News & Sports For June 20th

Violent Crime Up In Wilkes County
Some mixed news for Wilkes County citizens today, as the State Attorney General has released the annual list of Crime Statistics. Here in Wilkes, property crimes, such as larceny and burglary actually went down in 2005, with 2602 reported in the area. That’s down from the year before, as 2657 property crimes were reported in 2004. Violent crime however is on the rise, according to the attorney general’s report. In Wilkes this past year, there were 261 violent crimes reported, covering incidents such as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The rise in violent crime was marked across North Carolina, as the state saw a 9.5% increase in homicides alone last year, with the number climbing from 508 in 2004 to 582 by the end of 2005.
Despite the climb in statistics, North Carolina still has a 22% lower homicide rate over this same period a decade ago.

Commissioners To Get Economic Update
County Commissioners will hold their meeting tonight and will focus mainly on economics. Economic Development Director Don Alexander will present his report to the commissioners, updating them on the different projects going on in Wilkes County. Also County Manager Gary Page will present the 2006-2007 budget for approval and the contracts for both Moravian Falls and Broadway Volunteer Fire Department will be discussed. The public hearing is set for 6:45pm and the actual meeting will get underway at 7pm, in the commissioners’ room of the county office building.

Deputies Bust Crack House In Moravian Falls
Sheriff’s deputies went out to a home in Moravian Falls Sunday night, discovering drugs and money inside. Responding on a tip, deputies got a search warrant and went to the home on Barr Street. Once inside, they found a glass jar that held six grams of cocaine. Also a marijuana cigarette was uncovered, along with $682 in cash. 64-yr-old Homer Wayne was arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to sell & distribute along with maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs.

Just Walked In To Do Some Shopping
Thieves broke into a house on the Oak Grove Extension this weekend to do some shopping. The homeowner returned to find his back door had been pried open and the computer missing from inside. Nothing else was taken or even touched inside the residence. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Car Stolen From Local Home
It’s never a good idea to leave your keys inside the car. A Ronda woman found that out the hard way Saturday night, as thieves drove off with her vehicle. She had parked the car at her home on Luffman Road and then went inside. About an hour later, there was a noise outside and her car was pulling out of the driveway. Highway Patrol officers discovered the vehicle shortly after, wrecked and abandoned on Macedonia Church Road. An estimated $2500 in damage had been done and deputies are continuing the investigation.

3WC Healthwatch: Better Living Through Chocolate
It turns out eating chocolate might not be a bad idea, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. Chocolate can actually be good for you, according to a study recently done in the Netherlands. The study, examined 470 men age 65 and older and found that those who ate the equivalent of 1/3 of a chocolate bar each day had lower blood pressure. That includes things like chocolate pudding and hot coca drinks, as well as the candy. It’s believed that flavanols, particles found in the chocolate, increase nitric oxide in the bloodstream and improve the way blood vessels function. However the doctors warn that while a little chocolate can be healthy, too much can cause health problems.

Gun Taken From Local Man’s Truck
Be careful what you keep inside your vehicle. That’s the lesson a Moravian Falls man learned over the weekend, after thieves broke into his truck. The vehicle had been parked at the man’s home on Old Orchard Road in Moravian Falls, however he had left it unlocked and forgot a few things inside, namely a Rossi .38 caliber revolver. He came back out Saturday morning to find the glove box was open and the gun missing. That investigation continues.

Local Business Targeted By Thieves
Deputies were called out to a business in Millers Creek over the weekend, after several would be thieves targeted the VIP Laserwash. Employees came in early Friday morning to find that someone had attempted to pry open the control units, which help operate the self-service carwash. They were apparently looking to gain access to the money stored inside but weren’t able to get the job done, instead causing several hundred dollars in damage. The investigation is ongoing.

Always Lock Up Before You Leave
Thieves walked right into a North Wilkesboro man’s storage building this weekend, leaving with a $3000 carburetor. The building had been left unlocked and it appears that thieves came in and took what they wanted. There is however a suspect in the case, with a name and description provided to deputies. The investigation continues.

State News

State Jobless Climb Thanks To Grads
North Carolina’s unemployment rate climbed as we hit the end of May, rising to 4.6%. That’s up from 4.3%, where it stood at the end of April. ESC officials are putting the blame on students for the hike in unemployment, as both college and high school grads are out looking for work. With the increased number of people in the market, the jobless rate is back to where it stood in February and officials aren’t sure when or if it’ll be able to bounce back.

Former Nurse Accused Of Stealing Patients’ ID
A former nurse is facing jail time today, after being convicted of stealing her patients’ information. 53-yr-old Susan Pugh White was arrested earlier this year and charged with stealing personal information from her patients at Randolph Hospital. She then took the information and used it to run up an estimated $60,000 in credit card debt. White has now been found guilty and sentenced to two years and ten months in federal prison, after telling the judge she doesn’t remember committing any of the crimes.

Picking Up The Pieces In Salisbury
Officials at Dan Nicholas Park are still picking up the pieces today, more than a year after sections of the area burned down. An arsonist torched the park’s petting zoo, causing an estimated $30,000 in damage and killing most of the animals. However with the help of donations from across the U.S., the park in Salisbury North Carolina is rebuilding. Zoos from around the country have called in, offering to give replacement animals and people have raised $17,000 to go towards the project. The park hopes to be reopened later this year and as a precaution, it will include both security cameras and a sprinkler system, to guarantee that the arsonist can’t strike again.

Highway Patrol Heading For The Mountains
North Carolina’s Highway Patrol is heading to the mountains. Additional Highway Patrol units are being sent out to the mountain counties, to help in slowing down drivers. Speeding has become a major issue in the North Carolina mountains this summer, as the number of both motorcycle accidents and deaths has risen. The main focus for Patrol officers will be US Hwy 129, known in biking circles as the “Tail of the Dragon”. It starts in Tennessee and then winds through the North Carolina mountains, with 318 curves in between.

Sports Headlines

Wilkes Players Fill Up Baseball’s All-Conference List
Taking a look at the high school scene, the All Conference teams have been announced in spring sports, with several Wilkes County players making the list. In baseball, Chris Roberts made the all conference list for North Wilkes, joined by Garrett Absher, Zach Broyhill, Caleb Johnson and Josh White from Wilkes Central. In the Northwest 1-A Noah Johnson from East Wilkes made the cut, along with Chris Barger, Justin Spears, Drew Ward and Josh Zumbrook from West Wilkes. Several Blackhawks also picked up awards, as Drew Ward was named the Northwest 1-A player of the year and his teammate James Absher was chosen as conference tournament MVP. Blackhawks Coach Daniel Ward was named Coach of the Year in the conference. Four local players also made it on the Honorable Mention list. They were Nathan Byrd and Chad Garrett from Wilkes Central, along with Adam Speaks and Brent Whittington from North Wilkes.

Soccer Lists Loaded With Wilkes County Kids
In high school soccer, players from all four schools made All-Conference. For Wilkes Central, it was Allee Olson, Leslie Warren, Annie Gustafson, Emily Gustafson, Tiffany Ashley and Katie Andreski making the team. Andreski was also named Player of the Year in the Mountain Valley Conference. Emily Billings and Erika Dowell also made the list for North Wilkes while Wilkes Central players Sabrina Ashley, Barbara Gray, Courtney Hibbard, Katie Horrell and Merrie Levi all made the honorable mention list. Lady Eagles Coach Uwe Ehrilich was chosen as the Mountain Valley’s Coach of the Year after leading his team to the state championship game. In the Northwest 1-A, Cristine Hamlin, Selena Holleman, Lindsay Mize, Kasi Shew and Amanda Williams were named to the all-conference squad from East Wilkes. Williams also was named the Conference Player of the Year. West Wilkes had five girls on the list, with Patricia Clay, Angelica Nichols, Kassie Oller, Lauren Overton and Jessica Whitby being honored. Lady Blackhawks Coach Carsten Lyck also received the Coach of the Year award.

Softball, Tennis And Golf Players Make The List
Wilkes county players also made the list in other sports as well. In golf, West Wilkes’ Daniel Walsh was named to the Northwest 1-A All Conference team, while Grayson Cheek from Wilkes Central received honorable mention in the Mountain Valley 2-A. In softball, Nicole Lopez from North Wilkes landed a spot in the Mountain Valley 2-A list, with honorable mention going to her teammate Kimberly Triplett and also Andrea Jarman from Wilkes Central. Also in softball, the all conference list in the Northwest 1-A included East Wilkes Lady Cardinals player Jeannie Blevins, along with Adrian Collins and Brittany Parsons. In tennis, Wilkes Central had four players on the all conference team. They were Phillip Brame, Zeb Campbell, Andrew Huggins and Jay Snipes. Phillip Brame also received Player of the Year honors in the conference while Central coach Perry Snipes shared Coach of the Year honors with Dustin Webb from Surry Central. North Wilkes also had two tennis players making the list in Cody Poplin and Nathan Poteat. In the Northwest 1-A, it was Elliot Johnson, David Murphy, Brent Poplin and Kyle Welburn making the all conference squad from East Wilkes. Their teammates Ryan Emric and Bret Lyon received honorable mention.

Track All Conference List Includes Wilkes Players
Finally for track and field, several Wilkes County players made the list. In the Mountain Valley Conference, it was Nick Whittington and Loren Meador representing Wilkes Central. Their teammates Greg Howell, Josh Oliver, Justin Watkins and Aaron Wilkins received honorable mention, along with Josh Johnson and Dustin Probst from North Wilkes. On the girls side of the conference, it was Kayla Branciforte and Ashley Wilcox making the list for North Wilkes, as Ashley was also named of the Conference Athletes of the Year. For Wilkes Central, it was Lindsey Groce, Mattie Hayes, Erin Koon, Dierdra Morrison, Danielle Weston and Amy Will making the list. Their teammates Alex Hayes and Melinda Lackey received honorable mention. Over in the Northwest 1-A conference, the East Wilkes Cardinals had 11 players making the list. Eric Blackburn, Ryan Blackburn, Nathan Bryan, Derek Cleary, Chas Deal, Kevin Dobbins, Lance Householder, Nathan Jordan, David Shew, Derek Shoemaker and Landon Walker represented East High on the All Conference team. They were joined by Steven Branch, Wesley Scercy and Trey Bryan of West Wilkes. On the girls side, it was Anna Hayes and Amanda Williams representing East with Amanda Davis, Melanie Frye, Tiffany Upchurch and Meredith Wingler joining them from West Wilkes. Amanda Davis of the Lady Blackhawks was also named as the Conference Athlete of the Year.

Heels Move On To Next Round
Switching gears to college baseball, the Carolina Tarheels are moving on to the next round of the College World Series. Now all they have to do is wait and find out who they’ll be playing. The Heels take the field Wednesday afternoon at 5pm, however their opponent has yet to be determined. They’ll face off against the winner of tonight’s game between the Clemson Tigers and Cal State Fullerton. The winner plays Carolina and the loser’s season is finished.

State Lands Another Prospect
On the college basketball scene, NC State has landed another prospect for 2007. Farnold Degand, a guard from Iowa State, has announced his plans to transfer and join the Wolfpack for the 2007-2008 season. Degand was a redshirt with Iowa State last year and is described as a quick and very athletic 6’4 ft. guard who’s able to run the point and also play shooting guard.

