News & Sports For June 2nd

New Bill Would Mean No School Until Age 5 For Wilkes Kids
A new bill in the North Carolina House could have Wilkes County kids starting school a year later. In the proposed bill, created by Forsyth County Rep. Dale Folwell, all kids entering kindergarten would have to be five years old. Currently state law allows some four year olds to enter school early, as long as they turn five before October 17th. Now that deadline has been moved back to August 31st, in order to guarantee that virtually every student is at least five. The reason for the change is that some state officials are concerned four year olds aren’t mentally or in some cases physically ready to begin kindergarten. The bill was introduced over the weekend in the House and should be up for consideration in the next few weeks.

Local Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Millers Creek woman got a surprise this week, when she received a phone call from Social Services. It turns out that someone had obtained her information and was trying to use her Social Security card to get assistance. The request for assistance was denied, however Social Security couldn’t provide any information on the suspect besides a name. However additional sources have come forward and given deputies information on a possible suspect. That investigation continues.

Vandals Hit PeaceHaven Church
Vandals hit PeaceHaven Church earlier this week. The church, on Bryd Ridge Road in North Wilkesboro was targeted sometime between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Deputies arrived to find profanity sprayed on parts of the church and also on some of the church’s playground equipment. A window at the playground had also been shattered. There are suspects in the cases however, as it appears the vandals signed their names on the playground. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Bike Rodeo Coming Up Tomorrow
The 4th Annual Seth Teague Bicycle Rodeo is coming up tomorrow here in Wilkes. The event will go on Saturday from 10am til 2pm at the Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse on Hwy 421 with officials from SAFE KIDS on hand to instruct on bike safety. Helmets will be given out to any riders who don’t have one, also kid’s IDs will be provided. In addition, SAFEKIDS will perform minor repairs and adjustments for any bikes that need them. Ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters and police vehicles will also be on display for anyone who wants to take a look. For more information about the event, you can contact the Wilkes Chapter of SAFEKIDS at 921-7534.

Drove Off From The Driveway
Deputies were called out after a Wilkesboro man had his car stolen this week. The incident happened at a residence on Roses Lane, as the man had parked his car and got a ride, because the vehicle was in need of repair. When he returned home Wednesday afternoon the car was gone and neighbors told of a man in a tow truck driving off with it. A description of the thief along with information about the car was turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation continues.

Preparing For Summer Part III: Pet Care
With temperatures hitting the mid 90s this week, we’ve been sharing several different ways to help beat the heat. But while preparing for summer, we tend to forget about the effects heat has on our pets. Dogs are especially susceptible to the hot weather, with heatstroke being one of the major problems. Dogs are actually more affected by the heat than we are, mainly because their bodies conserve heat more than ours do. Panting and drinking plenty of water helps, but brain damage can set in after 15 minutes of exposure to temperatures over 100. Some ways to keep your pet cool are first and foremost, make sure they have a shaded place to go, such as a basement or other place out of the heat. Also you can take an cold towel, soak it in cool, but not cold water. Ice cold water would be a shock to the dog’s system, after coming in from the heat. Cool water however can help the animal maintain a lower body temperature. And aside from making sure they have plenty of water to drink, give the pets small ice cubes they can lick. Keep in mind that pugs and bulldogs, along with all older animals are extremely susceptible to heatstroke.

Vandals Hit Little Dipper
Vandals targeted another Wilkes County business on Monday, this time hitting the Little Dipper in North Wilkesboro. Early Monday morning, employees came in to find that someone had pried open the Pepsi machines outside. Salt had been poured into the coin changer and the vandals additionally tried to pry off the lock to a nearby storage building. Despite the damage, which was estimated at $150, nothing was taken. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Mailbox Vandals Cause Damage Of A Different Sort
Mailbox vandals targeted a neighborhood in North Wilkesboro this week, causing damage of a different sort. Instead of using baseball bats and cars, they used a marker. Mailboxes at homes on Maple Drive and Byrd Ridge Road had profanity written on them in permanent marker. There is a suspect in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Thieves Break Into Damaged Car
Thieves took advantage of an auto accident this week to run off with over $100 in merchandise. A Thurmond woman had been involved in an accident in Surry County and got her vehicle towed to a nearby lot. When she came back on Tuesday to pick up the vehicle, the CDs and CD player inside were missing. That investigation is ongoing.

Wilkes Animal Shelter To Hold Adoption Fair
Coming up this Saturday, the Wilkes Animal Shelter wants to help you find a furry friend to take home. They’re holding an Adoption Fair this week, courtesy of the Wilkes Humane Society. The event will run from 10:30am til 3pm at the shelter on 408 Call Street in Wilkesboro. It costs $75 to adopt a dog or puppy and $55 for a cat or kitten. That fee covers the cost of all vaccines and exams the animal would need, along with paying to have the pet spayed or neutered. If you want to look at some of the animals up for adoption before going over, they’re on the Humane Society website at www.humanesocietyofwilkes.org.

State News

North Carolina Guard Short On Vehicles
Some problems have arisen for the North Carolina National Guard, made worse by the beginning of hurricane season. Under current policy, Guard units leave their vehicles & most of their equipment behind when returning from Iraq. But as more units are shipped out and vehicles are destroyed, the Guard finds itself in the midst of a shortage. North Carolina’s Guard units are missing 300 Humvees out of its’ normal group of 750, which could spell trouble if a hurricane hits the state. Army & Guard officials say that they’re working to correct the problem, but won’t be able to guarantee when the vehicles will arrive. The latest estimate projects that it will be at least the end of this month before any new vehicles or equipment arrives, meaning that Guard units will have to make do with what they have in the case of an emergency.

Fire Started By Baptismal Equipment
Officials in Winston Salem have determined what caused a local church to go up in flames. Early Sunday morning, the Heavenview United Pentecostal Church caught fire with an estimated $1 million in damage done. Now fire marshals believe the blaze started with an electrical short. It’s believed that the baptismal pool’s pump and heater system shorted out, starting the fire which quickly spread to the rest of the sanctuary.

Fugitive Arrested In Durham
Officials in Durham captured a fugitive this week that had been on the run for over a month. 39-yr-old Stevie Floyd Gardner was arrested on Tuesday after police tracked him down by using phone records. Gardner had been wanted on charges of kidnapping his 4-yr-old son and taking his girlfriend’s father hostage when law enforcement closed in. Gardner is now in the Durham jail awaiting his day in court with bail set at $1.2 million.

University City A Source Of Bad Air
Bad news for anyone planning on attending UNC Charlotte in the fall. Your lungs might pay for it. EPA officials announced this week that University City is one of the worst areas in the state, in regards to air quality. The problem stems from major traffic congestion in some parts of the area, which helps to generate more pollution than normal. University City rates 106 on the government’s Air Quality Index, a test where bad air quality means a higher score. Those areas rating a 100 or worse have until 2010 to clean up or they’ll lose billions in federal dollars for road repair & transportation.

North Carolina Radio Legend Passes Away
North Carolina said goodbye to a radio legend on Wednesday. Ralph Epperson was a member of the North Carolina Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame and was one of the first DJs to feature local bluegrass performers on his radio station. That station WPAQ 740 AM went on the air back in 1948, blending bluegrass & folk music with news delivered from the station’s Mt. Airy studio. Epperson had continued to work at the station until May 12th, when he fell & suffered an injury. Then while recovering in the hospital he suffered a stroke. Ralph Epperson was 85.

Sports Headlines

Patriots In Action Tonight
In American Legion baseball, the Wilkes Post 31 Patriots take to the field tonight looking to rebound from a slow start. The team is 0-6 after Wednesday’s loss to Yadkin County and now face six games in the next seven days. Today they’re on the road against Lexington with the first pitch set for 7pm.

Basketball Camps Start On Monday
The first basketballs camp of the summer start on Monday here in Wilkes County. For girls in first through ninth grade, a camp is going on at Wilkes Central June 5th-8th from 8-11am. The event is going to be held at Wilkes Central and early registration costs $50 or you can sign up the day of the event for $60. Also the North Wilkes girls camp starts on Monday as well. That’s for girls in 2nd-9th grade and will be held from 12 noon til 3pm June 5th through the 8th. The cost is $45 but all rising ninth grade girls coming from North Middle School can attend for free.

Panthers Picked To Win Super Bowl
In the NFL, the preseason is still several months away but magazines are already selecting their picks to win the Super Bowl. Street & Smith, which is getting set to release their Pro Football Yearbook, has chosen Carolina as the team to win it all this year. The Charlotte based company has Denver as the Panthers’ opponent in the big game, believing they’ll beat Indianapolis while Carolina is expected to knock off Seattle.

Fines Handed Out In NASCAR
Fines & penalties were handed out this week on the Nextel Cup circuit. NASCAR officials put driver Kyle Busch on probation, effective til December 31st. They also fined him $50,000 and took away 25 points in the Chase for the Cup. All of that comes from Busch’s actions Sunday after a wreck with Casey Mears, when he walked back onto the track and tried to toss a piece of his car at Mears’ vehicle. The points deduction drops Busch from 9th to 10th in the Chase for the Cup, as he’s now 14 points behind Kevin Harvick. Also Jeremy Mayfield was docked 25 points after his car failed inspection. The roof of the No. 19 Dodge fell below the minimum height requirement of 51 inches.

News & Sports For June 1st

Good & Bad News For Wilkes County Vets
It turns out that some Wilkes County vets may be at risk of having more than just their personal information stolen. Earlier this month, 3WC News told you about the theft of computer files that contained information for over 26 million vets, taken from the home of a Veterans Affairs official. Now comes word that the theft may be more serious than originally thought. Memos from VA officials were obtained and released this week by the Associated Press, detailing that in addition to social security numbers and birthdates, the vets’ phone numbers and home address were taken in the theft. Also a list of those who participated in chemical testing programs during World War II, which totals up to include 6744 vets was taken. What can local vets do to prevent becoming a victim? The Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that you continue to keep a close eye on your bank statements and check your account regularly. Be sure to let officials at your bank know if you notice any irregularities. You can also call one of the major credit bureaus and check to make sure your information is secure, either by calling Equifax at 1-800-525-6285, Experian at 1-888-397-3742 or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7298.

Thieves Break Into Lowes Foods
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Lowes Foods on Statesville Road earlier this week after thieves broke in. The call came out at 3:30am Monday morning when employees came in and found the back door had been pried open. All total an estimated $9100 in damage was done, as the thieves attempted to pry open the safe, cut through the security wiring and also damaged the central security system box. After all that however the only things missing from inside were 51 cartons of cigarettes along with some ribeye steaks. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Money Orders Stolen From Traphill Home
Be careful who you let inside your house. A Traphill couple found that out the hard way recently. Earlier this week they called sheriff’s deputies to report the theft of several money orders that had been left at their residence on Billings Hill Church Road. Just over a week ago, they had invited some people in, leaving the orders stuffed in a cabinet. After the guests left, unfortunately so did the money. After getting in contact with authorities, the couple found that two out of the three orders had been cashed over the past week. Names and descriptions of the suspects were given over to deputies and that investigation continues.

Preparing For Summer Part II: Home Invasion
Heat exposure has killed eight thousand people in the last twenty years and most died in their own homes. So how can you keep the heat out of your house? In today’s second installment of our Beat The Heat Summer Series, we’re examining quick and easy ways to sunproof your home. First check to make sure your attic is properly ventilated. If insulation or anything else is clogging the vents, the attic temperature can climb as high as 150 degrees. Also make sure that all blinds and curtains have been pulled down in all areas of your home. That alone could help the temperature drop more than ten degrees in your home. For anyone with an air conditioner, clean the filter every month. A dirty filter on your AC will force it to work harder, raising your energy bill while not exactly keeping things cool. Also be sure and check your weather stripping. A properly sealed door can keep most of the hot air outside and away from you. Finally, make sure to turn down your fans to the low setting when it’s humid outside. The reason being is that slower movement can allow the fan to pull moisture out of the air, basically acting as a buffer to drain that humidity and make things more comfortable. Coming up in tomorrow’s third segment of the series, we’ll take a look at ways to help our pets survive in the heat.

