News & Sports For Wednesday January 4th 2006

News From County Commissioners' Meeting

Wilkes County Commissioners met last night and discussed several items on the agenda. A request was made by COunty Manager Gary Page, on behalf of the Wilkes Senior Center. The Center has applied for a General Purpose Grant of $5454, but the grant requires a partial match of support from the local area as well. County commissioners agreed to match the funds, which would mean a contribution of $1818 from Wilkes. Final approval was also given for Phase Four of the Hidden Falls subdivision, which totals 8.93 acres broken up into four seperate plots of land. In addition, the county budget was amended, after a reimbursement from insurance for repairs to a EMS ambulance. $7950 was added back into the EMS budget. Also money no longer needed to help pay the Lowes Investment agreement was transferred, to be used in renovating the building below the county offices. When renovations are finished, that is to be the new home of the Veteran's Services office. $30,000 was approved by the commissioners to use in the request. Beth Lovette, Wilkes County's Health Director also had some items to put before commissioners. She presented Dr. Max Colwell for a three year term on the Board of Health, serving as the veterinarian on the board. Dr. Colwell was approved and will begin serving immediately. He takes over from Dr. Bill Hewat, who had to resign as he is moving out of the state. Also it was asked that Zach Henderson be re-appointed as the county commissioner on the Board of Health, a motion that was approved as well. Finally, commissioners approveda resolution passed by the Board of Health. The resolution asks for assistance from the State Health Director in dealing with influenza. Specifically asking for enough federal funding to support a strong vaccine program and guaranteed prices for the vaccine, to be used as a incentive for companies to make more of it.

Wilkes County Flu Clinic This Saturday
Good news for anyone suffering from the flu here in Wilkes. The county's health department will be hosting a flu shot clinic on Saturday January 7th. The clinic, held in connection with Wilkes Regional Medical Center, will be from 8am til 3pm and appointments must be made in advance. So far people in North Carolina have managed to avoid a major flu outbreak, with just two reported cases across the entire state. Still, with several months still left in this year's flu season, it helps to be prepared. Another thing to consider, with the peak of flu season still on the way, it's important to get the vaccine now, as it takes 2 weeks to build up immunity to the virus. To make an appointment for Saturday's clinic, all you have to do is call the Health Department at 651-7450.

Vandals Open Up The New Year At Freedom Homes
A group of vandals opened up the New Year by causing $800 in damage to some property. Wilkesboro police were called out on Monday to Freedom Homes, after employees found several of the units had been broke into and damaged. In two of the homes, the door and lock had been busted, while in the third the vandals shattered glass in the door and climbed in. Nothing was taken from the inside and no other signs of damage could be found. That investigation continues.

New Law Puts Parents At Fault For Tardy Kids
Parents in Wilkes County might face jail time if their kids are late to school. Thanks to a new state law, which took effect in December, the responsibility will be placed on the parent or guardian to make sure their child is in class. After six unexcused absences, parents will be notified by the school and a counselor will be sent out, to determine what the problem is and how to fix it. If the student continues to stay out and reaches 10 unexcused absences, then another phone call will be made both to the parents and also the local district attorney. Under the old laws, parents would then face 30 days in jail but now, that term will increase to a full six months.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
It's always a good idea to look before you leap. A man from Erwin North Carolina learned over New Year's that applies to the highway as well. He was involved in a two car wreck over the holiday on Hwy 421 that totaled both vehicles. The man was driving on the outside lane and attempted to switch, but didn't notice another car beside him. He hit the other vehicle and spun out, crashing into the median. Meanwhile the second car crashed into a nearby guardrail. Wilkes EMS was called out by the driver of the first vehicle refused treatment. An estimated $28,000 worth of damage was done in the wreck.

Natural Gas Bills To Drop This Month
If you use natural gas to heat your home, it will be a little cheaper to do so starting next month. The North Carolina Utilities Commission agreed to cut rates for PSNC Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas by 12%. The move, which was passed Tuesday morning, adds up to an average of $20 saved each month. The rate decrease will be placed retroactive to January 1st, but customers shouldn't expect the savings to appear on their bills until February. The reason being that next month's bill will reflect the January gas usage.

Beware Of Medicare Scams
By now most people who are on Medicare have recieved a letter in the mail, explaining what we first told you in a news series back in December. That starting this past Sunday, everyone on Medicare will now have access to prescription drug coverage. Unfortunately, with that option a lot of scams have already popped up. People are getting phone calls from con artists pretending to be representing a private health insurance company. Please be warned, no legit health insurance representative would ask for your personal information over the phone. Under the new law, insurance providers are not allowed to market their plans by going door to door or through your email. The only information they can obtain over the phone is your mailing address, to which a copy of their plan can be sent. And you can check to see if the provider that called you is legit by using the toll-free Medicare hotline 1-800-633-4227. It's available to be used 24 hours a day.Stay tuned this Thursday as Brian Carlton will be talking with Dr. Merrill Matthews from the Council for Affordable Health Insurance on Focus on the Foothills. The conversation is a follow-up to their earlier segment last month on the news as Dr. Matthews and Brian will be taking a look at changes in coverage. Also they'll be discussing the positives and negatives, along with places you can go to get information about the different plans being offered. That's tomorrow on Focus, right after the midday stock report at 1:05pm.

3WC Healthwatch: Vitamin D Is The Key
So are you loading up on fiber to try and prevent cancer? You can lay off the bread as there's another way to possibly prevent the disease, as we explain in today's 3WC Healthwatch. Officials at the University of California at San Diego have released a study showing that Vitamin D plays a larger part than previously thought in the battle against cancer, reducing the risk by as much as 50%. The study will appear in next month's American Journal of Public Health. Vitamin D helps balance calcium and phosphorous in your blood, but what many people don't know is that it also helps regulate cell growth and determine what a cell becomes. A lack of the vitamin weakens the body's defense, as there's nothing left to regulate the cell and it is more suseptible to cancer. So how can you get enough Vitamin D? People age 19-50 should get about 200 IUs a day of the vitamin, which balances out to at least two glasses of milk. People 50-70 should get 400 IUs and those 70 and older should get 700. In addition to milk, you can get enough vitamin D by taking walks and getting exposed to Vitamin D put off by the sun. Also it can be found in yogurt, cheese, orange juice and fatty fish. For example, one serving of salmon has 360 IUs, while a tablespoon of cod liver oil holds 2400.

New Year's Crash Leads To Drug Arrest
A Wilkesboro man was arrested for drug possession after wrecking his car. The incident happened on New Year's Eve, as police were called out to the scene of a collision on Edgewood Road. Once at the scene, they found a crack pipe with residue lying in the driver's seat. 47-yr-old Jae Roscoe Somers admitted to smoking crack cocaine and was arrested. He was charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. The residue from the pipe was sent off to the state lab for analysis and the charges are pending until the results come in.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
The Red Cross finds itself in need of help as we head into a new year. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations, in addition to the funds used to help victims of the recent hurricanes. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

State News

Section Of NC To Test Census
A section of North Carolina will be one of the test sites for the US Census Bureau. In preparation for the 2010 census, Fayetteville and the surrounding area will be a guinea pig for the new procedures and technology. All new questionaires, computers and software are being used, so a trial run of sorts will be performed in 2008, taking place in California and North Carolina. Right now offices are being built and later on hundreds of workers will be hired for the event, which will cover Chatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond and Scotland counties. Officials said that they chose the region because of its' unique mix of urban, rural and suburban areas including several military bases.

Bank Robbery Tuesday In Cornelius
Officials are investigating after a bank robbery Tuesday morning. The incident happened at the Mooresville Savings Bank in Cornelius. Witnesses reported that just before 10am, a white man came in carrying a gun and demanded money. After getting the cash, he took a teller hostage and made his escape. The teller was later released at a nearby Bi-Lo store. The FBI has been called in to help in the investigation. Witness reports place the suspect about 6 feet tall, with brown hair and a brown tweed jacket to go along with a creme-colored turtleneck.

Secretary Of State Honored
North Carolina's Secretary of State was honored recently by the Recording Industry of America. Elaine Marshall was given a framed gold record in honor of her work to fight music piracy. Also Marshal was given a plaque by Underwriters Laboratories and an award by the INternational Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition. The awards were handed out just as a new anti-counterfeit task force was sworned in to stop the sale of fake merchandise here in North Carolina. The task force consists of officers from several county and state law enforcement agencies.