News & Sports For June 19th

Local Woman Falls Victim To Fraud
A Wilkesboro woman got a surprise last week when accessing her bank account. Several hundred dollars had been withdrawn from the account without her knowledge. It turns out that she had invited a friend over to her house earlier in the week and when that person left, he took her debit card with him. The name of the thief and his address were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation continues.

Vandals Target Local Man’s Truck
Vandals targeted a North Wilkesboro man’s truck last week. He walked out of a residence on Hwy 16 North, where he had been visiting a friend, only to find that someone had damaged his vehicle. $100 in damage was done to the man’s truck, with scratches covering the entire passenger side. However despite the damage, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone near the vehicle. That investigation is ongoing.

3WC Techwatch: Must See TV
A new creation could soon be affecting what you watch on TV, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. Researchers at Phillips Electronics have developed a new type of technology that may start being built into new television sets. For a fee, it would allow the broadcast networks to literally freeze the channel when a show goes to commercial, making it impossible for the person sitting at home to channel surf. Officials with Phillips said that the only way people would be allowed to change channels on the new system is if they paid some sort of fee directly to the network, in exchange for a password. If all goes according to plan, these new “pay per view” tvs could hit stores next year.

Medicine Stolen From Ferguson Home
Thieves broke into a home in Ferguson late last week, running off with almost one thousand dollars in merchandise. It was unclear how the thieves managed to get inside, as there was no damage done and no sign of a break-in. However missing from inside was $800 in pain medication along with a set of binoculars and four pocket knives. There are suspects in the case however, as two people were seen running from the home. Their names and descriptions were given over to deputies and the investigation continues.

Wal-Mart Orders Recall Of Rocking Chairs
It could be dangerous to lean back in your rocking chair, if you recently bought it from Wal-Mart. The company has ordered a recall of an estimated 643,000 Mainstay love seats and porch rocking chairs. This is due to a problem in the furniture’s construction that can cause it to fracture in places and possibly become unstable. So far there have been 45 reported injuries across the country due to the problem, some serious enough to involve hospital care. Three models of rocking chairs are involved in the recall. They are the Mainstays Love Seat Rocker, which has a model number of IT-13380 and is wooden & white in color. Also two versions of the Mainstays Porch Rockers, which was sold in either white or light brown. The models included are IT-13379 and IT-13270. In all three cases, you can find the model number by looking on the rocker’s packaging or any sticker it may still have on it. Customers are asked to return the rockers for a full refund and you can get more information by calling Wal-Mart at 1-800-925-6278.

Tools Taken From Local Home
A homeowner on Shew Ridge Mission Road called deputies late last week after thieves broke into her shed. The woman had been out of town for a few weeks and returned to find over $600 worth of tools missing. It appears that thieves just opened up the shed’s doors and walked in, running off with several grinders, a socket wrench, some buffers and other tools that belonged to the woman’s now deceased husband. There is however a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Ronda Man’s Tractor Damaged
Deputies were called out to a Ronda man’s home on Thursday, after his tractor was damaged by vandals. The man had left the vehicle on the side of River Bottom Road, as he was doing logging work. When he returned to pick it up, the front end had been damaged and the vehicle wouldn’t start. An estimated $1000 worth of damage was done and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Always Keep Your Car Locked
It’s never a good idea to leave your car unlocked. A Millers Creek man found out why over the weekend, as he parked the car at his house and went inside. The next day, he walked out of the residence on Foothills Drive to find the car’s stereo was gone. There is however a suspect in the case, as deputies talked to some people in the neighborhood and they were informed about a man trying to sell an identical car stereo that same day. The man’s name and description were turned over to deputies and the investigation continues.

Regional News

Wreck Near Elkin Kills One And Injures Another
One man is dead today and another is in the hospital after a wreck Friday night near Elkin. Highway patrol officers say that just after 8pm on Friday, a tractor trailer broke down in the left lane of I-77 South just north of Elkin. The driver started making phone calls to get help while her partner went outside to put up reflective cones to warn off other drivers. However as the partner set out cones, another truck came speeding down the highway and couldn’t stop in time. The truck hit Orlando Walker, who was then drug underneath the vehicle as it hit the other truck and went over the guardrail. The second driver was slightly injured as his truck went up in flames and Walker was killed at the scene. The driver of the first truck walked away uninjured. It took until early Saturday morning to clear away the debris and reopen I-77.

More Development Coming To Caldwell County
Good news for people in Caldwell County today, as more money could soon be coming in. Itera Development Strategies announced plans last week to build a resort style development in the area. The area will contain 1775 homes & condominiums, along with a fishing lodge, golf course, several swimming pools, a man made trail and an equestrian center. The Round Mountain Lake development will go before county commissioners tonight for a vote and if approved, construction would begin almost immediately.

The Board Says No On Bonds For Alleghany
When Alleghany County voters go to the polls in November, it’ll be surprising what’s not on the ballot. County officials announced last week that they’re not going to hold a referendum on school bonds, saying that the timing is all wrong. Back in May, county commissioners had approved a referendum in order to possibly get enough money to build a new middle school. Now that idea has been tossed and officials aren’t sure when a new school will be in the plans.

State News

Earthquake Provides Wake Up Call In Franklin
Residents of several western counties here in North Carolina saw the ground shake before they went to bed Thursday night. An earthquake, measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale, hit parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, stretching from Franklin all the way to Bryson City. The incident happened just before 9pm Thursday night and marked the seventh such tremor felt in North Carolina this year. No major damage was reported and the National Earthquake Information Center said that all things considered, this was a minor event.

Winston Business Ditching Workers
Bad news today for workers at one Winston Salem business, as they’ll soon be unemployed. Aon (E-on) Consulting announced plans over the weekend to terminate the jobs of over 100 programmers and processors. Despite a profit margin of an estimated $10 billion last year, company officials said they were losing money. The jobs are going to be transferred to overseas offices starting in September.

Sports Headlines

UNC Advances In College World Series
The UNC Tarheels are moving on to the next round of the College World Series. On Sunday, the Heels knocked off the #1 seed Clemson Tigers, shutting them out 2-0.

Lowe Getting Set To Take Reigns At State
This morning is an important date for Wolfpack fans. As of today, Sidney Lowe officially takes over the reigns of NC State’s men’s basketball program. The reason it took so long is that Lowe first had to get his bachelor’s degree, which he completed over the last two weeks. Already the new coach has made his mark on the team, landing his first commitment. 7’2 ft. 245 lb. center Bartosz Lewandowski has agreed to join the Wolfpack. Lewandowski comes over from Bridgton Academy in Maine, where he averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds a game and he’s also a member of the Polish National Team, which plays in the Olympics.

Jordan Becomes Part Owner Of Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats have linked themselves with NBA history, with the introduction of a new owner. Bobcats owner Robert Johnson has sold part of his stake in the team to former Chicago Bulls and UNC Tarheel star Michael Jordan. Under terms of the agreement, Jordan will take over as managing partner for the team’s basketball operations, as he’ll be working with GM Bernie Bickerstaff on signing draft picks and free agents.

Hurricanes Lose Game Six
On the ice this weekend, the Carolina Hurricanes had a setback in their quest for the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes lost Game Six to Edmonton as they were blown out 4-0. The series is tied 3-3 with the final match set for tonight in Raleigh.

Panthers Taking Aim At The Super Bowl
In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers won’t be happy just to make the playoffs this season. The team wrapped up summer practice last week and as they were leaving, several players told reporters they had one goal in mind: to win the Super Bowl. QB Jake Delhomme, cornerback Ken Lucas and defensive end Mike Rucker all told the media that it’s not enough just to make it. Now that they’ve had a taste of the big game, they want to bring back the Lombardi Trophy to North Carolina. Players get a six week vacation and then report to training camp on July 28th.

NASCAR Results
Rain interrupted Sunday’s race at Michigan International, but not before a winner was crowned. Kasey Kahne took the checkered flag in the 3M Performance 400, surviving a day filled with wrecks and caution flags. Kahne finished just inches ahead of 2nd place Carl Edwards. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third, Greg Biffle came in fourth and Reed Sorenson rounded out the top five. Drivers now head up to Infineon Raceway for the Dodge Save Mart 350.

News & Sports For June 16th

Wilkes County Is Growing
Some good news today for Wilkes County, as the population continues to grow. By July of 2005, there were 67390 people living here in the area, an increase of 1578 people form the same time in 2000. Taken over a 6 year period, that means an estimated 263 people are moving into Wilkes County each year. That’s good news for the county’s tax base, but also possibly some bad news as job growth has been sluggish, meaning that some of the people could find themselves on the unemployment line. Those numbers came from the U.S. Census Bureau, which has released its’ annual population estimate.

Our House To Hold Parenting Classes
There’s some help on the way for any new parents out there, as Our House will be holding parenting classes starting later today. “The Power Of Parenting” will run from 9:30 til 11:30am today, the first of about eight weeks worth of sessions. The cost is $10 to sign up for the classes, which will be held at Our House, located at 203 East Main Street in Wilkesboro. If you want more information, the number to call is 667-5555.

Wilkes Regional Has Website To Help Community
Medical information is just a click away now for people here in Wilkes County. Wilkes Regional Medical Center has launched their own website, keeping people informed about improvements at the hospital, different doctors coming in and also providing a medical library, where you can go online and look up answers to certain medical questions. The site, which is available in both Spanish and English, can be found at www.wilkesregional.com.

Third Annual Spanish/American Festival Held At Library
The third annual Festival en la Biblioteca will he held this Saturday at the Wilkes County Library. Things will get underway at 10am and last until 3pm in the afternoon, with free drinks, ballons, popcorn and snowcones. Over 15 local groups and agencies will be on hand, providing information in both Spanish and English for locals. There will be free vision checks and also parents can have their kids’ ID card made for free. Lars the Polar Bear will be on hand, along with Austin Caviness from WXII-12. The library is located at 215 Tenth Street in North Wilkesboro and for more information you can call 838-2818.

All For A Few Dollars More
Deputies were called out to a home in North Wilkesboro on Wednesday, after thieves paid a visit. The owner had returned to the home on W.F. Gaddy Road to find $10 in change was missing along with a bottle of pain medication. The thieves had apparently climbed in through the unlocked bedroom window and went shopping. However nothing else in the house was taken or even damaged in the theft. There is however a suspect in the case and the investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Cough Syrup Can Cause Problems
The cough medicine you give your kids could actually be bad for them, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A study has been released by the Academy of General Dentistry, linking cough syrup to tooth erosion. According to Dr. Carolina Da Costa, who was in charge of the study, children need to brush their teeth immediately after being given the medicine. The reason for this is due to the fact that most cough syrup is generally acidic with no fluoride or any other materials to protect teeth. Once this gets into the mouth, it can start eroding your teeth over time. 70 different samples of tooth enamel were tested and exposed to cough syrup. Those with a cough medicine that didn’t contain fluoride almost immediately showed signs of decay. The cough syrup with fluoride however barely affected the enamel at all. Scientists recommend that parents use cough syrup with fluoride in it, but if not, just have the kids brush their teeth after taking the medicine.

Everything Taken But The Kitchen Sink
Over the past few weeks, tools have mysteriously gone missing from a rental home on Old Hwy 21. Members of the crew working on repairing it have reported the thefts to deputies each time and now there finally appears to be an end to the case. Deputies were called out to the home after a witness saw a man take tools from the property and drive off. Several handsaws, drills and even a lawnmower has gone missing from the area in recent weeks. The name and description of the suspect was given to deputies and that investigation continues.

