NEWS For August 3, 2006

MORE HEAT AND HUMIDITY ON TODAY

ONE MORE DAY OF HOT WEATHER IS EXPECTED FOR NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA TODAY. HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S. COMBINED WITH DEW POINTS IN THE LOWER 70S...THE HEAT INDEX THIS AFTERNOON WILL EXCEED 100 DEGREES. A FRONT WILL APPROACH THE AREA ON FRIDAY...LEADING TO MORE CLOUDS AND A BETTER CHANCE OF RAIN...ALONG WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE
LOWER 90S. HEAT INDICES AROUND 100 DEGREES POSE A THREAT OF HEAT ILLNESSES. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUTSIDE FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD TODAY...PLAN ACCORDINGLY FOR THE HOT WEATHER. BE SURE TO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS.

Drug Possession & DWI
An Elkin man was arrested by Wilkes County Sheriff’s Deputies yesterday for drug possession and DWI. The man was stopped at a license checkpoint at the Intersection of Austin Little Mountain Church Road and Granger Road. Over $7,000 in cash and a one-pound brick of compacted marijuana was discovered in the man’s possession. He also blew a .12 on the Intoxilizer. The man, Alton Smoot of Elkin, was arrested and charged with DWI, driving with license revoked, possession with intent to sell, and maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances.

Stolen John Deere
The slogan is “Nothing Runs Like a Deere” and not “nothing steals like a Deere.” A Millers Creek man learn the lesson of “Thou Shalt Not Steal” yesterday after taking a John Deere lawn mower from a Westwood Lane residence. Wilkesboro Police were able to recover the stolen mower and to arrest the Deere thief.

Funds Donated for Wilkes History
The Save Our Wilkes county History Committee wishes to thank Mr. Doug Miller and Ms. Kate Phllips on behalf of the Ginn Corporation for the gift of $15,000 to help preserve the history of Wilkes. The Committee is seeking people who will loan photographs, tapes, genealogies, and other histories. The intent is to produce 50 oral history tapes of our citizens with an emphasis on Wilkes Veterans. The final products will be in the Wilkes Heritage Museum, local libraries, and anywhere people gather to seek historical information.

Home Break-in
Wilkes County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a home break-in at a residence on the Mertie Road. According to the victim, several items were taken from the home including 2 gas blowers, garden edger, and 22 rifle. A neighbor did report seeing a suspicious vehicle, and Sheriff’s Officials do have a possible suspect.

Stolen Gun
Another stolen rifle was reported to the Sheriff’s Department. This firearm was taken from a vehicle and not a residence. The victim stated that he had stopped at a business in Ronda. When he returned to his truck, he noticed the Marlin Rifle was missing. There were no witnesses and are no suspects at this time.

Relay For Life Begins Friday
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Event kicks off Friday at the Watson Stage at Wilkes Community College. Nearly $107,000 has already been raised by the 37 teams that will participate in the event. Organizers have a goal for this year’s walk that honors cancer survivors or victims of $160,000. Opening ceremonies will be held at 6pm with special guest speakers and entertainment continuing through the night. Closing ceremonies are set for 9am Saturday morning.

Meeting For Clingmen Area Residents
The Clingman Community Center Board of Directors would like to invite anyone interested in the rebuilding of the Clingman Community Center to an Open Forum on Sunday, August 13, 2006 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Clingman Road. You are invited to attend the meeting and voice your concerns about the rebuilding of the Clingman Community Center.

Stuff The Bus Continuing
As kids around Wilkes prepare for the first day of school next Tuesday, one organization is working to make sure they have the materials needed for class. The annual Stuff the Bus program from Communities in Schools is still up and running until Monday, August 7th. If you want to donate supplies, there are buses at several locations including Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd, Staples and also between the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in North Wilkesboro. You can also drop off items at the Communities in Schools office. All different types of school supplies are needed, everything from paper to pens to calculators. For more information you can call Communities in Schools at 651-7830.

New Cell Phone Law
Governor Mike Easley signed a new cell phone law into effect yesterday. Drivers under the age of 18 caught using a cell phone could face a $25 fine and a six-month extension to their graduated driver's license. The law, which goes into effect Dec. 1st was recommended by the Child Fatality Task Force.