Officials Hunting Kidnapped Woman In Lee County
Officials in Lee County North Carolina are asking for help in searching for a kidnapped woman today. Early Monday morning, a masked gunman burst into a home in the area and grabbed a woman before taking off. The woman, Julie Michelle Bullard had been visiting a friend's house when the incident occured. The others in the house were tied up and unharmed. Nothing was stolen from the home and it's unknown why Bullard was taken, as no one in the group recognized the suspect. Julie Bullard is described as being 5'2 ft. and weighing 125 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. Officials are asking anyone with information to call their local sheriff's department.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball
Around the high school scene last night, West Wilkes beat Alleghany 77-31 in a Northwest 1-A conference battle. Also in Coach Tommy Johnson's return to the Eagle's Nest, the North Wilkes Vikings gave it all they had but just couldn't seal the deal as Wilkes Central won 83-74.
On the girls side of the court, it was the Lady Eagles over North Wilkes 66-34. Also Alleghany beat the Lady Blackhawks of West Wilkes 44-23.

NCAA Hoops Scoreboard
Taking a look at scores from around the college basketball scene, it was Coastal Carolina over St. Andrews Presbyterian 84-70. Also Old Dominion beat UNC Wilmington 64-59. In the ACC the NC State Wolfpack had no problem taking care of UNC Greensboro 83-52. Tony Bethel had 20 points to lead the Wolfpack, who improve to 12-1 with the win. Kyle Hines had 18 for the Spartans, who drop to 7-7. Also the UNC Tarheels beat Davidson 82-58. Tyler Hansborough was the problem solver for the Tarheels, finishing with 23 points on the night. With the win, Carolina improves to 8-2 on the season.

NC State Star Going Pro
NC State is going to be one man short when their football team takes the field next season. Defensive end Mario Williams announced on Tuesday that he plans to enter the NFL draft. This year, Williams set school records for sacks at 15 and tackles for a loss at 27.5. He made the first team All-ACC this season and has already been ranked as a top ten pick by most NFL scouts.

Smith Finishes Regular Season With Record
As the Carolina Panthers prepare to face New York this Sunday, wide receiver Steve Smith continues to pull in the records. He's set franchise records with 103 catches and 1563 receiving yards this season. Both of those marks were also good enough to lead the NFL. Smith and the Panthers will take on the New York Giants this Sunday at 1pm.

NASCAR Drivers Going Sledding
Several NASCAR drivers are heading to the ice this week, to raise money for the Olympics. Ken Schrader, Boris Said, Kevin Lepage and eight other drivers are all suiting up to race bobsleds. On Thursday, they will all take part in the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, designed to help raise money for the U.S. men and women's Olympic bobsled teams. Money from the event has helped to outfit the teams with the latest NASCAR technology in designing and manufacturing their sleds.

News & Sports For January 3rd

Sheriff's Deputy Facing Charges
A Wilkes County sheriff's deputy is facing charges today. 30-yr-old Brian Wayne McGuire has been charged with causing injury to a prisoner. after a series of incidents over the past two weeks. McGuire was checking the cellblock area sometime between December 18th and December 20th, using a Krypton bulb flashlight. After getting into a conversation with inmates about how hot the light was, McGuire then offered a cigarette to anyone who would hold the light against their skin for five minutes. 36-yr-old Tony Oliver agreed to the deal and later had an infected blister caused by the light. He filed a grievance after being treated by the jail physician. Later on it was discovered that a second inmate, 27-yr-old Boyd Cleary, also agreed to the deal and had to undergo treatment for the same injury. McGuire has since been let go by the sheriff's department and has been charged with causing injury to a prisoner. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Unemployment Drops In Wilkes
The economic numbers look better for Wilkes County as we begin a new year. Unemployment fell to 5.5% by the end of November, but that also takes into account a lot of seasonal jobs that didn't last beyond the holidays. The labor force in Wilkes also continunes to shrink, following a trend started back last summer. By the end of June 2005, 32,568 people were reported as part of the local workforce, according to the Employment Security Commission. By the end of November, that number had dropped to 32,078, a loss of 490 people over the last six months. Wilkes stays above the state unemployment average, which is 5.2%

Wilkes County In Top 100 Places To Farm
If you're looking for a place to grow crops, you don't need to go any further than out your front door. Wilkes County has been named one of the Top 100 Places To Farm, thanks to a recent article. The piece, which appeared in Farm Futures magazine, ranked Wilkes 88th out of the Top 100. Sampson County here in North Carolina was ranked 1st, with nearby Duplin County second and Monterey County in California wrapping up the top three. Wilkes meanwhile beat out places like Cook County Georgia (91st) and Edgar County in Illinois (96th). The rankings were based on information from the Agriculture Census from 1987-2002. The main things examined were net profits per farm, sales growth, profit growth and profit margin. You can read the article by logging on to www.farmfutures.com and type in Hotbeds of Profitability on the website's search engine.

Power Bills To Possibly Decline
Good news for any Duke Power customers in the area today. Your power bill could be declining later on this month. As a way to win approval for its' upcoming merger with Cinergy Corporation, Duke Power announced this week that it'll be cuting rates by an average of 3.3%. The only catch is this rate drop won't take effect until the merger is finalized, which probably won't be until the middle of this month. The merger with Cinergy will save Duke Power an estimated $655 million over the next five years alone. As a stipulation of the agreement, Duke Power can't raise rates during that time as a way of passing on their costs to North Carolina customers.

Blood Drive Going On Today
1500 pints of blood are needed on an average day here in North Carolina. With rain in the forecast, the need increases with the possibilty of wrecks or other injuries. The Red Cross is trying to plan ahead and solve the problem, with a blood drive later today at Wilkesboro Civic Center. It will last from 2-6:30pm and is open to anyone who wants to give, with some exceptions. You must be at least 18 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs before donating. To call ahead for an appointment the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

Check Road Conditions Before Leaving
With rain and wind in the forecast, it's important to know what road conditions are like across the county. For people in Wilkes, that can be accessed now on the internet by visiting the state DOT webpage at www.ncdot.org. You can also check out information on proposed road projects and how the weather might affect both their schedule and your traffic conditions at www.ncdot.org/projects/wilkescounty/. There you will find information on public meetings, schedules, and area maps.

Wilkes Cares Needs Help
As we head into the new year, many families face a struggle to put food on the table. Wilkes Cares has been there to help, providing food and also clothes to needy families here in the county. But now Wilkes Cares is facing a problem of their own, as their shelves are almost empty of food and they don't have enough clothes to give out. One of the major needs is for childrens' coats, especially with winter weather constantly in the forecast. If you have any children's clothes or extra food to donate, you can drop it by to Wilkes Cares. They're located on the Elkin Hwy in North Wilkesboro. You can also call at 838-4900.

State News

Lawmakers Working On Gas Compromise
Some relief from gas prices could be coming for people here in North Carolina. A committee of state lawmakers have gathered together, to work on a solution. They're considering holding a special session of the state House and Senate, to roll back the increased gas tax or to possibly lower the home heating fuel tax also in effect. The moves come without the support of Governor Mike Easley, who doesn't want to lose millions of dollars for road construction in the state. If approved, the reduced taxes would help drivers save an average of 50 cents for each tank of gas.

Fake Police Officer Arrested In Fayetteville
A man who impersonated a police officer for money is in jail today. Fayetteville police arrested Mitchell Morehead on Monday after reports came in that he was pretending to be a cop. Morehead apparently would go up to people, asking for contributions to charity on behalf of the local police department. The Louisiana native is now in the Cumberland jail awaiting his court date.

Carboro Fire Chief Arrested Again
For the second time in less than two weeks, Carrboro's fire chief has found himself behind bars. Chief Rodney Murray was arrested and charged over the weekend with misdemeanor stalking.This comes after Murray is already facing charges thanks to an incident on Christmas Eve. He was found in Durham with his car in a ditch, after telling officers that he had been on the way to a girlfriend's house. Murray was charged with DWI and making harassing phone calls. 2005 marked 11 years Murray had worked with the Carrboro Fire Department.

Independence Air Going Under
North Carolina travelers have one less option when they want to fly. Independence Air announced on Monday that it will be closing down all operations effective this week. Everything will close down at 7pm this Thursday, less than two years after the company first got started. Financial problems were to blame, as Independence hadn't been able to find a major investor to get them out of bankruptcy. The company is working to contact all passengers who were to fly back home after Thursday, to try and arrange earlier trips.