Gas Thieves Target Wilkes Businesses
Several businesses here in Wilkes fell victim to gas thieves this week. A man pulled up to the Run-In on Hwy 421 West in Wilkesboro Monday night. He pumped $10 worth of gas, then jumped into his Chevy Blazer and took off down the road. Neighbors’ Store in Elkin meanwhile was hit Tuesday morning, as a man came in and paid for several purchases. However as he pulled out, employees discovered that he had also pumped $63 worth of gas but failed to pay for it. Information regarding the man and his vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

All For A Few More Cans
Moody’s Grocery fell victim to thieves earlier this week, who seemed to come in with a singular purpose in mind. The glass was shattered in the front door and it appears the thieves walked right in. However they didn’t bother the cash register, only leaving with 3 bundles of Copenhagen dipping tobacco and a $6 roll of change. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Focus On Teens
May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month across North Carolina, something definitely needed as the latest numbers show 45% of all firstborn children are born to unwed mothers and teens. Laura Edwards from the Community Health Connection will be Brian’s guest today for Focus on the Foothills, as they’ll be taking a look at what the numbers say for Wilkes County. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Loading Ramp Stolen From Holly Mountain IGA
Thieves targeted the Holly Mountain IGA earlier this week, but not for any of the items contained inside. The building’s loading ramp was stolen sometime Sunday night, picked up from the back of the business. Nothing else was damaged or even touched at the building but deputies are continuing the investigation.

3WC Healthwatch: Lack Of Iron Causes Baldness
For anyone whose hair is starting to vanish, the answer to regrowing it could be in your kitchen, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic have released a study which links baldness to iron deficiencies in the body. The study took several test subjects and examined their body’s reaction when given iron rich foods to eat. What it found was that the subjects who were losing hair were also suffering from some form of iron deficiency in their body. As they were given iron rich foods to eat, the rate of hair loss was dramatically slowed. Officials from the clinic say that more testing is needed to definitely link the two conditions, but encourage people to eat foods rich in iron if they notice their hair is falling out. Foods such as watermelon, strawberries, bananas and liver were suggested as the best things to try. Liver by itself has more iron in it than virtually anything else, with 8 miligrams of iron for every three ounces of liver. Prune juice is right behind it, with 7.4 miligrams of iron in every ¾ of a cup. The study was published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Two Cars Totaled On Wilkesboro Blvd
Two cars were totaled after a collision on Wilkesboro Blvd earlier this week. On Tuesday afternoon, a North Wilkesboro man slowed down for traffic just after 5:30pm, near the intersection with East Main Street. The driver behind him, another North Wilkesboro man, couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. An estimated $4000 worth of damage was done in the wreck but thankfully no injuries were reported.

State News

Minimum Wage Increase Approved
Minimum wage workers across the state came one step closer this week to a pay raise. The North Carolina House, by a vote of 72-43 on Tuesday, approved a $1 an hour increase in the minimum wage. The increase was already approved by the Senate, so now all that’s needed is to determine if the new law will be part of the state budget or presented to the governor as a stand alone bill. A decision is expected within the next month.

Massive Wreck On I-85 Snares 50 Cars
It took just under three hours for Highway Patrol officers to sort out the chaos from a series of wrecks on I-85 & I-40 yesterday. 82 cars were involved in the incidents, which happened in Orange County around 7:30am Tuesday morning. Heavy rainfall in the area is being held responsible for most of the problems, as drivers were heading into work. Within a five mile stretch of the two highways, there were 44 collisions with one person having to be carried off by helicopter to the local hospital. 34 other injuries were reported from the scene, but none of them were serious. I-85 opened back up by 11am.

Quest Continues To Save Ocean Isle Beach
Work continues by the Army Corps of Engineers today as they try to save a North Carolina beach. 48,000 cubic yards of sand has been brought in by the Corps to help rebuild Ocean Isle Beach in Brunswick County. Due to hurricanes and other storms over the past few years, erosion has taken off at the beach with an average of 6 feet of sand disappearing per month. With hurricane season once again upon us, that puts local homes at risk with no barrier between them and the ocean. The Corps started rebuilding the beach this past weekend, first stacking sandbags over an estimated 800 feet of land and then covering it with the sand.

Durham Student Had His Mouth Taped Shut
A lawsuit has been filed against a Durham school teacher this week, accusing her of taping a student’s mouth shut during class. The parents of the 9-yr-old boy filed the suit, which targets the teacher, the principal at Hope Valley Elementary, the Durham school board and the local superintendent. The boy, who suffers from cerebral palsy, also has asthma and is blind in one eye. According to court papers, the teacher pulled out some tape during class after growing tired of sounds the boy was making and put it on his mouth. The teacher was released from her job less than two weeks after the alleged incident happened.

Landing Field May Be Moved From NC
A five year battle by the Navy to purchase land in North Carolina could be coming to a close. Since 2001, the Navy has been trying to build a runway on 30,000 acres of land in Washington County, to use as a practice field for pilots at Oceana Air Station in Virginia Beach. But the move has been blocked by environmental activists, who say that it would damage nearby wildlife habitats. That battle could be ending as a federal commission has recommended moving practice sessions to already established Cecil Field in Jacksonville Florida, which would save thousands in building costs alone. A decision is expected before the end of the year.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Results
In local baseball last night, the Wilkes Post 31 Patriots took a hit as they fell to Yadkin County 8-2. With the loss, Wilkes drops to 0-6 in American Legion play, with a rough schedule ahead of them. They’ve got six games to play in the next seven days, with a road trip to Lexington starting things off on Friday.

Catawba College Gets To Keep Name
Around the college scene, one North Carolina school got a reprieve from the NCAA on Tuesday as they can keep their mascot. Catawba College had been one of several schools targeted by the NCAA for what they called mascots offensive to minorities, as Catawba’s teams are called the Indians. However after reviewing the case, NCAA officials agreed to remove Catawba from the list after receiving a letter from the Catawba Indian Nation, who gave its’ blessing for the name to stay.

Instant Replay Changes Coming To College
Some changes will be coming next season in college football. The NCAA announced a change to the instant replay rule this week. Under the revised rules, coaches can challenge one play each game to be reviewed by instant replay, but only if the team has a timeout left. If the ruling is reversed, the team won’t be charged a timeout but if it stands, one timeout will be taken away.

Summer School Starts For Panthers
In the NFL, summer school officially started for the Carolina Panthers. The team began their voluntary workout program, which will last for the next 3 ½ weeks. The only player not in camp was wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who the coaching staff said was taking care of personal issues and would be back on Friday. The only player not taking part in drills Wednesday afternoon was defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead, who’s recovering from a knee injury.

Mayfield’s Car Fails Inspection
On the NASCAR circuit, bad news for fans of the No. 19 Dodge. Jeremy Mayfield’s ride failed the post race inspection after Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, as the roof didn’t mean the minimum height requirement of 51 inches. No official announcement has been made as to what the penalty will be, although points are expected to be knocked off and at least a $20,000 fine handed out.

Stewart To Start On Sunday
Some good news however for Tony Stewart, as he won’t have to undergo surgery on his fractured right shoulder. Stewart injured the shoulder in a wreck Sunday night during the Coca-Cola 600, on the same shoulder he damaged during a crash Saturday in the Busch Series race. Doctors now say that only time and rest will heal the injury, however Stewart is climbing back into his car this weekend for the Neighborhood Excellence 400. Stewart will qualify for Nextel points because he started the race, but he won’t be going the distance. Ricky Rudd will step in as a replacement driver for the No. 20 at a certain point in Sunday’s race, which could be the standard procedure for at least the next month.

News & Sports For May 31st

Record Highs Set Across Wilkes County
Wilkes and the surrounding region saw the heat wave continue on Tuesday. Record highs were set in the area, as the temperature hit 94 degrees. That breaks the old record of 91, set back in 1969. However some good news as we’ll see some relief from that hot weather at least for the rest of the week. The National Weather Service is calling for highs in the mid 80s with the possibility of thunderstorms today through Friday. That storm system is expected to push back the hot air and by next Sunday, we could see highs only reaching the mid 70s and lows back in the mid 50s.

Explosives Found At Local Home
The Wilkes Hazardous Devices Unit was called out Monday night after some explosives were found at a home on North Ridge Road. The owner of the house was packing up to move and came across 14 sticks of dynamite while cleaning out a storage shed. HDU secured the explosives and took them to the sheriff’s department training ground, where they were disposed of. It’s estimated that the dynamite was around 20 years old and is believed to have been bought by another member of the homeowner’s family but then forgotten.

Vandals Take Aim At Local Schools
Two Wilkes County schools fell prey to vandals over the weekend. Over a thousand dollars worth of damage was done to West Wilkes High and Roaring River Elementary. At West High, several drink & snack machines were broke into, but nothing was missing from inside. Nothing else was damaged or even touched on the property. Over at Roaring River, vandals tossed rocks through several windows, shattering them and causing an estimated $500 in damages while also shattering the street light nearby. But despite the damage, nothing was missing or even disturbed inside the school itself. Deputies are continuing the investigation in both cases.

Two People Injured In Wreck On 421
One car was totaled and two people were rushed to the hospital after an accident Monday on Hwy 421. The incident happened just after 2pm as a North Wilkesboro man was slowing down for a yellow traffic signal. The second driver, a Purlear man, was following behind and smoking a cigarette. He dropped the cigarette and bent down to pick it up, unaware the vehicle in front of him was stopped. Both drivers were taken to Wilkes Regional and estimated damages were placed at $2300.

Preparing For Summer Part I: Taking Care Of The Car
Over the past week, the temperature has hit the mid 90s several times, reminding us that summer is just around the corner. But before the heat wave arrives, we have some tips on how to prepare both your house and your car in our Beat the Heat Summer Series. In our first segment today, we’re taking a look at ways you can protect your car against the weather.
First, in heated conditions, make sure to keep your car filled with antifreeze. If you’re running low, fill it up before you take off, otherwise your car could overheat before you get to your destination. Also open your car doors and let the air circulate before starting it up. That won’t just help the car, but also make it a little easier for you to bear the drive before the AC kicks in. And speaking of the air conditioner, never crank it all the way up to full blast when first starting the car. Instead start off at the regular or mild setting, to give the vehicle a chance to get started. Otherwise you run the risk of straining the air conditioner’s capacity while the car won’t be getting cooler any faster. If possible, put a sunshade on your car’s windshield when you get out. It will help cut down on the car’s temperature by reducing the heat buildup inside. And finally, more important than the car is your safety, so be sure and bring water with you on a hot day, to avoid getting dehydrated. And if you find yourself in need of help on the road, dial * HP so the highway patrol can help you out. Tomorrow in part two of our series, we’ll be going over some ways to keep your home cool.

Thieves Run Off With Local Man’s Mailbox
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he walked outside to check his mail on Monday. Both his mailbox and the post it had stood on were missing. Nothing else was damaged or even touched on the property and no one could recall seeing anything unusual during the day. Deputies are continuing that investigation.

Just Came In For Some Late Night Shopping
Deputies were called out to Thurmond’s Grocery early Tuesday morning, after some would be thieves hit the place. An alarm was triggered just after 3am, but when deputies arrived on the scene nothing was missing and the only thing damaged was the store’s front glass panel. Apparently the thieves weren’t able to get inside and took off running once the alarm sounded. That investigation is ongoing.

