News & Sports For March 17th

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

Wishon Makes Top Ten List
Fans of Southern Gospel music have sent in their votes and a new Top Ten List has been released for this year’s Singing News Fan Awards. Fans can now cast their ballots to narrow the field down to five in each category and then those five will go on to the National Quartet Convention for a chance at being selected. Our own John Wishon made the Top Ten in the Small Market DJ Of The Year category. This marks the 7th year John has been nominated for the award, which he won back in 2002. However only Singing News subscribers can vote for the awards, so if you want to cast a ballot, you have to sign up for the magazine.

Hayes Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Hayes woman got an unwelcome surprise this week, after receiving a phone call from a credit card company. They informed her that she had run up a $1100 bill, which came as a surprise seeing as she didn’t have a card with the company. It turns out that someone had used the woman’s name to get a card and then went on a spending spree. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Gas Thieves Hit Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in Wilkes County this week, targeting Wikes Food Mart On Hwy 421 in North Wilkesboro. A man driving a black truck pulled up, pumped $38 worth of gas and then paid for it, telling one of the employees that the pump was slow and he planned to use another one. He then pulled his vehicle up to the next pump, put in another $38 worth and took off down the road. A description of both the man and his vehicle was given to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Wilkes County To Host Chi-Rho Choir
Wilkes County will play host to a nationally known group of musicians this weekend. The Chi-Rho Chorus from Wake Forest will be performing this Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Wilkesboro. The group has been in existence since 1991, touring the country and putting out albums, with former members including Aaron Mercer, now the Associate Director of General Licensing for BMI Records. The concert, which begins at 7:30pm is free of charge but a love offering will be taken.

Thieves Hit Wilkesboro Residence
Thieves hit a Wilkesboro residence this week. A neighbor came by to speak with the homeowner, only to find the door had been pried open. Inside the house there was a series a muddy footprints stretching from the living room on into the bedroom. Deputies were called out and the homeowner tracked down, as thieves had taken a jar of coins and some lingerie from inside. The estimated value of the coins was placed at $350. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
1500 pints of blood are used across North Carolina every day. But while the blood keeps coming out, there isn’t much coming back in, as low turnouts this week have dropped the supply back near critical levels. The Wilkes Red Cross is looking to solve that problem by holding another drive today at Avonte. You can come out and give from 12 noon til 4pm. The Red Cross also asks that donors please eat something and be sure to drink a lot of fluids before giving. The number to call to set up an appointment is 838-4563.

Thieves Break In To Watch The Game
March Madness apparently grabbed thieves in the North Wilkesboro area, as they broke into a local home. Taken from inside was the homeowner’s 27 inch color TV along with a Nintendo Gamecube game system. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Scooter Stolen From Thurmond Home
Be careful where you leave your vehicles. A Thurmond man learned why this week, as he looked outside Wednesday night to find his moped being driven down the road. Two men were on the scooter, heading down Hwy 21 towards Elkin. In addition to the bike itself, two helmets were stolen from the man’s house as well. Information has been turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Congresswoman Foxx Given Award
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx was recognized this week by the US Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber gave Foxx its’ annual “Spirit of Enterprise” award, handed out for her strong support of programs and policies that have created job growth. The award is given out each year to lawmakers with at least a 70% rating in regards to certain votes and if they positively affected the economy. Foxx came in 1st this year with a 78% rating.

State News

NC Congressman Calls For US To Buy American
The U.S. Government should buy American products, according to several North Carolina Congressmen. House Representative Robin Hayes introduced a bill yesterday making it a requirement that whenever possible, military purchasers must buy American textiles. Recent information released from Homeland Security found that while the Department spends a lot of money on uniforms and other apparel, most of it is bought from other countries.

Fugitive Being Hunted In NC
North Carolina officials are working in connection with the US Marshals to try and track down a fugitive that is believed to be hiding out somewhere in the state. Kenneth Glenn Hinson is wanted in connection with several recent kidnappings and sexual assaults in the Darlington South Carolina area. Hinson is a registered sex offender and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding Hinson is asked to call the US Marshals at 1-843-662-0750.

Freshman Has Computer Taken By Secret Service
A college prank turned serious this week as the Secret Service got involved. Tim Willis, a freshman at Mars Hill College changed the lyrics of a Misfits song, to instead describe the violent death of President Bush. He then posted the lyrics on MySpace.com, which caught the attention of the Secret Service. Agents paid a visit to Mars Hill College and took Willis’ computer, declining to say anything about the case.

Police Use Tip To Arrest Bank Robber
Officials in Cary North Carolina have arrested a bank robber, thanks to tips from the public. After receiving a tip on the Crimestoppers hotline, police were able to track the man down and place him under arrest. 38-yr-old James Dennison Swisher is believed to have walked into the local Wachovia just before closing time on Monday, demanding and later taking cash from the teller. He now faces charges of felonious larceny and is currently being held at the Wake County jail awaiting his court date.