Fayetteville Police Officer Shot
Officials in Fayetteville are searching for a suspect today after a local police officer was gunned down Sunday night. The officer had stopped a blue truck, because its' driver was a suspect in two earlier shootings. After finally stopping the vehicle near Methodist College, the officer, whose name has not been released, attempted to walk up to the driver's side, where he was shot. The truck then drove away, but witnesses were able to get help in time to get the officer to the hospital. No other information has been released at this time.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball In Action Tonight
School is back in session and tonight the high school basketball season resumes as well. East Wilkes will be on the road gainst North Stokes, while West Wilkes is at home against Alleghany. Then in our 3WC Game of the Week, Coach Tommy Johnson makes his return to Wilkes Central. We'll go on the air at 7pm with the pregame show, then join Ken Byrd and Keith Briand for the girls' varsity game.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scene last night, it was Belmont over Campbell 102-91, also Lipscomb over Gardner-Webb 70-58. The Bulldogs had four scorers in double figures, but lost the rebounding battle, as Lipscomb had 32 to their 23. Also Simon Conn went cold, putting up only 11 points on the game. The loss drops Gardner-Webb to 5-5 on the season. Finally, it was all Duke all the time as the Blue Devils cruised to a 84-50 win over Bucknell. Sheldon Williams had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks to lead the Blue Devils, who also got 22 from J.J. Redick. Duke is now 13-0 on the season with their next game coming this Sunday against Wake Forest.

North Carolina Recruit Sticking Around
The Tarheels got some good news for their basketball team this weekend. Recruit Wayne Ellington plans on sticking around for a while. The 6-4 Ellington, who's ranked as one of the nation's top five high school players, says that his goal is to bring another championship to Chapel Hill. He also said that he plans to stick around for more than one season and develop his game, which he doesn't believe is ready for the NBA level.

Quarterback Leaves Duke
Duke's football program will be one man short next season. Quarterback Mike Schneider announced this week that he's planning to transfer. The junior was the Blue Devil's starting quarterback over the past two seasons, before being replaced by freshman Zach Assack. The problem has been interceptions with Schneider, as he's tossed for 19 of them over his three year career at Duke, while only putting up 12 touchdowns. Schneider said that he plans to transfer to a Division I-AA school, so he'll be eligible to play next fall.

NBA: Charlotte vs. New Orleans
Injuries finally caught up with the Charlotte Bobcats last night. Even though the team fought hard, they couldn't make up for the loss of Emeka Okafor, Sean May and Jake Voskul, all out with injuries. Point guard Brevin Knight led Charlotte with 19 points and 4 assists, as the Bobcats fall to 10-21 on the year.

News & Sports For January 2nd

New Year Brings New Laws
With the calender turning over, there are several changes in store for both Wilkes County and North Carolina as a whole. 37 different laws went into effect on Sunday, many of which will affect life here in Wilkes. Anyone who is covered by both Medicaid and Medicare will now be transfered over to Medicare only for prescription drug coverage. The move isn't expected to change anything about the coverage itself, but it will save North Carolina $75 million a year. Taxes on cable TV are also on the rise, moving from the current 5% to 7% with your next bill. Satellite radio will start being taxed at an annual rate of 7% as well. Flying U.S. or North Carolina flags as large as four feet wide and 6 feet long will no longer be restricted by any homeowner association, unless the rule is clearly spelled out in the documents owners receive when coming into the area.

Consumers Still Need To Pay Attention To Dog Food Recall
The recall continues of a specific brand of pet food here in Wilkes and across North Carolina. Several animals in North and South Carolina have already died after being exposed to certain types of Diamond Pet Food. Included in the recall are all brands that were produced at the company's Gaston South Carolina facility, due to a toxic chemical that was discovered. The chemical aflatoxin, which is found in corn that's been infected with a certain type of fungus, was located in several cans of the food. It can make a pet sluggish and even in some cases cause sudden death. North Carolina's Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler is asking pet owners to get in touch with their local vet immediately if their pet has been weak, sluggish or just generally out of sorts. The brands involved are:
All types of Diamond Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Country Value Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Professional Dog, Puppy and Cat Food
You can determine if your brand is one of those under recall by checking to see if it has a Gaston facility production code. The South Carolina facility's codes have a capital G as either the 11th or 12th letter. Also those brands all have a sell by date of anywhere from March 1-June 1st 2007. Also now all Diamond brand dog foods with a sell by date of January 29th 2007 have been included.

Always Keep The Doors Locked
It's a good idea to always lock up before you leave. A Traphill man learned why last week, when he went to go check on a mobile home he owns in North Wilkesboro. He had been renting the place out, but the person moved out. As the owner came in to clean up, he found several hundred dollars worth of material was missing. The microwave oven, several lamps, some of the furniture and a set of matresses had all been stolen. The thieves walked right in and took what they wanted, as the doors hadn't been locked. That investigation continues.

Wilkes County Receives Heritage Grants
Wilkes County got a shot in the arm, moving into the new year. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area announced late last week that they've handed out just over $23,000 to Wilkes, to help promote the local heritage. A grant of $14,400 was given to the Cultural Arts Council, to help in developing their "fresco trail", a tourist attraction of different sites where painter Ben Long has created frescos. Also $8800 was handed over to Wilkes Community College, to support their upcoming "Merlefest at 20" project. Each of the grants require matching support from the local area.

All That For A Dartboard
Who would break in just to steal a dartboard? That's what a North Wilkesboro man is wondering today. He called sheriff's deputies out to his property late last week after thieves broke in and stole his $40 dartboard. The front door was unlocked when the homeowner returned, although it's unclear what happened as there was no evidence of a break-in. There is however a suspect in the case and the investigation continues.

Wilkes Farmers Will See Tax Breaks In New Year
The new year brings some good news for Wilkes County farmers. There will be a tax break coming for all farmers here in North Carolina on supplies and farm equipment. Certain items are now exempt from all sales and use tax, including grain, feed or soybean storage equipment. Also exempt are all farm machinery parts, attachments, lubricants and repair parts. In addition, farmers won't have to pay sales tax on any containers bought to use in planting, cultivating, harvesting, packaging or transporting farm products. Under the previous law, those products all had a tax assessed of 1%. In order to have proof on hand that they qualify, farmers need to fill out Form E-595E, known as the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement Certificate of Exemption. The forms are available online at www.dor.state.nc.us/downloads/sales.html or you can also call and get it mailed to you at (877) 252-3052.

Lions Stolen From North Wilkesboro Property
A couple of lions were stolen from a North Wilkesboro man's home over the New Year's holiday. Plastic lions that is. The man returned home to find his yard ornaments had gone missing. Nothing else was taken or touched at the home. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigaton.

Congresswoman Foxx Given Award
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx was honored over the weekend, as she was given the True Blue Award by the Family Research Council. Representative Foxx is one of 69 members of Congress to receive the award, handed out to those who have a 100% voting record on issues important to families. According to the council, Congresswoman Foxx earned the award thanks to a voting record which includes support to permanently repeal the death tax, opposition to human stem cell research and her support of the public display of the Ten Commandments among other things.

Thieves Run Off With License Plate
A Ferguson man was visiting a friend's house in Boomer over the New Year's holiday when thieves targeted his car. The man came outside to find his license plate had been ripped off. Nothing else was touched on the vehicle and no one in the area could recall seeing or hearing anything going on. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News
A popular Surry County Restaurant was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Officials say the Saturday fire at Aunt Bea's restaurant on Andy Griffith Parkway started in one of ovens and has been ruled accidential. Damages are estimated at $450,000.

State News

Jobs Coming To Nash County
Good news for people in Nash County today. Eagle Press announced over the weekend that the company will be expanding its’ operation over the next three years. The move will bring in 39 new jobs, thanks in part to a grant of $25,000 from North Carolina. The company makes cards, envelopes and letterhead for businesses.

Military Families Get Present For New Year
Several military families in North Carolina received a present for New Years. 260 soldiers returned home this weekend from Iraq. The troops were part of the 3rd Attack Battalion, 3rd Aviation Brigade and arrived Saturday at Fort Bragg. Due to the recent restructuring of the military, most of the battalion will have to be on the move again. This time they’ll be heading to Fort Stewart in Georgia as a permanent post.

Bomb Threat Shuts Down Hillsborough Wal-Mart
The Wal-Mart in Hillsborough was shut down this weekend, after a bomb threat. The message “Bomb in Store” was discovered on a bathroom wall, leading to an evacuation and closing of the building. Local officials searched the area with a bomb sniffing dog, but couldn’t locate any explosives. Four hours later the store was reopened without any problems.

Jobs On The Way To Thomasville
More jobs are on the way for people living in the Thomasville area. Wilderness NC Inc., a company that makes wood products, announced that it will be bringing a plant to the area. The company plans to use an abandoned complex next to U.S. 64 and will start hiring 15 people to begin with. By the end of 2006, the plan is to have 30 people on staff, with an additional 40 to come after that.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college basketball scene this weekend, it was East Carolina beating UNC Wilmington 82-69. Wilmington drops to 9-4, while East Carolina improves to 5-6. Appalachian State knocked off Duquesne 71-68. DJ Thompson led the Mountaineers with 23 points as the team improves to 5-7, dead last in the Southern Conference’s North division. UNC Charlotte got back into the win column with a 92-59 beatdown of UNC Asheville.Curtis Withers led Charlotte with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks. With the win, Charlotte is 7-5 on the season. Finally it was Duke beating UNC Greensboro thanks to 35 points from J.J. Reddick

NC State Wins Meineke Car Care Bowl
The NC State Wolfpack finished 2005 on a winning note, as they beat South Florida 14-0 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Marcus Stone tossed for 127 yards and a touchdown, as State finishes the season at 7-5.