Recall Ordered Of Volkswagen Cars
There’s bad news for some Volkswagen owners out there, as the company has discovered a problem in their Jetta and New Beetle models. A recall has been ordered of all Jetta and New Beetle models from the years 1999 through 2002, due to an issue with the brake system. After a period of time, the vehicle’s brake light switch may malfunction, either leaving the lights on all the time or causing them to go dead. Owners can take the car back to the dealer they got it from for a free repair and for more information you can call 1-800-822-8987.

Gun Drops & Vanishes On Highway
A Ferguson man called sheriff’s deputies on Monday after misplacing a handgun. He had left the weapon sitting on his truck’s tailgate and then drove from the Rom Eller Road to the Ferguson post office. When he arrived at the post office and remembered the pistol, he looked back to find it was gone. Also after retracing his route, the gun was nowhere to be found. Information on the .22 Smith & Wesson was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

State News

NC Withholds Votes Due To High Salaries
North Carolina’s retirement system is taking a stand against what its’ officials are calling extremely high salaries. The system, which owns 11 million shares of Exxon stock, announced this week that it will be withholding its’ support from the current board of directors, some of whom are up for re-election. The decision is based on an estimated $400 million retirement package given out to former Exxon chairman Lee Raymond, along with other deals handed out to executives. State Treasurer Richard Moore said that he feels oil executives are hiking up gas prices to fatten their own wallets and those excessive pay packages will likely diminish the value of individual stocks.

High Gas To Increase Tourism
The high gas prices could actually be good for North Carolina’s economy, according to travel bureaus across the state. Unable to head out of state on vacation, people are choosing to travel closer to home and North Carolina businesses are reaping the rewards. The number of in state visitors heading to the North Carolina coast has risen 25% over this same time a year ago.

Powerball Suffers A Setback
While North Carolina’s lottery got off to a good start earlier this year, the same couldn’t be said for its’ Powerball game. The latest addition to the state lottery began selling tickets at 5am Tuesday morning, but some vendors failed to read instructions sent out by lottery officials and caused a temporary crash. In the email, officials warned not to turn off the machines, as they take a while to restart and download the data again. An estimated 800 vendors in gas stations and other stores across the state forgot and flipped the switch anyway, leaving them with no tickets for consumers. The machines were back up and running by Tuesday night, but it’s unknown how much money was lost during the 12 hr. period most of the machines were down. Today’s first Powerball prize is estimated to be at $38 million.

Vance County Nets Largest Seizure In History
A routine traffic stop for sheriff’s deputies in Vance County soon turned into a history making arrest over the weekend. At 10pm Friday night, deputies were running a traffic safety check on Hwy 1 when they encountered an unlicensed driver. While checking the truck for drugs, $1,550,000 in cash was found in the back seat. Officials from the DEA were contacted and the money was seized, along with the truck. Both the driver and passenger were also arrested. When the final total from the bust was released this week, it turned out to be the largest amount of cash ever seized in county history.

High Point Church Falls Prey To Arson
A church in High Point fell prey to arsonists on Monday. Officials from the High Point fire department were called out to Springfield Baptist Church around 2:30am Monday morning, after someone driving by saw the flames. Portions of the sanctuary, the pastor’s study and the Sunday School department were all damaged in the blaze, which has been officially labeled a case of arson. It’s unknown if the fire is connected to a series of break-ins that the church has suffered over the past eight months.

Sports Headlines

Basketball Camps Coming Up At West High
With summer officially arriving in Wilkes County, basketball camps are just around the corner. At West High, basketball camp for girls ages 8-14 begins next Monday June 5th and continues until June 9th. The program will run each day from 9am til noon and costs $65. To sign up, you can call Coach David Beck at 973-4503 extension 149. On the boys side of the court, camp starts June 12th for boys ages 7-14 and will run until June 15th. The boys program starts at 8:30am and runs til noon each day, with a cost of $60. Coach Larry Siers can be reached for more information or to sign up at 973-4503.

Post 31 Baseball Tonight
The Wilkes Post 31 Baseball team will be in action again tonight, taking on Yadkin County and the 3WC Sports Team will be on hand to bring you the play by play. Gametime is set for 7pm over at Wilkes Central and we’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show around 6:45pm, then turn things over to Ken Byrd at 7pm for the first pitch.

NC State Player To Turn Pro
The NC State Wolfpack officially lost another member of their basketball team on Tuesday, as sophomore Cedric Simmons announced he was staying in the NBA Draft. Underclassmen can go through the draft workouts without signing an agent as long as they pull out before the actual draft. However Simmons stepped over all that by signing with agents Justin Zanick and Andy Miller. In his second year at State, Simmons averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds and is projected to be a first round pick.

NHL Playoffs: Game 6
On the ice last night, it was the Buffalo Sabres winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, beating Carolina 2-1. With the win, Buffalo ties the series up at 3 games each with Game Seven set for this Thursday.

Car Of The Future Being Tested By NASCAR
Nextel Cup crews are getting their first look at the future of the sport this week, as testing continues on NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow”. The new model is 2 inches taller than the current car and 4 inches wider, with several new safety improvements as well. Eight drivers were out yesterday and back on the track today testing the car. Joe Nemechek, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman, Brian Vickers, Scott Riggs, Denny Hamlin and Jeff Burton all took their turn behind the wheel. The new car will make its’ Nextel Cup debut in 2007 on just the short tracks, building to a full time schedule in 2009.

News & Sports For May 30th

Some Long Distance Tax Relief On The Way
Some tax relief will be on the way for Wilkes County citizens, to the tune of over one million dollars. The US Treasury Department announced over the weekend that it will stop collecting the excise tax on long distance calls and plans to refund an estimated $15 billion to citizens across the country. The excise tax appears on your monthly statement and how much you pay depends on how long you talked on the phone. 3% of the total bill is taxed and those taxes added on to your monthly charges. For example, if your bill was $100, the excise tax would make up $3 of it. Even for a normal phone bill which might not reach above $50 a month, that’s around $18 a year paid out in taxes. The tax itself is over 100 years old, created back in 1898 to help finance the Spanish-American War. Now Treasury officials say they’re not just going to stop collecting the fee, but also refund some of the $300 billion that has been brought in over the years. On next year’s tax return, you’ll be able to claim three years worth of excise fees, which can be found on your current monthly bill. Find the excise tax charge, then multiply it by 12 to get what you pay out over a full year. Then multiply that result by 3 and you have the total of what you’ll be able to claim on next year’s taxes. Business will also be able to claim a refund.

Thieves Target Local Business
A local business fell prey to thieves late last week as sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Randy Miller Lumber Company. The incident happened sometime late Wednesday night, as an employee noticed the damage when they came in Thursday morning. Thieves had broke into two locked rooms at the building, gaining access by climbing onto an oil drum outside and then pushing open a window. Several hundred dollars worth of tools and other equipment was taken in the theft and that investigation continues.

Car Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Be careful where you leave your car keys. That’s the lesson a North Wilkesboro man learned late last week. The incident happened at a home on the Yellow Banks Road, as the man woke up and prepared for work. However as he walked out the door, the man discovered his truck had gone missing. He had left the keys in the ignition when parking the vehicle the night before. However no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything during the night. Over the weekend the truck was discovered abandoned in Giles County Virginia.

Local Business Falls Victim To Fraud
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Grocery Bag late last week after the business fell victim to fraud. A woman came in and cashed a check for $225, which later turned out to be fake. A description of the woman was turned over to deputies along with the fake check and that investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Chocolate Good For The Brain
Chocolate might not just taste good but it could actually be good for you, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A recent study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia has showed that eating milk chocolate could actually increase your brain power. The reason being that chocolate contains several stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine. For the study, people were given 85 grams of milk chocolate, 85 grams of dark chocolate and 85 grams of a imitation substance. After 15 minutes, those who were given the chocolate performed better at tasks involving memory and problem solving. They also showed a quicker reaction time and had a longer attention span. Researchers do warn however that while moderate doses of chocolate can be beneficial, too much can lead to health problems. Any amount over one fourth of a pound a day is considered to be unhealthy.

Recall Ordered Of Cigarette Lighters
This next bit of news is for all those cigarette smokers out there. A recall has been issued of over half a million Speedway Cigarette Lighters, due to some malfunctions in the equipment. The Speedway SuperAmerica Corporation announced the recall this week, due to a defect which can cause lighters to suddenly catch fire after a undetermined amount of time. At least six serious injuries have been reported across the nation, dealing with burns to the head and hands when the lighter suddenly goes up in flames. All recalled lighters have the "Speedway" logo on the front and "Acculite" written on one of the sides. They were sold in convenience stores across North Carolina and throughout the U.S. for the last year. Anyone who has one is being asked to return it to the store for a full refund and for more information you can call the company at 1-800-643-1948.

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 Wilkes chapter finds itself struggling financially after a very slow first quarter in terms of donations. 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.

Just Came In To Have A Look Around
Some would be thieves broke into a local residence but left empty handed. The homeowner returned to the property, on Single Gap Road, to find a window shattered but nothing missing from inside. In addition there was nothing else damaged on the property, which has been unoccupied for several months. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Jonesville To Have Town Hall Built
People in Jonesville will soon have a town hall to call their own. Officials announced over the weekend that construction on a town hall will be built on donated land starting this November. The plan is to have a 5500 sq. foot building on NC Hwy 67 near the I-77 intersection. Included inside will be a visitors center, town council chamber and a drive through where citizens can pay bills and handle their affairs. In addition, the Jonesville Police Department will base their headquarters out of the building. It's expected to cost an estimated $1.2 million and should be finished by November of 2007.

State News

College Students Could Have Background Checks
Before going off to college, high school seniors could have one more hurdle to climb if some North Carolina lawmakers have their way. Under a new bill filed this weekend, all incoming students would be required to undergo a criminal background check before being admitted. Fingerprints would be taken and tested, along with a complete background check. The move comes after two UNC Wilmington students were killed last year by fellow students, both of which had lied about their criminal history. The bill would only affect students planning to attend a college in the UNC system.

Cumberland County Falls Victim To ID Theft
One North Carolina county is working to recover after falling victim to ID theft. An estimated $6759 in taxpayers' money was stolen from Cumberland County, thanks to a series of counterfeit checks. Two people, 44-yr-old Edwin Lynwood Reid and 40-yr-old Gloria Elizabeth Wade both of Fayetteville, have been arrested in connection with the scheme. Police are also investigating another counterfeiting scheme involving Reid, this time in his own town of Fayetteville. With other charges possibly pending, Reid is facing 10 counts of obtaining property by false pretense and is in the Cumberland County jail awaiting trial.Wade is facing charges of conspiracy, also remaining in the Cumberland Jail. The county won't actually lose money, as the debt will fall on the businesses who accepted the checks.

Church Destroyed In Winston
One congregation in Winston Salem is having to pick up the pieces today after their church burned to the ground. The Heavenview United Pentecoastal Church went up in flames early Sunday morning, caving in the sanctuary's roof and causing one of the walls to collapse. It's unknown what caused the blaze, but fire officials don't believe that arson was involved. For right now the church is holding services in the fellowship hall and plans to continue until the sanctuary can be rebuilt.

Sports Headlines

State Recruit Decides To Stay
Good news today for the NC State Wolfpack, as one basketball recruit has decided to stay. Since ciach Herb Sendek left for another job, the university announced it would allow recruits to renounce their letters of commitment and pick another school if they wanted. Several took State up on the offer but one has decided to stay. 6'7 ft. high school senior Dennis Horner reaffirmed his commitment to the team over the weekend, saying that he was comfortable with the team and with new coach Sidney Lowe.