Foxx Given Award By ACU
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx was honored this week by the American Conservation Union. Each year the Union gives out its’ Best and Brightest Award to any lawmaker who scores a perfect 100 in their rating system. Foxx was one of 50 members of Congress to receive the award this year. The rating system is designed to give people an idea of where their politicians stand on the issues and how closely they mirror conservative values. ACU chairman David Keene said that Foxx deserves respect for holding fast to the core values of fiscal discipline and limited government.

Regional News

Mount Airy School Faces Lawsuit
There’s bad news today for one school in Mount Airy, as its’ facing a lawsuit. The Millennium Charter Academy stands accused of unlawfully firing a teacher because she suggested that the school needs to make improvements. That teacher, Rebecca Hill, filed a lawsuit in Surry Superior Court back n June 2nd , claiming that the school had no reason to terminate her. In the lawsuit, Hill says that she had told officials at the Academy the upper level students needed to be challenged more and that they weren’t meeting the needs of some special education students. Hill was let go back in November of last year, according to the suit.

State News

House Makes Changes In Budget
North Carolina’s House approved their own version of the budget, but that’s causing problems in the capital. The House approved a $18.9 billion budget, which is about $94 million more than in the Senate’s plan. Also cut out of the House version was the increase for minimum wage to $6 an hour and the proposed moratorium on new landfills. Instead the House took that money and promised to set aside $53 million to help pay for Medicaid expenses in each of the state’s 100 counties. Negotiations on the final version of the budget are expected to start in the General Assembly on Monday.

Veterans Honored On Flag Day
North Carolina lawmakers took time out of their schedule to honor veterans this week. On Wednesday, a resolution was passed in the General Assembly to express “profound appreciation and gratitude” to soldiers both past and present. In addition to the resolution, lawmakers are being asked to provide help for vets in the form of tax relief. The main focus of that relief would be allowing vets to sell or buy vehicles without having to pay a Highway Use Tax.

Billy Graham Honored By Southern Baptists
One of the world’s most respected pastors was honored on Wednesday by the Southern Baptist Convention. A statue was unveiled and dedicated to the Rev. Billy Graham, during the convention’s meeting in Greensboro. The Graham family was represented by Billy’s grandson, Pastor William F. Graham IV, who serves at Wakefield Baptist Church in North Carolina. The statue will now be taken to Southern Baptist headquarters in Nashville Tennessee, where it will stand.

Fireman In Durham County Believed To Be Arsonist
Officials in Durham County have arrested a local fireman for setting the fires he was supposed to be putting out. Harold Nelson Oakley III has been charged with three counts of arson and officials are investigating Oakley’s link to additional fires in Person County. Another man, Jeffrey Robert Dugan was also arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact. No reason has been given as to why Oakley started the fires, however both he and Dugan were released on bond.

Sports Headlines

College Football To Be Held In Panthers Stadium
While we’re three months away from the start of the NFL season, football of a different kind will soon be coming to the home of the Carolina Panthers. Bank of America Stadium will play host to a college game on Thursday October 12th. Clemson will be taking on Temple in a game originally scheduled to be played at the Owls’ home field. However due to scheduling conflicts the location had to be changed.

School Adding Football Team
History is set to be made at Campbell University, as the school is considering a plan to create a football team. If that team does take the field, it would mark the first time in over 50 years that football has been played at Campbell. Under the proposed agreement, the football program would play in Division I-AA, while other school sports would stay in Division I. That way the team wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the competition as they’re starting out.

UNC Charlotte Has Final Piece To Puzzle
In college basketball, UNC Charlotte has finally put the pieces of its’ program back together. Rob Perron was hired this week as the new director of basketball operations. Perron takes over from Chuck Benson who left earlier this spring to join the coaching staff at UNC Wilmington. Before accepting the job, Perron worked as the associate men’s basketball coach for Pfieffer College and also put in three years as the head coach at St. Andrews.

Problems Popping Up For Redick
The recent arrest of former Duke star J.J. Redick may be the least of his troubles. Over the past few days, Redick has cancelled workouts with both the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, due to back problems. However no one is sure just how serious the injury is. Several new outlets are reporting that Redick might have to have surgery, according to “unidentified sources” but Redick’s agent Arn Tellem told the media on Wednesday that his client’s back was just sore and it was nothing serious. Rumors are floating around that if he’s healthy, J.J. will be suiting up alongside Tracey McGrady as the Rockets want to pick him with their #8 selection. If he falls past that he won’t drop far, as Orlando also wants to pick him at #11.

Mears Gets New Ride
On the NASCAR circuit, the papers are signed, sealed and delivered for Casey Mears as he’ll have a new ride next season. Mears agreed to terms with Hendrick Motorsports on a contract that will see him behind the wheel of the No. 25 Chevy until at least 2009. During his four years in NASCAR, Mears has 21 Top ten finishes but has never won a race. He’ll step in for Brian Vickers, who is leaving the team to pursue other opportunities.

Change Of Drivers For Morgan
In other NASCAR news, there’s going to be a switch behind the wheel of the No. 4 Chevy. After this weekend’s race at Michigan, Scott Wimmer is out and P.J. Jones is in. But then after the race in California next week, Jones will vacate his position and let Wimmer take back over. Officials at Morgan-McClure Motorsports didn’t explain why the double switch was taking place, only that Wimmer would be back behind the wheel full time when drivers make their way to Daytona.

News & Sports For June 15th

Wilkes County Faces Cancer Problem
Wilkes County is facing a cancer problem today. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths across the state and here in Wilkes, the mortality rate is actually 16% higher than the state average. What’s most concerning though is that while across the rate the mortality rate is down, here in Wilkes it’s actually climbing. One of the key factors that can lead to the disease is a diet high in fat and low in fiber, something that according to the North Carolina Institute For Public Health, is a problem here in Wilkes. Recently the Institute did a community assessment and found that “few if any (people) “ follow what would be considered an appropriate diet. Colon cancer mainly affects those 50 and older and doctors advise that you should begin testing for the disease no later than age 50, as part of a regular checkup.

Wilkes County Considered Accident Prone
Well it appears that Wilkes County is slightly accident prone. That was the report taken from AAA of the Carolinas, who has issued their annual list of the most dangerous counties across the state. Wilkes came in 31st in regards to total crashes during 2005, recording a total of 1677 accidents. Only eight of those accidents had fatalities involved, while 1040 were injured. In general across the state, the total amount of wrecks were down .3 percent, as 230,577 were recorded. However the number of fatal crashes rose 1.4 percent, to finish out at 1574. New Hanover County was ranked as the most dangerous, with Mecklenburg coming in second. On the other side of the coin, Curriuck County was ranked as the safest, with Swain in second place.

Thieves Run Off With Smokey
Thieves broke into the Forest Service Station on Rendezvous Mountain, running off with Smokey the Bear. An eight piece Smokey the Bear costume, worth an estimated $1750 was taken, despite there being no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. Forest Service officials believe that was because the thief was with a tour group at the station, who snuck away and stole the costume. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

One Person Hospitalized After Wilkesboro Wreck
Two cars were totaled and one person was injured after a wreck on Oakwoods Road this week. Tuesday afternoon, a North Wilkesboro woman was traveling down the road when she slowed down, to let the vehicle in front of her turn off. A Purlear man was following behind and didn’t see that the car was stopped until it was too late to avoid a crash. He slammed into the woman’s car, causing a domino effect as she plowed into another vehicle. All three cars were totaled, with estimated damage placed at $15,000. The Purlear man had to be taken to Wilkes Regional for treatment.

Focus On Schools
With school out for the summer, most groups associated with kids have shut down as well. Communities in Schools however is still up and running, as they have several programs that last throughout the year. Amy Whitley from Communities in Schools will be Brian’s guest during Focus on the Foothills this week, as they’ll be talking about some of the upcoming events. Also they’ll be discussing the need for volunteers and what kinds of help are most needed. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Be Careful When Transporting Pesticides
The Agricultural Department of North Carolina has again issued a warning for all farmers regarding pesticides. In recent weeks there have been several accidents involving farmers transporting the chemicals and the department has released some tips to consider. First, make sure that the chemicals are separated from any food, seed, grain or livestock feed. Also don’t carry pesticides in the passenger seat of your vehicle. The reason is that vapors can escape from the canister and prove harmful to the driver along with anyone else in the vehicle. Finally when buying pesticides, be sure and make sure all caps, plugs or stoppers on the product are tight, to prevent gas from escaping.

Just Walked In And Went Shopping
A Ronda man fell prey to thieves earlier this week. He returned home to the residence on Austin Little Mountain Road to find someone had run off with his hunting and fishing equipment. Taken in the theft was a deer stand, a climbing stand, a tackle box and several rods & reels. All total the estimated value of the stolen items was placed at $5480. That investigation continues.

Ham Put Up For Recall
Before you sit down to that ham dinner tonight, it might be a good idea to hear this next bit of news. Thurman’s Inc. has issued a recall of its’ boneless proscuitto ham, due to a possible bacteria contamination. The Canadian company shipped its’ ham to grocery stores across North Carolina and the rest of the United States. But later tests found some packages of the meat to be infected with Staphylococcus (staph-y-lo-coc-us) bacteria, although it’s still unclear how the contamination happened. All packages of Thurman’s Boneless Prosciutto with the establishment number 507 are involved in the recall. You can find the establishment number by looking on the seal of inspection. Customers can return the meat to the store they bought it from for a full refund.

Regional News

Elkin Approves New Budget
The city of Elkin has approved a new budget, set to take effect on July 1st. The Board of Commissioners met Monday night and outlined the plan, establishing a $6.9 million budget. The tax rate will stay at 47.5 cents for every $100 of valued property, with money in the budget for a new town garage and repairs for the sidewalk among other things.

Boone Set To Host Holocaust Symposium
Appalachian State is getting set to host a symposium on the Holocaust coming up next week. The event “Remember The Holocaust” is part of the 5th annual Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium at the university. The event, which runs the entire week, gives people a glimpse of life during the Holocaust, touching on Jewish life in Europe before and during World War II. Also the fundamental teachings of Judaism are explored and discussions will be held on the continuing repercussions of the Holocaust that still pop up today. The weeklong event is free to the public and will be held in the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center on the Appalachian State campus.

State News

New President Elected For Southern Baptists
The Southern Baptist Convention has a new president, after what some are calling a surprising upset. Reverend Frank Page, pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina was elected after receiving 50.5% of the vote. He defeated the frontrunner in the election, Arkansas pastor Ronnie Floyd, in a contest that came down to donations. Rev. Floyd’s church in Springdale Arkansas gave less than one percent of their budget to the Convention’s Cooperative Program last year, the fund which helps financially support mission work across the world. By comparison, Rev. Page’s much smaller First Baptist Church donated over 12% of their annual budget to the fund. Delegates told reporters that the Convention needed a president who “leads by example”, as one Florida pastor put it. The 53-yr-old Page said that he wants to encourage young people to get involved and help develop new leaders for today.

NC Government Planning On Higher Lottery Figure
North Carolina lawmakers aren’t going to make any corrections to the budget, despite lowered expectations from the lottery commission. That was the announcement made on Wednesday by members of both the State House and Senate. Under the current budget, $425 million generated from the lottery is set to go for education programs. However lottery commission members said on Tuesday that only an estimated $401 million would be available, a figure that lawmakers from both sides of the political isle disagree with. Money from the first three months of the lottery aren’t being counted as profit. Instead the cash is being diverted into a reserve fund to handle any unforeseen expenses. Gov. Easley’s financial advisor Dan Gerlach told reporters on Wednesday that if the lottery commission doesn’t release the $425 million as expected, the state will tap into that reserve and make up the difference.