North Carolina Has New Offensive Coordinator
The search is over for a new offensive coordinator at Chapel Hill. The Tarheels will introduce their newest assistant, Frank Cignetti later this week. Cignetti left his job as offensive coordinator at Fresno State to join the Tarheels. He’ll be replacing Gary Tranquill at the position, as Tranquill has announced his plans to retire.

Panthers Make The Playoffs
The Carolina Panthers did something on Sunday they hadn’t accomplished since 1997. The beat the Falcons in Atlanta, winning by a blowout score of 44-11. Jake Delhomme and most of the starters took a seat in the 4th quarter, after sacking Michael Vick twice and beating up on the Falcons defense. Delhomme tossed for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Deshaun Foster rushed for 165 yards. With the win, Carolina secured a wildcard spot in the playoffs and finished the regular season at 11-5.

NBA: Phoenix At Charlotte
In the NBA, they came close but just couldn’t seal the deal as the Charlotte Bobcats lost to Phoenix 110-100 this weekend. Charlotte was led by Gerald Wallace, who had 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. The loss drops the Bobcats to 10-20 as they enter the new year.

Hurricanes Knock Off Montreal
The Carolina Hurricanes wrapped up 2005 with a win, beating Montreal 5-3 on Saturday. Rod Brind’Amour had two goals to lead Carolina, who improves to 24-10 and stays atop the Southeastern Conference.

News & Sports For December 30th

Forum Today For New Voting Equipment
A public forum is going on later today at the Wilkes County office building, to let people have a look at the new voting system. All the counties across North Carolina have been ordered to replace their systems before the elections next year. Here in Wilkes, the Board of Elections has chosen a new system to use, but it first must be approved by county commissioners. That will happen after the public forum, which will go on from 2-4pm in the commissioners' room of the county office building. People will have a chance to see the equipment and also ask questions. Then early next month commissioners will vote on the request, deciding if they'll approve the purchase. The reason for such a quick decision is that a contract with the vendors has to be signed by January 20th, in order for the machines to be up and running in time for next year's elections. State leaders called for the switch after several problems came up during the 2004 campaigns, including 4000 ballots disappearing in the agriculture commissioner's race.

More Counterfeit Money Enters Wilkes
Wilkesboro police are checking into another case of counterfeit money today. Recently a man went into Dollar General and attempted to pay for his purchases with a fake $5 bill. The man told police that he had been given the money as change, while shopping at another store and didn't notice it was fake. He provided police with a list of the stores he had visited and that investigation continues.

Heat Relief Possibly On The Way
Good news today for anyone struggling to pay your heating bills. Some help could be on the way. As it stands right now, the gas tax here in Wilkes and across North Carolina is supposed to increase by 2.9 cents on Sunday. However some state lawmakers are working behind the scenes to try and prevent that from happening. At stake are several proposed breaks for citizens, including lower taxes on natural gas, oil and other things used to heat your home. Gov. Mike Easley however is against the plan, saying that North Carolina needs the extra money brought in by taxes. He also told lawmakers that he's been working with Duke Power and other utility companies, setting aside $10 million which would be used to help cover payments for low income families. How that money would be used is a little vague, as it's up to the utility companies who qualifies. An estimated 70,000 families here in Wilkes and throughout North Carolina fall into the low income category.

Car Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro home on Wednesday, after the owner returned to find his car had been stolen. The vehicle had been left there while the homeowner went out of town for Christmas. The car had been left unlocked, with the keys in the ignition. Later on Wednesday night, deputies were able to locate the vehicle, which had been wrecked on Hwy 16. There are no suspects but the investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
As we're less than two days away from the New Year, it's a time for celebration. But with all those holiday parties come the potential for accidents and injuries. With the local blood supply still right at critical levels, the Wilkes Red Cross is making one last attempt to prepare for the holiday. A blood drive is going on today at Baptist Home Church from 2-6:30pm. Just remember before giving, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To call ahead and set up a time to give, the number is 838-4563.

Tuition Should Be Based On Income
Good news for anyone preparing for college. How much you pay for tuition could depend on what you have in the bank. Several state lawmakers are working on making changes to the tuition rates for public universities here in North Carolina. According to Senate leader Marc Basnight, the new plan would use the same concept as our income tax. Your income and any investments would determine the cost of your tuition. No decision has been made as yet, however the UNC Board of Governors are working to possibly have something in place before next fall.

Recall Of Some GM Vehicles
General Motors announced this month that it's issuing a recall of some of its' passenger and cargo vans. Both the Chevy Express and GMC Savana models from 2003-2006 have been recalled, due to problems with some seat belt buckles. GM says that warranty claims have been piling up, with people reporting issues either locking or unlocking the buckle. As a result of the recall, GM will replace the buckle assembly to solve the problem. If anyone owns either of those vehicles, you can get in touch with the dealership that ou bought it from.

Regional News

Man Killed In Wreck Near Dobson
A wreck Wednesday night near Dobson led to one man being killed. The incident happened on Zaphyr Road and it's still unclear what happened. All that's available at this time is the fact the man's vehicle flipped over and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicle is believed to be involved at this time and authorities have not yet released the man's name.

State News

Mountaineers On The Way To London
A group of Appalachian State students are on their way to Europe to celebrate the new year. The Appalachian University Band has been invited to play in the New Year's Day parade in London, one group out of the more than 100 performers involved. The band made the trip to Charlotte Wednesday night, where they took off for Europe.

Cold Medicine Could Be Harder To Come By
Some bad news for anyone struggling to get over a cold here in North Carolina. It could be harder to get medicine once the new year comes around. Beginning January 15th, all Sudafed, Drixoral, Claritin-D and other cold medicines will go behind the counter at the drug store. The reason for the change is due to the ongoing fight against meth makers, who are using the medicine to help cook up their drugs.

Missing Man Found Dead
A missing persons case has been solved in Greensboro. 66-yr-old Charles Edward Lucas, a Mocksville man who's been gone since July, was found dead this week near I-40. The man was discovered inside his truck by some deer hunters, some 60 feet from the highway. It appears he lost control of the vehicle, skidded off the road and into the woods. The search gained national attention thanks to CNN and the CBS show "Without A Trace", where his picture was shown.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene last night, it was Auburn beating Winthrop 64-62. Kansas State knocked off Belmont 66-62 and Davidson fell to Illinois Chicago 76-67.

NC State To Possibly Lose Another One
The bad news keeps popping up for the NC State Wolfpack. As the team prepares for Saturday's bowl game against South Florida, junior offensive tackle Derek Morris announced that he's considering a jump to the NFL. Morris, a 6-6 327 lb. lineman, said that he has a lot of opportunities and will take time out to weigh his options. One of the junior's goals has been to play for a national championship, but Morris said he'll pray and ask God for guidiance before making the decision with his family.

Panthers News & Notes
The Carolina Panthers might be saying goodbye to one of their players after this season. Bretson Buckner, a defensive tackle on the team, is considering retirement. The 34-yr-old Buckner has played 12 years in the league and said this week that he's coming close to the end of his career. He said that one of his goals is to try and play three more years, to make it to 15, but he'll take time with his family after the season before coming to a decision. In other news, wide reciever Steve Smith's checkbook is a little lighter today after he caught a $15,000 fine from the NFL. Smith was fined for touching an official during Sunday's game, which he was ejected for.

NHL: Philly at Carolina
It took overtime to do it, but Philadelphia beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 last night. Despite the loss, Carolina stays atop the Southeastern Conference.

Top Sports Story Of The Year
With the clock ticking down on 2005, the Associated Press has put together their top sports stories of the year. The Patriots' Super Bowl victory made the top five, as did the steroid scandal in baseball. Lance Armstrong's seventh Tour de France victory and Hurricane Katrina's impact on the Saints were also on the list. But the top sports story, as reported by the AP was the Chicago White Sox bringing the Windy City their first championship since 1917.

News & Sports For December 29th

Charter To Raise Rates In 2006
Bad news today for any subscribers to Charter Communications. You'll be paying more out of pocket in the new year. Beginning in January, Charter customers will see rates increase on their services. Phillip Haron, the office manager here in Wilkes County explained why earlier this week in an interview with Brian. He said that all customers who get the basic package will see their bill increase by two dollars. The hike has been attributed to the rising cost of programming, which has continually become more expensive for the business to buy.