Gardner-Webb Joining Big South
A process that began almost five years ago will soon be finished, as Gardner-Webb is set to join the Big South. The university is currently just an associate member of the conference, participating in football. But as of July 1st 2008, all 20 of the school's athletic teams will compete in the Big South conference. The conference association brings with it a chance to play for the conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I tournament.

NC Teams Make It To World Series
Several North Carolina teams will be in the field of 64 for the College World Series when play starts this week. NC State and UNC Chapel Hill were two out of the seven ACC teams to make the field. In North Carolina's case, they'll host a first round matchup on Friday, the first time they've done so since 1984. Also making the field was UNC Asheville, coming in with a record of 28-33 and advancing to the playoffs for the first time in school history. Regional games start at the different locations Friday afternoon.

Hurricanes Have To Play Without Cole
Some bad news for the Carolina Hurricanes, as they'll be one man short the rest of the playoffs. Forward Erik Cole had to go on the disabled list earlier this year with a fractured vertebra, but had been hoping to return by the end of this series. Now it turns out that while Cole is continuing to heal, he's not at the point yet where physical contact is allowed. In 60 games this season before the injury, Cole had 30 goals and 29 assists. The Hurricanes take the ice tonight holding a 3-1 lead in the series against Buffalo.

NASCAR Points Standings
A second place finish in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 didn't have any effect on Jimmie Johnson. He stays atop the points standings, 109 ahead of second place Matt Kenseth. Mark Martin is in third, 209 points behind, while the crash Sunday dropped Tony Stewart all the way to fourth place, 231 points behind. Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounds out the top five, 271 behind the leader.

Stewart Injured In Sunday's Race
Sunday was a bad night for Tony Stewart. Not only did he lose the race, but a wreck he was involved in sent him to the hospital. Now the diagnosis might have him on the sidelines for at least one week, as Stewart has a broken right shoulder blade. What makes it worse is that the injury happened to the same shoulder he bruised Saturday night during a crash in the Busch race. Stewart was released from the hospital and is described as being day to day. Team officials said a decision will be made later this week as to when he'll step behind the wheel again.

News & Sports For May 29th

Principal Assignments Handed Out By Wilkes
A game of musical chairs is going on in the Wilkes County school system, as several new principals will be coming in next year. Wilkes County Superintendent Dr. Steve Laws announced the changes on Friday, detailing who will be coming & going as preparations continue for the fall. Four elementary schools will have new principals when classes start back in August. Carrie Allen is the new principal at CB Eller, working for the first time as a principal after serving as a principal fellow. Mount Pleasant will also have a change at the top, with Susan Blackburn coming over from West Middle School, where she served as principal. Eric Barker will be leaving his job as assistant principal at East High to take over as principal at Ronda Clingman next year. And Wilkesboro Elementary will have a new face in the principal’s office as well, with John Parsons coming over from North High, where he served as assistant principal. For the middle schools, Cynthia Altmueller will replace Susan Blackburn at West Middle, coming over from East Middle where she worked as assistant principal. And East Middle will get a new principal as well, with Jodi Weatherman coming into the county. She had formerly served as the assistant principal for Onslow County High School. Finally two high schools will see a change at the top as Wilkes Central & West High will get new principals. Steve Moree will switch from West Wilkes to Wilkes Central and Hal Gatewood, formerly the principal over the Elkin City Schools, will step in at West High. Joey Bullis, formerly the principal at East Middle, will take over as head of the Career Center.

More Changes For Wilkes School Personnel
In addition to appointing new principals, Dr. Laws also named two new assistant principals for county schools on Friday. Wayne Triplett will leave his job as Career Center principal, to take over as assistant principal at North Wilkesboro. Also Wesley Wood will make the move from West Middle School to North High, taking over as that school’s new assistant principal. Also announced was the formal resignation of Wilkes Central principal Scott Kaufman, although no reason was given. Plus Jim McRae, Jerry Swaim, Ken Tucker, Bob Habershaw and Mike Dancy all announced their retirement from the school system.

Fire Labeled As Arson
A fire on Groce Road last week was the result of arson. That was the determination of Wilkes Fire Marshals, after investigating the case. The structure on Groce Road hadn’t been lived in since 2001 and the power had been cut off. Despite all of that, the place went up in flames last Monday, already beyond saving by the time Ronda firemen arrived on the scene. Fire marshals said that someone went inside and used some old junk left behind by the owner to start the blaze. There are currently no suspects in the case but the investigation continues.

Nance Found Not Guilty
Not guilty. That was the verdict handed down in the case of a Wilkes County man accused of manslaughter. On Wednesday of last week, jurors found 28-yr-old Charlie Randall Nance not guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Christopher Lee Caudill. The 19-yr-old Caudill was stabbed to death on October 25th of last year, in the home which he shared with his sister and Nance, the father of his sister’s three children. During a heated argument between the two, Nance stabbed Caudill but defense attorneys argued it was self defense as he feared for his life. Nance they argued had tried to escape by going into the bathroom and shutting the door, but Caudill broke it down. The district attorney’s office didn’t dispute the defense’s case, but said that Nance had used too much force to defend himself, by pulling a knife on an unarmed opponent. Caudill later died while being transported to the hospital. It only took an hour of deliberations for the jury to return with a verdict.

Vandals Target Mt. Pleasant School
Sheriff’s deputies were called out late last week to Mt. Pleasant School after vandals paid a visit. On Thursday morning, officials came in to find that someone had broke into the playground area at the school, proceeding to spin tires and do doughnuts in the grass. All total an estimated $250 worth of damage was done, however the school itself was untouched. The vandals also left something behind as they drove off, as a North Carolina license tag was found in the area. Deputies are tracking down the tag’s owner.

Thieves Target Local Business
A local business fell victim to thieves late last week in Wilkesboro. The alarm went off at Greene’s Equipment and Supplies, as deputies arrived to find the front door shattered. Glass was sprayed across the area as it appeared the thieves walked right in, picked up the cash register and walked out. Nothing else was missing from the business, although several TVs and VCRs had been taken off their shelves and tossed on the floor. Shoe prints were found by the door and a beer bottle, along with a crowbar had been left lying nearby. All of the evidence was taken in for fingerprinting and that investigation continues.

Thieves Target North Wilkesboro Home
Thieves targeted a home in North Wilkesboro last week, running off with almost $3000 worth of merchandise. The incident happened on the Elledge Mill Road, as there was damage done to both the front and basement doors, along with a basement window. Once inside, the thieves broke into the homeowner’s safe, running off with several guns stored there. Taken from the sale was a 12 gauge shotgun, a .22 Heritage revolver and a 7mm rifle. That investigation is ongoing.

Wildlife Resource Commission Warns About Boating
Memorial Day is normally the start for boating season across the state, when people here in Wilkes and around the area go out on the lake. But before you load up, there are some things to careful of, according to the Wildlife Resource Commission. Before you take the boat out, be sure to inspect everything. Just because it worked before doesn’t mean it’ll be ready to go now. Also most important, be sure and follow the guidelines, which includes making sure that everyone on board has a personal floatation device on. North Carolina law makes it mandatory that kids ages 13 and under wear one and adults are cautioned to as well. Otherwise just be safe and have a great time out on the water.

Tag Stolen From Hays Woman’s Car
A Hays woman called sheriff’s deputies over the weekend after discovering that something was missing from her car. The vehicle’s license plate had been ripped off sometime in the last 24 hours, however she had no clue when or where it happened. The tag’s information was given to sheriff’s deputies and they are continuing the investigation.

Regional News
Mount Airy Family Featured In National Geographic
A Mount Airy family is getting some national attention, as they’re the focus of an upcoming magazine. The Bunker family from Mount Airy is featured in next month’s issue of National Geographic, detailing their legacy through the years. The family, which consists of hundreds of people across Surry County, can trace their heritage back to Eng and Chang Bunker, conjoined twins who were somewhat famous during their lives in the 1800s. Before their death in 1874, the twins married two sisters from the area and had 21 children. The article, which will be in the June issue of National Geographic, is entitled "Zip USA Mount Airy NC 27030 Together Forever". Several of the family’s living members are interviewed in the piece.

Wreck Friday Sends Six To Hospital
Six people were taken to the hospital in Surry County on Friday afternoon after an accident on the Little Mountain Church Road. 16-yr-old Zach Yarbrough lost control of the car he was driving while going around a curve in the road and slammed head-on into another vehicle, driven by a local woman. Both the woman, 69-yr-old Elva Danley and all five of the teenagers in the car were taken to Baptist Medical Center with serious injuries. Hospital officials however said that none of the wounds appear to be life threatening.

State News
Lawmakers Work To Keep Eye Exams Alive
A controversial law got some help from State Democrats over the weekend. Earlier this year, House Speaker Jim Black added a new program into the state budget, making it mandatory for kids to get a thorough eye exam before they would be allowed to enter kindergarten. These new exams were supposed to help catch vision problems early and make it easier for kids to learn, but parents and other lawmakers protested due to the extra cost. The exams had been set to begin this year, but a state judge put a hold on the program until at least 2007 after school systems threatened a lawsuit. Now State Democrats are looking to make sure the program isn’t eliminated entirely, as some Republicans have threatened to do during the short session this summer. Democrats filed a new bill in the State House this weekend, which would guarantee the eye exams would in fact go on as scheduled in 2007. Opponents of the bill argue that the exams take away a child’s right to a free education, placing additional costs on parents.

Raleigh Man Arrested For Check Fraud
Officials in Raleigh have arrested a local man for over $76,000 worth of check fraud. Over the past three weeks, 36-yr-old Darren Durrell Disroe made over 12 trips to a check cashing business, passing forged checks for an estimated $76,434. He has been charged with trafficking counterfeit instruments and in the Wake County jail awaiting his court date.

Man Drowns In Winston Lake
One man is dead after a swimming accident Saturday afternoon in Winston. The incident happened at a lake near Mallard Lakes Drive, as firefighters were called out with reports of a man drowning. Several people in the area had already started searching for the man by the time firefighters got to the scene, but it took a dive team to locate his body about one hour later. Police are investigating the incident but haven’t released any information, except to say the victim was a 21 years old male.

Reward Issued For Murder Suspect
Business owners in the Raleigh area have put together a reward for help in tracking down a murder suspect. 77-yr-old James "J.P." Morris was found dead on May 12th, inside the Growing Motors company that he owned. He was also the host of a Christian radio program in the Raleigh area. The companies, in connection with the victim’s friends & family are offering $5000 for information leading to the arrest of 34-yr-old Robert Randolph Watson. Raleigh officials say they believe Watson is still in the state and has connections in Roxboro, Burlington and the city of Durham. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-919-683-1200.

Sports Headlines
Central Falls In Soccer Championship
In high school sports, the season came to an end Saturday night for the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles. They lost in the state 1A/2A soccer championship to the Lady Pirates of Swansboro 5-0. Swansboro kept Wilkes Central in check by double and sometimes triple teaming senior Katie Andreski. The Lady Eagles will wrap up the season with a record of 25-3.

NC State Recruit Changes Mind
Around the college scene, NC State’s men’s basketball program will be one man short when the season begins this fall. High school senior Larry Davis announced over the weekend that he was renouncing his commitment to the Wolfpack. After coach Herb Sendek left for Arizona State, NC State officials told recruits they would be released from their commitments if they wanted to attend another school. The 6’3 ft. Davis took the Wolfpack up on the offer and will join Seton Hall instead. Davis said that new Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe had nothing to do with him leaving the Wolfpack, it’s just that Seton Hall is closer to his family’s home in New York.

