News & Sports For December 9th

WILKES COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TODAY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

COUNTY EMPLOYEES DON'T REPORT IN TIL 9:30AM

Winter Weather Hits Wilkes
Old Man Winter finally made his presence known in Wilkes County, as sleet and freezing rain fell over the area last night. The power is still out in parts of the county, including sections of Broadway stretching from Damascus Church all the way to C.C. Wright School. And ice is still on bridges and other low lying areas across Wilkes, so please be careful when out driving this morning.

Gift Card Scam Busted By Police
A gift card scam was broken up this week by Wilkesboro police. At Lowes Hardware, a man had been going through the store gathering up items and passing it off as stuff he had purchased. He took the items to the return desk and exchange them for gift cards. At the time of his arrest, he had $1225 worth of gift cards accumulated. Loss prevention officials put together tapes of his activities and turned things over to Wilkesboro police, who made the arrest. 31-yr-old Jerry Kenneth Wyatt was charged with obtaining property by false pretenses.

Foxx Helps To Pass Natural Gas Amendment
5th District Representative Virginia Foxx took a step on Thursday toward lowering natural gas prices for people here in the area. Foxx and the rest of the House Agriculture Committee passed an amendment to the Commodity Futures reauthorization. That amendment gives the Trading Commission the authority to investigate market manipulations during any time of price increases. It also raises the penalties handed out for such manipulations. Foxx said that she wanted to do everything possible to keep the cost of natural gas low for families during the winter season.

Weapon Goes Missing From Car
A wildlife officer called sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday after discovering that a rifle was missing from his car. The officer had seized the weapon from a suspect and planned to turn it in the next day. Instead when he arrived home, the rifle was gone. Information was turned over to deputies and the investigation continues

Christmas In Wilkes Needs Help
Several hundred people took tags from the Christmas in Wilkes Angel Trees over the past month, helping needy kids during the holiday season. However now that the deadline has passed, the organization has a problem. 163 of the tags that were taken have not been turned back in, which is a problem since the gifts were supposed to be distributed today. If you did take a tag but haven’t bought a gift yet, please do that this morning and be sure to call Christmas in Wilkes and let them know. The number to call is 927-2969.

Christmas In Wilkes Weather Changes
With the winter weather that hit the county, some changes have been made for Christmas in Wilkes. Families had been called and asked to pick up their childrens' gifts today, but due to the icy conditions this morning, they can do that later this afternoon. Or if you can't make it out to pick up those gifts today, please call Christmas in Wilkes at 927-2969 and you can arrange another time to do it.

Break-In At Myers Tire
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Myers Tire location in Millers Creek on Thursday, after reports of a break-in. Would be thieves had pushed open one of the doors to the business, without damaging the padlock that was on it. However it was a wasted effort, as the door had been blocked from the inside by several cabinets and tools. Nothing was taken from the building but damage was placed at $100. That investigation is ongoing.

Man Finds Rifle Stolen
A Wilkesboro man called sheriff’s deputies to report a theft, one that happened over a month ago. The man told deputies that his rifle had been stolen, although he couldn’t say when exactly and there was no evidence of a crime. He also couldn’t provide suspects, because so many people had been in the home. That investigation continues.

Amnesty Week Is In Effect For Late Fees
Some good news for anyone whose holiday schedule has kept you from returning that overdue library book. The Wilkes County Library is holding an Amnesty Week, cutting fines in exchange for donations. For each can of food donated to the Library this week, $1 will be deducted from any overdue books, tapes or other items on loan. That will run from today until this Saturday December 10th, after which the regular late fees will go back into effect. And for those who don't have late fees but want to help out hungry people, you can drop off supplies at the library as well. The library is located at 215 Tenth Street in North Wilkesboro.

Regional News

Two People Facing Counterfeiting Charges In Dobson
Authorities in Dobson have broke up a counterfeiting ring and now two people are facing charges. Galax police got in touch with Surry County investigators after arresting a local woman for passing counterfeit bills. 38-yr-old Bridgette Morgan of Dobson and 35-yr-old Marvin Clinton Chapell are both in custody facing counterfeit charges, while Morgan is also been charged with obstruction of justice. Surry County officials searched Morgan's home and found several items used in the counterfeiting scheme, including a computer, printer and counterfeit currency patterns. All the evidence was turned over to the U.S. Secret Service.

State News

Highways Safer Near NC Churches
It's safer on the highway near churches here in North Carolina, according to a new study released this week. The research, done by Quality Planning Corporation, found that anyone living within a mile of a church is 10% less likely to have an accident than the average driver. The study took into account some 2 million accidents and found that around a church, the rate of accidents tends to decrease. By comparison, anyone living one mile around a restaurant, the study found, is 30% more likely to be involved in a wreck.

Green Beret Creator Dies
Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough died this week. Yarborough, a resident of Southern Pines North Carolina, was responsible for the creation of the Army's Green Beret strike force and also helped to design the winged paratrooper insignia back in 1941. Yarborough had served in the Army for 35 years, also working as commander of the Special Warfare Center during Vietnam. He was 93.

NC Court Keeps Christian Oath
People testifying in cases will still swear their oath using the Bible, thanks to a ruling yesterday in North Carolina Superior Court. Judge Donald Smith tossed out the ACLU's lawsuit, which had called for other non-Christian texts to be used for the oath, saying that the group had no legal grounds to file it in the first place. The lawsuit was taken out in July, as the ACLU said it was acting on behalf of its' members across the state.

Prayer Vigil Held For Activist
Many people have lost friends and family to the Iraqi conflict. Yesterday, members of the student and faculty body at Guilford College gathered to hold a prayer vigil for one specific person. Activist Tom Fox, a member of a Christian peacemaking team, was abducted by a group near the end of November. Now the "Swords of Righteousness Brigade" have announced they will execute the hostages on Saturday unless America agrees to a trade of captives. Starting at 7am Thursday morning, people came throughout the day to the Moon Room, to pray and remember Fox, who worked with the nearby Quaker community.

Rabies Scare In Lexington
Officials in Lexington are asking people to stay away from stray dogs and cats, after a rabies scare in the area. The Davidson County Health Department is also suggesting that people who live in the area take precaution with their own animals as well. On December 1st a rabid raccoon was shot and killed in the Denton community, causing the concern. Officials are urging people to be careful, since saliva from a rabid animal can contain the disease and even if your pet wasn't bitten, contact of any kind can leave him or her exposed.

Authorities Waited A Day Before Issuing Amber Alert
Questions are being raised today as to why authorities waited before issuing an Amber Alert for Devin and Donovan Reed. The two boys were found yesterday by authorities, safe at their grandparents' home in Durham County. However now comes word that police waited one whole day before putting out the Amber Alert, which has some people up in arms. The boys were taken on Tuesday, after social workers informed their parents that the two would be removed from the home, because it didn't have any power. The boys' father then issued threats to anyone who tried to take his kids and when officials arrived at the home, both the boys and parents were long gone. Officials said that while they couldn't release all the details, they had information that waiting to issue the alert wouldn't cause any problems.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
Depending on the weather conditions, there'll be some high school basketball on the radio tonight. Starmount heads into Moravian Falls, to take on the Wilkes Central Eagles. For the Lady Eagles, this is a chance to keep their unbeaten streak alive at 7-0, while the boys will have a shot at knocking off some of their major competition in the 2A division. We'll be going on the air at 7pm with the McDonald's pregame show and then join Ken Byrd and Keith Briand for the play by play at 7:15.

Playoff System Possibly In NCAA's Future
The face of college football could be changing in the future, after a hearing this week on Capital Hill. The House Subcommittee on Commerce and Trade held a meeting with NCAA officials, inquiring why Division I college football is the only sport without a playoff system. Lawmakers said they weren't going to force the issue, but called on NCAA officials and members of the BCS committee to put together a system soon. Officials said they were open to change but that school presidents would have to approve adding any additional games to the schedule, something they've so far refused to do.

Peppers Possibly Out For Sunday
In the NFL, Carolina could be missing a major part of their defense when they go on the road against Tampa this Sunday. Julius Peppers is still recovering from an ankle injury, caused by a cut block in last Sunday's game against Atlanta. Team doctors and Peppers himself said that they're not sure if the ankle will be 100% and the defensive end may have to miss possibly two out of the last three games of the regular season.

Jake Delhomme Moving Up
In other Panthers news, quarterback Jake Delhomme is slowly making his way into the record books. Delhomme needs 293 passing yards to hit the 10,000 yard mark, which would put him second all time in team history. Former Panther Steve Beuerlein currently holds the record with 12,690 yards.

NHL: Hurricanes Win
In the NHL last night, the Carolina Hurricanes continued their winning ways as they beat the LA Kings 3-2. The win improves Carolina's record to 18-8 on the season.

NASCAR News
Around the NASCAR circuit, some changes are in the works for Penske Racing. Kodak has pulled out from being the sponsor for the Number 77 Dodge, leaving driver Travis Kvapil without a ride. Kodak said that the company wanted to take a year long break to give Penske time to field a more competitive team. In other NASCAR headlines, Kurt Busch is getting a new crew chief for next season, as Roy McCauley will take over on the Number 2 Dodge. He'll replace Larry Carter.

News & Sports For December 7th

Notes From Wilkes County Commissioners Meeting
The Wilkes County Commissioners' held their monthly meeting last night and several issues were discussed. First, the boys soccer team from Wilkes Central was honored by the commissioners for winning the state championship. Coach Mike Sloan spoke about the team and introduced the players, who were given a pin by chairman Zach Henderson. Also a team of students from West Wilkes was honored for a competition they've entered. The students, led by Bryan Shumate who spoke to the commissioners, are entering the EV Challenge, a competition of schools across the nation to build an electric car. West is one of four high schools in the state that is taking part in the competition. They hope to have the vehicle finished by February 1st and ready to present by the deadline of April 6th. In other news from the meeting, the commissioners approved giving the Pro-Net company a service contract to sort through some data processing issues here in the county. Redundant systems and possible overcharging by vendors were some of the main reasons for the decision, as there have been some discrepancies in labor charges over the past few months. In addition, the company would help to monitor the county's computer systems and be able to track down hackers that try and get into the system. The motion passed 4-1, with Keith Elmore as the dissenting opinion. Elmore had requested more time, to bring in other companies to bid on the process. As it stands, the county manager's office estimated that the contract will cost $60,000. Also county commissioner Faye Byrd called for some changes in the Economic Development Commission, including a closer working relationship with the Vocational Workshop. She suggested that the new economic director be allowed to research and write grants to bring in new businesses.