Yadkin County Puts On Hiring Freeze
A lack of extra funds has put the Yadkin County school system in a hiring freeze. County officials learned last week that the new budget would have the same amount of money for the school system as this past year, which stood at $5.7 million. Without any extra money, the system has had to issue a hiring freeze on all positions except for teachers, of which more are needed. In order to help pay for the new teachers, the school system is terminating several other part time and full time workers such as library assistants and secretaries.

Sports Headlines

American Legion Results
In local American Legion action last night, the Post 31 Patriots lost to West Forsyth 8-6. The Wilkes County bats were on fire last night, as they matched Forsyth run for run in the first four innings. However once West Forsyth took the lead, the Patriots tried to rally but just couldn’t seal the deal. With the loss, they stay in last place in the division.

UNC Pitcher Named Player Of The Year
In college baseball, a member of the UNC Tarheels was honored with an award this week. Tarheel pitcher Andrew Miller was named the National Player of the Year by Baseball America. Miller becomes just the 6th pitcher in history to win the award and the first left handed one, as he went 13-2 this season with a 2.11 ERA. In 111 innings of work, he only surrendered one home run and was drafted as the sixth pick last week by the Detroit Tigers.

Baddour To Stay At UNC
In other Tarheel news, UNC has locked up their athletic director for at least three more years. School officials announced this week that they’ve extended the contract of Dick Baddour through the 2008-2009 athletic year. Baddour has served as Carolina’s athletic director for 9 years, during which the university has brought back a national title in men’s basketball and this year is making its’ first appearance in the College World Series since the 1980s.

Panthers Now Have Full Training Camp
The last member of the Carolina Panthers finally reported to training camp this week, after being held out by the NFL. Safety Nate Salley was Carolina’s fourth round draft pick this year but under league rules, had to sit out the first two weeks of camp. Salley’s school, Ohio State, didn’t wrap up their spring semester until this past week and until classes are finished, the NFL won’t let draft picks join their team. He’ll join the competition for a starting free safety job, along with free agent pickup Shaun Williams and Deion Grant.

Ganassi Rules Out Wheldon
In NASCAR, Chip Ganassi is hunting for a new driver to replace Casey Mears, who has announced that he’ll be leaving at the end of the season. Since that announcement, rumors have been swirling about who will step behind the wheel. However earlier this week Ganassi put at least one of the rumors to rest, saying that he wasn’t going to bring Dan Wheldon from the IRL circuit. The Indy car driver races for Ganassi’s IRL team and last year won both the points championship and the Indianapolis 500. It was believed that he’d make the jump to NASCAR, but Ganassi said he doesn’t want to mess with a good thing and plans to keep Wheldon on the IRL circuit.

News & Sports For June 14th

Wilkes County Farmers May See Changes
Farmers in Wilkes County could soon see some much needed relief for their wallet, if several North Carolina lawmakers have their way. Energy costs for small farmers skyrocketed over the last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to the tune of $5.2 billion. Such high costs are forcing several small farmers, such as those in Wilkes, to abandon the business. North Carolina House Representatives Bob Etheridge & Brad Miller are working to solve that problem, by developing proposals to lower the cost of fuel and create better trade agreements. Currently there are 2955 farmers within Wilkes County and if the farm reform proposal goes for a vote, each one could be seeing over one thousand dollars cut off their bills. Overall in 2005, Wilkes County ranked 5th in the state with $232,733 generated from farming.

Dropout Rate In Wilkes On The Rise
Some mixed results for Wilkes County schools, as the latest dropout report has been released by North Carolina. Overall the dropout rate for high schools here in the county rose during the 2004-2005 school year, with 4.74% of students quitting. This marks the third straight year Wilkes County’s dropout rate has increased, up from 4.73% in 2003 and 4.24% in 2002.

Flag Day Celebration Starts At Noon
A ceremony will be held later today at West Park to honor America’s soldiers. The 2nd annual Flag Day celebration in Wilkes County will get started at 12 noon with the presentation of colors by the VFW Post 1142. Dr. Brad Shinaman will speak at the event and then Heather Murphy, Director of the Health Foundation will read a list of local citizens who have been remembered through a donation to the Spirit of American Giving campaign. Music will be provided by the Wilkes Seniors on Stage and the event is free to the public. Once again all of this will be held at West Park and for more information you can contact the Health Foundation at 838-1949.

Our House To Hold Parenting Classes
There’s some help on the way for any new parents out there, as Our House will be holding parenting classes starting later this week. “The Power Of Parenting” will run from 9:30 til 11:30am on Friday, June 15th, the first of about eight weeks worth of sessions. The cost is $10 to sign up for the classes, which will be held at Our House, located at 203 East Main Street in Wilkesboro. If you want more information, the number to call is 667-5555.

Local Woman Arrested As Stolen Goods Found
A McGrady woman was arrested earlier this week after deputies found stolen property in her vehicle. Deputies had received a call Sunday night that someone had stolen gravel from the lot near Rock Springs Church on Hwy 18 North. A witness gave deputies a description of a minivan that had been in the area, which they located about a half mile away parked in a driveway. When deputies looked inside, they found the stolen gravel, along with a shovel and wheelbarrow. The vehicle’s owner told deputies she had no idea how the gravel got inside and stated that even if she did, she wouldn’t rat them out. 30-yr-old Rebecca Mae Taylor was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property.

Focus On Schools
With school out for the summer, most groups associated with kids have shut down as well. Communities in Schools however is still up and running, as they have several programs that last throughout the year. Amy Whitley from Communities in Schools will be Brian’s guest during Focus on the Foothills this week, as they’ll be talking about some of the upcoming events. Also they’ll be discussing the need for volunteers and what kinds of help are most needed. That’s coming up Thursday afternoon at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

3WC Techwatch: All Purpose Cell Phone
How would you like a cell phone that can help with your laundry? You may not have to wait long for one, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. IBM has developed a new type of cell phone, which is currently being tested by using Wake Forest students. The phones use a voice-activated linkup with the internet to help solve problems, such as if a student’s trying to catch a bus. All they have to do is ask “What time is the next bus?” A GPS system will then locate all of the nearby buses and tell the student how long it will be before they’re at his or her stop. In addition, it can be hard to fight for a washer and dryer if you’re living in a dorm. Thanks to the new phones, students will be able to find out if there are any available washers and where they are, saving time. Once the test is complete, IBM says they plan to offer the service to EMS teams, doctors and salesmen as a specialized product. But don’t kid yourself, if you want to save time, you’ll have to spend money, as it won’t be cheap.

Recall Ordered Of Jeep Grand Cherokee
There’s some bad news for Jeep owners, as a recall is going on. Included in the callback are all 2003 and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee models, which due to a problem in the vehicle’s seat warmer, could catch on fire. The problem occurs when people don’t turn off the seat warmer when they get out of the vehicle. Over time, it can break down the adhesive properties in the seat, causing a fire to start. Already 32 cars have gone up in flames thanks to the defect. Owners can either take the vehicle back to the dealership where they got it from or wait to receive information in the mail.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
We’ve talked a lot here on the news about the need for blood in Wilkes County. But thanks to last year’s hurricanes and the cost of relocating survivors, the local Red Cross needs help of a different kind as well. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

State News

Southern Baptists Call For Evangelism
Southern Baptist leaders are calling for the church to get more involved with evangelism. That was the message put out this week during the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro, where leaders said they were concerned about the rate of growth or lack of it in congregations. In Southern Baptist churches, an average of just two people are baptized each year, meaning that for the most part, the church membership stays the same. Current Southern Baptist president Bobby Welch is calling for the Body of Christ to stop talking about evangelism and go out and do it. Tuesday kicked off the convention’s annual meeting, as delegates prepare to elect a new president.

Lottery Numbers Don’t Add Up
The state budget may have to be changed, thanks to North Carolina’s lottery commission. The commission announced this week that they don’t expect to meet the current goal of $425 million to be designated for education. Due to start up costs, salaries and other expenses, they said the funds available will be an estimated 6% less or roughly $401 million. But even that number could change, as the commission is basing it solely on projected figures and not on raw data. With the news state lawmakers may have to adjust the budget or find another way of coming up with the $21 million that will be lost.

Former Duke Star Arrested On Tuesday
A former basketball star at Duke University was arrested Tuesday morning in Durham. 21-yr-old J.J. Redick was charged with driving while impaired, after registering a blood alcohol level of .11. North Carolina’s legal blood alcohol limit is .08. Redick had attempted to dodge a police checkpoint and made an illegal U-turn to do so, getting the attention of officers. He also had his drivers’ license taken away and faces an additional charge of unlawful use of highways. Redick was released on $1000 bond with a court date set for July 17th.

Johnston County Students To Have Longer Days
Students in Johnston County may have some long days ahead of them this fall. County leaders are considering a plan that would extend a normal high school day by 25 minutes. Middle school and elementary students would also be affected, as they would have an additional 15 minutes tacked on to their school day. Officials say that the extra time would help students improve their grades and also assist those who are working with special projects. A final decision is expected before the end of July.

Special Forces Soldiers Could See Benefits Increase
Special Forces troops, both here in North Carolina and across the country, could see their retirement pay increase if a new bill goes through. North Carolina Representative Robin Hayes introduced the bill this week, dubbed the Special Operations Forces Retention Improvement Act. Under the plan, all special forces troops who have been in their unit at least five years would see their benefits raised by an unspecified amount. The bill could be voted on by the end of June in the House.

Sports Headlines

Johnson Leaving North Wilkes
The rebuilding men’s basketball program at North High took a hit this week, with the resignation of head coach Tommy Johnson. He’ll leave North to become the new head coach at Canton Pisgah High School, a 2A powerhouse that currently holds a 51-game regular season winning streak. In one season as coach of the Vikings, Johnson helped the team improve to 4-20 however they ended the regular season with a six game losing streak. The assistant coaches at North High, Richard Canter, Buford Fox and Mark Shumate will be in charge when basketball camp rolls around next week while Athletic Director Randy Joines searches for a replacement.

American Legion Baseball Tonight
In other local action, the Wilkes American Legion baseball team takes the field again tonight. The team will play host to West Forsyth, with the Post 31 Patriots struggling to climb out of last place in their division. Gametime is set for 7pm and the McDonald’s pregame show will be on the air around 6:45pm here on 3WC.

State Lands Football Recruit
On the college scene, good news for the NC State Wolfpack as their football team landed another recruit. Sam Jones, a rising senior at Fuquay-Varina High School has committed to the team. The 6’5 ft. 264 lb. Jones plays both offensive and defensive tackle and runs a 40-yd-dash in 5.1 seconds. State coaches said that they plan to use Jones mainly on the defensive side of the ball. He turned down offers from East Carolina and UNC to join the Wolfpack, saying that he felt at home on campus and felt after praying that was where he needed to be.

Wake Adds To Football Staff
A former member of the Wake Forest football team has joined its’ coaching staff. Team officials announced this week that Mark Moroz, a former offensive tackle with the Deacons, is now on the staff as a recruiting assistant. He’ll work with potential recruits, answering questions and talking with them about the program. As a student, Moroz played four years on the team from 2000-2003 and started 24 games during that span.