ACC Baseball Championship
In college baseball, the NC State Wolfpack came close but couldn't seal the deal as they lost in conference play. The #25 ranked Wolfpack lost to the #2 team in the nation Clemson 8-4 in the ACC championship game. Now both teams have to play the waiting game as they see if they've got a shot at making it to the College World Series.

NHL Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals
On the ice last night, it was the Carolina Hurricanes moving one step closer to the Stanley Cup finals as they beat Buffalo in overtime 4-3. With the win, Carolina takes a commanding 3-2 lead in the series and can seal the deal at Buffalo Tuesday night.

Minor Leaguer Gets His Chance
Last week on the Sportsdesk we told you about Carolina Panthers minor leaguer Tony Brown, who won co-Defensive MVP honors in the NFL Europe league this season. Now comes word that the former University of Memphis defensive tackle has been invited to Panthers training camp and will get a shot to make the final roster. Brown had 40 tackles, 4 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception and two blocked field goals this year while playing for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.

NASCAR Results
Around the NASCAR circuit, it was Kasey Kahne pulling into victory lane last night in the Coca-Cola 600. Jimmie Johnson ws second, Carl Edwards third, Mark Martin fourth and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five.

News & Sports For May 26th

Lowes Stock Splits
Major news from the world of finances as Lowes announced a major stock split on Thursday. The news came as Lowes held a meeting of company officials. Under the plan, stockholders would get one additional share of stock for every share they hold as of June 16th. After news of the split occurred, shares of Lowes stock rose $1.44 to $62.10 in trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Those extra shares will be given out on June 30th. In other news from the meeting, Lowes raised its’ quarterly dividend to 10 cents a share, which will translate to 5 cents a share after the split. Those dividends will be paid out August 4th to all stockholders who hold stock as of July 21st.

Money Coming In For Wilkes Wastewater Treatment
Good news for people in the towns of Ronda, Elkin and Jonesville, as money is coming in to help with wastewater. 5th District Representative Virginia Foxx announced on Thursday that the Department of the Interior has included $750,000 in their 2007 budget, for Wilkes County. The money is designated to help consolidate the wastewater treatment needs of Elkin, Jonesville and Ronda into one facility, the new Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority. The Authority will be in charge of collecting, treating and otherwise handling the wastewater issues in the three towns, marking a change from the current situation where all three have separate treatment plants. The move is designed to help prevent any backups in the transmission or inflow systems.

Thieves Hit Construction Site On Bethel Road
Deputies were called out to a construction site on Bethel Road this week, after thieves ran off with several thousand dollars worth of equipment. Construction workers had been building a new home on the property, located at 1194 Bethel Road, leaving their tools after quitting for the day. When they returned on Monday, several thousand dollars in equipment was gone, including a table saw, air compressor, nailgun and even the radio they had kept onsite. There are no suspects in the case but deputies are continuing the investigation.

Chase Ends As Suspect Flees
A routine traffic stop earlier this week near County Square Mobile Home Park led to charges being filed. Deputies attempted to get a man to stop his vehicle near the mobile home park, but he refused, speeding off down Hwy 16 South. Deputies pursued the man to the Knollwood subdivision, where he jumped out of the car and took off running, disappearing from sight. The man’s car was towed and charges are pending against the vehicle’s owner.

DOT Offers Advice With Memorial Day Approaching
As we’re heading into Memorial Day weekend, the DOT is offering some advice for drivers. Even though construction is shut down for the holiday, drivers will be assessed a $250 penalty for speeding through a marked work zone. Even though the workers won’t be there, speeding though such places can be dangerous there could be sections with just one lane open. Also the DOT advises to leave early if you have to be somewhere, not just to get a head start but also to avoid driving at times with a lot of traffic congestion. For anyone wanting to see what road conditions are like before leaving the house, you can dial the state’s travel information line at 511 or log on to www.ncdot.org/traffictravel

Local Man Catches Would Be Thieves In The Act
A local man got a surprise when he came home early Thursday morning. Several teenagers were standing in his yard. When he asked what they were doing, the teens said they had been looking at his car & took off. Later on, an inspection of the car found the driver’s side door to be unlocked, despite the man locking it before leaving earlier. Also there were handprints found on the car and scratchmarks on the door, from where it appears a wire hanger had been inserted to unlock the door. The car’s owner was able to identify all three of the suspects and charges are pending.

Hit & Run Driver Causes Thousands In Damage
A Wilkesboro woman was the victim of a hit & run driver Wednesday night, causing thousands of dollars in damage. The incident happened on South Curtis Bridge Road, near the intersection with Woodland Boulevard. The woman was traveling down the highway when a vehicle on the other side of the road suddenly decided to pass, going over the yellow line to do so. The woman didn’t have enough time to avoid the other vehicle, who slammed into her and kept on going. No one was injured in the crash but estimated damages were placed at $1200.

Recall Ordered Of Salads & Sandwiches
Before you grab a bite to eat later today, you might want to hear this next bit of news. A recall has been ordered by the Made-Rite Sandwich company of an estimated 27,000 chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches. The products are being recalled because an error was made at the processing plant, exposing the packages to bacteria. The sandwiches have been sold in convenience & grocery stores across North Carolina and a larger 14 state region under the brand names of Great American Deli, Granny Green and Lil’ Cindys’. Company officials are asking people to toss out the sandwiches, even if they don’t appear rotten or smell spoiled. Customers can return their package to the place they bought it from for a full refund and anyone with questions can call Made-Rite Sandwich Company at 1-800-343-1327.

Wilkesboro Man Falls Victim To Hit & Run
A Wilkesboro man fell prey to a hit & run driver Wednesday afternoon. The incident happened on Hwy 421 near the Kennedy Street intersection, as the man was in the turn lane. A vehicle coming from the other direction suddenly did a quick turn, attempting to get across to another lane. The driver failed however, slamming into the Wilkesboro man’s car and then speeding off. An estimated $5000 in damage was done and EMS was called out to the scene, but the man refused treatment.

Vandals Target Car While Couple Sleeps
A North Wilkesboro couple were woke up earlier this week by a popping noise outside. By the time they went out to check, one of the brakelights had been shattered on the husband’s Dodge Ram, causing an estimated $53 in damage. There are suspects in the case however the owner asked that no further action be taken.

Regional News

Body Of Decomposed Man Identified
Officials in Alleghany County have identified the body of a man found back on May 6th. The body was discovered by residents living on Chevy Lane, just off of NC Hwy 18, after a strong odor started to drift through the area. He’s since been identified as 21-yr-old Jose Castro Lopez and already sheriff’s deputies have a suspect in his murder. Lopez was found shot to death from what officials say was a small-caliber handgun and now 33-yr-old Lonnie Dale Love of Pine Swamp Road has been arrested for the crime. In addition, a second warrant has been issued in the case, but the name of that suspect was not released.

State News

State Senate Approves Budget
North Carolina came one step closer to having a budget established for next year, after it passed through the State Senate on Thursday. The vote was 34 to 14 in favor of the $18.8 billion budget, which among other things will increase the state’s minimum wage. Under the new budget, North Carolina’s minimum wage will be set at $6.15 an hour and also the gas tax will be capped at 29.9 cents, unable to be raised higher during the next fiscal year. The highest tax bracket will also see a cut, from 8.25% to a flat 8% on income tax, a move that officials said would help small business owners to grow. The state sales tax will drop as well, from 7% to 6.75%. Both changes in the tax will take effect in January. Public school teachers will get an 8% raise, while community college & university workers will see a 6% hike. All other state employees will get a 5% raise in pay. The bill now goes to the State House for its’ approval with a vote expected within the next three weeks.

Republicans Up In Arms Over Budget
Not everyone is happy however with the new budget. Several Senate Republicans are warning that it will lead to new financial problems for North Carolina. Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger from Rockingham County says he believes the only way to keep things at their current level long term is to increase taxes, not decrease them. To do otherwise he advises is a “down payment for a future fiscal crisis”.

State Convention Makes Its’ Stand Clear On Gays
The North Carolina Baptist State Convention made its’ stance clear on gays this week, as the group’s board of directors met in Asheboro. It will now be against the convention’s rules to ordain any gay clergy, make statements in public supporting homosexuality or taking in homosexual members. If any churches violate this policy, their membership in the convention may be revoked. This was partially aimed at the liberal Alliance of Baptists, a group out of Washington that invites gays to join the church body. 21 churches across North Carolina are associated with both the Alliance and the state convention. The new rules will be presented to the entire convention for ratification in its’ annual meeting this November.

Man Arrested In Mercury Spill
Officials in Durham have arrested a man in connection with the mercury spill that happened Tuesday night. 21-yr-old Carlos Guerra, an air conditioning technician, is facing a charge of misdemeanor larceny for taking the mercury out of an unlocked container at a job site he was at. Guerra then gave out the mercury to four kids last Friday night at Iglesia de Restauracion, a church in Durham. The kids went on to put the mercury in water guns and bring it to school on Tuesday, spraying their classmates and exposing an estimated 60 children to the toxin. No reason was mentioned as to why Guerra gave out the mercury. One child had to be taken to the hospital with mercury poisoning.

State Banking Commission Agrees To Shut Down Company
North Carolina’s Banking Commission upheld an earlier decision, ruling to shut down the company Advance America. Back in December, the commission ruled that Advance had violated state consumer finance laws, by charging annual interest rates over 400%. The decision means that the 117 offices Advance America has in North Carolina will be shut down effective immediately

Sports Headlines

Wilkes Central Set To Hold Basketball Camps
With summer on the way time’s ticking down til the annual Wilkes Central Boys & Girls Basketball Camps. For girls in first through ninth grade, their camp will go on June 5th-8th from 8-11am at Wilkes Central High School. You can register early for a fee of $50 or pay $60 at the start of camp. For more information you can call Coach Waugh at 927-4077. On the boys side, camp starts for guys in grades 5th-9th June 12th and runs til June 15th, also from 8 til 11am each day. The cost is the same as with the girls and for more information you can call Coach Hagaman at 984-1571 for more information.

Fishing Clinics Coming Up
For any kids out there looking to become champion fishermen, the Wildlife Resource Commission wants to help. Fishing clinics will be going on over the next two weeks across the state. The closest ones to Wilkes County will be on June 3rd and June 10th, when clinics are held in Alexander and Surry Counties. The clinic in Alexander County be going on June 3rd from 9am til 1pm at the Ellendale Community Center Pond for kids ages 1-17. You can register at the Sporting Goods Department of the Taylorsville Wal-Mart or by calling 1-828-632-4176. Over in Surry County, the fishing clinic will go on June 10th at the Yadkin River Section of Pilot Mountain State Park from 10am til 2pm. All kids ages 16 and younger are welcome and you can pre-register by calling Pilot Mountain State Park at 336-325-2355. Across the state, prizes will given out through a drawing with gifts donated by Bass Pro Shops. The grand prize in the statewide clinics are three lifetime comprehensive fishing licenses, with an estimated value of $250 each.

Carolina Panthers Rookies Raking Up Awards
While the NFL season is still a few months away, the minor league of NFL Europe is just now wrapping up its’ season. The Carolina Panthers have several former draft picks in the minor league and two of them are picking up awards. Defensive tackle Tony Brown was named the Co-Defensive MVP of the league, after a minor league season that saw him record 40 tackles, four sacks, one fumble, one interception and block two field goals. In addition, offensive guard Chad Beasley was named to the All-NFL Europe first team.

NASCAR Qualifying
Scotty Riggs won qualifying last night for the Coca-Cola 600. Jeremy Mayfield was second and Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top three. Drivers will start their engines Sunday afternoon at the Lowes Motor Speedway.