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Are you wearing green today? Across the world people are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. According to historical accounts, Saint Patrick, who wasn't really Irish, was the missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity. He was born around 373 A.D. in either Scotland or in Britain during the Roman occupation. His real name is said to be Maewyn Succat. At the age of 16, while living in Ireland, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery for 6 years. He escaped, went to France, and became a priest or bishop. At about age 60, St. Patrick traveled back to Ireland to spread the Christian word. He used the green shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, as a metaphor to explain the concept of the Trinity - father, son, and holy spirit. St. Patrick died in his beloved Ireland, March 17th, about 460 A.D. The land, which once enslaved him, he had set free. The first American celebration of Saint Patrick's Day was in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!"

Sports Headlines

Softball & Teeball Signups This Week
As we head into spring, it’s time once again for softball and teeball. Signups are being held this Saturday at the Austin Community Center for boys and girls ages 5-15. The signups last from 9am til 12 noon and are one of three signup periods going on this month. You can also sign your child up on March 23rd from 6:30-8:30pm or March 25th from 12 noon til 3pm.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scene last night, it was Duke over Southern in the first round of the NCAA tournament 70-54. J.J. Redick had 29 points and Shelden Williams added 29 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocked shots as the Blue Devils advance to take on George Washington this weekend. Meanwhile in other NCAA action, it was Winthrop losing in the final seconds to Tennessee 63-61. Torrell Martin led Winthrop with 14 points and the team will finish their season at 23-8. UNC Wilmington also came close but were eliminated from the tournament after an 88-85 loss to George Washington. T.J. Carter had 25 points to lead the Seahawks, who will end their season with a record of 25-8.

UNC Asheville Star Transferring
Also in college basketball, some bad news for UNC Asheville. Freshman Michael Ellis announced on Wednesday that he’ll be transferring at the end of this year. Ellis, who was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year, averaged 12 points during the past season while starting 12 games. No reason was given for the change.

NHL: Carolina vs. Montreal
The Carolina Hurricanes started a new winning streak as they beat Montreal 5-1 last night. Eric Staal got his 40th goal of the season and Justin Williams added two goals of his own in the win, which brings Carolina to a league best 45-15.

Panthers Have Fan In Wide Receiver
The Carolina Panthers are on the prowl for another wide receiver this offseason, looking for someone to team up and take the heat off of Pro Bowler Steve Smith. Now it turns out a former Pro Bowler wants to fill that position. Free agent Keyshawn Johnson said in a radio interview on Wednesday that he wants to play for the Panthers, saying that he’d like to suit up with QB Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Johnson also said that Panthers offensive coordinator Dan Henning was the best coordinator he’d ever worked with. However two things could stand in the way of Keyshawn joining the team. One is his age, as he’s 34 years old and the second is his asking price. He already turned down a $2.5 million offer from the Dallas Cowboys.

News & Sports For March 15th

Fire Rages Out Of Control Near Liberty Grove
Firemen from six Wilkes County departments spent most of Tuesday battling a blaze near Liberty Grove Church Road. The fire went up near 152 Liberty Drive and quickly spread, causing the forest service to fly in buckets of water and officials to completely shut down the Liberty Grove Road. For several hours Tuesday afternoon, people could get out but no one was allowed in as firemen battled the blaze. Wind gusts reaching up to 25 mph at times didn’t help the situation, as they only fanned the flames.

Wilkes County Schools Practice For Severe Weather
Students will be taking time out of class today to prepare for something that hopefully never happens. At 9:15 this morning tornado drills will begin here in Wilkes and across the state, as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. Government offices are included in the drills as well, in order to test how prepared we are in case of a major storm. Last year North Carolina was a severe storm magnet, reporting over 24 tornados, 116 flash floods and over 300 severe thunderstorms. As severe storm week continues, coming up tomorrow on the 3WC News we’ll take a look at some precautions you can take in case of a major storm.

Blood Drive Later Today
Poor turnouts have plagued the recent blood drives here in Wilkes County, to the point that more are needed just to keep the supply out of critical levels. A drive is going on today at West Wilkes High School from 9am til 2pm. No appointments are needed, but if you want to avoid the traffic as students go to and from class, you can call and set up a time to give. The Red Cross’s number is 838-4563.

Thieves Arrest Car Thief After Chase
A Millers Creek man was in bed Monday night when he heard his car start up. Looking outside he saw someone drive off down the road in the truck and called sheriff’s deputies. That same vehicle was spotted a few minutes later by deputies on Hwy 16 North. The suspect attempted to outrun the deputies in the truck and when that failed, tried to swerve and hit their vehicle. Speeds over 80 mph were reached as the chase continued on side roads before finally ending at a home on Parsonsville Road, where the suspect gave up. 20-yr-old Paul Ronald Brown Jr. was arrested and charged with car theft, fleeing to elude arrest, assault of a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon and larceny for stealing a bow & arrow set that was inside the car.