Boomer Man Falls Victim To Fraud
A Boomer man got a surprise on Tuesday when he checked his credit account. Someone had gone on a spending spree using his card over the last few months, racking up just over $800 in expenses. The man got in touch with the company and cancelled his card, to prevent any more money from being taken. After tracing the purchases, a suspect was found in Dallas Texas. It's unknown how the man managed to get ahold of the credit information, but that investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
With the new year less than three days away, it's a time of fun, family and fellowship. Unfortunately it can also be a time for drinking and driving. As we reported on Wednesday, Wilkes County is ranked 31st out of the state's 100 counties in regards to accidents on the roads, a number added to by drunk drivers. Keeping that in mind, the Wilkes Red Cross is working to maintain the blood supply with a drive going on today. That will be held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church from 3-7:30pm. No appointments are needed, but you can call ahead to schedule a time at 838-4563.

Jewelry Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro house on Tuesday, after thieves paid a visit. The owner came back to find that some of her jewelry had gone missing, including her wedding ring and another diamond ring, totaling an estimated $600. Nothing else was taken or even touched in the home and there was no sign of a break-in. There is however a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Focus On Foxx
With time ticking down til the new year, it's important to know what's going on in our government. Coming up later today, Brian will be sitting down with 5th district congresswoman Virginia Foxx, as they'll be discussing illegal imigration, gas prices going back up and also what the new cuts in spending could mean for your medicare plan. All that's coming up on Focus on the Foothills, today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Thieves Rip Out Tractor Battery
A Wilkes County man called sherrif's deputies on Tuesday after discovering that someone had stolen parts of his tractor. The incident happened on the Boss Blackburn Road, although it's unknown exactly when, as the tractor hadn't been used in several weeks. The battery from the man's Massey Ferguson tractor was taken, along with the battery charger. Nothing else appeared to be damaged or even touched on the property. That investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Food For The Blind
It turns out that mom was right about eating your vegetables, as we explain in today's 3WC Healthwatch. A study was released this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showing that people who eat foods rich in antioxidants are less likely to have vision problems as they get older. Foods rich in vitamins C, E and zinc, along with beta carotene help to lower the risk of macular degeneration, according to the study. Over a thousand people were used in the study, which took place over an eight year period. Those who had a diet containing carrots, eggs, grains, peppers and potatoes, among other antioxidant rich foods were 25% less likely to be affected by the disease. Doctors said that if people begin following such a diet now, it'll help prevent problems 10 to 15 years down the road.

State News

Fort Bragg Installing New Security System
Some changes will be taking place at Fort Bragg over the next month, as the military base installs a new security system. The system, which will cost $11 million to build, contains seveal hydraulic nets that would capture any unauthorized vehicles before they could escape. X-ray scanners, cameras to photograph drivers' faces and additional barriers are all part of the upgrade. Fort Bragg is one of the first bases in the nation to use both the hydraulic net system and the scanners.

Buncombe County Jailer Now Facing Prison Time
A jailer in Buncombe County now finds himself looking at prison from the other side of the bars after being arrested this week. 33-yr-old Michael Dean Parham was charged with taking bribes from the inmates and assisting a man in his escape attempt. The inmates involved in the scheme, Jeremy Lee McSweeney and David Doran now face additional charges and more time added on to their sentences.

Yadkin County Paying For Fugitive's Arrest
Yadkin County taxpayers are having to foot the bill for an arrest made over two years ago, according to local officials. In 2003, William Joseph Spencer was arreste don fugitive warrants from West Virginia. However Spencer fell into a coma and had to be put into the hospital, while awaiting extradition. Instead, West Virginia authorities changed their mind, reversing the request for extradition and leaving Spencer in Baptist Medical Center. As a result, the cost of his medical care was turned over to Yadkin County, a sum totaling almost $165,000. Since then Spencer has recovered and the county has negotiated the fee down to $57,000, which is being paid by tax money.

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Day Two
Around the high school scene, last night was day number two of the Wachovia Shootout. In one of the best games played this season, Wilkes Central knocked off East Wilkes 73-70 in double overtime to take the boy's title. It was just one big shot after another as both teams battled back and forth. Cody Cook led East Wilkes with 20 points, while Nathan Duncan had 28 for the Wilkes Central Eagles. Nathan Duncan was also named MVP of the tournament for the boys. On the girls side, it was the Lady Eagles of Wilkes Central beating North Wilkes 69-43. Laura Rollins led the Lady Eagles with 20 points, as the team was playing without starter Amy Will. Blake Shumate had 18 to lead East. Earlier in the consolation game, it was the West Wilkes Blackhawks beating North Wilkes 72-55. On the girls side it was the Lady Blackhawks of West winning their first game of the season, beating the Lady Cardinals of East 50-49.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scoreboard last night, it was Coastal Carolina over Ohio Valley 109-76. Also East Carolina beat Limestone 87-54, Utah beat High Point 80-44 and the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs hung tough for most of the game but faded down the stretch against Ohio State, as the Buckeyes won 87-58. NC State took care of New Hampshire 81-62, thanks in part to 15 points from Engin Astur. It was a competitve game between UNC Asheville and the North Carolina Tarheels, then the two teams took the court. 89-47 was the final score, as the Tarheels ran over Asheville. Five players scored in double figures for the Heels.

Bobcats Beat Chicago
The Charlotte Bobcats have a winning streak going, after they beat Chicago last night 93-80. Melvin Ely led Charlotte with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Primoz Breznec added 17 points and 13 rebounds. The win brings the Bobcats to 10-19 on the year, good enough for 4th place in the Southeast Conference.

NHL: Carolina vs. Ottawa
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes took on one of the top teams in the nation and fell just a bit short last night. They lost to the Ottawa Senators 6-2. The loss drops Carolina to 23-10 on the year, still five games ahead of second place Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division.

News & Sports For December 28th

Wilkes County Flu Clinic Coming In January
Good news for anyone suffering from the flu here in Wilkes. The county's health department will be hosting a flu shot clinic on Saturday January 7th. The clinic, held in connection with Wilkes Regional Medical Center, will be from 8am til 3pm and appointments must be made in advance. So far people in North Carolina have managed to avoid a major flu outbreak, with just two reported cases across the entire state. Still, with several months still left in this year's flu season, it helps to be prepared. Another thing to consider, with the peak of flu season still on the way, it's important to get the vaccine now, as it takes 2 weeks to build up immunity to the virus. To make an appointment for Saturday's clinic, all you have to do is call the Health Department at 651-7450.

Wilkes County Considered Accident Prone
Well it appears that Wilkes County is slightly accident prone. That was the report taken from AAA of the Carolinas, who issued their annual list of the most dangerous counties across the state. Wilkes came in 31st in regards to total crashes during the year, recording a total of 1677 accidents. Only eight of those accidents had fatalities involved, while 1040 were injured. In general across the state, the total amount of wrecks were down .3 percent, as 230,577 were recorded. However the number of fatal crashes rose 1.4 percent, to finish out at 1574. New Hanover County was ranked as the most dangerous, with Mecklenburg coming in second. On the other side of the coin, Curriuck County was ranked as the safest, with Swain in second place.

Car Stolen From North Wilkesboro Residence
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence early Tuesday morning, after a local woman walked outside to find her car was missing. On Monday night, a member of the household had left the keys in the ignition and the vehicle unlocked but no one could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual. All the information has been turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Focus on Foxx
With time ticking down til the new year, it's important to know what's going on in our government. On Thursday, Brian will be sitting down with 5th district congresswoman Virginia Foxx, as they'll be discussing illegal imigration, gas prices going back up and also what the new cuts in spending could mean for your medicare plan. All that's coming up on Focus on the Foothills, this Thursday at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in the Wilkes County area this week, targeting Wyke's Food Mart in Wilkesboro. A man pulled up in a truck, pumped $30 worth of diesel and then took off down the road. Employees inside the store were able to get a description of both the man and his truck, which were turned over to sheriff's deputies. That investigation continues.

Wilkes Cares Needs Help
As we head into the new year, many families face a struggle to put food on the table. Wilkes Cares has been there to help, providing food and also clothes to needy families here in the county. But now Wilkes Cares is facing a problem of their own, as their shelves are almost empty of food and they don't have enough clothes to give out. One of the major needs is for childrens' coats, especially with winter weather constantly in the forecast. If you have any children's clothes or extra food to donate, you can drop it by to Wilkes Cares. They're located on the Elkin Hwy in North Wilkesboro. You can also call at 838-4900.