News & Sports For May 25th

Wilkes Veterans At Risk For ID Theft
Any Wilkes County veteran who was discharged after 1975 could be at risk of having their personal information exposed. Back on May 3rd, computer files that contained the information for over 26 million vets was stolen from the home of a Veterans Affairs official. It’s unclear why the records were on the man’s computer in the first place and he’s been put on administrative leave while the investigation continues. However that still leaves millions of vets at risk of falling prey to ID theft. Included in the files were the names of vets, their date of birth, social security numbers and possibly medical information, if they had applied for benefits. What can local vets do to prevent becoming a victim? The Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that you keep a close eye on your bank statements and check your account regularly. Be sure to let officials at your bank know if you notice any irregularities. In addition, vets can call 1-800-333-4636 for more information or if you think your ID is compromised, there are other steps you can take. You can call one of the major credit bureaus and check to make sure your information is secure, either by calling Equifax at 1-800-525-6285, Experian at 1-888-397-3742 or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7298.

Local Man Arrested For Growing Marijuana
A domestic dispute led to a drug bust for sheriff’s deputies this week. A woman on the Crews Road got her husband evicted from the mobile home they had rented and asked the landlord to change the locks. When she went inside to remove her husband’s stuff, she came across some plants he had told her were tomatoes. The landlord informed her that they were marijuana plants and sheriff’s deputies were called out. 20-yr-old Jeremy Settle was arrested and charged with manufacturing marijuana.

State Transportation Board Gives Money To Wilkes
Wilkes County will be getting some extra funds from the state, thanks to a recent decision by the NC Board of Transportation. As part of a larger $4.5 million award given out to a ten county area, the Wilkes Transportation Authority will get $10,024 in state funding to go along with $160,399 in federal funding for administrative issues. Also the county will receive $80901 in federal & state funding for future transportation projects, although no details were given as to what those would be.

Thieves Break In To Steal Washer
Thieves apparently were in a hurry to get clean earlier this week, as they broke into a Millers Creek storage building to get a pressure washer. Someone cut the lock on the building and came inside, leaving with a pressure washer estimated at $2500. That investigation is ongoing.

4-Wheeler Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he arrived home Monday night, as someone had stolen his 4-wheeler. The incident happened at a residence on Brookcrest Circle, as the homeowner returned to find his vehicle missing. Despite the theft, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone around the property. However there is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Focus On Food
When you think of a healthy diet, chocolate and lemonade don’t exactly come to mind. But as it turns out, studies have shown both have healing properties for your body. So what exactly is a healthy diet? Coming up on today's Focus on the Foothills Cynthia Sass from the American Dietary Association will be Brian's guest, discussing fact and fiction about eating healthy.
That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Car Stolen From Millers Creek Home
A Millers Creek woman walked outside Tuesday morning to find her car was missing. Sometime during the night thieves pulled up to the home on Hacketts Road, driving off with her 1990 Chevy Lumina. There is a suspect in the case and information including the license plate number was turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Wilkes Open Forum To Deal With Immigrant Issues
With illegal immigration such a hot topic in the news, it’s important to get all the information you can about the subject. Coming up tonight at the Wilkes Open Forum, the issue will be “Latinos in Wilkes: Understanding the Growing Community”. Tony Marin from the Wake Forest School of Medicine and Ada Jones, a teacher at Wilkes Central High will be speaking at the 6pm meeting. They hope to discuss topics such as the history between the U.S. and Latin America, also Latino culture, immigration and the struggle to learn English, among other things. That will go on tonight at 6pm at the Friends of the Library Meeting Room in the Wilkes Public Library.

Cars Hit While Traveling On Hwy 16
Several vehicles became the target of vandals this week while traveling on Hwy 16. Two drivers told deputies they were heading towards Millers Creek on 16 when both were passed by a grey Buick LeSabre. As the Buick passed, someone rolled down a window and started throwing beer bottles at the cars behind. One of the drivers was able to write down the license plate and turned that over to deputies. All total, an estimated $550 worth of damage was done and that investigation continues.

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

State News

Three Injured In Factory Explosion
It’s believed that an employee accidentally ignited the fire which destroyed parts of a High Point factory on Tuesday. Investigators found that a worker was cutting pipe with a torch when the explosion happened. Apparently vapors had seeped out from the area where foam was being produced and once they hit the torch’s flame, it triggered an explosion. Three workers were taken to the hospital, two of which were later released from High Point Regional. However the third had to be taken to Baptist Medical Center to treat burns covering parts of his upper body.

Jobs Leaving High Point
Some more bad news for people in High Point, as jobs are leaving the area. Claude Gable Company has shut down operations, leaving the furniture business after 34 years. Company officials said they tried to keep operating for as long as possible, but competing with overseas imports put them in debt. All of the remaining furniture and other assets will be sold off to pay the company’s creditors. An estimated 200 people were put on the unemployment line by the move.

Chemical Spill Shuts Down Durham School
A chemical spill at one Durham elementary school gave students an early taste of summer vacation on Wednesday. An air conditioning technician gave out vials of mercury to kids at a local church, who then took the poison to school in water guns and started spraying the hands of other children. In addition, a local church and several nearby homes were closed off while officials decontaminated the area.

Deer Causes Accident On Hwy 64
Hazmat crews were called out to a section of Highway 64 in Wake County Wednesday morning, to clean up after a tractor-trailer flipped. The incident happened just before 1am Wednesday, as a deer jumped out into the road and the truck driver swerved to miss it. He ended up hitting the animal as the trailer overturned, spilling fuel out across the road. It took Highway Patrol officers and hazmat crews over four hours to get things back to normal. Thankfully however the truck driver walked away without a scratch.

Charlotte Boy In Hospital After Being Shot
A Charlotte boy is in the hospital today, after being gunned down Tuesday night. The 14-yr-old was riding his bike around 9pm near West Boulevard when gunshots rang out and he was hit in the thigh. He was rushed to the hospital, where he had to undergo surgery that night but is expected to survive. At this time officials say they don’t know if the boy was a target or just in the wrong place.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Baseball
In American Legion baseball last night, it went just under four hours but the Wilkes Post 31 Patriots couldn’t pull out a win. They lost to Statesville 19-15, falling to 0-2 on the young season. Up next for the team will be a game against Montgomery County this Saturday. Gametime is set for 7pm at Wilkes Central.

Wilkes Central Girls Soccer
Around the high school scene, the Lady Eagles are moving on to the state championship in soccer. Wilkes Central beat Albemarle 4-0, to become the Western Division champion. Now the Lady Eagles are heading to Cary North Carolina, for the title game. Their opponents will be Swansboro, the Eastern Division champions. The game is set for this Saturday May 27th at 2pm at the SAS Soccer Park in Cary.

NHL Playoffs: Hurricanes vs. Sabres
On the ice last night, the Carolina Hurricanes lost Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, falling to Buffalo 4-3. With the win, the Sabres take a 2-1 lead in the series with Game Four set for Friday night.

Tapscott Resigning
The Charlotte Bobcats aren’t even three years old and already they’re having to restructure the organization. Team president Ed Tapscott announced his resignation on Wednesday, although no reason was given. Effective immediately, Tapscott will leave his job as both President and Chief Executive Officer of Bobcats Sports & Entertainment. He’ll be replaced by Van Sinclair, who has worked as the team’s representative with the NBA Board of Governors.

Bickerstaff To Stay
Some good news however for the Bobcats, as their head coach is sticking around. Bernie Bickerstaff had been considering a change, giving up his coaching job to focus on his duties as the team’s general manager but announced this week he’ll be staying on the bench for one more season. The 61-yr-old Bickerstaff said after the injury plagued season the Bobcats just went through, the team needed continuity.

Yates General Manager Out
A major shakeup in the world of NASCAR this week, as Eddie D’Hondt is gone from Robert Yates Racing. D’Hondt had served as the general manager for the company since 2003 but Robert Yates said his release was part of a later re-evaluation of how they do business. He and his son Doug Yates also indicated that they’ll be taking a more active role, re-asserting themselves as managers of the business. Yates is running the No. 38 Ford driven by Elliot Sadler and the No. 88 Ford, driven by Dale Jarrett in the NASCAR circuit. However a replacement will have to be found next year for Jarrett, as he’s jumping ship to join Toyota. It’s unknown if that move played any part in the reshuffling.

News & Sports For May 24th

Money & Ice Cream Stolen From Local Church
Sheriff’s deputies were called out Sunday night to Charity Methodist Church after thieves paid a visit. A man was seen pulling up to the church, then going inside the kitchen and putting things inside a brown shopping bag. As he came out, the man also had a container of ice cream in his hand. Witnesses gave a description of the man and his vehicle, also informing deputies where he went. Church officials were alerted and found $30 missing from inside, along with 3 plates, 2 boxes of ice cream cones and one container of ice cream. Deputies went to the house the witnesses pointed out to investigate, finding a vehicle and a suspect that matched the description. The homeowner told deputies he hadn’t been anywhere near a church, despite the fact the plates, boxes of ice cream cones and ice cream were all in plain sight, sitting on a table. 34-yr-old James Anderson Kuhn was arrested and charged with breaking into a house of worship and felony larceny.

Pre Holiday Planning
As we’re counting down to the holiday weekend, there are some things you need to be aware of before setting out for that Memorial Day road trip. Make sure and do a basic check of oil, transmission fluid, windshield wash and tire pressure on your car. Also you need to test the strength of your battery, as the warm weather can wreck havok on a car’s internal system. Be sure to also take a look at all belts and hoses to make sure there are no tears or cracks that would cause it to pop off on the highway. While most of that might seem to be common sense, the majority of breakdowns on the highway are caused by things a little planning could have avoided. Finally make sure you have an emergency kit, full of band aids and other medical aids, along with a tool box just in case your vehicle breaks down. Otherwise drive safely, watch out for some of those crazy people on the road and have a great trip.

Cheeks Market Falls Victim To Thieves
Deputies were called out to Cheeks Market Monday morning, after thieves dropped by the business. When the store’s owner came in that morning, she found over a thousand dollars worth of merchandise had disappeared from inside. It appears the thieves climbed in through a window at the back of the business, then stored the items in trash bags so they could carry them out. Taken from inside were 25 cartons of cigarettes, several boxes of Goody Powders, over 20 bags of Doritos chips, several cases of beer and $500 from the register. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Recall Ordered Of Salad
Before you eat that salad tonight, you might want to hear this next bit of news, especially if it was prepackaged. House of Thaller Inc. is ordering a recall of an estimated 160,000 lbs. of its’ Ham Salad, Chicken Salad, Turkey Salad, Tuna Salad, Seafood Salad, Seafood Salad Mix, Pea Salad Mix, Shrimp Salad, Artichoke Shrimp Dip, Crab Dip and Cajun Crab Dip. These items have been sold & repackaged in some occasions under different brand names. Those brands involved are House of Thaller, Kroger Brand, Mrs. Gerry’s, Dairy Fresh, The Fresh Market, Southern Gourmet and Southern Style. The problem comes from an issue at the processing plant, as some of the packages weren’t processed correctly and as a result a strain of bacteria could get inside. Customers are being asked to throw out the packages, even if they don’t appear spoiled or smell rotten. All 7.5 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz containers with a sell by date of June 2006 are included, along with all 5 lb., 10 lb. & 20 lb. bags of the products. For more information, people can call House of Thaller at 1-800-462-3365.