Bobcats Considering Trade Options
With the NBA draft two weeks from tonight, teams are trying to move up and land the player they want. The Charlotte Bobcats are trying to put together a deal that would see them walk away with the number one pick in the draft. The Toronto Raptors currently own the pick but desperately need a point guard, of which there aren’t that many available. One possible scenario has Charlotte sending the number three pick they own along with Brevin Knight to Toronto for the number one pick, which they would use to select Adam Morrison. Then if they do agree to the deal, the Bobcats would turn around and fill Knight’s spot on the roster in with their second round pick, widely expected to be Wake Forest guard Justin Gray.

Smith Held Out Of Practice
Some potentially bad news for the Carolina Panthers, who will be missing wide receiver Steve Smith for the next few days. Smith has been held out of practice this week after developing some tightness in his hamstring. While the injury isn’t believed to be serious, the coaching staff plans to take precautions and may hold Smith out of the last week of summer camp. Coach Fox told the media on Monday night that Smith could be kept on the shelf until training camp in July, depending on how his leg feels later this week.

Arena Racing Coming To NC
A new style of racing is on its’ way to North Carolina and several NASCAR teams want in on the action. Arena Racing will begin its’ season in November and then run through late March, with all of the races being held on Saturday nights. Drivers race on an aluminum track one tenth of a mile long with 18 degree turns, with cars that run on 390cc Honda engines with 61-inch wheelbases and weigh around 725 pounds. The series, which was created in Norfolk Virginia, will spread to Charlotte on November 11th, where the season will begin in Cricket Arena. 56 spots are still open for the league and it costs $12,000 to purchase a team, which comes complete with an already assembled car. Also you don’t have to be out of school to step behind the wheel. Drivers can be as young as 14 in the series. Already it’s attracted attention from some NASCAR teams, as Joe Gibbs will run a car and Tony Stewart is considering getting involved as well.

News & Sports For June 13th

Wilkes County Drug Trafficker Arrested
Sheriff’s deputies went to investigate a North Wilkesboro home this weekend, finding dog fighting and drugs inside. After getting a search warrant for the house on Fishing Creek Road, deputies went inside to discover 83 rocks of crack cocaine. Sitting in a cabinet next to the drugs was $2058 in cash and outside deputies found the instruments used in dog fighting. Bloody break sticks were found, along with eleven dogs kept behind the house, most of which were injured in some way. 28-yr-old Robert Edward Coles III was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs and dog fighting.

Cheaper Drugs Available For Blue Cross Members
There’s good news today if you are a member of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The company has announced that it’s extending a program that makes it a lot cheaper to get generic drugs. The co-payment waiver plan gives you the next new prescription for free. That doesn’t mean a new refill of something that you’ve been taking for a while, but rather a generic prescription you’re getting filled for the first time. The drugs covered by the plan are any that deal with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and high cholesterol. There isn’t any paperwork to do, you just present the Blue Cross ID card when getting the prescription filled. This is however just a one time waiver. When you need a refill the co-payment plan goes back into effect. The plan had been scheduled to end on July 31st, but company officials decided to extend the program for another six months. Data from Blue Cross projects that the program has helped customers save an estimated $20 million on prescription drugs.

Wilkesboro Man Killed By Driver
One Wilkesboro man is dead today after an accident Sunday night. Verlie Church Jr. had been out on a walk and was crossing Hwy 421 near West Gate Dr. when he was hit by a driver. The driver of the car, a 17-yr-old from Boone, was heading east on the highway just before 10pm Sunday night and told police she didn’t see Mr. Church until it was too late to stop. After hitting Church, the girl drove about 9/10ths of a mile before pulling off at Save Mart to call 911. The 61-yr-old Church died at the scene while the girl walked away without a scratch. An estimated $6000 in damage was done to the girl’s car.

3WC Techwatch: Possible Problems For Your PC
You could be helping hackers retrieve your personal information without knowing it, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. Several watchdog groups have come out warning of a problem for all web browers that use JavaScript. The defect can cause problems for Internet Explorer and Firefox users, as hackers can use the JavaScript program in reverse. Under normal circumstances, it helps the computer remember passwords and other personal information. But if a hacker is able to gain access to the computer through the internet, he could reverse the program. That would allow him to see what keys the user hit and in what order, effectively giving him the information you typed. A patch is being designed to help solve the problem, but until it’s released, officials are asking people to be careful what business they do online.

Local Man Arrested For Stealing Steaks
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man over the weekend after he was caught stealing from Holly Mountain IGA. An employee from the store called deputies after watching a man put two steaks into his pocket, then run out the door. He got into a Red Honda Civic, which she was able to provide deputies with the license plate for and took off down the road. As deputies were heading to the store, they passed the vehicle and started to pursue. After a few minutes the thief slowed down, then jumped out of the car and took off running across Highway 18 North. After a brief chase deputies tracked down 28-yr-old Derick Aaron Owens and found six steaks from IGA in the backseat of the vehicle. In addition, Owens had three outstanding warrants for his arrest and now faces charges of larceny, resisting a public officer and failure to stop for blue lights & siren.

Recall Ordered Of Several Dozen Packaged Foods
If you’re planning on using any type of self-heating container when storing food, this next bit of news could prove important. A recall has been ordered of all 10 oz. Lakeside Foods self-heating containers. The problem is that some of the packages were contaminated with bacteria due to the fact their seals leak. The products which use these containers are all 10 oz. containers of Chef Jay's Zesty Chicken, Chef Jay's Hearty Beef, Wolf Gang Puck Rich Caramel Latte & Rich Espresso Latte, Hillside French Vanilla Latte & Hillside Hazelnut Latte, Decadent Chai Tea Latte and Yummers Hot Chocolate. North Carolina was one of 32 states that the products were distributed to and customers can return the items to the store they bought them from for a free refund. Or if you have questions, you can call Lakeside Foods at 1-800-466-3834 Ex. 4090.

Gas Thieves Target Village Market
Gas thieves targeted another Wilkes County business over the weekend this time hitting the Village Market #2 in North Wilkesboro. On Saturday, a man pulled up in a red Camero, pumped $37.71 in gas and then drove off down the road. Employees from inside the store were able to give deputies a description of both the man and his vehicle. That investigation is ongoing.

Camera Stolen From Hayes Home
Thieves broke into a Hayes woman’s home while she was in the hospital last week, running off with a digital camera. The homeowner came back on Sunday and discovered the theft, however there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. Also nothing else was taken from the residence. Deputies are continuing that investigation.

Regional News

Two Teens Killed In Caldwell Accident
Speed was to blame for an accident in Caldwell County that took the life of two teens. Saturday afternoon, Highway Patrol officers were called out to a road in Granite Falls, where they found the bodies of two 16-yr-olds, burned alive in their vehicle. The driver apparently lost control when he went around the curve, causing the car to go off the road and slam into a tree, where it burst into flames. Friends of the two boys found the wreckage and called for help after they didn’t show up for a planned meeting.

State News

Electronic Recycling Could Soon Be Reality
A new type of recycling could soon be reality across North Carolina, if one state lawmaker has his way. Every year, an estimated 50,000 tons of electronic trash is discarded, including digital cameras, computers and other bits of technology here in the state. Now Wake County State Senator Janet Cowell has created a solution. In a proposal soon to be put forth to the Senate, Cowell suggests designating at least one drop off site in each of the state’s 100 counties. That way people can get rid of last year’s equipment for free, without polluting local landfills. Money would be raised for the plan through a $4 tax on all computers, televisions and printers, expected to generate at least $11 million a year. That money would be turned over to county leaders, who would in turn have the option of creating their own drop-off facilities or paying a company to do it.

Charlotte School Placed Under Lockdown
Some teachers at one Charlotte school got a surprise on Monday as the building was placed under lockdown. Teachers had been working at Merry Oaks Elementary School for several hours when police officials came by, searching for a robbery suspect. While the man was still on the loose, they ordered the building be placed under lockdown. No one was hurt, but teachers had to stay inside the building on into the evening hours Monday night.

Hunt Is On For Missing Man In Lincoln County
Officials in Lincoln County are trying to determine what happened to a local man who vanished last week. 22-yr-old Cletus Davis was last seen at his home on June 4th. There was no sign of a break-in at the home or anything to indicate he had been the victim of foul play. Davis is described as being 5’9 ft. and weighing 145 lbs. with brown eyes and brown hair. Deputies are also trying to track down Davis’ vehicle, a 1996 silver Dodge Intrepid, which has also disappeared. A reward is being offered for information leading officers to Davis and people can call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department at 1-704-736-8856.

More NC Troops On Their Way Overseas
North Carolina is saying goodbye to some more troops today, as they get ready to ship out. 60 members of the 113th Field Artillery Headquarters & Headquarters Battery will be leaving for additional training at Fort Dix, before traveling to Iraq. The National Guard troops, which are based out of Greensboro, were honored in a ceremony Sunday at the First Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro. This will be the group’s second deployment in less than a year. Last fall they were sent down to Louisiana to help with Hurricane Katrina relief.

Concord Boy Charged With Murder
A 16-yr-old Concord boy is in jail today, charged in the murder of his father. On Sunday morning, police were called out in regards to a domestic disturbance where they found 36-yr-old Antonio Cousar (Co-sar) dead of a gunshot wound. The man’s girlfriend had been hiding in another part of the home and told police that his son had shot him & ran off. 16-yr-old Demarcus Cousar was found at a shopping center a few blocks away along with the .38 caliber revolver officers believe was used in the shooting. No motive has been determined for the killing and Demarcus is currently in the Cabarrus County jail awaiting trial.

Sports Headlines

New Rule For NCAA Sports
A new rule could soon be changing the face of college sports. Effective this fall, any athlete will gets their degree in four years but still has one year of eligibility left can transfer to another university’s graduate program. Then without having to sit out, he or she would be able to continue their playing career for one more season. The idea is to help seniors who may not be ready to enter a pro atmosphere, to continue to develop their game. Universities are concerned however that rival schools will try to steal their players. For example if a senior is coming off the bench at a big name university, a smaller school may try to recruit him to come in as a graduate and play as a starter for one season. It’s too late to switch for the coming year, but officials expect a lot of activity next spring.

Duke Lands Football Recruit
In college football, the Blue Devils have landed their first commitment for 2007. Eriks Reks announced over the weekend that he plans to join the Duke team after high school. The 6’5 ft. 227 lb. Reks is a rising senior at Xaverian Brothers High School in Massachusetts and a former classmate of Duke starting quarterback Zack Asack. As a junior this past season, Reks played both defensive end and tight end, recording 78 tackles, 14 sacks and a blocked punt. In addition he can run a 40-yd. dash in 4.59 seconds and is an excellent blocker. Reks turned down offers from Connecticut and Buffalo to join the Blue Devils, saying that he believes Duke can rise to the top of the conference.

Winthrop Pitcher Wins AwardSwitching gears to college baseball, a Winthrop pitcher has received a national award. Winthrop pitcher Alex Wilson was named the National Freshman of the Year by Collegiate Baseball. In his first season, Wilson recorded 143 strikeouts while going 13-3 for Winthrop, picking up wins against Miami, Wake Forest and Alabama.