Thieves Run Off With Guns From Purlear Home
Monday afternoon, thieves broke into a Purlar woman's home, running off with several hundred dollars worth of guns. The homeowner and family had been out of town for the Christmas holiday and returned Monday night to find the weapons missing. However there was no sign of a break-in and nothing else damaged or even touched on the property. Taken in the theft was a 410 Winchester rifle and a 12 gauge Stevenson shotgun. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Durham Police Searching For Murder Suspect
Officials in Durham are on the hunt today for a teenager they believe to be involved with a murder. 17-yr-old Lamar Bass is accused of killing one teenager and wounding another after a confrontation in the parking lot of Northgate Mall Monday night. It's believed that the shooting was the result of a fight that started before the teens arrived at the mall. Warrants have been issued for Bass' arrest charging him with murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

DOT Examining Problem With Trucks
North Carolina taxpayers are having to pay for problems in the trucking industry, according to the state DOT. Earlier this year the department did a study which showed that road damage and other problems from certain trucks cost taxpayers an average of $130 million each year. Those trucks are any that weigh more than 80,000 pounds. Now the DOT is being asked to expand the study and report its' findings to state lawmakers in February, after which some changes to the law might be considered.

Military Banning Cell Phones On Base Roads
Drivers entering military bases here in North Carolina will have to turn off that cell phone from now on. Pope Air Force Base is banning the use of cell phones on all roads in and around the base area. Base officials said the reason was to keep drivers focus on the roads, so that there aren't as many accidents. The ruling goes beyond drivers, to also ban any cyclists or joggers from using their cell when near the roads on base. A similar ruling could become official at Fort Bragg in the next few months, after the base commander meets with Army lawyers.

Wilmington Hospital To Possibly Offer Room Service
Patients at a Wilmington hospital could be confusing the building for a hotel in the near future. New Hanover Regional Medical Center is considering adding room service for their patients, allowing them to choose their meals from a provided menu. The service, which wouldn't cost anything extra, allows patients to place an order anytime from 6am til 8pm from a menu designed for their individual restrictions. Hospital officials said they wanted to start the program as a way to enhance customer service while cutting down on food waste, because patients would be getting the meals they want.

Religious Rules Clarified For Wake County Schools
The rules were clarified for Wake County students and their parents this week. Classes can chant, engage in rituals and repeat phrases as long as it doesn't involve religion. Parents had complained after their children came home telling stories of the stress reduction workshops they had taken part in, events that contained lights, chanting and breathing exercises. The parents and a local Christian group called the workshops an exercise in New Age activities, but the Wake County superintendent disagreed. Because the program is based on African culture and doesn't verbally promote any religion, he said that it was acceptable

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Day One
Taking a look at high school basketball last night, it was the first day of the Wachovia Shootout. The Wilkes Central boys made it two in a row over West Wilkes, as they knocked off the Blackhawks 68-37. Meanwhile in the other boys game, it was the East Wilkes Cardinals beating North 58-43. On the girls side of the court, it was the Lady Vikings of North outlasting the East Wilkes Lady Cardinals 50-46 while the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles earned a spot in the title game with a 64-40 win over the Lady Blackhawks. So tonight's action shapes up like this. It'll be the Wilkes Central boys taking on East Wilkes at 7:30pm for the boys championship, while the Lady Eagles will be facing off against North Wilkes at 9:15pm for the girls title. During the afternoon, the West Wilkes boys will face off against North in the consolation game at 4pm, while the Lady Blackhawks will take on the Lady Cardinals at 5:45pm for the girls consolation game.

Top 25 Released For NCAA
Some changes are in store for the college scene, thanks to the news Associated press poll. Duke stays atop the NCAA with a perfect 11-0 record, while UCon and Villanova maintain their spots at two and three. Oklahoma makes the biggest drop, falling from 7th all the way to 14th place while NC State moves up to 19th. Wake Forest stays at 22nd and North Carolina drops to 23rd on the list.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around college basketball last night, it was Hawaii over NC A&T 66-60, while College of Charleston knocked off UNC WIlmington 81-77.

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Atlanta
The Charlotte Bobcats got the final week of 2005 started off on the right track, with a 93-90 win over Atlanta. Charlotte was led by Brevin Knight, who had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The team improves to 9-19 on the year, with a game tonight against Chicago.

News & Sports For December 27th

Be Careful What You Leave Behind
Be careful what you leave behind. A Wilkesboro man found that out the hard way over Christmas, as he had $60 stolen. The man had gone to work out at the YMCA and left the money, along with some credit cards in his gym bag. When he returned later that night, everything was missing. The cards have since been cancelled and there is a suspect in the case. That investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Backpack Problems
With the kids out for winter break, it’s a good time to take a look at what they’re carrying supplies in, as we explain in today’s 3WC Eye on Safety. A study done this month by the University of California at San Diego found that for the most part, childrens’ backpacks are too heavy and could lead to back and shoulder pain. According to the study, the weight balance should be different for each student. Each child shouldn’t be carrying more than 15% of their body weight. For example, a child weighing 100 lbs. shouldn’t carry more in their backpack than 15 lbs, while someone weighing 70 lb. shouldn’t have more than 10.5 on board. One major problem with the increased weight is that is prevents normal blood flow. On average students now carry an estimated 22% of their bodyweight in the backpacks.

Wilkes Elections Board Unveils New Voting Equipment
As we told you earlier this month on the news, North Carolina has ordered all counties to replace their voting systems before next year's elections. Wilkes County's Board of Elections has been hard at work to do just that, trying out demos of the different products. Now that they've found one, a public forum will be held this Friday, December 30th from 2-4pm. This will go on in the Commissioners' room of the County office building and will allow people to come and see the new equipment, while also getting a chance to ask questions. After the forum is over, then the commissioners will vote on the request, deciding if they'll approve the purchase. The reason for such a quick decision is that a contract with the vendors has to be signed by January 20th, in order for the machines to be up and running in time for next year's elections. State leaders called for the switch after several problems came up during the 2004 campaigns, including 4000 ballots disappearing in the agriculture commissioner's race.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as we enter a new year. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is taking applications for their financial assistance program. The program is open to anyone who can demonstrate a need for help paying utility or rent bills. However before going out, please remember that you can only be seen with an appointment, during either Tuesday or Thursday from 1-5pm. Also there is a limited amount of money available to help, given out on a need based approach. The Salvation Army is located in the Wilkes United Way office building, at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information or to set up an appointment you can call 651-7800.

Car Damaged At Wilkesboro Home
A Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when walking outside late last week. Someone had demolished her car. Over one thousand dollars worth of damage was done to the vehicle. Since then the person responsible has come forward and promised to pay for repairs.

DirecTV Offering Refunds
Good news for any DirecTV customers in Wilkes County. You may be eligible for a refund. North Carolina's attorney general has reached a settlement with the satellite company, requiring DirecTV to pay back customers who feel they were lied to. The small print in DirecTV's ads proved to, on occasion, contradict the offer on the same page. Now to avoid a legal battle, DirecTV customers can appy for a refund. You're eligible for a refund if you believe to have been overcharged for anything by the company since 2001. That includes contract terms, installation problems, programming issues or cancellation charges. To apply for a refund, you need to mail a complaint to DirecTV Complaint Program P.O. Box 29079 Glendale California 91209-9079.

Students To Possibly Pay More For College Loans
Bad news for anyone either starting college or just graduating. Beginning in 2006, it may be a lot harder to pay back those college loans. The U.S. Congress is close to approving some new legislation that would cut down on the federal deficit, but use college students to do it. Currently in the UNC college system, there are 138,844 people that took out student loans to pay for class. That rounds out to 70% of the student population. According to the government's own study, the average college graduate leaves with $17,500 in debt. How will the new proposal affect students? $14.3 billion is scheduled to be trimmed from student aid programs, meaning that instead of grants, people will have to take out more loans to cover the cost. $5800 in fees and interest would be added to existing loans that span over a 30-yr-period.

State News

Toll Roads May Become NC Reality
Bad news today for anyone planning on taking a trip to Virginia. You might have to pay for it. A plan has been proposed for the governments of North Carolina and Virginia to partner up and create a toll road. Anyone crossing state lines on I-85 or I-95 would have to pay a $5 fee. The plan still has to go before both states for a vote, which could come in the next few months.

NC Businesses Seeing Holiday Rise
The holiday turned out better than expected for most North Carolina businesses. After a somewhat slow Christmas season, early returns show that sales this year in the state will in fact be 5% higher than 2004, according to the National Retail Federation. And the number could rise even higher, depending on how many people return gifts this week.

Former Lawmaker Celebrates Before Going To Prison
Most people spend time at home before going off to prison. Former state congressman Frank Balance however is holding a party. On Wednesday, Balance is holding a party in Roanoke Rapids, two days before he’s to start serving a four year sentence for fraud. In addition to the celebration, guests are asked to make donations to the former lawmaker. Earlier this year Balance pleaded guilty to using taxpayer money for his own personal benefit.