Christmas For Kids Raffle Continues
As tags from the Christmas for Kids Angel Trees continue to be taken down throughout the county, there is another way you can lend a hand. Raffle tickets are being sold at $1 each, with prizes available ranging from an electric scooter to restaurant certificates and even a 27' inch TV. There's only one more day to enter the raffle, as the drawing will be held tomorrow, December 8th and winners will be contacted over the next few days. All money raised by the raffle will go to support the program, by helping to purchase gifts for any children whose names weren't taken down off the Angel Tree. As for the program itself, names can be taken and gifts turned in through next Monday December 12th. You can drop off gifts or buy raffle tickets at Johnson Oil Company and both Lowes Foods stores, on Hwy 18 North and on 115. Also you can drop off gifts at the Navy station here in Wilkes, that's at 1717 Winkler Street in Wilkesboro. The Angel Trees are up at both Lowes stores and will stay out through the weekend.

Never Keep Money Inside Your Car
Never leave cash inside your car. Employees of Ted's Kicking Chicken found that out the hard way this week. They had parked the car at their house, but left a laptop computer, along with $2500 in cash inside. During the early morning hours on Monday, sounds were heard outside the house and the woman looked out to see two men running away from the unlocked vehicle. One of the thieves slipped and dropped the laptop, which was recovered. There was no damage done to the car and nothing else missing. That investigation is ongoing.

529 Plans: How To Get Them
Throughout this week on the 3WC News, Brian has been talking with Carol Owens from financial service Scott & Stringfellow about 529 plans. They've been going over how the plans can help you guarantee there is money available for your kids' college fund. In the final part of the series, we explain what you need to look for when investing. Financial planners will go over things with you, explaining the options that are available. But when going with a plan, experts say to consider three items. First consider how you want to invest your stock. With over 47 different options, it can be easy to jump right in without knowing the consequences. Some plans will change as the child gets older and those changes could affect the end result. Also beware of fees. In most plans, there is a management fee ranging from .25% to .95% a year. But others will have hidden fees such as an enrollment charge or an annual maintenance fee of over 2%. Finally, make sure you discuss with your financial advisor how the 529 plan will affect any possible financial aid, given by your child's college. In some plans, 5.6% of the total earned by the plan would be counted by colleges as your family's expected contribution. In others if the student is named as owner of the plan, that increases to 35%.

Deer Stand Goes Missing
Who would carry off a deer stand? That's what a Millers Creek man is wondering today, after his was stolen. Deputies were called out on Sunday, after the homeowner returned and went walking on his property. He found the deer stand that had been used all season was now missing. It's unclear who carried off the stand or where it went, as no one in the area could recall seeing anything suspicious. That investigation continues.

Focus On Music
The 3WC phonelines have been rining off the hook over the past few months, with questions about Singing in the Foothills. Is it coming back? Where will it be held? How can I get tickets? All those questions and more will be answered on Thursday, as John Wishon will be sitting in with Brian for Focus on the Foothills. They'll go over the details of the event and try to clear up some of the questions that have been asked. That's tomorrow at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Blood Drive Coming Up Today
With sleet and snow in the forecast for this weekend, it's important to get as much blood as possible on hand in case of wrecks and other icy problems. The Red Cross is continuing their string of blood drives today, with one going on at Wilkes Community College. You can give blood starting at 9:30 this morning and stretching on until 3pm this afternoon. With 1500 pints used on an average day here in the state, we need to get the supply out of critical levels. You can set up an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 838-4563 or simply drop by the college and give.

Road Sign Stolen In North Wilkesboro
Sheriff's deputies were called out recently to the Rock Creek Church Road, after thieves ran off with the road sign. A witness told deputies that she saw four boys take the sign and provided details and descriptions. Deputies located both the sign and the boys, who apologized and helped to put it back up. No charges were filed and the names were not released, as all of the boys are under 16.

State News

Free Flu Shots In Greensboro
With flu season in full swing, people are hunting for the vaccine. If you haven't already gotten a shot this year, it might be a good idea to make the trip to Greensboro this morning. The Guilford County Health Department announced on Tuesday that they have flu shots left and will be handing them out free of charge today. You can go over to the clinic anytime from 8am til 11am to receive the shot. It's located at 1100 Wendover Avenue in Greensboro and for more information you can give the department a call at 641-7777.

Tuition On The Rise For Appalachian Students
Bad news for anyone returning to or going to Appalachian State for the first time. Beginning next fall, tuition at the university is going to be climbing once again. The move still has to be approved by the UNC Board of Governors, but as it stands Appalachian's trustees agreed to raise tuition by $400. That would make tuition $2221, as opposed to the current $1821. The Board of Governors has to approve the request because it falls over the limit of a $322 tuition hike that they imposed this year. Appalachian officials said they want to get an exception for the rule, in order to guarantee a quality education for their students, while at the same time making sure that the faculty is taken care of.

New Program Helping To Find Jobs In Caldwell
Over the past few months, several hundred workers in Caldwell County have found themselves out of jobs, as plants were closed and sold. Now however there's some hope on the way, courtesy of the county's new Caldwell Works program. The program, which begins in January will give unemployed workers some hands on training in several different fields. People can choose from either education, health care of horticulture, spending around 15 hours in the field and 20 hours in the classroom. Depending on their success, officials can then set up interviews and possibly have them in a new job within a few months.

Man Killed After Stealing Ambulance In Raleigh
A Wake County man is dead today after he stole an ambulance from the local EMS. The incident happened early Tuesday morning, when Wake County EMS responded to a call at a Raleigh convenience store. A man had seemed to be having a stroke and when EMS arrived, he began fighting with them, before running out of the store. The man jumped into the ambulance and took off down the road, but he didn't pay attention to the curve and went straight over an embankment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Annexation Causes Problems For Fayetteville
Residents of Fayetteville are having some problems today, thanks to the city's recent annexation. Some of the areas just outside the city have been annexed in, to add more tax revenue. However that decision may end up costing someone their life. The annexed homes have not yet been linked to the 911 system, meaning that dispatchers have no clue where to send EMS should there be an emergency. Already there has been one reported problem, when a 6-month-old girl was hit in the head by a falling TV set. After no paramedics showed up 45 minutes later, the mother and grandmother took her to the nearby fire department and they helped her get treatment. Officials say they're working to solve the problem.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
Three of the county's high schools were in action last night. For the girls varsity, it was the Lady Eagles keeping their unbeaten streak alive with a 66-50 win over Statesville. Amy Will had 24 points and Sarah Brown added 13 points & 11 rebounds for Wilkes Central. The end result wasn't so good for the West Wilkes Lady Blackhawks as they lost to North Stokes 61-49. West started out in control, opening up a 13-2 lead, but soon faded and in the second half it was all North Stokes. Emily Deal led the 0-5 Lady Blackhawks with 18 points. And up the road at East Wilkes, the Lady Cardinals lost to South Stokes 67-53. Amanda Williams put in 15 points for the 1-3 East Wilkes squad. On the boys side of the court, things weren't much better, as the Blackhawks of West fell to North Stokes 92-80. West falls to 3-2 with the loss as they were led by Kurtis Lankford's 27 points. Chad Lankford also tossed in 16 for the Blackhawks. Finally it was East Wilkes losing to South Stokes 72-57. The Cardinals led at the half 20-18, but couldn't hold on. Brett Poplin had 21 and Cody Cook added 19 for the 1-3 Cardinals.

Local Player Commits To High Point
High Point's girls team will get some added firepower next season, courtesy of Wilkes Central. Amy Will, a senior guard for the Lady Eagles, has committed to play for the university. The 5-10 Will was the Mountain Valley Conference player of the year last season and her team is off to a 5-0 start so far. The Lady Eagles are in action tonight at Statesville.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college scoreboard, it was UNC Greensboro taking care of East Carolina 78-70. Also Tennessee beat Appalachian State 89-81. DJ Thompson had 14 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds for the Mountaineers, who fall to 3-4 and last place in the Southern Conference.

UNC Lands Another Football Commitment
While UNC's football season didn't exactly turn out as planned, good news continues to pour in about next year. Mike Ingersoll, a senior at Butler High School in Matthews, committed to play for the team. Ingersoll has split time between the tight end and defensive end positions. able to run the 40 yard dash in 4.89 seconds despite weighing in at 6-5 260 lbs. UNC officials said that Ingersoll could also see some time at guard on the offensive line, in addition to playing tight end. When injuries cut down the Butler team last season, Ingersoll stepped in for the guard position.

Carolina Takes Care Of Business Against Anaheim
It didn't take long for the Carolina Hurricanes to get back to their winning ways. The Hurricanes beat Anaheim last night 6-2, behind a hat trick from Kevyn Adams. Carolina improves to 17-8 on the season, staying two games ahead of Tampa Bay in the Southeastern Conference.

News & Sports For December 6th

Local Man Arrested After Police Find A Fugitive & Meth
Sheriff's deputies responded to a tip this week that an employee at Showtime Video in Millers Creek was harboring a fugitive. After investigating, they found that the man, 49-yr-old Dwayne Michael Dancy had in fact helped Crystal Gregory hide from the law, by setting her up in a local hotel and paying for the room. Mr. Dancy confessed to deputies and as they were placing him under arrest, a bag was found in one of his pockets containing methamphetamine. In addition, a roll of money totaling $310 was found and confiscated as well. Mr. Dancy was charged with possession with intent to sell and distribute as well as harboring a fugitive.

Holiday Grinch Makes His Way To North Wilkesboro
A homeowner in North Wilkesboro woke up on Sunday to find that some people don't like Christmas decorations. Over $500 worth of damage was done to the man's home, as the vandals destroyed his reindeer ornaments outside, along with parts of a door and several chairs. Neither he or his wife woke up due to some cold medication they had been taking. Nothing was taken or disturbed inside the house, all the damage was focused on the front door and other areas around the home. That investigation is ongoing.

Planning Ahead Part Two: Who Can Do It and When?
It can be frustrating, planning for college. Often you have to set aside money ten to fifteen years in advance and even then it can be a headache, not knowing how to structure your investment in order to get the full benefits of it. 529 plans are a way that parents can jump over all those hurdles and have some financial security for their children's college fund. Carol Owens from financial service Scott & Stringfellow explains who qualifies for the plan and when's the best time to invest. And you can hear Brian's interview with Carol today on the 3WC News, then in tomorrow's final segment, Carol explains how you go about setting up a 529 plan and where you can get that information.