Bobcats Land Second Round Pick
In the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats have landed another pick in the upcoming draft. Thanks to a complicated scenario, the Bobcats got the Sacramento Kings’ 2nd round pick, to complete a deal made last fall for point guard Jason Hart. Under terms of an earlier agreement, the Orlando Magic had control of the pick or they could decline and wait til next year. The Magic chose that option, giving the pick, 50th overall, to the Bobcats. So far that’ll be the team’s only choice in the second round, as they traded away their own selection in the trade that brought Melvin Evy and Eddie House over from the Clippers.

Former Panther Hired By Kansas City
In the NFL, a former member of the Carolina Panthers has a new job today. Former Panthers linebacker Ray Farmer has been hired by the Kansas City Chiefs, to serve as their director of pro personnel. The 33-yr-old Farmer, who is also a graduate of Duke University, will evaluate potential free agents, scout opponents and get information on potential draft picks. Since his retirement Farmer had been working as a college scout for the Atlanta Falcons.

Summer Shootout Starts Tonight
On the racing scene, the Summer Shootout starts tonight over at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The Shootout, which marks its’ 13th straight year of operation with tonight’s race, runs through August 8th. Legend cars, Thunder Roadsters and Bandoleros will be on the track to compete with the gates opening at 5pm. The races will begin at 5:30pm.

News & Sports For June 12th

More Soldiers Placed At Risk
It turns out that more Wilkes County troops could be at risk of having their information exposed. Last Thursday Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson was called to testify before Congress, about the theft of information that has put veterans and those currently in combat at risk. Last week the VA send out a press release saying that only 50,000 National Guard and Navy soldiers were exposed to the problem. But while testifying to Congress, Nicholson had to admit that wasn’t entirely correct. All total, the personal information of 2.2 million Guard, Reserve & Navy troops from North Carolina and around the country was on the computer disk stolen from a VA official’s home. Already problems are starting to pop up. A Gulf War vet in Ohio called officials over the weekend, after failing to receive his disability check. Stolen in the theft were not only social security numbers and medical information, but also phone numbers and home addresses, which means anything coming through the mail could be taken. Veterans and currently enlisted soldiers are being asked to check their bank statements when possible, to make sure they don’t fall victim to ID theft. Also if you believe that your information has been used, call 1-800-FED-INFO.

Wilkes County To Hold Flag Day Celebration
A ceremony will be held this Wednesday at West Park to honor America’s soldiers. The 2nd annual Flag Day celebration in Wilkes County will get started at 12 noon on June 14th with the presentation of colors by the VFW Post 1142. Dr. Brad Shinaman will speak at the event and then Heather Murphy, Director of the Health Foundation will read a list of local citizens who have been remembered through a donation to the Spirit of American Giving campaign. Music will be provided by the Wilkes Seniors on Stage and the event is free to the public. Once again all of this will be held at West Park and for more information you can contact the Health Foundation at 838-1949.

Gas Thieves Hit Wilkes Business
Apparently gas prices were too high for one person in Wilkes last week. On Thursday, a man pulled up to Wykes Food Mart in a silver convertible and pumped $4 worth of gas, then drove off without paying. A witness recognized the thief and told deputies where he lived. That investigation continues.

Blood Drives Going On Today
There is nothing more important than giving the gift of life and during the summer months, nothing is more needed. On an average day, 1500 pints of blood are used by hospitals and doctors across North Carolina to treat patients and perform surgeries. If you want to help maintain the local blood supply, you can do that by taking part in a series of blood drives later today. The Wilkesboro First United Methodist Church will host a drive from 2-7pm and another drive will be held at Antioch Baptist Church from 2-6:30pm. Now anyone who signs up to give blood this month can enter into a drawing for a free $1500 gas card from Citgo. To call for an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

One Car Totaled After Wreck On 421
One car was totaled and another damaged after an accident Thursday morning in Wilkesboro. A Millers Creek man was traveling down Hwy 421 when a second car slammed into him. That second vehicle was driven by a Purlear man, who had been attempting to merge back onto the highway from the Lowes Home Improvement access road. Thankfully no one was injured however estimated damages were placed at $1500.

Recall Ordered Of Digital Cameras
There some bad news for some digital camera owners out there, as your machine could start a fire. Hewlett Packard has announced a recall of its’ HP Photosmart R707 Digital Cameras. An estimated 224,000 cameras are involved in the recall, which was done due to a malfunction in some models. The camera can cause non-rechargeable batteries to overheat while connected to an adapter or docking station, igniting a fire that can damage both the camera and any other items around. Already reports have come in from across the country of damage being done by the camera. Hewlett Packard asks that anyone who owns the camera get in touch with them for a free repair. The HP website is www.hp.com or you can call 1-866-304-7117 between 6am and 6pm Monday through Friday.

Mower Driven Off From Wilkesboro Home
A Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he returned home last Thursday, as thieves had paid him a visit. As he can up to the house, a white SUV pulled out of his driveway and sped off down the road. After looking around the property, he found that one of his riding lawn mowers had been stolen, along with a weed trimer. A description of both the vehicle and its’ driver were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Always Lock Up Before You Leave
It’s never a good idea to leave your car unlocked, especially with items inside. A North Wilkesboro man found out why last week, as thieves ran off with some items from inside. He had left the car to pick up some things at Foster’s BP, but when he returned, the driver’s side door was standing open and his saw was gone from inside. That investigation continues.

Regional News

Man Dies In Elkin Crash
One man is dead after an accident Friday night in Elkin. Highway Patrol officers said the wreck occurred just before 8pm on I-77, where construction work had traffic slowed to a crawl. A man from Cleveland North Carolina was driving on the highway but didn’t notice that traffic was slowing. By the time he did realize, it was too late to slam on the brakes and he plowed into a tractor-trailer. 67-yr-old Robert Allison was taken to Baptist Medical Center where he died later that night.

Broyhill Shutting Down Another Plant
The job market continues to shrink in Caldwell County, as yet another furniture plant is shutting its’ doors. Broyhill Furniture announced over the weekend that it will be closing the doors on its’ Pacemaker plant, effective August 26th. The move will put 692 people on the unemployment line and marks the 5th plant Broyhill has closed in the area since 2005. Company officials blamed overseas competition for the decision.

Three Men Charged In Lenoir Murder
Three men have been arrested in Caldwell County in connection with a murder that happened over the weekend. Early Saturday morning, 41-yr-old Mark Anthony Gibbs was gunned down at his home on Piedmont Street, shot twice with what police said was a .45 caliber gun. Within a few hours, thanks to witnesses at the scene and evidence, police arrested & charged three Catawba County men with the crime. 26-yr-old Teunta (Tay-un-ta) Hunter was charged with the murder, while 29-yr-old Jermaine Hunter and 31-yr-old Timothy Gaither face charges of being an accessory after the fact.

State News

More Jobs Coming To Asheville
Good news for people living in the Asheville area, as more jobs will soon be on the way. Volvo announced over the weekend that it will be expanding operations at the Asheville plant, bringing in 264 new jobs and also investing $30 million into the area. The move comes in part thanks to an estimated $10.6 million in grant money from North Carolina. Volvo plans to start hiring next May.

NC Senators Ask President For Change
President Bush received a letter from two North Carolina Senators over the weekend, calling for a change in judicial appointees. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Sen. Richard Burr are asking the president to reconsider who he appoints to the bench, saying that more North Carolina judges need to be considered, especially for the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 4th Court covers a 5 state area which includes North & South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. However out of the 15 judges on the court, only one is from North Carolina.

Sports Headlines

Carolina Bound For The World Series
In college baseball, the Carolina Tarheels made history over the weekend as they qualified for the College World Series. Carolina beat Alabama on Friday & Saturday night to sweep the best two out of three series and advance for the first time since 1989. With the win, the Tarheels improve to 50-13 on the season.

Highs & Lows For NC Players
The NBA’s predraft camp was held this past week and several North Carolina players took part. For UNC forward David Noel, the experience may have locked him in as a first round pick. The 6’6 ft. Noel filled up the stat sheet, with 6 points, 7 assists and 2 steals, however scouts at the camp said that his one problem is not being able to consistently create his own shot. Wake Forest center Eric Williams saw his chances of being picked shrink, after committing 15 fouls within a span of 61 minutes during the week. UNC Charlotte’s Curtis Withers had problems of his own, as the 6’8 ft. forward was constantly outmuscled for rebounds and committed 6 fouls in 20 minutes of play.

Duke Could Have Two First Round Picks
Some good news from the college ranks, as the Duke Blue Devils could see two of their seniors picked up in the first round of the NBA draft. J.J. Redick is projected to go in the Top 13 and now this weekend it was announced that Sheldon Williams is almost a lock to go in the Top 5. Williams suddenly cancelled all of his workouts with teams below the Number 5 pick, which means that he’s landed a commitment from one of the top five clubs in the draft.

Hurricanes Drop Game Three
On the ice Saturday night, the Carolina Hurricanes lost Game Three of the Stanley Cup finals, thanks to a questionable goal by Edmonton. With 2:15 left in the game, the puck ricocheted off goalie Cam Ward and hit the chest of Edmonton’s Ryan Smith, who fell forward and caused the puck to go into the goal. Carolina protested because they said Smith was in the crease, which is illegal but refs allowed the goal to stand. Game Four is set for tonight with Carolina holding the 2 games to 1 lead.

Hamlin Wins At Pocono
On the Nextel Cup circuit Sunday night, it was Denny Hamlin overcoming a blown tire to take the checkered flag at Pocono. Kurt Busch was a close second and despite racing with a fractured shoulder blade, Tony Stewart was able to claim third. Brian Vickers came in fourth and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five.

Drivers Play Musical Chairs
In other NASCAR news, several drivers are looking to play their own version of musical chairs. Brian Vickers has announced that he’s looking for another ride for next season. Vickers, who currently drives the No. 25 Chevy for Hendrick Motorspots, said that he just felt a change was needed, based on the way things were going with the car. It’s believed that Vickers could be planning a move over to the new Team Red Bull when it gets up and running next year.

News & Sports For June 7th

Public Hearings Held On Budget & Schools
Wilkes County commissioners met last night and dealt with several items on the agenda. A public hearing was held, for anyone who wanted to share their opinions on the new school improvements project. No one stepped forward to voice an opinion and so the commissioners moved on to discuss the county budget. As it stands, the budget for the next fiscal year is $68,448, 303. Donnie Bumgarner spoke up during the public hearing and explained that Social Services needs at least one more employee, which there isn’t enough money in the current budget to provide for. Also JoAnn Elledge questioned why commissioners had approved a possible increase in salaries for county employees when unemployment is still a problem here in Wilkes. County Manager Gary Page countered that unemployment is actually down significantly in the county. In May, that number was 4.4%.

Merlefest Goes Over Budget
Other news from last night’s commissioners’ meeting, as the board approved a transfer of money to cover additional expenses of Merlefest. The festival went over the projected budget this season, which had been placed at $31,250. To cover the additional fees, $7153 was transferred over from the general fund. Those fees included an additional $1635 for maintenance and repair of the grounds.

Pastor Turns Himself In On Sex Charges
Charges of sexual abuse from residents of two counties including Wilkes have caused a Statesville pastor to give himself up to police. 64-yr-old Carl Edward Nixon has served as pastor of Believers Faith Center for over 20 years, also actively involved with the church’s Christian academy for kids ages . He now faces charges of sexually assaulting three of the children that attended his church, once in 1989, with a second and third incident happening in 1991 and 1995. One of the girls, who is now 18, is a native of Wilkes County and was the first to come forward back in May. Then soon after, the other two girls, who are now 29 and 24 respectively, told police what happened to them. All three said that they were hesitant in discussing the event because they didn’t think anyone would believe it. Nixon was arrested on Monday and then released on $25,000 bond.