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Gets Underway Tonight
Taking a look around the high school scene, Wilkes County’s annual holiday tournament gets underway tonight at North High. A rematch of Friday’s 3WC Game of the Week tips off the event, with West Wilkes playing Wilkes Central. The boys teams will take the court at 4pm today. Then at 5:45pm, the girls teams from North and East Wilkes will play, followed at 7:30pm by the boys varsity from both schools. Then at 9:15 in the final game of the evening, the Lady Eagles of Wilkes Central will take on the Lady Blackhawks of West. All this is taking place once again at North Wilkes High School and tomorrow 3WC will be in the stands to bring you the championship games.

Asheville Coach Pegged As Coach Of The Year
In high school football, Danny Wilkins was named North Carolina's Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Wilkins led Asheville High to a perfect season and brought the school its' first state title in 80 years.

NC State Could Lose Williams To Draft
Taking a look at the college football scene, NC State could be one player short when they kick off next season. Junior defensive end Mario Williams has taken one step towards entering the NFL draft, by submitting his name to the underclassman advisory committee. The committee helps college players by letting them know where they're currently ranked and what their chances are of being drafted. So far, most mock drafts have Williams ranked as a top ten pick. Williams and the Wolfpack will take on South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on New Year's Eve in Charlotte.

NHL: Carolina at Tampa Bay
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes saw their winning streak come to an end as they lost to Tampa Bay 5-4 on Sunday night. It took overtime for Tampa to knock off the Hurricanes, who fall to 23-10 with the loss.

Black Ice & Water Problems

There are reports from Wilkes County Communications of patches of black ice all over the county this morning. Even though the air tempratures are above freezing, there are pockets of cold air at the surface. There have been several accidents due to the black ice this morning and the DOT is working all over the county to treat the slick spots. Also, the Circket-Millers Creek Water Association is reporting a major water leak this morning. Customers in the Mt. Pleasant, Boiling Springs, and Purlear areas will be without water most of the day. The association is also asking other customers to conserve water.

Local News & Sports For December 26, 2005

Man Hit By Vehicle On Yellowbanks Road
One misplaced step could cost a local man his life. 24-yr-old Mike Church was standing in the middle of the Yellowbanks Road Friday morning, talking to someone in a nearby car. During the conversation however, he stepped back, right into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Mr. Church was seriously injured and rushed to Baptist Medical Center, with what doctors were calling life threatening injuries. No other update on his condition was available at this time.

Black Ice This Morning
According tothe Wilkes County Communications Center, there are reports of black ice all over the county this morning. The air temperature's are well above freezing but there are pockets of belowing freezing air at the surface. Please be careful driving this morning.

Consumers Still Need To Pay Attention To Dog Food Recall
Pet owners here in Wilkes and across the state are being asked to pay close attention to a recall going on. Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler echoed his earlier remarks over the weekend, calling this a serious matter. Several animals in North and South Carolina have already died after being exposed to cerain types of Diamond Pet Food. Included in the recall are all brands that were produced at the company's Gaston South Carolina facility, due to a toxic chemical that was discovered. The chemical aflatoxin, which is found in corn that's been infected with a certain type of fungus, was located in several cans of the food. It can make a pet sluggish and even in some cases cause sudden death. North Carolina's Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler is asking pet owners to get in touch with their local vet immediately if their pet has been weak, sluggish or just generally out of sorts. The brands involved are:
All types of Diamond Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Country Value Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Professional Dog, Puppy and Cat Food
You can determine if your brand is one of those under recall by checking to see if it has a Gaston facility production code. The South Carolina facility's codes have a capital G as either the 11th or 12th letter. Also those brands all have a sell by date of anywhere from March 1-June 1st 2007.

Tip At Local Inn Leads To Drug Bust
Wilkesboro police were called out last week to the Red Carpet Inn, after reports came of some suspicious activity. A man had been seen walking to and from the building, trying to hide something in his coat. When officers knocked on the man's door, a woman answered and let them inside. In the room was a glass smoking pipe, which both woman and her female friend admitting to using. Just under an ounce of meth was found inside, along with a roll of aluminum foil and baking soda. 18-yr-old Kara Summer Christine Ballard and 18-yr-old Kayla Ann Hawkins were both arrested and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cut Up Your Holiday Boxes
So now the presents have been unwrapped, the stockings put away and Christmas is over. But what should you do with all those boxes the gifts came in? According to law enforcement around North Carolina, it might be a good idea to cut them up, if you don't plan to reuse them next year. Leaving empty boxes by the roadside with your trash or even in a nearby dumpster is almost like painting a target on your house. Thieves see the boxes and assume that you have something valuable to steal in the home. It's a simple fact, say law enforcement officials; the fewer Christmas boxes you throw away in plain sight, the less likely your home will be robbed this time of year.

Wilkesboro Man Has Car Vandalized Over Holiday
A Wilkesboro man called police last week after coming out to find his car had been vandalized. The car had been parked right across the street from Social Services and when the owner returned an hour later, he found the back window had been shattered. Estimated damage was placed at $300 and that investigation continues.

Health Department Offering Car Seat Help
85% of child safety seats across Wilkes County were not installed correctly, according to the local SafeKids organization. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it’s still high enough for concern. And as we prepare to enter into the new year, it's important to get those seats installed correctly before heading out to visit family members. The Health Department can help with that. To set up an appointment, you can call Jean Edwards at the Health Department. Her number is 651-7478.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
The Red Cross finds itself in need of help as we head toward the end of the year. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations, in addition to the funds used to help victims of the recent hurricanes. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. With Christmas coming next week, it might be a good idea for last minute shoppers. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Regional News

Police Have Suspect In Jonesville Robbery
Officials in Jonesville are asking for help in bringing a robbery suspect to justice. 21-yr-old Aaron James Moore is wanted in connection with a recent robbery at Mountain National Bank. Moore, who’s from Clemmons NC has been charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit murder. Officials are asking anyone with information about Moore’s whereabouts to call 336-835-2855.

A 7 year old boy was killed after an accident in Surry County on Saturday morning. According to Surry County officials a minivan ran off the side of the road neal Pilot Mountain and overturned several times, throwing the boy from the van. The van was being driven by 26 year old Earl Manchester. Manchester, his girllfriend, and his three brothers were traveling from Ontario, Canada to South Carolina when the accident happened.
Surry County officials have also identified a man killed in an accident on Friday in the Westfield community. 39 year old Christopher Beck of Pilot Mountain was thrown from the car and killed on impact. The accident happened around 6:30 on Friday evening and officials believe speed wad involved.

State News

North Carolina Growing At Rapid Pace
North Carolina is on the rise, according to the US Census Bureau. The state has the 5th fastest growing population in the country, which rose by 1.7% over the past year. That brought the population up to 8 million 683 thousand people.

Advance Fighting Order To Leave NC
A lending company is going to court in order to stay in North Carolina. Advance America was banned earlier this year, for charging loan fees that would equal an annual interest rate of more than 400%. North Carolina’s Banking Commission handed down the ruling, which is now being appealed by the company, who plans to take the case to the state court system.

History For Sale By Wake Forest
A piece of U.S. history is being sold by Wake Forest University. A cyclorama, a unique portrait of the Battle of Gettysburg which gives viewers the impression of being in 3D is up for sale. The painting, one of only two left in the entire world, stands 22 ft. high and 376 ft. long and was created in the 1880s. University officials said that they wanted to sell it to someone who could take care of it and display it properly.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball
On the high school basketball court Friday night, it was Wilkes Central over West Wilkes 62-50. On the girls side of the court, it was Wilkes Central over West Wilkes 52-37 in a game plagued by turnovers and fouls. Several members of both teams got into foul trouble early in the second half, but West Wilkes just couldn't convert the opportunities when they were given.

Asheville Coach Pegged As Coach Of The Year
In high school football, Danny Wilkins was named North Carolina's Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Wilkins led Asheville High to a perfect season and brought the school its' first state title in 80 years.

Bobcats Streak Snapped Against Clippers
The Charlotte Bobcats saw their winning streak come to an end Friday night, as they lost to the LA Clippers 97-88. Charlotte was led by Primoz Breznec, who had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Also some more bad news, as rookie Sean Mays will be out at least 3 games with an injured knee. He had surgery on the knee this fall and still is having occasional pain.

Panthers Lose To Cowboys
Taking a look at the NFL, some questionable calls by the refs led to a Panthers loss on Saturday. The Cowboys won 24-20, despite 260 yards passing from Jake Delhomme and 3 sacks from Julius Peppers. The Panthers drop to 10-5 and have to beat Atlanta next week in order to get into the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes Continue Streak
The good news keeps coming for the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat Florida on Friday 4-3. Eric Staal had a goal and an assist to lead Carolina, after learning this week that he'd be playing on the Canadian hockey team. The Hurricanes maintain their lead in the Southeastern Conference with a 23-9 record.