All For Some Cigarettes
Sheriff's deputies were called out on Sunday to the SAR store in Millers Creek, after reports came of a break-in. Thieves had shattered a window payne at the business, then using the open window to climb inside. However inside the store nothing was damaged or disturbed, as it appeared they came for one thing and one thing only. 15 cartons of Marlboro cigarettes, estimated at $300 worth, were taken. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Amnesty Week Is In Effect For Late Fees
Some good news for anyone whose holiday schedule has kept you from returning that overdue library book. The Wilkes County Library is holding an Amnesty Week, cutting fines in exchange for donations. For each can of food donated to the Library this week, $1 will be deducted from any overdue books, tapes or other items on loan. That will run from today until this Saturday December 10th, after which the regular late fees will go back into effect. And for those who don't have late fees but want to help out hungry people, you can drop off supplies at the library as well. The library is located at 215 Tenth Street in North Wilkesboro.

Thieves Take Jacket & Leave Behind Everything Else
Some thieves broke into an apartment in the Windmere complex in Wilkesboro this weekend, running off with cash and a jacket. The homeowner returned from work and went to unlock her door, only to find it pushed open without assistance. Portions of sheetrock and the doorframe itself was lying on the floor and shoe imprints were left all around the area. Despite all the damage, thieves only took $40 in cash and a blue fleece jacket instead of the DVD player and other items inside. Officers are continuing the investigation.

Blood Drive Connected To Scout Troop
The Red Cross is holding another blood drive today at the North Wilkesboro VFW Hall, as part of their effort to raise the blood supply before serious winter weather hits the county. But the Red Cross aren't the only ones involved with this drive, as a local Boy Scout Troop is taking part. For Siyon Chin and the rest of Scout Troop 325, this is an important project as well. Siyon helped to organize the drive as part of a merit badge project and you can come out to help Siyon and the rest of the Scouts from 2-6:30pm today at the North Wilkesboro VFW Hall.

Broke In To Have A Look Around
Some curious thieves broke into a Wilkesboro residence over the weekend. Thieves broke into a home on North Cherry Street, shattering the glass pane on the front door. However once inside, they apparently couldn't find what they were looking for as nothing was taken or damaged. The only thing out of place was the fact that most of the doors inside the house had been opened. That investigation is ongoing.

Newest Protection Against Fraud
With the Christmas season in full swing, this is also a busy time of year for thieves, both the usual kind and those who travel on the internet. Credit cards, social security numbers and other personal information is a major target. But now, people here in North Carolina can take steps to protect themselves against ID Theft. The Identity Theft Protection Act, a new law that went into effect December 1st will allow you to block access to your credit records, preventing any would be thieves from gaining access and ruining your finances. You will be able to do that thanks to a security freeze. The only problem is that while thieves won't be able to use your credit to purchase things, neither can you. Once the freeze is placed on, no company or business can check up on your credit history until its' lifted. If you do want to fill out an application for a credit freeze or just want more information, you can log on to the state Department of Justice website at www.ncdoj.com/idtheft.

Another License Plate Ripped Off At Wal-Mart
More problems in the Wal-Mart parking lot this weekend, as yet another person came out to find their license tag had been ripped off the car. In this case, the tag wasn't simply pulled off but ripped, as the screws were torn out as well, causing damage to the vehicle. The damage to the car is still being estimated and the investigation continues.

State News

Bush In Kernersville
Taxes and the economy were on President Bush's mind when he spoke Monday afternoon to a group of 500 workers at a Kernersville plant. The president praised the economy, citing 215,000 jobs that were created in November as a sign of growth. At the same time, he also asked Congress to extend the tax cuts currently in place, to help re-enforce the growing economy. Speaking at the Deere-Hitachi Construction Corporation, President Bush criticized American businesses for failing to live up to their pension plans, putting the burden soley on the government to provide.

Former Defensive Back Saves Christmas In Concord
An elderly couple in Concord had their Christmas plans saved by a former college football player this week. The couple was walking back to their car in the parking lot of Concord Mills when two robbers assaulted them and stole the Christmas presents they had bought for their grandkids. As the robbers took off, they were followed by someone who had witnessed the crime, a former college defensive back. He tackled one of the robbers, recovering the stolen merchandise but was unable to keep the two suspects from escaping. All of the gifts were returned intact and undamaged to the couple.

Mental Health Rehaul Failing
Bad news for North Carolina's mental health system. The massive overhaul of the program, which has been going on for four years, isn't working. This according to the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons With Disabilities. In fact instead of getting better, the problem could be growing. Mentally ill patients are ending up in hospital emergency rooms and jails due to a lack of monitoring and failure to take their medication. Four years ago North Carolina turned over the mental health system to private companies, who have struggled to keep things under control. More than 358,000 people are in the state's health system, with adult patients increasing in number over the last four years.

Actor Gives Money To Help Rocky Mount People
People in Rocky Mount are getting some help this year in paying for their heating bils. Actor Denzel Washington donated $25,000 to the Winter Assistance program, the largest gift in its' 19-year history. The donation comes thanks to Washington's friendship with Rocky Mount native Herman Boone, a high school football coach whose life Denzel portrayed in the movie "Remember The Titans".

Edgecombe Schools Run Like A Business
Tired of low test scores, Edgecombe County schools are trying a new tactic. Each school is now being run like a business. Goals are set for the county and each individual school sets their own goals as well. Then within the school, each student has to set their own goal, in order to keep up with state expectations. This way, county officials say, the kids feel responsible for their own success or failure. Each one keeps a data folder, that they update with progress reports and graphs are used by teachers to show how close or far off each student is from their goal, so they know what to work on. Officials say that in the two years since the program started, test scores and overall grades have increased, along with the students' enthusiasm about learning.

Sports Headlines

Local Player Commits To High Point
High Point's girls team will get some added firepower next season, courtesy of Wilkes Central. Amy Will, a senior guard for the Lady Eagles, has committed to play for the university. The 5-10 Will was the Mountain Valley Conference player of the year last season and her team is off to a 5-0 start so far. The Lady Eagles are in action tonight at Statesville.

High School Basketball Tonight
Two of our county high schools have basketball teams in action tonight. Wilkes Central goes on the road to Statesville, with the girls team looking to stay undefeated at 5-0. West Wilkes meanwhile will be playing host to North Stokes, The Lady Blackhawks are looking for their first win and the boys varsity are hoping to build on the momentum from their victory over Bishop McGuiness.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college scene last night, it was Elon over Guilford College 87-63. The Phoenix recorded their second win of the season, putting their record at 2-5. Also it took overtime but Gardner-Webb pulled out the 67-58 victory over Mercer. Simon Conn led the Bulldogs with 20 points, a career high 18 rebounds and seven blocked shots as the team improves to 4-2 on the year.

State To Play In Charlotte
Around the college football scene, bowl bids have been accepted and the postseason schedule is finalized. NC State will be heading down to Charlotte on New Year's Eve, to take on South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The Wolfpack finished the season on a 4-1 winning streak to wrap up at 6-5 and earn an invite to the bowl. The game kicks off at 11am December 31st in Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina Walking Wounded After Sunday
Taking a look at the NFL, several Carolina Panthers are walking wounded after Sunday's win over Atlanta. Defensive end Mike Rucker sprained his ankle, while tight end Michael Gaines is suffering from a thigh bruise. Also guard Tutan Reyes injured his knee, but team officials don't know how severely or if he could miss part of the regular season.

Hurricanes Lose Star Rookie
If Saturday's loss to Phoenix wasn't bad enough, the Carolina Hurricanes got some more news on Monday. Rookie forward Andrew Ladd was placed on injured reserve, after damaging his knee during the game against the Coyotes. It's unknown exactly how long Ladd could be gone, leaving an offensive hole in the team that will be filled by minor leaguer Chad LaRose. LaRose was called up from the minors on Monday to take Ladd's spot on the roster, having put up 25 points in 23 games so far this year.

News & Sports For December 5th

More New Laws Taking Effect
On Thursday of last week, over 40 new laws went into effect here in North Carolina. Over the past few days we've been taking a look at some of them, especially those that could have an impact in Wilkes County. One new law has made it illegal for passengers to swap places with the driver after an accident and then take off. This comes after the death of Stephen Gates back in 2003. Gates was a commentator for the Tarheel Sports Network when he was killed while changing a tire on an interstate on-ramp. Now switching places could have just as severe for the passenger as if they hit the person theirself. In addition, penalties were increased for anyone firing a gun into a car or house and it's now a felony to point a laser beam at a traveling plane or other aircraft, even if it's just the light from your pen.

Police Investigate Case Of Drug Smuggling
Wilkesboro police were called out to UPS last week in regards to some illegal items in one of the packages they found. UPS officials told police that a white male came in and requested that they ship a candle for him, down to Port Charlotte Florida. He gave the name and address of the person, but couldn't provide any ID. Something seemed odd about the package, so Wilkesboro police were called in. After examing the candle, officers found that the inside had been hollowed out and contained 15 pills of hydrocodone painkillers and .15 ounces of crack cocaine. That investigation continues.

Deadline Tonight For Christmas in Wilkes
Time is almost up if you want to pick a name off the Angel Trees in Wilkes County. The deadline is tonight for Christmas in Wilkes, as the tags will be taken down when the local stores close.
Once again all tags must be taken by tonight if you want to help this year. But if you can't afford to buy presents, you can also help through volunteering your time. To call in and join the volunteer force for Christmas in Wilkes, the number is 927-2969.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A routine traffic stop on the Glen Dancy Road last week led to a drug bust for sheriff's deputies. The driver told deputies he didn't have his license with him and refused to let them search his car. After a few minutes he changed his mind and let them have a look inside. Deputies found 203 grams of methamphetamine inside, located in a small blackjack pouch lying on the floor. 50-yr-old Ricky CHarles Howell was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell, maintaining a vehicle for the sale of drugs and driving without possession of a license.

One Taken To Hospital After Wreck On River Street
An accident last week on River Street caused one person to be sent to the hospital and over $13,000 worth of damage done. A Wilkesboro woman was turning onto School Street, but didn't notice the oncoming traffic. She slammed into one car and created a domino effect, tagging a third car whose driver had been waiting for the light to change. The second car's driver, a Wilkesboro woman, was taken to the hospital by EMS but released soon after with minor injuries. The first driver complained of injuries but released treatment by EMS, while the mother and daughter in the third vehicle escaped unharmed. Estimated damages were placed at $13,800.

529 Plans: What And Why?
College is expensive for both the parents and prospective students. How can you afford a dorm room, tuition and the books you'll need? There is a way to plan ahead and keep yourself out of debt. 529 plans are used by over 7 million families each year to help in setting aside money for college. Coming up on the news today, Carol Owens from financial service Scott and Stringfellowwill be talking with Brian and explaining what exactly the plan is. Also on tomorrow's segment of the series, Carol explains who qualifies for the plan and when's a good time to set one up.