Wilkes SAFE Organization Receives Money From Governor
One Wilkes County organization is getting some much needed support from the governor. In a decision announced on Tuesday, Governor Mike Easley has handed out $21.96 million to programs across the state, as part of the Governor’s Crime Commission. That money is earmarked for programs that will help to improve community safety and assist the victims of crimes, domestic or otherwise. Wilkes County’s SAFE Inc. received $146,785.30, to go toward improving their victim services programs. The grants are handed out each year, as the commission determines from the applications turned in which areas need money the most.

One Car Totaled In College Street Accident
One car was totaled and another damaged in an accident on Collegiate Drive Monday morning. A Wilkesboro woman was traveling down the highway when she was hit by another car. That second vehicle, driven by a Boomer man, had been trying to merge onto the road from a parking lot at Wilkes Community College. No one was injured in the crash but estimated damages were placed at $2000.

All For Some Free TV
Thieves targeted a Moravian Falls home on Monday, breaking in & going shopping. Two cable boxes were unhooked and carried out of the home, along with two tvs from the residence. In addition, $1500 in cash was stolen from the homeowner’s bedroom. The home on Hwy 16 South had no signs of a break-in and no damage done to the property however that investigation continues.

Tools Stolen From Moravian Falls Home
Several hundred dollars worth of tools were taken this week from a Moravian Falls home. The incident happened sometime Monday afternoon at a residence on East Meadows Road. The homeowner got a phonecall from a relative, who informed him that some men had been by the property and were seen running off from a storage building. Witnesses later told deputies that two white men pulled up in a Toyota Camry and tried to break into the house. When that failed, they walked around and broke into a storage building instead. A drill, three chainsaws, a couple of drop cords and other items were taken from inside, an estimated $570 worth of merchandise. Descriptions of the suspects and their car were given to deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Thieves Hit Local Business
Wilkesboro police were called out to a local business on Monday after thieves paid a visit. An air compressor was stolen from Oasis Tanning, although it’s unclear how it was taken. There was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. The theft was discovered by store employees when they arrived early Monday morning, as the compressor had been unhooked from the building. That investigation continues.

Thieves Go On Shopping Spree At Local Home
Deputies were called out to a home on Industrial Drive Monday morning after $1300 worth of merchandise went missing. Someone had broke into a storage building on the property and ran off with a chainsaw, a wrench, several drills and other tools. There is however a suspect in the case, as locals witnessed a man walking around the area that morning. A description of the man was given to deputies and they’re continuing the investigation.

Regional News

Caldwell County Approves “Something”Construction plans are moving forward for a new project in Caldwell County, but citizens and town officials are left in the dark. Caldwell commissioners gave approval on Monday to sell part of the land at Foothills Regional Airport, where they were told “something” would be coming in the next few months. Airport Authority members told the commissioners that they had been working on the deal for almost six months but couldn’t provide any details as to the name of the company or what it would entail. Officials did say however that an announcement about the project could come sometime in the next 30 days.

State News

NC Marine Group Shipping Out
For the fourth time in five years, members of North Carolina’s Marine unit are shipping out overseas. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will start loading up today and plan to be on their way by Friday of this week. 2200 Marines will be in the group, to go along with an infantry battalion from the 8th Marine Regiment, Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 and a support group.

Duke To Spend $2 Billion In Upgrades
State officials are now considering an application from Duke Energy, as the company has asked for permission to upgrade one of its’ plants. If approved, $2 billion in upgrades would be done to the facility that straddles the county line between Cleveland and Rutherford. Two new coal-fired energy units would be installed, replacing the older, less efficient ones under the plan, which wouldn’t be finished until 2011.

Teacher Under Investigation In Rowan County
Officials in Rowan County are investigating a teacher in the area today. 47-yr-old Joe David Cress has been placed on suspension with pay while local law enforcement continue their investigation. It’s still unknown what exactly the agriculture teacher stands accused of doing, as both and school officials refuse to say. What they did say however is that a student is involved in the investigation.

Teenagers Behind String Of Robberies In Greensboro
It turns out that a group of teenagers were behind a recent string of bank robberies in the Greensboro area. Officials have arrested six people in connection to the three crimes, four of which were teens and two were juveniles. The group is believed responsible for bank robberies in Cabarrus, Chatham and Davidson counties that occurred during the months of March and April. Police arrested the group before they could carry out plans to rob banks in Albemarle and Stanly counties. The group now faces charges of conspiracy, bank robbery with a deadly weapon and attempted bank robbery. Officials are still looking for two members of the group, who are on the loose.

Bears Making Their Presence Known
People in Alexander and Burke County are growing concerned about some furry friends that are making their presence known this summer. Bears have started to come out into local neighborhoods, walking right through the front lawns and even in some cases on the road. A black bear sighting in the Maiden area over the weekend was the fourth in the past week. During that time black bears have popped up in Morganton, Bethlehem and Maiden. One black was seen walking into the football stadium at Freedom High School, while another was making his way to Judge’s Riverside Restaurant in Morganton. Wildlife officials are saying there’s nothing to be concerned about, that the bears are just coming out to hunt for food and tend to leave humans alone.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Baseball Results
It was a rough night for the Wilkes Post 31 Patriots. They lost in American Legion action to Rowan County 23-0 at Wilkes Central High School. Wilkes pitchers gave up five runs in the first two innings and never recovered, as head coach Randy Ashley had to use most of his available pitching staff to finish the game. With the loss, Wilkes drops to 0-10 on the season.

NC Pitchers Top Tuesday’s Draft
Several North Carolina pitchers made it to the top of the list for Major League Baseball’s amateur draft on Tuesday. UNC’s Andrew Miller was the first North Carolina player taken, as he went to the Detroit Tigers with the 6th pick. The 6’6 ft. Miller went 12-2 in the regular season, to help UNC make it to the postseason. A Demon Deacon was the next North Carolina product in the draft, as the San Diego Padres took Wake Forest third baseman Matthew Antonelli with the 17th pick. The 6’1 ft. Antonelli can hit with power and also has decent speed. Scouts project that he could play virtually any position on the field. Boston also got into the Tarheel craze, selecting UNC pitcher Daniel Bard with the 28th pick. The 6’4 ft. righthander has one of the best arms in the draft, with a fastball that hits 97 mph at times however he’s had a problem with control. The draft wraps up later today.

Panthers Sign UNC Player
On the football field, another new face was introduced as a member of the Carolina Panthers Tuesday afternoon. Kyle Ralph, a rookie offensive lineman from UNC Chapel Hill was signed to a free agent contract. The 6’4 303 lb. Ralph had originally caught on with the Seattle Seahawks after the draft as an unsigned free agent. But the team had too many linemen and not enough jobs, so he was waived. Ralph will be one of 16 linemen in Carolina’s training camp competing for 12 spots on the roster.

Elliot Suiting Up For Red Bull
A familiar face will be back behind the wheel later this year in NASCAR. Team Red Bull won’t officially enter the series until 2007, when their two cars will run on the circuit full time. But to test out their current product and get the team ready, Red Bull announced this week that Bill Elliot will drive a car for them in three races this season. Elliot will drive in the Bank of America 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway & the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta, then turn around and race at the Dickies 500 at Texas.

News & Sports For June 6th

Wilkes County Says Goodbye To Former Police Officer
This afternoon, Wilkes County will say goodbye to one of its’ favorite sons, as Dennis Eller is laid to rest. The 41-yr-old Eller, a former lieutenant in the Wilkesboro Police Department, left his job to work as a security guard in the Iraqi city of Basra in 2004. He returned home last year to a different kind of fight, battling against stomach cancer. Eller lost that fight on Saturday and will be laid to rest today at Lewis Fork Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at 2pm with Pastor Sherrill Wellborn presiding.

Major County Meeting Coming Up Tonight
Later on tonight, a major meeting is being held in Wilkes County. A public hearing is going on at 6pm tonight in the county office building, dealing with both the school system and the county budget. The new school improvements project, which would affect all four county high schools, is up for discussion. In addition, citizens will be able to give their opinion on the county’s budget for the next year. That’s going on tonight beginning at 6pm in the commissioners’ room of the county office building.

Some National Guard Troops Affected By Theft
It turns out that Wilkes County vets weren’t the only locals affected by a break-in at the Veterans Administration offices. Over the weekend, the VA released information that an estimated 50,000 active duty soldiers in the National Guard and Navy also had their personal information stolen. Veterans Affairs officials in Virginia still aren’t sure how much information was taken, as their investigation continues. As with the vets, VA officials are asking that National Guard troops check their bank statements when possible, to make sure they don’t fall victim to ID theft.

Blood Drive Going On Today
Summer can pose a problem to the Red Cross, as people go on vacation and the number of blood donors drops way down. Despite the lowered blood supply, the need is as strong as ever. To help solve the problem, the Wilkes Red Cross is holding a drive today at the local VFW Hall from 2-6:30pm. To add some more incentive, donors can enter their name in to win a $1500 gas card from Citgo, which will be awarded later this month. To sign up and donate, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

More GM Vehicles Recalled
Bad news for more GM owners, this time involving your trucks. An estimated 400,000 GM trucks have been recalled, to to a malfunction in the brake light system. All 2004, 2005 and 2006 models of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are included in the recall, along with the 2006 models of the Isuzu I-280 and I-350. The problem comes from a malfunction in the brake lights, due to faulty installation. After an extended period, the brake lights in the truck may go out completely or stay on permanently. Also as a result of the malfunction, cruise control on the vehicles will become inoperative. Owners can take the vehicle back to the dealer they bought it from for a free repair.

Just Came In To Have A Look Around
A man on Reynolds Avenue got a surprise when returning home last Friday. The back door to his house was standing wide open and it was clear someone had been inside. The glass portion of the door had been shattered and it appears the vandals just walked right in. However once inside the vandals didn’t touch anything, as there was no damage done and nothing disturbed in the residence. That investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: An Ear To Hear
Your teenager’s headphones could be causing him to go deaf, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A survey done by Zogby International recently found that over half of high school students polled have at least one of the symptoms of hearing loss. The reason? They have the music turned up too loud in their IPods or other digital players. While out and about, noise from traffic or other sounds can get in the way of a good song, so teens turn it up to the maximum volume. But that’s where it gets dangerous. In the new digital players, maximum volume can be as high as 120 decibels, as loud as a jet taking off from the runway. If you listen at that level for more than ten minutes at a time, doctors say, it can lead to permanent damage. Even if the results aren’t permanent, they can affect the student’s performance in the classroom. Additional research at Vanderbilt University found that students suffering from any type of hearing loss are at least 10 times more likely to fail a test or flunk a grade than those with normal hearing. But this doesn’t mean you have to toss the players in the trash. As long as the sound is kept at medium levels, there’s no damage done. Teens just have to learn that along with the on/off switch, there’s also one for volume. For more information, parents can visit the National Institute on Deafness at their website http://www.nidcd.nih.gov.

SCM Needs Help
It’s hard at times to put food on the table and also pay your bills. Here in Wilkes, several organizations reach out and help people who are struggling through hard times, including Samaritan’s Christian Ministry. Now however the Kitchen finds itself needing some help of its’ own. So many people have been by in recent weeks that the shelves are almost empty and there aren’t enough workers to prepare meals on the weekends. If you can set aside thirty minutes or three hours, whatever you can spare, please give the ministry a call at 838-5331.