NASCAR News & Notes
Some NASCAR headlines as Travis Kvapil (Ka-pill) has found a ride for 2006. Kvapil and the #32 Chevy will race for PPI Motorsports in the Nextel Cup circuit next season. He ran in the #7 Dodge this past year as a rookie for Penske, but that team was discontinued. Kvapil takes over from Bobby Hamilton Jr., who had three top 15 finishes with the car in 2005.

News & Sports For December 23rd

DOT Cautions As Christmas Approaches
With many families on the road to visit relatives this weekend, the DOT is asking people to be careful during trips. Before heading out, just remember you can dial 511, the DOT's free travel information line to learn about road conditions and any accidents or construction on the road you're traveling. The department also asks drivers to please be patient and obey the speed limits, especially if there's ice or snow in the forecast. And remember that under the new Move Over law, drivers must either change lanes or slow down when passing a stopped ambulance or other emergency vehicle.

Booze It And Lose It Continues
With so many families on the highways this weekend, the Booze It And Lose It cmapaign continues. Already here in Wilkes County this week, 103 speeding violations have been handed out. Also 8 people were charged with DWI, 15 for safety violations and 5 for drugs and other criminal violations. Across the state there have been 4393 DWI arrests since the campaign began. 47 stolen vehicles were recovered and 111 fugitives have been arrested. The Highway Patrol will be out in force this weekend, to make sure people have a safe and happy holiday.

Gun Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence this week, after reports of a theft came in. Someone had pried open the back door to the house, sneaking inside and removing a 20 gauge shotgun. All the information was turned over to deputies and there is a suspect in the case. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
Christmastime unfortunately brings more than just presents and family celebrations. Drunk drivers and slick roads can lead to accidents and severely drain the local blood supply. With that in mind, the Red Cross has put together one last drive today, in hopes of storing up enough blood to last through the holiday weekend. It's going on at Community Alternatives today from 10am til 2:30pm this afternoon. And for everyone who donates, they get a free t-shirt. Please remember before giving, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To call ahead and set up an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after a wreck on Hwy 421 Wednesday afternoon. The incident happened as a Wilkesboro woman had slowed down, due to heavy traffic. The driver behind her, a West Jefferson man, didn't stop in time to avoid a collision. Thankfully no one was hurt in the accident, however estimated damages from the crash were placed at $4000.

3WC Petwatch: Keeping Fido Happy And Healthy
With family celebrations and other Christmas traditions, it can be easy at times to forget about your pets. Some of the things we slip up and give them as treats this holiday could actually be harmful for them, as we explain in today's 3WC Petwatch. First off, chocolate can be bad for your pet. A compound in the chocolate called thebromine is to blame, as it leads to different reactions in different pets. It can cause problems with your animal's heart, trigger epileptic seizures and make your pet dehydrated. In smaller animals, it can even lead to death. Also be careful giving your pet cookies or other holiday snacks that have moderate to large amounts of sugar in them. It can lead to an upset stomach, allergies or even in extreme cases death. Just make sure you keep your pets away from the deserts when you sit down for Christmas dinner. They'll stay healthy and probably won't even notice, as long as there's a bone to knaw on.

Grinch Pays Visit To North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home on the Red White & Blue Road this week, after thieves did some last minute shopping. After climbing in through an unlocked window, the thieves took several hundred dollars worth of jewelry, along with a handmade quilt and $100 in cash. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual during the day on Tuesday, when this took place. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Tags Stolen From Local Residence
Several more license tags were stolen from Wilkes County residents this week. While friends and family were gathering at a North Wilkesboro man's home, someone was outside removing the license tags from their vehicles. The theft was soon noticed and sheriff's deputies were called out. There are suspects in the case and the investigation continues.

Southern Gospel News
MARTINS RETURN IN 2006
According to a press release, obtained in advance by the editor at www.averyfineline.com, Showcase Management has announced plans to reunite The Martins for touring in 2006 on a limited basis in support of the newly released album,.. Decade. Judy Martin Hess says: "The lessons we have learned during our time away will certainly allow us to bring something new and fresh to the stage. I am excited to see that 'something new' God will do through us as a unit." The Martins have been away from touring.. as a trio, since the end of 2003.
According to a press release.. The future for The Martins looks very exciting and promises to be truly special. This special reunion tour will find the Martins sharing songs that have delighted fans for years. Brian Hudson of Showcase Management states: "Some things about The Martins from the past will never change: the harmony, the versatility, the passion for reaching people.
The Martins' 2006 touring schedule is available for viewing at www.martinsonline.com.

State News

Police Raid Illegal DVD Operation
Officials in Morganton busted up an illegal DVD operation this week. Charges are still pending but several thousand illegal CDs and DVDs were removed from the house in Burke County, where police also discovered the equipment used to make them. It's believed that the homeowner rented the movies, then recorded and sold them at local flea markets and also over the internet. The man, whose name has not yet been released, could face seperate felony charges for every 100 copies of the movies in his possession.

Marines Coming Home For Christmas
Several military families in North Carolina just recieved one of the best presents possible. Soldiers from B Company of the 126th Aviation in the North Carolina National Guard are arriving home later today. Their transport will land at Pope Air Force Base at 2:45pm today, after which they'll be dismissed for Christmas leave. Also it was announced that the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force from Camp Lejeune will be coming home in January of 2006. The soldiers had been working to provide security in the Anbar province of central Iraq. The exact date and time of the return has not yet been announced.

Prescription Pill Ring Broken Up In Rowan County
Officials in Rowan County arrested two people in Salisbury for illegally selling prescription drugs. Several hundred prescription drugs, mostly painkillers, were found in the home, along with a few weapons and over $10,000 in cash. Lisa Lackey and James Safrit were both arrested and now sit in the Rowan County Jail, awaiting trial.

Secret Santas Help Rocky Mount Salvation Army
In the true spirit of the season, someone is helping the Rocky Mount Salvation Army, but the person's identity is a secret. Every year, a mystery donor puts several 100 dollar bills into the kettle outside of Wal-Mart, wrapped up in five dollar bills to hide it from would be looters.. Already this Christmas, the person has given $2575, to be used to buy gifts for needy kids. The money was used to make sure over 700 kids had presents under the tree.

Harrisburg Man Has Holiday Solution
If you're still out searching for those last few presents, a man in Harrisburg North Carolina has an idea. He's put up the item on Ebay, hoping people will bid on what he calls a very special potato chip. The chip has a number 8 perfectly burned into it and the man is marketing it for any of those Dale Earnhart Jr. fans out there. So far he's got a few bids on the item and says that he got the idea to sell it after reading about the enourmous amounts of money paid out earlier this year, for a cheese sandwich that had the virgin mary's picture on it.

Sports Headlines

Two Local Players Named To All State Football Team
Two Elkin football players were among those named to this year's AP All-State prep football team. Defensive lineman Terry Adams and his teammate, kicker Wells Stewart were both on the list. 26 sportswriters from across the state voted on the list, put out each year by the Associated Press.

Duke Lands Football Recruit
Taking a look at college football, more good news for the Duke Blue Devils, as they've landed another recruit for next season. Brandon Harper, a senior at Milton High School in Georgia, agreed to play for the team. The 6-3 ft. 295 lb. Harper pulled double duty at Milton as a defensive tackle and offensive guard, but he'll mainly see time on the defense for Duke. He ran the 40 yard dash in 5.1 seconds and can bench press 400 lbs.

Extension Given To Coach Moore
One week after giving Appalachian State the first football title in school history, Coach Jerry Moore was rewarded with a contract extension. Athletic director Charlie Cobb is still hammering out the details, but said he didn't expect any problems. The 66-yr-old Moore said despite coaching in the final year of his contract, he never considered going anywhere else.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at scores from college basketball last night, it was Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina 90-83, thanks in part to 17 points and 7 rebounds from Brian Bender. The Running Buldogs improve to 5-3 on the season with the win. UNC Charlotte knocked off Rutgers 85-82. Curtis Withers had 19 points and 8 rebounds for the 49ers, who move up to 6-5. In the ACC, NC State took care of Alabama 68-64 to go to 9-1, while Wake Forest handled Richmond 47-40.

Panthers Go Bowling
Several members of the Carolina Panthers made the roster for the NFL's Pro Bowl, as teams were announced yesterday. The event, which is the NFL's version of an All-Star game, is played in Hawaii after the Super Bowl. Making the list was wide receiver Steve Smith, guard Mike Wahle, defensive end Julius Peppers and quarterback Jake Delhomme.