Be Careful Who You Let Inside
Be careful who you let inside your home. A North Wilkesboro woman found that out the hard way last week, after money and medicine were both stolen from her home. A man came by the house trying to sell some tools and she agreed to buy some, letting him in and writing a check, before going to another section of the home to check on her child. When she returned the man was gone, as was the blank check and some pain medication. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Blood Drive Coming Up Today
Winter weather can bring along some potential problems, chief among them wrecks and injuries. In times like this it's crucial to have as much blood on hand as possible, which is why the Red Cross is holding a drive today at Millers Creek Baptist Church. Anyone can come in and donate from 2-7pm this afternoon. No appointments are needed but if you want to avoid waiting in line, you can call the Red Cross and schedule a time to give. Their number is 838-4563.

State News

Money Stolen From Hickory Rescue
Officials in Hickory are searching for some missing money today. Just over $11,000 has gone missing from the Hickory Rescue Squad Auxiliary, believed to have been embezzled by a former member. Originally charges weren’t going to be brought, as a deal had been worked out to repay the money. But when the suspect disappeared, the police got involved.

People From 36 States Gather In Charlotte For Thunder Road
Almost 1600 people gathered in Charlotte for the Thunder Road Marathon on Saturday, coming into North Carolina from 36 different states. Bob Marchinko from Salisbury won the marathon, recording a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 42 seconds. Maureen Larsen from Nebraska won the women’s division in 3 hours, 8 minutes and 34 seconds.

North Carolina Citizens Not Exercising
Bad news from state health officials as people in North Carolina aren’t getting enough exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 22% of adults here in the state don’t get in the minimum suggested amount of weekly activity. That’s up from 16.9% in 2001.

Another Plant Closing In High Point
Bad news for people in High Point, as yet another plant will be closing its’ doors in the next year. HDM Furniture will be shutting its’ Hildebran plant down and moving operations to a factory in Morganton. Most employees at the plant will be offered transfers to the Morganton business, but company officials expect that a few will have to be let go. A definitive date on the closing has yet to be announced.

Students Are Moving On That Shouldn’t
Students are being promoted, even if they fail end of grade testing, according to information released by the News & Observer out of Raleigh. The whole point of end of grade testing is to hold back students that might need more work, so they won’t fail at the next level. Instead, only 500 out of the nearly 4000 5th graders who failed end of course testing were held back. Officials from the State Board of Education said that they may need to re-examine their policy.

Sports Headlines

Weekend High School Scoreboard
It was a busy weekend for high school basketball in Wilkes. Taking a look at some of the games, it was West Wilkes knocking off Bishop McGuinness 67-62. Curtis Lankford had 17 points, while Chad Lankford added 16 for West. Meanwhile the East Wilkes boys fell against Mt. Airy 76-53. On the girls side of the court, Wilkes Central improved to 5-0 after a 73-30 win over Alexander Central. Laura Rollins led the Lady Eagles with 23 points. The Lady Cardinals of East lost to Mt. Airy 61-46 while Bishop McGuinness ran over the Lady Blackhawks of West in a 80-19 blowout. Emily Deal was the leading scorer for West, putting up seven points and seven rebounds. North Wilkes girls lost to Avery County 66-39. Sarah Smith had 16 points to lead the Lady Vikings, who fall to 2-2 on the season.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Taking a look at weekend scores from college basketball, it was UNC Wilmington over Virginia Commonwealth 60-40, Western Carolina beat UNC Asheville 80-64, UNC Greensboro took care of Charleston 72-58 and UNC Charlotte beat LA Lafayette 67-62. Gardner-Webb beat Stetson 70-68, behind Simon Conn’s 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Meanwhile in the ACC, it was Wake Forest over Elon 78-59, thanks in part to 22 points from Justin Gray. Also the UNC Tarheels staged an upset by knocking off Kentucky 83-79. Reyshawn Terry had 24 points for the Heels. Finally the Duke Blue Devils pulled out a last second victory against Virginia Tech as Sean Dockery hit a half court shot to make it 77-75.

Appalachian State Moves On
In college football, the Mountaineers of Appalachian State are one step closer to the national championship. In quarterfinal action on Saturday, they beat Southern Illinois 38-24 to advance. The 10-3 Mountaineers got a lift from quarterback Richie Williams, who tossed for three touchdowns and ran for another.

Panthers Take Care Of Falcons
The Carolina Panthers moved into sole possession of first place on Sunday after a 24-6 blowout of the Atlanta Falcons. Deshaun Foster stepped into the starting role as runningback for the Panthers, racking up 131 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Carolina improves to 9-3 with Tampa Bay coming to town next week.

Bobcats fall against Lakers
In the NBA, it came down to the wire but the Charlotte Bobcats fell just short against the Lakers, losing 99-98. Kobe Bryant hit two free throws as time ticked down to seal the game and send Charlotte to their 13th defeat on the season. Melvin Ely had 20 points to lead the Bobcats.

Hurricanes Fall To Coyotes
In the NHL, not a good weekend for the Carolina Hurricanes. They lost to Phoenix 8-4 on Saturday night, falling to 16-8 on the year. That leaves them atop the Southeastern Conference, but only two games ahead.

News & Sports For December 2nd

Fire At Southern Candle
Thursday afternoon, local firefighters were called out to a blaze just behind Southern Candle. A warehouse that the business had built to house their supplies suddenly went up in flames, as the doors exploded. Within a few hours firefighters were able to put it out, but at this time they don't know what caused the warehouse to go up. No other building in the area was damaged as the fire was able to be contained.

More New Laws Affecting Wilkes County
Starting yesterday, several new laws were officially installed that could have implications for Wilkes County. We've already mentioned the new ATV law, which you can read about by scrolling down to the news headlines for December 1st. But also coming into being was a law making it a felony to break into a house of worship. Here in Wilkes and the surrounding area, there have been problems over the past year with vandals coming around and damaging church property. Now if someone is caught doing that, they face a $200 fine and possibly some jail time depending on how much damage was done. In addition, it's now a felony throughout North Carolina to conceal a person's death, regardless if you had anything to do with it or not. If you help to dispose of a dead body or are involved in any way, you will be charged with a felony, instead of a misdemeanor.

Man Arrested For Forging Checks
Deputies went to arrest a Wilkes County man for a traffic violation and ended up busting him for forgery this week. Chad McKinley Bucham was wanted for driving without a license and deputies spotted him on Wednesday in the Food Lion parking lot on Hwy 16 North. When they went to search the car, several checks were discovered in the side pocket of the driver's door. In addition, the license tag on his vehicle had been reported stolen from a business in Wilkesboro. Deputies asked for and got consent from the man to search his home, where they found the workings of a forgery business. A stock of blank checks were inside, along with a laptop computer and printer used in the scheme. 30-yr-old Chad McKinley Burcham was arrested and charged, in addition to driving with a revoked license, also forgery and possession of stolen property.

Deadline Coming For Christmas In Wilkes
Several hundred kids still have their names on Angel Tags across Wilkes County, waiting for someone to surprise them this Christmas. But in addition to those tags already out, there are more on the way, witha total of 375 kids still in need. Those tags are out at Belk, Freedom Homes, Hardees, Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, the Lowes Corporate Offices at the mall, Wal-Mart and Wilkes Community College. For more information or to ask about volunteering, you can call Christmas in Wilkes at 927-2969. Also tune in today to the 3WC News and you can hear April Nichols from Christmas in Wilkes talking with Brian about the program.

Pills Taken From Ferguson Residence
How does someone break in without leaving behind any evidence? That's what sheriff's deputies are asking today, after a Ferguson man reported that his medication had been stolen. Nothing was damaged inside the home and there was no evidence that anyone had broke in, however the bottle of pills was missing. There are two suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part Six: Problems With The Plan
Throughout this week, we've gone over the new Medicare drug benefit, breaking it down with help from Dr. Merril Matthews from the Council for Affordable Health Insurance. But as we get set to wrap up the series, it's time to ask Dr. Matthews if his organization gives their stamp of approval and if it's something they themselves would sign up for. And to hear Dr. Matthews talk about the plan, you can tune in today for the 3WC News. Also if you want more information about the benefit or want to see the different plans for yourself, you can log on to www.medicare.gov.

All The News That's Fit To Steal
Sheriff's deputies are trying to determine who ran off with a newspaper rack in Millers Creek this week. The rack was stolen sometime Wednesday night from outside the Deep Ford Market. Nothing else was taken or damaged in any way in the business itself, however during the night, someone came by, picked up the entire newspaper rack for the Winston-Salem Journal and drove off with it. That investigation continues.

Communities In Schools Opens Its' Doors
Throughout the year on 3WCNews, you've heard us talk about Communities in Schools and discuss the programs with some of their workers. Now you have an opportunity to see for yourself. Coming up tonight, Communities in Schools will be holding an Open House from 5-8pm, giving the people of Wilkes a chance to see inside the organization and learn more about the different programs from the inside. There will also be giveaways of school supplies, games, children's books and several other items. Once again that's tonight from 5-8pm at the Communities in Schools office. They're located just off School Street on College Avenue. The number to call is 651-7830 if you want more information.

Two Green Lights Leads To One Wreck
It was a tale of two different stories for Wilkesboro police when they arrived at the scene of a wreck on 421 Tuesday afternoon. A Moravian Falls woman was headed west on the highway and attempted to turn onto Winkler Mill Road. A Taylorsville man was at the same intersection, coming from the other direction and also attempting to turn. They slammed into each other, totaling the man's car while causing some damage to the other vehicle as well. When police arrived, both drivers told them that their light was green. No one was hurt however estimated damage was placed at $2000.

Bidding For A Good Cause
If you're out tonight looking to do some Christmas shopping, why not help a good cause at the same time? Harvest Time Christian Academy is holding an auction Friday night starting at 6:30pm, with all proceeds going to benefit the school. Included among the auction items are TVs, microwave ovens, toys, gift certificates, furniture and a lot more. It's going to be held at the Wilkesboro Civic Center starting at 6pm.

If At First You Don't Succeed
Thieves tried to break into a home in Wilkesboro this week, but left empty handed. When the homeowner returned, he found damage done to the door of his garage, but nothing was missing as the would be thieves had apparently failed to get inside. An estimated $300 worth of damage was done to the property. There are suspects in the case and the investigation continues.

State News

Troops Coming Home From Iraq
Some North Carolina troops are on the way home from Iraq today. 122 soldiers from the 30th Engineer Brigade out of Charlotte will be arriving later today. The troops are expected to touch down at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville shorting after 11am this morning. The soldiers served in Iraq by organizing and developing the engineering projects sucha s rebuilding schools and fixing the water supply.

