for community college and university staff. University officials were also given a one time bonus in the form of an additional 2% raise. State workers will also see a 5.5% raise in pay. Coming up later today we’ll have more details about the budget, which still has to pass through another vote of North Carolina lawmakers.

Another Contender Steps Into Political Race
Yet another contender has tossed their name into the lieutenant governor’s race here in North Carolina. Canton Mayor Pat Smathers announced this week that he’s strongly considering entering the race, saying that he’s probably going to run. The 52-yr-old former attorney and Duke football player told reporters that he grew interested in the job while helping his town recover from natural disasters over the past two years. Smathers said he wants the focus of his campaign to be about creating new ideas and new programs in North Carolina for energy, healthcare, tax reform and transportation. He enters a potentially loaded field with six others considering a run. Among them are Winston Salem Republican Ed Broyhill and Surry Representative James Harrell.

Well Known NC Pastor Dies
A Baptist pastor who stood at the front of the civil rights movement has died this week. The Rev. W.W. Finlator was a well known champion for civil rights, a white pastor who supported racial integration in the 60s and 70s. Finlator was the pastor at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, serving from 1956 to 1982. During that time he called on people to reach out and help the poor and also was an opponent of the death penalty. Friends and supporters remember him as a man of God who stood for what’s right, even if it was dangerous to do so. He passed away Monday after a battle with pneumonia. Pastor Finlator was 93.

Animals Homeless Due To Road
Animals in Rockingham County are searching for a home today, after the DOT announced plans to destroy their old one. The Veterinary Hospital in Reidsville is set to be bulldozed within the next two years to make way for an expansion of Highway 87. DOT officials made the announcement on Wednesday, saying they have no choice but to knock down the hospital as it’s in the way of the proposed project. Rockingham County leaders are working with hospital officials to find a new home for the animals as soon as possible.

Sports Headlines

Raleigh High School Makes History
One high school in Raleigh is getting set to make history by fielding a football team. Word of God High School has never put a varsity football team on the field, content to play their junior varsity. But after last season’s 7-1 record with the JV team, school officials have reconsidered and announced this week that a new varsity squad will be added in the fall. There’s no word yet as to which conference the school will join.

NC High School Players Invited To National Tryout
Two high school players from here in North Carolina are on their way to tryout for the national baseball team. The U.S. Junior National team has extended invitations to Wake Forest-Rolesville catcher Mac Williamson and Apex High School third baseman Corey Thompson. Both were part of a Wake County team that finished 4-3 in the USA Junior Olympics East Coast Regional. They caught the eye of team officials by batting .400 or better during the event, with Thompson putting up a .458 average and Williamson right at .400. 36 players will try out for the team, which will start playing August 4th in the Youth Pan American Championships, held this year in Venezuela.

Appalachian Invited To San Juan
Taking a look at college basketball, there’s a trip to the islands in the future of the Appalachian State team. The Mountaineers have been invited to take part in the San Juan Shootout , which will run December 17-22nd. Appalachian joins a loaded field including Utah, Virginia, Central Florida, Tennessee Tech, Vanderbuilt and the native Puerto Rice-Mayaguez team. Games and times will be announced later on this summer.

UNC Charlotte Lands Recruit
In other college basketball news, UNC Charlotte has officially landed another recruit for next season. High school senior David Booker, a 6’7 ft. forward from Mississippi, signed on with the team. As a senior for Moss Point High School, Booker averaged 27 points and 12 rebounds a night, scoring 50 points in the school’s first round game of the state tournament.

NASCAR Could Steal Driver From F1
A driver from the Indy car circuit could be making the switch next year to NASCAR. Canadian racer Jacques Villeneuve announced this week that he’s considering making the move to stock cars next season as he’s losing his current ride with BMW. The 35-yr-old Villeneuve is being replaced by a 21-yr-old developmental driver from within the team’s minor league system, leaving him without a ride and seeking a challenge. He hasn’t started talking to teams just yet though, saying that he’ll have to consider how his family feels about possibly moving to the United States.