New Drug to Fight Cardiovascular Disease

A new therapy being studied in non-human primates by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and colleagues is demonstrating promise as a potential tool for combating cardiovascular disease by increasing good cholesterol and lowering triglycerides in the blood.  While there are several effective therapies available on the market for lowering LDL, or bad cholesterol, modern medicine has yet to find a good way to raise HDL, even if you take a statin or some other therapy to lower your LDL, the risk of having coronary heart disease is still around 50 percent.  For the current study, researchers tested a drug in non-human primates and found that it increased HDL cholesterol and lowered triglycerides. The researchers will next evaluate whether the drug has the ability to stimulate cholesterol movement out of the arteries, where it has accumulated and formed lesions.  According to Ryan Temel, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pathology and lipid sciences at Wake Forest Baptist. “Coronary artery disease is the number one killer of people in the United States.”

Sen Hagan Congratulates NC Man for White House Honor

United States Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) applauded Mr. Rich Cregar, a North Carolinian who was recognized as a "Champion of Change" by the White House on Thursday. Cregar was honored for his work as a scientist, engineer and educator in sustainable transportation technologies.  “Mr. Cregar’s innovation, leadership and eagerness to give back to the community are what make him a 'Champion of Change', and a terrific representative of the spirit of North Carolina,” said Hagan.   Rich Cregar is an instructor in sustainable transportation technologies at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC.   In addition to teaching, Mr. Cregar develops and presents continuing education workshops dealing with the production of biodiesel, clean diesel technology, vehicle emissions systems, hybrid electric drive systems and electric vehicles every year.

County Commissioners' Resolutions

A resolution of moral support and a resolution against a rate increase were just a couple of items on the agenda this week at the Wilkes County Commissioners Meeting.  At the last Commissioners meeting, a presentation was given concerning a film studio in Wilkes and its potential economic benefits.  At this week’s meeting, County Commissioners passed a resolution in support of Red River Media LLC Film Studio which involved no funding but rather was a vote of moral support.  County Commissioners also addressed the proposal of Duke Energy’s request for increasing their rates again.  There have been some meetings in the area recently including one in High Point which was attended by Wilkesboro Mike Inscore and Wilkesboro Councilman Sam Stroud to oppose the rate hikes.  This week Commissioners passed a resolution opposing various electricity rate increases for our state.  The resolution which was passed unanimously by County Commissioners will now be sent to the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Charges Pending in Monday's Traffic Accident

Charges are still pending in a traffic accident from earlier this week.  Monday evening there was a 2-vehicle accident on Hwy 421 involving a car and a motorcycle.  According to the Wilkesboro Police report, Debra Byrd of Ronda was traveling east on Hwy 421 near Zion Hill Church Road.  Mark Richardson was on a motorcycle and traveling west on Hwy 421.  Byrd merged her vehicle into the turning lane and then attempted to turn left onto Zion Hill Church Road when the motorcycle collided with the right rear corner of Byrd’s car.  Byrd and two passengers in the car were transported by EMS to WRMC where they were evaluated for injuries and released.  Richardson was transported to WRMC and then airlifted to Baptist Medical Center.  Due to the severity of the accident, the accident reconstruction officer was called to the scene.  The accident is still under investigation and charges in the wreck are still pending.  Richardson is listed in stable condition at Baptist.

Same Suspicious Truck; Different Break-In

A suspicious small pickup that has been seen in areas of other home break-ins was spotted again near a home break-in at a Purlear residence.  The owner told Sheriff’s Officials that this house on Deer Track Lane is a second residence and that he doesn’t live here full time.  When the victim came to the house on Tuesday, he saw that someone had broken in through the front door.  Some property was stolen including a DVD player, telescope, Seiko watch, tool set, and 2 boxes of drywall screws.  Stolen property is valued at nearly 200 dollars.  Again a truck was seen in the area that has been seen in other areas where break-ins were reported.  The truck is described as a small, blue, older model pickup.  However, the driver of the truck and identity of a possible suspect is unknown.  The Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