State News

Number Of NC Meth Labs Falling
Good news across North Carolina, as the number of meth labs in the state are falling. Attorney General Roy Cooper made that announcement over the weekend, explaining that state officials only found 11 labs in May. That’s a drop of over 60% from this same time last year and Attorney General Cooper attributes a new state law for the change. Late last year, state lawmakers made it illegal to obtain any cold medicine that contained pseudoephedrine without a prescription. In addition people have to sign a log when they buy the medicine and show a picture ID.

Send In The Clowns
Officials in Charlotte are trying to track down a clown today. On Monday morning, a local branch of the First Citizens Bank was robbed by a man dressed up in a clown suit. Just before 9:30am, a man came walking in, dressed in what witnesses say was a hobo type clown suit. He walked up to the teller and demanded money before escaping into a black Ford Explorer that was waiting nearby. The suspect is described as a black male in his late 20s, about 5’10 ft. and around 140 lbs. Police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 1-704-334-1600.

Missing Man Found In Burke County
A man who had been missing for over two days was found in Burke County on Monday. 68-yr-old Harvey Huffman had gone for a walk near Lake Rhodhiss on Saturday, but never came back. After covering a 5-mile area around the lake with dogs, helicopters and boats, officials found Mr. Huffman on Monday afternoon. He had apparently gotten disoriented when out for his walk and just walked over to a nearby shack, where he waited for someone to find him.

Body Identified In Burke County
A body that was discovered last week in Moore County has now been identified. Last Thursday, some locals found the body of 53-yr-old William Bost in an abandoned tobacco barn. The discovery put to rest a nearly two month long search for the attorney, who vanished from his home back in April. There didn’t appear to be any evidence of foul play and officials are writing off the death as suicide.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Baseball Tonight
The Wilkes Post 31 Patriots are back in Wilkes County tonight, playing their 5th game in the last 5 days. Rowan County is in town and the action will start at 7pm with the first pitch. Ken Byrd will be on hand at the field to bring you the play by play and we’ll get things started with the McDonald’s pregame show at 6:45pm.

Appalachian Wins Conference Awards
On the college scene, Appalachian State walked away with several trophies last week. The Mountaineers were awarded both the Commissioner’s Cup and the German Cup, handed out each year by the Southern Conference for the best men’s & women’s athletic department. This marks the sixth time Appalachian has won both awards at the same time.

Panthers Release Cornerback
The Carolina Panthers released a member of their roster this week, cutting cornerback Garnell Wilds. Wilds had been recently involved in a motor scooter accident in Florida, injuring his knee. Team officials had asked all players to stay away from dangerous activities, especially with training camp competition coming up. Last year Wilds split time between the team’s practice squad and regular roster. The cut leaves Carolina with 91 players in the mix for jobs. That number has to be dropped down to 53 by the end of training camp in September.

NC Runner Offered Football Contract
A world famous track runner from North Carolina has been offered a football contract. Justin Gatlin, co-owner of the 100-meter world record, has been invited to training camp by the Philadelphia Eagles. If he had agreed, the team planned to use Gatlin as a punt and kickoff returner. However Gatlin said that he has just one goal, to organize a race between the top two runners in the world, to finally crown the world’s fastest man.

Chip Ganassi Looking To Make A Change
A new face will be behind the wheel for Chip Ganassi Racing on June 25th. The No. 40 Dodge, usually driven by rookie David Stremme, will instead be piloted by road racing specialist Scott Pruett. Ganassi officials gave no reason for the change, but said that Stremme would be back behind the wheel the next week at Daytona.

News & Sports For June 5th

Wilkes Unemployment Dramatically Drops
The unemployment rate here in Wilkes is dropping rapidly as we enter the month of June. At the beginning of May, Wilkes had a 4.4% unemployment rate, the lowest it’s been since the year 2000. There were 277 new jobs created and 71 people added to the total workforce. The numbers show a continuation of growth that was started back in February, as the county’s unemployment rate has been on a steady decline ever since. Wilkes is mere percentage points above the state unemployment average, which stands at 4.1%. All of those numbers were taken from the latest monthly report released from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission.

Medication Stolen From North Wilkesboro Woman
Thieves ran off with some medication from a North Wilkesboro home late last week. The incident happened early Thursday morning, as the homeowner had invited a friend inside. Minutes after coming in, that friend somehow found their way to the medicine cabinet and started stealing some of the painkillers inside. However when the homeowner walked up and saw what she was doing, the would be thief downed the evidence, over 15 painkillers in one mouthful. Amazingly, she didn’t suffer any serious medical problems, but her name was given over to deputies by the homeowner, who wanted her charged for stealing the medication. That investigation continues.

Price Of Cigarettes May Remain For Another Year
There’s some potentially good news for cigarette smokers in Wilkes County, as a planned tax hike could be put off. Last July, state lawmakers agreed to increase the cigarette tax to 30 cents but agreed to temporarily delay it. Now lawmakers want to put off implementing the tax once again, as studies are showing higher cigarette prices would hurt sales in counties close to the South Carolina and Tennessee border. The idea was proposed in a new bill last week, looking to compete with South Carolina, whose lawmakers did the exact same thing earlier this year. If the bill passes, the cigarette tax won’t go up until July 1st of 2007.

Just Wanted Some Help Cutting Grass
Some thieves in the Ferguson area apparently just wanted some help cutting grass, as they broke into a home late last week. The homeowner came back on Thursday to discover the theft, which happened at a log cabin on the Casper Hawkins Road. A storage shed on the property was broke into, as thieves cut the lock and walked inside. Taken from the building, was a Toro riding mower, a generator and a Buckmaster bow. That investigation is ongoing.

Just Came In To Have A Look Around
A Hayes man went to check on some family property late last week, but found that someone had beaten him there. The front door had been pried open, but despite the damage nothing was missing or even touched inside the home. In fact besides the open door, there was no evidence that anyone had been near the house. That investigation is ongoing.

Blood Drive Later Today
Summer is traditionally a time of need for the Red Cross, as vacations and other commitments severely deplete the attendance at blood drives. With the local supply nearing critical levels, the Wilkes chapter of the Red Cross is holding a drive today at Millers Creek United Methodist Church. The drive runs from 2-7pm and all donors who come out will be entered into a drawing for a free $1500 gas card from Citgo. The drawing will be held later this month and to sign up, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Local Home
Last week, mailbox vandals targeted a home on the Johnson Road. A local woman came outside to find her mailbox broken. Both the box itself and the post it had been on were smashed and lying on the ground. However despite the noise such an event would cause, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything the night before. Estimated damage was placed at $20 and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Jonesville On America’s Most Wanted
The town of Jonesville got some national attention over the weekend after it was featured on America’s Most Wanted. The tv show dedicated a segment to a case that’s gone unsolved for almost 10 years. Back on October 5th 1996, police officer Gregory Keith Martin was shot while performing a routine traffic stop on I-77. In the time since then, sketches have been released of the three men believed to be involved, but officials haven’t been able to get any leads.

State News

North Carolina Now Has Alternative Fuel Station
There’s a new option for people tired of paying an arm and a leg at the pump. A gas station in Southern Pines has now become North Carolina’s first place to sell only alternative fuel. Two types of ethanol can be bought at the business, along with an alternative biodiesel mix for truckers. Here in North Carolina, there are 5500 state vehicles that run on ethanol or natural gas.

North Carolina Says Goodbye To Hugh Morton
Hundreds of North Carolinians said goodbye to an old friend this weekend, as Hugh Morton was laid to rest. Morton was the owner of Grandfather Mountain and was known across the state for his efforts to preserve the natural beauty and the wildlife that live in the North Carolina mountains. Sunday night people came together at Grandfather Mountain to pay tribute to the man in a memorial service set up in his honor. Morton died last week after a long struggle with cancer. Hugh Morton was 85.

Vandals Target Another Church
Yet another North Carolina church fell prey to vandals over the weekend, this time in Gastonia. Officials at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church came in over the weekend to find that someone had done some redecorating. Pentagrams were carved in the church’s floors and walls, both in and outside of the sanctuary in addition to sections of profanity. The carpet was damaged, fire extinguishers were painted and even some of the children’s toys from the nursery were affected. Estimated damage at St. Michaels was placed at $10,000 and police in the area are continuing the investigation.

School Students Rushed To Hospital In Eden
Class was dismissed Friday at a high school in Eden North Carolina, after someone released pepper spray in the building. Early Friday morning, a student came in and started spraying portions of a hallway. Within a few minutes, the spray had drifted into several classrooms, affecting both students and teachers. Several students had to be rushed to the hospital after having problems breathing and the school itself was evacuated. The culprit has since been discovered and now officials are considering what if any punishment he’ll face.

Sports Headlines

Tarheel Recruit Ranked High
Some good news for the UNC Tarheels on the recruiting front, as a future member of the football team is ranked in the nation’s Top 100. Wide receiver Dwight Jones, who currently attends Burlington Cummings High School was given a five star ranking by high school website Rivals.com. That’s the highest grade possible for high school players and it comes after a season where the 6’5 ft. 210 lb. Jones caught 49 passes for 952 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Tarheel Expected To Be First Pick
In other Tarheel sports news, one of UNC’s starting pitchers is expected to be taken with the first pick in today’s Major League Baseball draft. 6’6 ft. Andrew Miller won 11 games this year during the regular season, picking up 102 strikeouts along the way to being named the ACC’s pitcher of the year. He’s the consensus pick for the Kansas City Royals, who choose first in the draft, to be held this afternoon. Also expected to go in the first round is UNC Charlotte starter Daniel Bard.

Williams Lands Another Award
Former Appalachian State quarterback Richie Williams was honored last week as the Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year. The announcement was made Wednesday night during the conference awards dinner at Hilton Head. Last year Williams led Appalachian to their first ever NCAA national title in Division I-AA, tossing for 2809 yards and 20 TDs while rushing for 936 yards. The now graduated senior also holds the Southern Conference record for total offense, finishing with 9370 yards in his college career. Williams has since signed a contract with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger Cats, playing along former teammate Davon Fowlkes. Preseason for the CFL starts this weekend.

Panthers Coach Gets Promotion
Panthers Coach John Fox also announced a slight change in his coaching staff last week. Running backs coach Jim Skipper was promoted to assistant head coach. The 57-yr-old Skipper, in addition to working with the team’s running backs, has been involved in game management for several years, watching the clock, keeping track of timeouts and penalties. Coach Fox said the promotion was to give Skipper recognition for the jobs he already does.

Former Blue Devil Getting Back On Court
In the NBA, a former member of the Duke Blue Devils is attempting to get back on the court. Point guard Jason Williams saw his NBA career come to a halt back in 2003, after a motorcycle crash tore ligaments in his knee and damaged nerves in one of his legs. Now after almost three years of rehab, Williams wants to get back on an NBA court and is working out for the Toronto Raptors, who as it turns out are in the market for a point guard.

Kenseth Wins At Dover
On the Nextel Cup circuit, it was Matt Kenseth on Sunday taking the checkered flag in the Neighborhood Excellence 400. Kenseth passed Jamie McMurray with time running out to get the win at Dover. McMurray finished second, Kevin Harvick came in third, Jeff Burton was fourth and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five. Next up drivers head to Pocono this coming Sunday for the Pocono 500.