Sock Bandit Hits Salisbury
Officials in Salisbury are out hunting a man armed with a sock. The sock bandit has hit at least five businesses in the area, police believe and always with the same MO. He comes in, wearing socks on his hands and gives the impression that he has a gun, although no one's ever actually seen it. On Wednesday night he robbed the local Little Caesar's and officials are asking for help with his capture. Anyone with information can call the Salisbury police at 1-704-638-5333.

Couple Charged With 50 Seperate Crimes
Police in Gaston County have charged a man and his wife with over 50 different crimes after raiding their home. Eric and Leigh Ann Croft from Bessemer City were arrested for distributing marijuana among other things. Both guns and cash, along with four pounds of marijuana were found inside the couple's home and after some undercover work, police were able to put together a case.

Black Being Investigated For Favor Given Out
North Carolina Speaker of the House Jim Black is under investigation today for creating a job for a friend. Email messages were released to news media across the state this week, raising concerns that Black had helped to create a new position in order to employ a supporter. State officials made a new position, for a heritage tourism officer in the western part of North Carolina. Once created that position was filled by the wife of one of Black's supporters. The emails also showed that before the position was filled, economic development officials were being asked to hire someone from the Black camp.

Backpacks Fighting Hunger In Surry County
Students in Surry County are going home loaded up with food instead of classwork thanks to a new program. Called the Backpack Buddy Program, students are selected based on their need and given bookbags filled with food to take home to their familes. Westfield Elementary in Surry County is taking part in the project, one of 70 schools to be included in the pilot program put on by America's Second Harvest Food Bank. Next year, two more areas will join in,a s both Rockingham and Davidson County schools will be involved.

Tree Of Life Going Up Today In Raleigh
Over 1500 people were killed last year in traffic accidents across North Carolina and as a way of remembering each one, a dedication service for the "Tree of Life" will be held later today. A Christmas tree was donated by a local tree farm for the project and will be covered with 1574 lights, one for each person killed in a traffic accident in 2004. 356 of the lights are red, in remembrance of those killed in wrecks where alcohol played a part. Then at 5:30 this afternoon, the tree will come to life with a special ceremony on the lawn of the state capital. People can come see the tree at the State Capitol until January 5th of 2006.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
Coming up later tonight, all four Wilkes high schools are in action. East Wilkes heads up the road to Mount Airy, while North Wilkes takes a trip over to Avery. Back here in the county, Bishop Mcguiness takes its' first trip to West Wilkes for basketball since the new conferences were put together. Also Wilkes Central is at home, playing host to Alexander Central. We'll have scores for you on the Saturday Sportsdesk.

Appalachian In Action Last Night
Appalachian State took care of Methodist last night, winning 87-69 despite an off night for DJ Thompson who finished with only six points. The Mountaineers improve to 3-2 with the win, with their next game coming tomorrow night against Davidson.

Barclay Receives Award From ACC
Around the college football scene, the big award in the ACC was handed out this week to Wake Forest tailback Chris Barclay. Barclay became the fourth Demon Deacon to be named the ACC Player of the Year, beating out Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick by one vote.

Mountaineers Named To Southern Conference Team
In other college football news, the Southern Conference released its' all-conference team and several Appalachian State players made the list. Quarterback Richie Williams, tailback Kevin Richardsona and offensive tackle Grant Oliver all made the list. Also defensive backs Jeremy Wiggins and Corey Lynch were on the team, along with defensive linemen Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter. The Mountaineers welcome Southern Illinois into Kip Brewer stadium tomorrow at 2pm as the second round of the playoffs gets underway.

News & Sports For December 1st

Power Bills To Possibly Decline
Good news for any Duke Power customers in the area today. Your power bill could be declining after the first of next year. 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 January of 2006. State regulators first have to approve the merger and will be holding meetings to that effect starting December 6th. The merger with Cinergy would 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.

New ATV Law Going Into Effect Today
As the calender turns to December, several laws go into effect here in Wilkes and across North Carolina. Chief among them is a new ATV law, that makes it illegal for children under the age of 8 to operate all terrain vehicles at all. Throughout the state 36 children have died in the past five years from ATV accidents. Under the new law, children ages 8-11 can only operate ATVs that have an engine displacement of less than 70 cubic centimeters. For ages 9-15, that number rises to 90 cubic centimeters. And all children regardless of age, can't operate an ATV without a parent or person over 18 years old present. There are also some changes in the law for adults as well. All riders have to wear a helmet and passengers are not allowed unless the machine is specifically designed to carry them. In addition, ATVs aren't allowed on public streets, roads or on the highways and starting October 1st of 2006, anyone 15 or younger has to have a safety certificate, proving that they've completed an ATV safety course. If anyone breaks the law, they could be looking at a fine up to $200. Several others laws also went into effect today and we'll be taking a look at them over the next few days on the 3WC News.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were damaged after an accident Tuesday afternoon on Hwy 421. A West Jefferson woman was in the turning lane on 421 and attempted to turn off on the access road that leads to Belks. However she didn't see a vehicle driving down 421 from the other direction until it was too late. She pulled out right in front of the car, driven by a Wilkesboro man and crashed. Thankfully no one was jurt in the crash but estimated damage from the wreck was placed at $3000.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part Five: How Is It Cheaper?
Over the course of our Medicare series, we've takena look at many different parts of the new program. How will it work? Can you use it along with your current plan? But the question posed to Dr. Merill Matthews today in part five of our series, will the new plan be more cost effective than the ones people have now? And you can hear Brian's interview with Dr. Matthews today on the 3WC News. Plus, coming up tomorrow in the sixth and final segment of our series, Dr. Matthews will go over the potential problems that his organization, the Council for Affordable Health Insurance have discovered in the program.

115 Overpass Reopens
Drivers in the Broadway community can head to and from work in the normal way, now that the DOT has reopened the NC 115 South overpass. Some temporary repair work has been done, allowing people to use the road. However the temporary patch will only be used til January, when a permanent repair will be finished.

License Plate Stolen From Wilkesboro Man's Car
Wilkesboro police were called out to Wal-Mart earlier this week for a case of theft. While a local man was in Wal-Mart, someone walked up to his car and stole the license plate. Nothing was damaged on the vehicle and nothing else was taken. That investigation continues.

Focus On Racing
Racing is a part of Wilkes County's history. From the first dirt tracks to the now closed Wilkesboro speedway, people here love to watch it and enjoy taking part in it when they can. But when the Wilkesboro track was bought out, all that was taken away. Now however racing in Wilkes could be getting a new start, thanks to a group called Save the Speedway. Steven Wilson explains from Save the Speedway will be Brian's guest today on Focus on the Foothills. They'll be discussing the group's plans, how close they are to buying the speedway and what is already in the works to happen once the sale goes through. That's today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Dumpers Make Donation To Wilkesboro Home
Someone apparently mistook a house on the Little Brushy Mountain Road for a dumpsite this week, as the homeowner returned to find trash deposited on her property. The woman came back home to find that a large roll of carpet and other trash had literally been dumped off the side of the road near her house. There are no suspects but deputies are continuing the investigation.

Blood Drive Later Today
As we head into the home stretch of the year, it's crucial that local hospitals have a lot of blood on hand, in case of accidents. The winter weather, combined with people rushing home for the holidays, can be a lethal combination. With that in mind, the Red Cross is holding a blood drive today at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. It will go on in two parts. You can give blood this morning from 7am til 11:30, or wait for the second round starting at 1pm and going on til 5:30 tonight. As always, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs before giving.

State News

NC Military Company Honored
Some troops from here in North Carolina have been honored for their actions in Iraq. The 210th Military Police Company out of Franklin was given the Valorous Unit Award, which is presented to units for heroism in combat against an enemy of the United States. This group award is the eqivalent to a Silver Star, which is handed out to individuals. The 124 soldiers of the company were deployed from June 2003 until January of 2004, serving as part of a task force to hunt down Iraqi officials while also guarding enemy detainees.

North Carolina Records Another Surplus
North Carolina finds itself with more money than expected today, $71 million more in fact. The state has brought in $71.3 million more in taxes and other receipts than analysts projected, marking the third time in three years such an event has happened. Most of the money came from corporate and personal income tax revenues, brought in as state officials cracked down on those who failed to pay. Now some state lawmakers are calling for Gov. Easley to return the money to the people through tax cuts in the coming year.

Plants Possibly To Help U.S. Soldiers
U.S. troops could be getting some help in the near future thanks in part to a small plant. Researchers at Appalachian State are experiementing to see if a pigment called quercetin could help boost the immune system. That would be especially helpful for troops that have to go on missions without sleep or food for long periods of time. Certain fruits and vegetables contain the pigment, including red grapes and red onions.

Dress Code Getting Tougher In Reidsville
Students in Rockingham County could be facing problems if they violate the new school dress code. The local school board has called and sent out letters to local teachers and principals, requesting that they crack down on violators. The county is also considering forcing students to wear uniforms, but at the present time it just calls for no headgear, no baggy clothes, for all shirts to be tucked in and no midriffs showing. Officials say that the code was needed, because they want to prepare students for whereever they're going in life and that includes how to dress.
Girl Suspended In Rockingham After Weapon Found
A 10-yr-old girl was suspended from her school in Rockingham County this week after bringing a steak knife to class. The knife was kept in the girl's bookbag and during the schoolday, a classmate saw the weapon and reported it to a teacher. When school officials asked why she brought it to class, the girl said she didn't know how it got there. She received a three day suspension while officials sort things out.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball
Around the high school scene last night, it was the Mt. Airy Bears beating North Wilkes in boys varsity action 85-57. North was led by Aaron Church, who put in 16 points, as the Vikings fall to 1-3 on the season.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at last night's action in college hoops, it was East Carolina beating Wofford 66-62, UNC Wilmington taking care of William and Mary 75-66, Western Carolina knocked off Montreat 76-59, Elon fell against Virginia Commonwealth 69-49 and UNC Greensboro was blown out by South Carolina 77-55. IN other scores it was Lenoir-Rhyne wiping out UNC Asheville 81-78, NC A&T falling against Radford 83-76. In ACC action, NC State fell just short against Iowa, losing 45-42 while the number one ranked Duke Blue Devils survived an early season test against Indiana 75-67. Finally in double overtime, it was UNC Charlotte beating Davidson 85-81.

East Carolina Lands NC Linebacker
In college football news, East Carolina's program got some more good news this week. Linebacker Nick Johnson from East Mecklenburg High committed to play for the team. The 6-1 ft. Johnson was an all conference player the last two years and was also selected by the Charlotte Observer as one of the top high school players in the state.