County Commissioners on Airport Project

An airport grant project vote and the introduction of a new forester were on the agenda this week at the Wilkes County Commissioners’ Meeting.  The Commissioners received information on the project funded by grant money at the Wilkes Airport which would upgrade the 20 year old Automatic Weather Observance System.  Commissioner Gary D. Blevins commented that he believed this upgrade was needed since the equipment was 20 years old and was a good use of grant money.  The new AWOS system should be up and running by March.  New Forester Mr. Nathan Gatlin was introduced to Commissioners by District Forester Hunter Birckhead.  Gatlin said he is living now in Roaring River and has never been where people are so friendly.  Commissioners also approved the appointment of Dr. Rob Miller and the reappointment of Pharmacist Don Manus to the Wilkes county Board of Health. 

Heated Argument Leads to Arrest

Have a heated argument with someone in a parking lot and you could end up being arrested.  Wilkesboro Police were called to the Wendy’s parking lot regarding a disturbance.  Police met the car used by those involved in the disturbance and initiated a traffic stop.  The driver, Randy Absher of North Wilkesboro, told police that there was no disturbance.  “It was just a heated argument.”  Police then noticed open beer containers inside the vehicle.  They checked NC AWARE and found that Absher had a suspended license and one outstanding warrant for assault.  So Absher was arrested and charged with driving with license revoked, open container, and for the assault warrant. 

Wilkesboro Man Gets Governor's Award

Someone from Wilkesboro received an award from the governor recently.  Governor Bev Perdue announced the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development for 2011 that were awarded in Greensboro. A Stanly County manufacturer, a trailblazing community college training program and four North Carolinians including one from Wilkes were recognized for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions in helping North Carolina achieve its workforce development goals.   Rocky Minton, Wilkesboro was a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development, Outstanding Adult Participant.  Despite kidney failure and transplant surgery, Minton obtained certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant I (CNAI) and completed an Associate Nursing Degree Program. Minton finishing nursing school while working as a CNAI, a demanding task for any student made all the more difficult by serious health battles.  Gov. Perdue said,  “These awards show why our exceptional workforce continues to attract new businesses to North Carolina and encourage existing ones to expand. I congratulate these award winners for their determination, innovation and commitment to helping make our employees the nation’s best.”  

Elkin Gets Governor's Award

The Town of Elkin received an award from the Governor this week.  Gov. Perdue honored nine North Carolina communities with the inaugural Governor’s Innovative Small Business Community Award for their creative and innovative ways to help small businesses bring jobs to North Carolina.  Two-thirds of all new jobs are created by small businesses, making them critical economic drivers for local communities across the state.  “Small businesses are the backbone of North Carolina’s economy.  Supporting our small business owners and entrepreneurs is the best way to improve the unemployment rate,” said Gov. Perdue.  The Town of Elkin and Surry County converted a vacant unused grocery store in a strip shopping center to create The Elkin Center, a workforce training center.  Partners in the project included the NC Rural Center, Golden LEAF, Lowes, Duke Energy, Yadkin Valley Bank, BB&T and others.  The town credits this facility with being able to attract the Pittsburgh Glass Works company which plans to create 260 jobs and invest $85 million.  The Governor’s Innovative Small Business Community Award program recognizes projects, strategies and initiatives that reflect excellence in community economic development, small business and entrepreneurship, and sustainability in North Carolina.  Nominated communities were evaluated based on their creative solutions to improve quality of life and well-being through job creation and job sustaining activities. 

Burglar Reached Through Window

The burglar simply reached in an unlocked window to get inside and steal.  In a report filed with the Wilkesboro Police, two roommates at Cub Creek Apartments said they went to bed about 1am.  When they got up about 6:30, they realized they had been robbed.  A back window with a cut screen had been left unlocked when the victims went to bed.  It appears the robber reached through the screen to open the window and then reached over to open the back door.  One pocketbook had been dumped out on the table inside the apartment.  A second pocketbook had been dumped outside the back door.  Three Social Security Cards and about 80 dollars in cash was stolen.  There are no suspects; the Wilkesboro Police is investigating.