Health Department Offering Car Seat Help
85% of child safety seats across Wilkes County are not installed correctly, according to the local SafeKids organization. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it’s still high enough for concern. However if you’re still trying to figure out what the right way to install one is, you don’t have to wait until the next safety check. The Wilkes Health Department is partnering with SafeKids to help show parents the right way to install the seats. You can contact the Health Department and make an appointment anytime during the week by calling Jean Edwards at 651-7478.

Three-Wheeler Driven Off From State Road Home
Be careful where you park your vehicles. That’s what a State Road man learned this week. He had parked his three-wheeler in the front yard, before leaving to run some errands Sunday night. When he returned, the vehicle was missing. Nothing else was taken from inside the home and there was no damage done to the property. That investigation is ongoing.

Thieves Run Off With Chain Saw
Thieves broke into a North Wilkesboro home on Monday, running off with several tools. Taken from the home on Roten Hollow Drive was an air compressor, a radial arm saw and a chainsaw, totaling just under $2000 in value. It’s unclear exactly how the thieves managed to get inside, as there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Samaritan’s Ministry 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 organization 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 Kitchen a call at 838-5331.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after an accident Monday morning on Hwy 421. The incident happened just before 8am, right at the intersection with Kennedy Street. A Wilkesboro man was slowing down, as the car in front of him was turning off. However the driver behind him, a Mount Airy woman, didn’t see his brake lights come on before it was too late to stop. Estimated damages were placed at $7000 and the woman refused treatment by Wilkes EMS.

Vandals Strike Local Woman’s Car
A North Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when she walked out of her house earlier on Sunday morning. Someone had scratched her car, all the way from one side to the other. Estimated damages were placed at $250 and despite the vandalism, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual during the night. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Murder In Alexander County
Officials in Alexander County are trying to determine who killed a local man in his home Monday night. The incident happened just after 10pm on Monday, as a couple heard a knock on their door. The husband went to answer it and a man was standing outside, asking if he could borrow some gasoline. The husband agreed and went to the house’s basement to get some, followed by the stranger. Minutes later gunshots rang out and the wife came down to find her husband, 84-yr-old Buster Stikeleather (as it sounds) dead. Sheriff’s deputies are asking anyone with information to call 1-828-632-4658.

State News

NC Schools Given Millions
More money is coming to the North Carolina school system, courtesy of Bill Gates. The billionaire has donated $10.4 million to the state, to help in developing better public schools. The money comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and contains $9 million to add in the creation of new schools.

Illegals Arrested At NC State
A search for clues in a highway accident led to some illegal immigrants being uncovered at NC State on Tuesday. Highway Patrol officers had asked Immigration to get involved as they investigated a wreck Monday morning on I-40. A man driving a 1993 red Toyota slammed into a Chevy van close to the Durham-Wake county line, then fled the scene. Immigration and Highway Patrol officers came to the construction site at NC State’s football stadium, looking for anyone who might have information about the driver. Instead as the agents entered the area, several construction workers took off running, fleeing from the stadium area. INS agents were able to track down and detain the workers, as they attempt to determine if they’re here in the country illegally.

Warrants Issued For Two NC Pharmacies
Two North Carolina pharmacies have come under fire from both the DEA and the SBI this week, accused of illegally selling drugs over the internet. The pharmacies in Mooresville and Denver are both part of the Woody’s store chain. SBI agents have served warrants on both businesses, as evidence has come to light indicating they were filling prescriptions online. No details have been released, except officials from the NC Board of Pharmacy said that there was sufficient evidence for them to cooperate in the case.

Meeting Held To Impeach Bush
A group in Chatham County held a meeting last night with one goal in mind, to impeach the president. The NC Grassroots Impeachment Movement has been working over the past few months to grow in size and support. Earlier this year they helped the town of Chapel Hill to pass a resolution, demanding Bush be impeached and removed from office. Several local pastors, civil rights leaders and congressional candidates from the area came out to a meeting held last night at the Chatham County courthouse. Group officials say they plan to grow and get support from across the state, in hopes of convincing state lawmakers to pass a similar resolution.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Broadcast Season Starts Tonight
The season has started for Wilkes Post 31 baseball and we’re going to be on hand to bring you the action. The 3WC Sports Team will be heading up the road to Moravian Falls, as Post 31 takes on Statesville tonight. The game is going to be held at Wilkes Central and the first pitch is set for 7pm. We’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show at 6:45pm and then turn things over to Ken Byrd for the play by play.

Central Girls In Action Tonight
Post 31 baseball isn’t the only local team in action tonight. The Wilkes Central Lady Eagles are moving on in soccer, looking to advance to the championship. They’ll be facing off tonight against Albemarle, who brings in a record of 20-4 to face the 24-2 Lady Eagles. Gametime is set for 7pm at Wilkes Central.

UNC Pitcher Set To Become #1
As the UNC Tarheels continue their run to the College World Series, a member of the pitching staff is raking in awards. Andrew Miller received the ACC’s Pitcher of the Year award this week, after putting up an 11-1 record in the regular season and recording 98 strikeouts in 89 innings of work. Miller could also be seeing big bucks, as he’s expected to be the first pick in next month’s MLB draft, going to the Kansas City Royals.

NBA Draft Lottery
The NBA held their annual draft lottery last night and the end result was good news for Charlotte Bobcats fans. The team landed the third selection in this year's draft, which will be held at the end of June. Teams will have a loaded field to select from, including Duke's Shelton Williams & J.J. Redick, along with Tyrus Thomas of LSU and Adam Morrison of Gonzaga.

Former Panthers Announcer Now NFL Voice
A man who most people know as the voice of the Carolina Panthers will now be taking his talent around the country. For the team’s entire existence, Bill Rosinski was the radio voice of the Carolina Panthers, until he was fired before the start of the 2005 season. Now Rosinski is back on the air and will be broadcasting NFL games again this fall, after signing a deal with Westwood One. Rosinski agreed to become the play by play announcer for 16 NFL games this season, to be broadcast over CBS Radio, in addition to the annual Thanksgiving Day on the network.

News & Sports For May 23rd

Time To Vaccinate Horses Against West Nile
With the weather getting warmer and rain in the forecast, some unwelcome visitors will soon be making their way back to Wilkes County. It’s becoming mosquito season again and for horse owners here in Wilkes, that means it’s also time to get your animal vaccinated. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (in-se-fill-i-tis) and the West Nile Virus are two diseases that have become a recurring problem for horse owners here in the state. Both vaccines require two shots, each taken 30 days apart and must be done by a local vet. Also, the vaccine won’t take effect until both shots have been injected, so it’s best to vaccinate before mosquito season begins. To get some more information about the diseases or where you can get a vaccine, you can contact Wilkes Animal Control at 903-7688.

Thieves Looking For Cold Relief
Apparently a trip to the doctor cost too much for some Wilkes County residents. Thieves walked into Neighbors’ Store late Sunday night, running off with some Tylenol PM and a pack of beer. Employees inside gave a description of both the thieves and their vehicle, which was turned over to Wilkes deputies. Deputies soon tracked down the vehicle, whose driver had a revoked license. In addition, the stolen bottles of Tylenol were found in his pockets. 22-yr-old Dustin Steven Perkins was arrested and charged with driving without a license , damage to property and larceny.

Lowes Earnings Up For the First Quarter
Good news for any Lowes stockholders out there, as the company reported a sizable increase in profits for the first quarter. Profits rose 44% for the first quarter of 2006, bringing it to $841 million for the period ending May 5th. That translates into $1.06 a share, up from 73 cents a share at this same time last year and slightly above the 94 cents a share analysts predicted. The company says repair work from the storms of 2005 are partially to thank, as revenues shot up over 20% during the first five months of this year.

Silverware Stolen From Local Home
No good deed goes unpunished, as a Traphill woman found out over the weekend. A young woman had been allowed to stay in a home she owned, but when she went to go check on the property this weekend, found over a thousand dollars in merchandise missing. 20 blue plates, a tea pot, iron kettle and several other items were taken from inside. Descriptions of the suspects were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Chocolate Good For Blood Pressure
Researchers have found that dark chocolate can actually help lower your blood pressure, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. In an article published by the American Heart Association, researchers from a university in Italy found that dark chocolate has compounds in it called flavonoids (flav-o-noids), which help ease the strain on blood vessels. A study was done with 10 men and 10 women, all of which had high blood pressure. For 15 days, 10 of the group ate 100 grams a day of dark chocolate, while the others ate the same amount of white chocolate. White chocolate was used because it doesn’t have the favonoid compound, but contains all the other ingredients found in the dark version. Those who ate the dark chocolate found their systolic pressure dropped 12 mms, or millimeters of mercury while the diastolic dropped 9. No such changes were found in the group that ate the white chocolate. The dark chocolate also appeared to help the body use insulin better, while reducing bad cholesterol by about 10%. Now the reason most Americans aren’t experiencing lower blood pressure after eating chocolate is because most of the time, we eat milk chocolate, which doesn’t have enough of the flavonoids to help much. And if you want to practice a little restraint and not eat the chocolate, there are some other foods also high in flavonoids. Apples and oranges have the compound, as do tangerines, grapefruits, onions and green tea.

Thieves Load Up To Go Deer Hunting
Some people in Wilkes County apparently wanted to get a jump on deer season by stealing what they need. A Statesville man came back to check on some property he owned in Wilkes County, only to find that thieves had paid him a visit. The man’s deer feeder had been stolen and someone had tore down the cattle gate keeping the property secure. There is a suspect in the case and the investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
With summer on the way, a drought of a different kind is looming for Wilkes County. Traditionally the summer months are the worst times for the local blood supply, as people leave for vacation and turnouts at blood drives are slim. However the situation is slightly worse this year, as turnouts have been poor for the past several months. A drive is going on later today at the Wilkesboro Civic Center from 2-6:30pm. With the blood supply just above critical levels, the Red Cross is asking anyone who’s able to come out and give. To set up an appointment the number to call is 838-4563.

One Person Hospitalized After 421 Wreck
An accident Sunday night totaled two vehicles and sent one person to the hospital. The incident happened just past 4pm Sunday afternoon on Hwy 421 next to Belks. A North Wilkesboro woman went to merge back onto the main highway as she thought the vehicle approaching was getting set to turn off. Instead the two cars collided, causing an estimated $14,000 in damage. The second driver, a Millers Creek man, had to be taken to the hospital by EMS to get checked out.

Just Came In For A Look
Thieves broke into a home on the Mertie Road this week, apparently just wanting to have a look around. Nothing was taken from inside and no damage was done, except for the front door, which was totaled. The former resident now resides in a nursing home and no one else had been allowed on the property. That investigation continues.

Regional News

Local Teen Drowns In Caldwell County
One boy drowned after a swimming accident Sunday night in Caldwell County. The incident happened at Water Plant Park in Lake Rhodhiss (Rod-hiss), as a group of boys decided to go into a section of the lake where swimming is banned. One of the boys didn’t make it out, as the 15-yr-old went under and his body washed ashore later that night. Officials plant to increase the patrols in the area, to make sure such an event doesn’t happen again.

State News

Jobless Rate Falls Across North Carolina
Good news for North Carolina, as the state’s jobless rate fell by the end of April to 4.3%. That continues a trend started back in February, when the jobless rate was 4.6%. Since then the rate has been continually dropping as more people are finding work. According to the state’s Employment Security Commission, 22688 people found jobs in April, bringing the total to 4.2 million currently employed across the state.

All America Week Held At Ft. Bragg
Members of the military stationed at Fort Bragg are gathering together for their version of the Olympics this week. All American Week is held each year the week before Memorial Day, as retired members of the 82nd Airborne Division are welcomed back to take part in competitions such as Monday’s four mile run. Other events held this week include football, basketball and volleyball tournaments, along with boxing matches and a 10 mile run. The events will continue until Sunday.