ACC Conference Awards Handed Out
The ACC named its' all conference list this week and several players from here in the state made it in. Running back Chris Barclay from Wake Forest was one of them. Barclay set a school rushing record this season while also leading the conference with 1127 yards on the ground. Barclay's teammate, punter Ryan Plackemeier also made the squad after averaging 47.2 yards a kick. NC State had three players on the list, linebacker Stephen Tulloch and defensive linement Mario Williams and Manny Lawson. Finally Duke defensive back John Talley also made the team on defense.

Charlotte Bobcats Lose Against Seattle
The roadtrip woes continue for the Charlotte Bobcats, who lost last night against Seattle 104-94. Primoz Breznec led the way for Charlotte with 21 points and 8 rebounds as the team falls to 5-11. They'll play Golden State tomorrow night.

Former MLB Player Takes Over For Bulls
A former major league baseball player has taken over as the new head coach of the Durham Bulls. John Tamargo, who's been with the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers, will step in to replace Bill Evers, who took a job as bench coach of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Tamargo was the bench coach for Houston in 2004, when they came one game of making it to the World Series. Last year he worked as a head coach of the Brewers' Single A team in Florida. Tamargo said he hopes to use his experience as both a player and coach to teach the guys on his roster what they need to learn in order to make it to the big leagues.

News & Sports For November 30th

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part Four
It can be hard at times to sort through the legal language of your healthcare plan. What makes that plan right for you? Will it even cover the drugs you need? Today in part three of our series on the Medicare drug benefit, Dr. Merril Matthews explains where you can get information about the different plans offered and how you'll be paying for it. And you can catch that interview during any of our local newscasts at 4:55pm or 6:55pm tonight. For anyone wanting to read up on more information about the seperate plans, you can go online to the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov and on the front page you can compare the different options. Coming up on Thursday's segment in the series, Dr. Matthews will explain how people will be saving money with the program, even though taxpayer dollars are going to fund it.

Money Left At Lowes Foods Register
How do you misplace over two thousand dollars in cash? That's what Wilkesboro police are wondering today. A local man called police and told them that he had lost $2600, which he remembered laying down at the cash register at the Wilkesboro Lowes Foods. But when he went back, the money was missing. Information from both the store and the victim were turned over to officers and that investigation is ongoing.

Focus On Racing
Racing is a part of Wilkes County's history. From the first dirt tracks to the now closed Wilkesboro speedway, people here love to watch it and enjoy taking part in it when they can. But when the Wilkesboro track was bought out, all that was taken away. Now however racing in Wilkes could be getting a new start, thanks to a group called Save the Speedway. Steven Wilson from Save The Speedway will be Brian's guest this week for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be discussing the group's plans, how close they are to buying the speedway and what is already in the works to happen once the sale goes through. That's tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Medication Taken From North Wilkesboro Home
It's always a good idea to keep your eye on people inside your house, especially over the holidays. A North Wilkesboro man learned that over the Thanksgiving weekend, after some of his pain medication was stolen. The thieves ran off with about a bottle's worth of Vicodan, but it's not clear who stole the pills or when they went missing. The homeowner had several people over during the holiday, with guests wandering around the house. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Time Ticking Down To Apply For Disaster Relief Aid
There's only one day left if you want to apply for disaster relief aid this year. Governor Easley declared 50 counties throughout the state, including Wilkes as disaster areas after last year's swarm of hurricanes. Now over 15 months later, if you are still struggling to put the pieces back together because of the storms, you can apply for assistance. The state of North Carolina will give limited help in paying off any Small Business Administration home loans that you received from the government. People in Wilkes and the surrounding areas have until December 1st to apply, which you can do by contacting Belinda Jones with the NC Redevelopment Center at 919-733-1566 or by mail at 102 North Salisbury Street 20325 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after a wreck on Hwy 421 Monday afternoon. A Millers Creek woman was stopped, getting ready to turn at the intersection of 421 and Winkler Mill Road when she was suddenly hit from behind. A North Wilkesboro woman had been driving down the highway but didn't see the other car in time to stop. Thankfully no one was injured, however an estimated $4000 in damage was done.

Christmas In Wilkes Deadline Changed
375 kids still have their names on the Angel Trees around Wilkes County this year, children that otherwise won't have any presents under the tree come Christmas. With so many kids still out there, the Christmas in Wilkes organization is giving people more time by extending their deadline. Instead of the planned deadline of December 1st, names can be picked up at the trees until Monday, December 5th. Currently Angel Trees are out at Belk, Freedom Homes, Hardees, Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, the Lowes Corporate Offices at the mall, Wal-Mart and Wilkes Community College. For more information or to ask about volunteering, you can call Christmas in Wilkes at 927-2969.

More Tires Slashed In Wal-Mart Parking Lot
For the second straight week, a person shopping at Wal-Mart came out to see damage done to their car. A North Wilkesboro man had gone to work inside the store earlier in the morning, then came outside after his shift to discover someone had slashed his tires. An estimated $150 in damage was done and that investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Protect Your Home
Over the past few weeks, we've heard reports of house fires throughout Wilkes and other sections of North Carolina. The sad thing is that most of these fires could have easily been prevented, if the right steps had been taken. First off, never use space heaters to dry your clothes. Instead fo drying, the fabric can ignite once it gets hot enough. Also if possible, buy a type of space heater that shuts off after flipping over. That way if you go to bed and forget to turn it off, you won't wake up smelling smoke. And for those using a fireplace to keep warm, make sure that all of your items are at least three feet away from the flames. That's in case that a spark pops off. If the clothes are nearby, it could help ignite them. Finally if you have gas logs, get them checked and inspected at least once a year, to stop carbon monoxide poisoning.

State News

Ric Flair Facing Criminal Charges
One of Charlotte's most famous residents, wrestling legend Ric Flair is facing criminal charges today after a reported case of road rage. A 29-yr-old filed charges against Flair of simple assault and battery, along with damage to personal property after an incident that happened last Wednesday. According to the other driver, while sitting in traffic on I-485 near Charlotte, Flair stepped out of his vehicle and started choking him. He also claims that Flair began kicking his SUV, leading behind dents and damage. Warrants have been issued for Flair's arrest, however they haven't been served yet.

Dealer Accidentally Calls Police
A Linconton man attempted to call his drug dealer and instead got connected to the local police department this week. One of the department's narcotics detectives recieved a phone call from someone looking to buy a $50 rock of crack cocaine. After taking down the man's address, the detective and two officers went to the place, where the man let them inside. Once in the house, the detective revealed who they were and that he had tried to order drugs from the cops. The detective's number had showed up in his phone thanks to a police informant who had staged an earlier drug buy using it.

Hazmat Crews Spend Tuesday Cleaning Up I-85 Wreck
A wreck early Tuesday morning on I-85 near Charlotte had a Hazmat team and cleanup crews working for part of the morning. During the rain overnight, a driver was speeding and lost control on the ramp connecting I-77 to I-85 northbound. A Fed-Ex tractor trailer was coming down the same route but couldn't slow down in time to avoid a collision. Two people were sent to the hospital, while the car's driver was cited for causing the wreck. Hazmat crews spent the morning cleaning up diesel fuel that had spilled.

Lawmakers Reach Compromise On Teacher Licenses
Out of state teachers can now be hired at North Carolina schools without wondering if their license will be accepted. Lawmakers and state education leaders came to a compromise over the issue on Tuesday, one that will hopefully help fill the nine thousand teaching vacancies here in North Carolina. It will now be easier for teachers with less than three years of experience to get a permanant license here in the state, as long as there are no black marks on their record. Those teachers will undergo regular evaluations by their superiors.

Wife Under Arrest For Poisoning Husband
Many husbands accuse their wives of poisoning them with their cooking. A Davidson County man had his wife arrested this week for it. Vickie Peterson is in a Davidson County jail, accused of putting rat poison in a pot of butter beans that she was fixing for supper. Deputies sent the pot of beans to the state crime lab, where it's undergoing analysis for toxins. It's not exactly clear how he knew the beans were poisoned, but Peterson's husband said that she's made threats against family members in the past, demanding money.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college court last night, it was Wake Forest sliding by Wisconsin 91-88, thanks to Justin Gray's 37 points. Newberry lost to Winthrop 79-77, High Point fell to Kentucky 75-55 and the defending national champs gave it their best shot but fell short against Illinois as the UNC Tarheels lost 68-64.

Nelson Out For At Least A Month
In other college basketball news, the Duke Blue Devils will have to do without forward Demarcus Nelson for at least a month and possibly longer. Nelson had surgery on his fractured right leg this week and doctors are projecting him to be out six to eight weeks. However if he follows their instructions, they also believe he'll return at full strength and not suffer any long term effects from the surgery.

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Sacramento
The Charlotte Bobcats started off their road trip on the wrong foot last night, falling to the Sacramento Kings 110-92. The Bobcats were led by Kareem Rush, who had 15 points, as they fall to 5-10 on the year.

Hurricanes Beat Atlanta
It was the Carolina Hurricanes knocking off Atlanta last night 4-3, getting some payback for the 9-0 clubbing the Thrashers had delivered earlier in the season. Carolina improves to 16-7, staying atop first place in the Southeastern Conference.

Changes Coming For Yates Drivers
As NASCAR enters its' offseason, some changes are in the works for Yates Racing. Robert Yates has installed Richard Labbe as the new crew chief for Dale Jarrett, while Tommy Baldwin will take over in that position with Elliot Sadler's team. And while Sadler will still compete in 18 Busch races next year, the rest of the schedule will be filled out by new drivers Stephen Leicht and Matt McCall.

News & Sports For November 29th

Not As Many Registered Voters In Wilkes
The latest report from the State Board of Elections has some disturbing figures in it for Wilkes County. Voters are leaving the area or simply not registering after they move. Registered voters in the county dropped from 40180 in 2004 to 39982 here in 2005, a loss of 198 votes. The loss in votes was split equally down party lines, with 87 Republicans leaving and 240 Democrats following suit. Election officials from the state said that it was a recurring trend across North Carolina, with a 2.1% drop in voter registration overall.

House on Christian Home Church Road Used For Drugs
Sheriff's deputies responded to a tip that a man on the Christian Home Church Road was selling cocaine over the weekend. After getting a search warrant, they found 15 grams of cocaine in the homeowner's shirtpocket as they walked inside. Then once in the home, 11 grams of cocaine was found in one of his coats, while marijuana and prescription painkillers were also located. Inside deputies also discovered a marijuana planter in the man's bedroom, a list of his clients in an address book and other items that had cocaine residue on them. 70-yr-old James Eli Billings Sr. was arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to sell, maintaining a home for the sale of drugs, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robbery & Assault On Lonesome Pine Road
Prescription medicine was the target of a robber on the Lonesome Pine Road over the weekend. A homeowner came outside to see what her dogs were barking at, didn't see anything and went back in. Minutes later, a man wearing a camoflage mask appeared and told her that she knew what he was there for, before knocking her out. She later told deputies that when she woke up, several bottles of pain medication were missing, along with a .22 caliber pistol. However there were no signs of forced entry at the house and it's unclear exactly how the robber managed to gain access to the building. That investigation continues.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part3: What Are The Effects?
With the new Medicare drug benefit takes effect in January, how's that going to affect your already existing health insurance? Today in part three of our news series Solving The Medicare Puzzle, Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how a plan that's already covering you could affect the way you pay for drugs. And you can hear Brian's discussion with Dr. Matthews today on the news, then coming up in tomorrow's segment, they'll be going over how people can see what plans are available.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Sheriff's deputies were called out to the Rock Creek BP on Sunday, after gas thieves hit once again. In two seperate incidents, thieves drove off with just over $100 in gas. In the first incident on Saturday, a black man drove up in a Ford Explorer and pumped $51 worth of gas. He climbed back in and took off without paying, however employees at the store were able to provide deputies with a description of both the man and his vehicle. Then on Sunday, a Toyota drove up, its' driver got out and put in just under $25 in gas before taking off. Deputies are continuing the investigation in both cases.

Keep Your Guns Where You Can See Them
It's always a good idea to know where your guns are. A Roaring River man found that out on Sunday, after losing his 9mm pistol. He had laid the gun on the bumper of his truck and then forgot about it, driving off down the road. When he realized what had happened, the man returned to the area but only found the holster. Someone had taken the gun itself. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Thirsty Thieves Hit Mike's Bait & Tackle
Wilkesboro police were called out to Mike's Bait & Tackle earlier this week after thieves paid a visit. Someone broke into the drink machines outside the business, taking $180 in cash in addition to the change holders. Despite the theft however, there was no damage done and also nothing taken from inside the store.Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Bidding For A Good Cause
If you're out this Friday looking to do some Christmas shopping, why not help a good cause at the same time? Harvest Time Christian Academy is holding an auction Friday night starting at 6:30pm, with all proceeds going to benefit the school. Included among the auction items are TVs, microwave ovens, toys, gift certificates, furniture and a lot more. It's going to be held at the Wilkesboro Civic Center this Friday December 2nd starting at 6pm. For more information you can call the school at 667-9105 anytime from 8am til 3:30pm Monday through Thursday.

Regional News

Portions Of I-40 Closed
For anyone heading towards Winston tonight, portions of I-40 will be shut down. The DOT is once again closing down lanes on I-40 East and West at mile marker 188, near the Hanes Mall Boulevard. Only one lane of the road will be open starting at 7pm tonight and stretching on until 6am Wednesday morning. The reason for the shutdown is so that DOT can continue work on a concrete barrier near the highway, as the beginnings of a widening project for the Hanes Mall Boulevard bridge currently over I-40.

State News

Christmas Tree Madness Begins
Less than a week after Thanksgiving and already the hunt for Christmas trees has begun. Both buyers and sellers across North Carolina are predicting that the next fourteen days will be the busiest time of the year. However if you are heading out this week to buy a tree, expect to pay a little extra. Real trees here in the state range anywhere from $25 to $140, rising this season due to high fertilizer and gas prices.

Raleigh Pastor Calls For Return To Christmas
A Raleigh pastor is calling for all Christians to boycot stores that have replaced "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays". Pastor Patrick Wooden of the Upper Room Church in Raleigh is putting out $11000 in an ad campaign, saying that the boycot is a way of making a statement. He believes that by doing so, people will be reminded about the reason for the season. The pastor said he had no problem with holidays of other religions getting recognition, he just wanted Christmas to get its' just due.

Highway Patrolman In Critical Condition After Shooting
A Highway Patrolman in Fayetteville is in critical condition today after getting shot during a traffic stop. Just after 10am Monday morning, the trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 and was shot three times. Over 100 officers joined in the search for the suspects throughout the day and eventually located them at a nearby Motel 8. Both the man and the woman were taken into custody, however their names weren't released as charges have not officially been brought. The tooper, 30-yr-old J.C. Horniak, is in critical but stable condition.

Money Coming To Clean Up "Ghost" Fleet
Some good news for people who live or work near the Carolina coast. The ghost fleet which has been hovering under the water and causing problems may soon be gone, thanks to the government. Congress approved a budget of $21 million for the U.S. Maritime Administration to spend in cleanup work, removing old abandoned wrecks from the bottom of the sea, where they can cause damage to passing ships. All wrecks are expected to be cleaned up by September 30th, 2006.

Bringing Back Racing From The Ground Up
Despite all the different tracks that have been either shut down or bought out over the last few years, North Carolina still has a love for racing. With that in mind, one Winston Salem resident has a plan to bring back the sport, by focusing on the younger generation. Steve Hayes, shop foreman for Petty Enterprises, wants to help create a new identity for North Carolina as one of the major areas for soapbox derbies in the country. Using the already built track at Hobby Park in Winston, Hayes and his group look to drum up support and bring in drivers from across the world, along with their families. Such a move would not just help to spark more interest in racing, but also generate touism dollars.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
Coming up tonight, there's some high school hoops action to tell you about, as West Wilkes will go on the road to take on East. Also Wilkes Central will be on the road, facing off against Watauga. The 3WC Sports Team will be on the road in Cardinal County, to broadcast the matchup between East and West. Tipoff for our coverage will start around 7pm with the McDonald's pregame show, then at 7:15 we'll turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand, who will be joining the girls' varsity game in progress, followed right after by the boys varsity.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene in basketball last night, it was UNC Charlotte beating Portland 59-46, behind 17 points and 16 rebounds from forward Curtis Withers. Also Western Carolina beat Toccoa Falls 96-37, Elon fell to IUPUI 82-70, and it was Gardner-Webb improving to 2-1 on the season with a 73-72 win over Minnesota. The Bulldogs got 18 points from Brian Bender. And Appalachian State fell to James Madison with an 81-79 loss, despite getting 31 points from DJ Thompson.

ACC Receives Another Bowl Bid
In college football, the ACC landed another postseason bid this weekend. Officials from the Emerald Bowl announced that a team from the conference will be extended an invitation to play in the game. Usually a team from the Pac-10 fills the spot, but that conference doesn't have enough teams to accept. Utah has already committed to play in the bowl, which takes place Dec. 29th in San Francisco.

Elon Coach Resigns
In other college football news, Elon University is searching for a new coach today after Paul Hamilton resigned. Hamilton won eight games in his two seasons as head coach and said his resignation was for personal reasons. Athletic director Alan White is expected to begin the hunt for a new coach within the next few weeks.

Former Wake Forest Player Put On Injured List
Some bad news today for one former Wake Forest basketball player. Josh Howard, who now plays with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, will be out at least two games and possibly might find himself on the injured list after damaging his ankle in a game Sunday night. An MRI has been scheduled to determine how severe the damage is. Howard was one of the team's leading scorers, just coming off a game against Miami where he put up 25 points and 11 rebounds.

News & Sports For November 28th

Captain’s Table Burns Down
Firefighters responded to a call over the weekend at the Captain’s Table, but weren’t able to save the business. Early Sunday morning the building caught fire and burned to the ground. It’s still unknown what caused the blaze, although authorities believe it might have something to do with an electrical short.

115 Overpass Closed Down
Drivers in the Broadway community may have to find new ways of getting around for the next two weeks. The DOT has closed down the NC 115 South/Statesville Road overpass in Broadway after an accident this weekend. A tractor-trailer that was hauling a forklift misjudged the height of the overpass and crashed into it. No one was injured, however damage done to the overpass itself will take at least two weeks to repair, according to DOT officials.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part 2: What's Covered?
Paying the cost of prescription drugs can at times be worse than the sickness they're supposed to cure. Under the new Medicare drug benefit, around 50% of your drug costs are expected to be absorbed by the government. So why, as Dr. Merrill Matthews explains, could you still be paying the full price for a drug prescribed by your doctor? You can tune in to the news today and hear part of Brian's interview with Dr. Matthews, as they discuss some of the loopholes in the new drug benefit. Also coming up tomorrow in Tuesday's segment of the series, Dr. Matthews will be talking about how the benefit will affect your existing healthcare coverage.

Marine Corps Collecting Toys
While out shopping for Christmas presents this week, the local detachment of the Marine Corps is asking you to set aside one of those gifts for a needy child. The Corps is collecting toys for kids at four locations here in Wilkes. You can drop off new and unwrapped toys at the Hardees on 421, the Lowes Foods on 421, the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery and Lowes Foods at Midtown Plazza. All of the toys will be given out to needy children here in Wilkes and must be dropped off by December 15th. For more information you can call the Marine Corps at 667-0204.

Several Local Stores Damaged
Vandals hit two stores in the Wilkes County area this week. Lackey’s Market in Boomer had its’ front door shattered, then the power was cut. However nothing was taken and nothing was damaged inside the store itself. Meanwhile Cheek’s Market on Hwy 268 East was also hit by vandals. The front door was busted but again, nothing was taken or damaged inside. Finally in Ferguson, vandals hit the Watson BP by once again shattering the front door. Also the cameras outside the store were damaged as well, however nothing was taken from inside. Deputies are continuing all three investigations.

Communities In Schools Opens Its' Doors
Throughout the year on 3WCNews, you've heard us talk about Communities in Schools and discuss the programs with some of their workers. Now you have an opportunity to see for yourself. Coming up this Friday, Communities in Schools will be holding an Open House from 5-8pm, giving the people of Wilkes a chance to see inside the organization and learn more about the different programs from the inside. There will also be giveaways of school supplies, games, children's books and several other items. Once again that's this Friday December 2nd from 5-8pm at the Communities in Schools office. They're located just off School Street on College Avenue. The number to call is 651-7830 if you want more information.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as the holidays approach. 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 eithr 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.

False Teeth Stolen From Local Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to investigate a strange kind of theft on the Cotton Mill Road last week. Thieves broke into a local woman's home, stealing a bag of reciepts and her false teeth. They broke in by drilling a hole in the lock and opening up the utility room connected to the main house. Nothing else was taken in the theft and that investigation continues.