Judicial Candidate Forced To Remove Endorsement
A candidate for the State Supreme Court is having to apologize to a national icon today, after her website mistakenly gave the impression he had endorsed her. Candidate Rachel Hunter had her picture taken at the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame banquet with legendary coach Dean Smith. When the picture was put on her website, it was followed by a brief message that read “as a loyal Democrat to another loyal Democrat. Win Rachel Win!”. Representatives for Coach Smith have said that he has not issued an endorsement for anyone in the race and asked that the message be taken down. Hunter is competing against current Associate Justice Mark Martin for the next eight year term on the bench.

Charges Coming In Lobbyist Investigation
Charges have been brought against three people with ties to both North Carolina lawmakers and the lottery this week. At the top of the list is Meredith Norris, former political director for House Speaker Jim Black. While she was working for the Speaker, Norris was also taking money as a lobbyist for Scientific Games, a gambling company that wanted to run the state lottery. However Norris violated state law by not registering herself as a lobbyist for the company, despite setting up dinners, arranging meetings and making presentations on the company’s behalf. Former lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings is also in hot water, as he too refused to divulge the fact that he was involved with Scientific Games. Finally former Scientific Games Vice President Alan Middleton is also up on charges of violating the lobby laws, for failing to register as a lobbyist while in the employ of the company. All three will appear in court next month.

Sports Headlines

Sign Up For Sertoma Football
Football season is still a few months away, but for kids here in Wilkes County, the signups begin today. The Wilkes Central Sertoma Football League is holding signups tonight for any rising 3rd through 8th grade boys and girls, in football and cheerleading. The signups will start at Central Wilkes Middle School beginning at 6pm.

UNC & State Add Recruits
On the college football field, even though the 2006 season hasn’t started yet, teams are already looking ahead to 2007. NC State and North Carolina both landed recruits this week for the 2007 class. For the Tarheels, Jay Wooten from Scotland County High School committed to the team. Wooten, a 6’3 ft. 190 lb. junior is his team’s punter, kickoff specialist and field goal kicker, acing 8 out of the 13 field goals he tied last year. In addition, he averaged 36 yards on punts and put 75% of his kickoffs into the endzone for a touchback. Wooten turned down offers from Clemson & LSU to join the Heels, becoming the fourth commitment in the 2007 class. Down the road in Raleigh, NC State got help of a different kind. Looking to replace defensive end Mario Williams, who left for the NFL, State got a commitment from Linwan Euwell, a defensive end from Southwest Edgecombe High. The 6’3 ft. 210 lb. Euwell was named high school defensive player of the year by several newspaper and turned down an offer from East Carolina to join the Wolfpack.

Former Wolfpack QB Getting His Shot
On the pro scene, a former member of the NC State Wolfpack is getting his shot at becoming an NFL quarterback. Jay Davis saw his career at NC State come to a close after just six games last season, when sophomore Marcus Stone took over the reins. After graduating, Davis went undrafted and expected to get back into the college game as a coach. However on a whim he attended tryout camp for both the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, impressing Bucs head coach John Gruden, who’s considering offering Davis an invitation to training camp. Still Davis isn’t getting his hopes up and says he’ll be happy if a team picks him up and sends him to the minor leagues of NFL Europe. If that doesn’t work out however, he plans to go back to college and lack on an a graduate assistant, hoping to some day become an offensive coordinator.
Bobcats Get Shot At Number One Tonight
While the 2006 season is over for the Charlotte Bobcats, the road to next year begins tonight as the NBA holds its’ draft lottery. The Bobcats are guaranteed no worse than the 6th pick in the draft and could go as high as number one depending on how the lottery goes tonight. Most scouts believe that Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison, LSU forward Tyrus Thomas or Texas center LaMarcus Aldridge will go first in the draft this season. Draft coverage will start tonight on ESPN beginning at 7:30pm.

News & Sports For May 22nd

Wilkes Soldier Found Guilty On All Charges
Guilty on all counts. That was the verdict handed down in the trial of a Wilkes County native over the weekend in Washington State. Specialist Brandon Bare was found guilty of premeditated murder in the death of his wife Nabila and also on two counts of indecent acts for desecrating her body. It took four hours of deliberation for the jury to come back with a verdict, causing the trial to stretch into early Saturday morning. 18-yr-old Nabila Bare was stabbed 71 times in the couple's home at Fort Lewis Washington July 12th of lst year. Her husband Brandon confessed to the crime, which his defense team portrayed as a act of rage in which he suddenly snapped, angry over his wife's affair with a fellow soldier. Prosecutors meanwhile presented evidence demonstrating Bare's interest in serial killers, including his own statement to police as he explained that he was imitating the tactics of 1980s serial killer Richard Ramirez. Bare was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. In addition, he was dishonorably discharged from the service and will forfeit all pay that was coming to him.

Local Kids Receive Scholarship
For five Wilkes County teens, the cost of going to college got a little bit cheaper last week. All five were selected to receive scholarships by the Wilkes Veterans Service Office, full four year awards to the school of their choice. Those getting the scholarship are Andrea Brown, an East Wilkes senior who will be attending Surry Community College, Kayla Mathis, also from East Wilkes, who will be attending Catawba Valley Community College and Jennifer Craighead, who will attend Wake Technical Community College after graduating from West Wilkes. Also Justin Hale, another West Wilkes senior who will be starting at Wilkes Community College and James Dellinger, a Wilkes Central senior who will be attending Western Carolina University. Only the children of veterans in the county were eligible for the scholarship.

Foxx Bill Goes To President
Soldiers from Wilkes County and across the U.S. can now put money aside for their retirement, as a change has been made to the tax code. The House & Senate passed H.R. 1499 last week, designated as the Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities Act. The bill, which was sponsored by 5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, will allow soldiers to put money earned as hazard pay into IRA accounts. Previously that was illegal, as the money was tax free and uneligible to be put into retirement accounts. Under the bill, combat pay earned as far back as 2004 can also be put into IRA accounts. The bill will now go to the President for his signature.

Hundreds In Damage Done At Local Home
Thieves targeted a local man's apartment late last week, causing hundreds of dollars in damage. The incident happened at a residence on Oak Towers Drive, as thieves broke in through the door and also damaged the ceiling tiles.Taken from inside was the man's 20" TV and a DVD player however neighbors had to report the crime as the renter himself is in jail. That incident is still under investigation.

3WC Techwatch: Out With The Old
Your computer could soon be replacing your phone as a way of keeping in touch, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. With personal communication becoming big business, companies are working on new ways of carrying on a conversation. Lycos is preparing to release a new program for the Windows system, that allows a user to make free calls to outside phone lines, by using the computer’s microphone. The only catch is that in order to receive free minutes, you have to sign up for a promotional offer with one of their partner companies. Otherwise people will be charged one cent a minute with the program. In addition, the new Lycos Phone will have movie previews and video calling, so two people can talk face to face over the computer.

Thieves Hit Foster's Grocery
Deputies were called out to Foster's Grocery late last week after thieves hit the business. A man paid for his purchases and then pocketed two candy bars. When asked about it, the man said his money ws out in the vehicle and took off running. A description of the man, his vehicle and the car's license plate was all turned over to sheriff's deputies. That investigation continues.

Recall Ordered Of Reebok Bracelets
This next bit of information is for anyone who’s recently bought some new shoes for their children. A recall has been ordered from Reebok International of an estimated 300,000 promotional charm bracelets. The items were included as gifts when certain styles of children’s shoes were bought. The shoes themselves are fine, however one child has already died due to lead poisoning from the metal bracelets. The bracelets are eight inches long with a heart shaped charm that has Reebok written on it. Parents are being asked to dispose of the charm bracelets, due to the high lead content.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A routine traffic stop led to a drug bust for sheriff's deputies late last week. When deputies pulled over the car for having a busted tail light, they witnessed the driver trying to shove something into her mouth and chew it. She was asked to spit out the item, which turned out to less than a gram of crack cocaine. 29-yr-old Samantha Combs was arrested and charged with drug possession.

Regional News

Body Of Missing Girl Found
The search has ended for a missing Burke Ccounty girl. Sheriff's deputies found the body of 17-yr-old Olivia Seals over the weekend, buried in the backyard of a friend. Seals had disappeared on May 9th, after she was supposedly dropped off at her driveway by a friend. Police searched the home of that same friend, 19-yr-old Phillip Blankenship and found a blood trail leading from the house to a pile of trash in the woods nearby. They found Olivia's body buried underneath and autopsy results showed that she was killed by a blow to the head. Phillip Blankenship has been charged with murder and is being held without bond in the Burke County jail.

State News

Arsonist Busted In Charlotte
An investigation five months in the making came to an end over the weekend, as Charlotte police arrested an arsonist. Over $800,000 in damage has been done since December in the Dilworth community, thanks to a series of fires police believed were intentionally set. Now it turns out that the arsonist was living in the same community she set afire. Susan Elaine Davidson was arrested by Mecklenburg police and faces charges for burning down the homes of two of her neighbors, along with an abandoned building on the same block. No motive has been given for the crime and up to 15 other charges could be pending in the case.

Edwards To Possibly Re-Enter Politics
A former North Carolina senator may be entering the race for President next year. John Edwards, former Democratic candidate for Vice President and a former North Carolina Senator, was a guest on ABC's "This Week" program Sunday morning. He said that he would only consider running for president if his wife's health continued to improve. Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and has been undergoing treatment for the sickness ever since. The former senator also said that he's not sure if it's the right time to run, as he's still working on getting the Anti-Poverty Center he runs off the ground.

Early Sunday Crash In Hickory Kills One
Hickory officials are searching for the driver in a hit & run accident over the weekend. Early Sunday morning, two cars collided at a Hickory intersection, killing one of the drivers. According to officials, 49-yr-old Grover Cleveland Denton ran a red light and slammed into the other car, killing the 36-yr-old driver before speeding away. He's wanted on charges of death by vehicle, felony hit & run and failure to stay at a crash.

Sports Headlines

Season Ends For West Wilkes Baseball
Taking a look at the high school scoreboard, the season ended Friday night for West Wilkes’ varsity baseball team. They lost in second round action to Chatham Central 5-2, seeing their year come to a close with a record of 24-5. Lack of control from the Blackhawks pitching staff helped to seal the loss, with the team giving up 9 walks on the night.

Central Girls Advance To Next Round
In high school soccer, the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs after beating Shelby Saturday night. In overtime, Central pulled out the 3-2 winand moves on to play the winner of North Stanley and Albemarle.

ACC Wanting To Change Bowl Selection
Switching gears to college football, the way bowl bids are decided for ACC schools could be changing. After meeting this week, the conference announced that they plan to establish guidelines to make sure the best teams get on the field. Concerns were raised after last season, which saw an 8-3 Boston College team left out of the "big" Meineke Car Care Bowl, which went to 6-5 NC State. Instead, the Eagles had to make the trip up to Idaho for the MPC Computers Bowl as a consolation prize.

Former Appalachian Stars Continue Careers
Several former college football players are getting a chance at continuing their careers, just not in the NFL. Appalachian State star quarterback Richie Williams signed a deal this week with the Hamilton Tiger Cats, a team in the Canadian Football League. Williams, the Southern Conference offensive player of the year in 2005, has a two year contract with an option for a third. He’s the third member of Appalachian’s team to suit up for the Cats, as wide receiver Davon Fowlkes and Wayne Smith are both on the team. Training camp in the CFL starts today with the first game set for June 2nd.

Johnson Wins All Star Race
On the NASCAR circuit, it was Jimmie Johnson once again pulling into victory lane as he won the All Star Challenge. Kevin Harvick was second and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top three. Drivers will return to Charlotte this Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600.