Thieves On River Street Do Some Early Christmas Shopping
Sheriff's deputies were called out to an apartment on River Street last week, after thieves broke into an apartment in the area. Included in the theft was a DVD player, a surround sound stereo system, a cell phone and some tools. There is a suspect in the case, as a friend had been staying with the man over the last week. When the homeowner returned, both the friend and his items were missing. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Regional News

Portions Of I-40 Closed
For anyone heading towards Winston today, portions of I-40 will be shut down. The DOT is closing down lanes on I-40 East and West at mile marker 188, near the Hanes Mall Boulevard. Only one lane of the road will be open starting at 7pm tonight and stretching on until 6am Tuesday morning. The reason for the shutdown is so that DOT can work on putting in a concrete barrier near the highway, as the beginnings of a widening project for the Hanes Mall Boulevard bridge currently over I-40.

State News

Shelby Police Searching For Murder Suspect
Officials in Shelby are searching today for a suspect after a murder over the Thanksgiving holiday. Police found John Alvin Haynes dying of a gun wound at his home on Buffalo Street. He later died at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Warrants have been issued for Renaldo Nehemiah Smith of Shelby, who is believed to be the killer.

Crazy Passenger Causes Flight To Land In Charlotte
A United Airlines flight was diverted to Charlotte International on Friday after the actions of one passenger. There were 117 people on board the flight, which was heading to Washington DC from Florida. Mark McGovern, officials say, stood up, lit a cigarette, then got into an argument with a flight attendant and urinated in the aisle. Federal authorities took McGovern into custody as soon as the plane touched down and after 20 minutes they were up in the air once again.

Incentives Not Coming To Western NC
Western North Carolina is missing out on most of the state’s incentives money, according to a report from the Asheville Citizen Times. The report took data from both the One North Carolina Fund and Job Development Grants. It found that 93% of the money given over the past three years by the fund went to the central and eastern parts of the state. That money was used to create 17,000 jobs in those areas, as opposed to 1500 created so far in the western counties.

Some Stores May Find Supplies Slipping
Some bad news if you’re going to be out and about this week shopping for Christmas presents. You may be waiting a little longer for your gifts. Diesel prices are still 40 cents higher than last year and to save on costs, trucking companies won’t let their drivers leave until they have a full shipment. That could lead to delays once stores run out of their supplies.

18-Yr-Old Teacher Goes To College
An 18-yr-old is heading for medical school at Wake Forest next year. What makes this student different from the rest is the fact he’s already an algebra and chemistry teacher at Forsyth Technical Community College, despite his age. Kyle Nichols wants to become a doctor and is leaving his job at the community college to pursue it.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
It was a busy weekend around the high school scene, as East Wilkes beat North in varsity basketball 67-58. Brent Poplin had 18 points for the Cardinals, who won their first game of the year. On the girls side, it was North Wilkes beating East 70-64, behind Sarah Smith’s 18 points. Kasey Shew had 29 points to lead the scoring for East. Also the Wilkes Central varsity girls had two games over the Thanksgiving weekend and won both, beating the Lady Blackhawks of West 68-39, and also beating North Iredell 63-39. The Lady Eagles improve to 3-0 with the wins.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scoreboard, it was Coastal Carolina falling to Wisconsin 92-54, UNC Greensboro beating Hampton 75-72, UNC Wilmington beat Elon 59-51, it was Western Carolina over High Point 73-66, East Carolina taking care of Wofford 70-68. UNC Charlotte bounced back from its’ earlier loss to Mississippi State by taking care of business against Georgia State 73-68 while the NC State Wolfpack beat Notre Dame 61-48.

NCAA Football Scoreboard
Around the college football scene, it was East Carolina taking care of UAB 31-23. With the win, East Carolina finishes at 5-6, nearly double their win percentage of the past two years combined. NC State locked up bowl eligibility with a 20-14 win over Maryland while the UNC Tarheels saw their season end with a 30-3 loss against Virginia Tech. And Appalachian State moved on to the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs with a 34-23 win over Lafayette.

Bobcats Beat Wizards
In the NBA Saturday night, the Charlotte Bobcats beat yet another playoff team as they dismantled the Washington Wizards 100-82. Gerald Wallace exploded for 26 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Emeka Okafor added a double double with 10 points and 17 rebounds. Sean May was a late scratch from the lineup with a sore knee as the Bobcats improve to 5-9 on the year.

Panthers Take Care Of Bills
While the Carolina Panthers offense has sputtered of late, the defense was there to help carry the team to a win over Buffalo on Sunday. The Panthers won 13-9, after Chris Gamble intercepted a last minute pass from Bills’ QB JP Losman. Jak Delhomme finished with 191 passing yards and a touchdown, while Deshaun Foster took over the running game with 77 yards on the ground.

News & Sports For November 25th 2005

New Law Puts Parents At Fault For Tardy Kids
Parents in Wilkes County might face jail time if their kids are late to school, starting this December. Thanks to a new state law, which takes effect December 1st, 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 current laws, parents would then face 30 days in jail but once the changes take effect, that term will increase to a full six months. Once again that will take effect December 1st.

Owner Of Don’s Char Grill Dies
The owner of a local business passed away on Wednesday. Don Jarvis, who founded Don’s Seafood died Wednesday afternoon. A celebration of life service for the 68-yr-old Jarvis will be held this Saturday at 1pm at the Goshen Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Reins Sturdivant tonight from 5-7pm.

Money Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home in North Wilkesboro this week, after thieves paid a visit. Despite the fact there was no damage done or sign of a break-in, $100 in cash and a dish network receiver were both taken. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part 1: What Is It?
According to the government's own information on Medicare, most people can expect to pay a premium next year of $88.50 a month for medical insurance. With so many people on a fixed income, that doesn't leave much to pay for prescription drugs that you may need. That's where, in theory, the new prescription drug plan would step in. Beginning January 1st, senior citizens can choose from one of over 30 different plans, depending on what fits their needs. In the first part of our weeklong series, Dr. Merrill Matthews from the Council For Affordable Health Insurance will be talking with Brian today about what exactly the drug benefit is. You can tune in to any of the newscasts (6am, 7am.8am, 12 noon and then 5pm) to hear that conversation.
Coming up Monday in part two of our series, Dr. Matthews will be explaining what types of drugs are covered by the plan and why you might still be paying out of your pocket for medicines prescribed by a doctor.

Wreck Damages Home On 421
A wreck on Hwy 421 Tuesday afternoon damaged a nearby house. A tow truck was pulling a wrecked car onto 421 from Congo Road when a safety strap broke and the car was turned loose. The vehicle rolled across two lanes of the highway and into a residence. Thankfully no one was injured but damage was done to both the car and the house.

Blood Drive Coming Up On Sunday
As people fly or drive home after Thanksgiving, it’s important to realize the blood supply in Wilkes has been drained. With that supply in critical levels, a blood drive is going on this Sunday at Roaring Gap Baptist Church. The drive will last from 1-5:30pm and is open to the public. No appointments are needed but remember before giving, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. For more information or to set up a time to give, you can call the Red Cross today at 838-4563.

Always Lock Up Before You Leave
It’s always a good idea to lock up before you leave. A Wilkesboro woman learned that the hard way recently, after coming home to find some money missing. Somehow the safe in her house had been left open and thieves walked right in, removing $1500 in cash before leaving. Nothing else was taken and no damage was done to the home. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Highways To Be Busy This Weekend
Over one million drivers are expected to be on the roads across North Carolina this weekend. Here in Wilkes and the surrounding areas, the Highway Patrol is going to be out in full force with extra troops looking for speeders and reckless drivers. If you’re planning to be on the roads this weekend, also expect random roadside checks for impaired drivers. 24 people were killed on the road last Thanksgiving weekend, the most since 2001.

State News

North Carolina Issuing Deadline To Katrina Victims
Here in North Carolina, 700 evacuees from the Gulf Coast hurricanes are once again looking for a home. Those 700 are still living in hotels, being paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However federal officials have given the evacuees a deadline of December 15th to move out of the hotels and into apartments or mobile homes, which will be paid for by FEMA. However all federal aid will stop March 1st of next year.

Hunters Declining In NC
There are more deer in the woods across North Carolina, thanks to a declining interest in hunting. According to state wildlife officials, the number of hunting licenses handed out have dropped significantly over the last four years, with 150000 fewer being sold this past year. The commission is trying to encourage more hunting, in order to keep the deer population under control.

Huge Counterfeit Organization Uncovered In Raleigh
An estimated $800,000 in counterfeit merchandise was seized from a Lexington warehouse this week. Over 22,000 illegal switchblade knives, along with imitation products from Disney, UNC, Ford and some other dangerous weapons were picked up in the raid. Also the operators of the warehouse were arrested, three of which were revealed to be illegal immigrants from China.

Habitat For Humanity Falls Victim To Embezzlement
An investigation is going on at the Greensboro Habitat for Humanity chapter. The ministry is missing over $200,000 which is believed to have been stolen by a former employee. The name of the worker has not yet been released as charges have not yet been filed. But all information has been handed over to the Guilford County DA’s office.

Largest Cocaine Seizure In Rockingham County History
Officials in Rockingham County conducted the largest cocaine and property seizure in their history this week. On Wednesday officials announced that an undercover investigation led to the arrest of two suspects on drug charges, while a third is still being hunted. Nearly $5.6 million in cocaine and two vehicles were also seized in the raid.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
With the high school basketball season in full swing, there’s a lot of action around the local courts tonight. East Wilkes heads on the road to take on the Vikings of North, while West Wilkes is at Wilkes Central.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at college basketball over the holiday, it was NC State beating VMI 75-55. Illian Evtimov led the Wolfpack with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals as State improves to 4-0. Meanwhile UNC Charlotte had the worst game in school history as they lost to Mississippi State 53-38. Curtis Withers had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the 1-3 49ers. Finally Duke stayed undefeated in the preseason NIT semi-finals as they beat Drexel 78-68. J.J. Redick had 31 points for the 4-0 Blue Devils.

Panthers Walking Wounded Into Sunday’s Game
The Carolina Panthers are walking wounded into Sunday’s game against Buffalo. Linebacker Dan Morgan may sit out with an ankle injury, while runningback Deshaun Foster is having problems with his knee. Also tight end Kris Mangum might have to miss his second straight game while recovering from a knee injury of his own. The Panthers take on the Bills this Sunday at 1pm.

Bobcats Take Out Knicks
The Charlotte Bobcats welcomed back Gerald Wallace and delivered another type of greeting to the New York Knicks with a 108-95 victory. Playing at home, the Bobcats got 24 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks from Wallace, returning from a fractured wrist, while also adding 19 points and 11 rebounds from Emeka Okafor. Around the rest of the NBA, two former ACC players went at it as the New Orleans Hornets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 84-80. New Orleans got 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists from Chris Paul while on the other side, Rashad McCants had 5 points and one rebound in limited action for Minnesota.