Focus On Girl Scouts
This is National Girl Scouts Week, in honor of the organization that was founded almost 100 years ago. Wilkes County Girl Scouts director Angela Day will be Brian’s guest this week for Focus on the Foothills, as they’ll be talking about the history of the organization, how scouts earn their badges and about how girls can join a local troop. That’s coming up Thursday at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

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

Recall Ordered For Classic Sandwiches
You might want to hear this next bit of news before picking up that egg salad sandwich to eat tonight. Classic Delight Inc. has ordered a recall of all of their Egg Salad Sandwiches on Vienna Bread, due to a possible contamination. The company found out that certain sandwiches contained Listeria, a dangerous bacteria that can cause health problems in children and the elderly. All of the affected packages had a lot code of 5355 and were distributed out of Cincinnati Ohio. North Carolina was one of 31 different states the sandwiches were shipped to. A hotline has been set up for anyone with questions at 1-800-274-9828.

Hungry Thieves Hit Traphill Home
Some apparently hungry thieves targeted a Traphill woman’s home this week. Monday evening, the woman returned to find that the screen on her front window had been raised and food was missing from inside. Neighbors informed her that they saw two women inside the house earlier in the day. Taken in the theft was a loaf of bread and a 12-pack of Coke. There are suspects in the case and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Missing Hikers Found
A group of missing hikers has been found in Caldwell County, after they vanished Monday afternoon. The group was out hiking in Wilson Creek when they realized they were lost. Fortunately one of the hikers had a cell phone and used it to call authorities. Within several hours search parties had been organized as volunteers from over six different fire departments came out to help. Shortly after 8pm the group was located at a mountainous area near Collettsville.

State News

Steer Clear Of I-85
If you’re planning to head to Charlotte for a Bobcats game or maybe want to catch some NCAA action, expect to wait a little while. Both sections of I-85 North in Rowan County are undergoing road repairs this week and it’s led to some massive traffic jams. That section of I-85 is expanding to a four lane highway and impatience with the construction has led to several traffic accidents. There have been so many accidents in fact that the highway patrol is fining drivers who speed through the section an automatic $350 each, not counting insurance costs.

Officials Looking For Help In Bank Robbery Case
Officials in Cary North Carolina are asking for the public’s help in solving a case. On Monday afternoon, a man entered the Wachovia Bank on Walnut Street and threatened a teller, running off with an undisclosed amount of money. Security cameras and witnesses describe the suspect as a white male in his late 30s, about 5’8 ft and weighing around 165 lbs. He also has either light brown or dirty blonde hair. A reward of $2500 has been put out by the local Crimestoppers in Cary for information leading to the man’s arrest. Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at 1-919-226-2746.

No Jobs Lost Due To Fire
Good news for workers at one Rockingham County plant. A fire that ripped through the building on Monday didn’t do any significant damage, meaning that production will go on as planned and no jobs will be lost. There had been concern that due to the fire, officials at Southern Finishing would terminate some jobs to save on cost as they repaired. But damage from the fire was limited to the back of the building and shouldn’t take long to fix.

New Clues Found In Missing Persons Case
More evidence has been uncovered in the case of a missing Lee County woman. 23-yr-old Michelle Bullard was kidnapped at gunpoint from a friend’s house in Lee County and hasn’t been seen since. Now investigators have found Bullard’s wallet & license, on a road in nearby Cumberland County. The evidence was found near the home of David Wilson’s family. Wilson committed suicide the same day as the kidnapping, when he was approached for questioning by officials from Harnett County. Wilson fit the description of the alleged kidnapper however no physical evidence has been discovered to link him to Bullard. A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to Bullard’s recovery and people are being asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 1-919-775-5531.

Sports Headlines

Baseball Coming Up Tonight
High school baseball is in full swing and we’ll be out at East Wilkes tonight, as the Cardinals take on the North Wilkes Vikings. This will be the teams’ second meeting this season, with North Wilkes winning the first one. Bragging rights are on the line and we’ll go on air with the McDonald’s pregame show at 6:45pm then turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand at 7pm for the first pitch.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at college basketball last night, it was UNC Charlotte over Georgia Southern 77-61. Curtis Withers had 20 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocked shots to lead the 49ers, who advance into the second round of the NIT tournament. They’ll go on the road Friday to take on Cincinnati.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Washington
In the senior circuit of the NBA, it was Washington over Charlotte 119-114. Jumaine Jones had 18 points to lead the Bobcats, one of seven Charlotte players to score in double figures. With the loss Charlotte drops to 18-47 on the season.

Former UNC Charlotte Player Getting Chance
A former member of the UNC Charlotte 49ers is getting his shot at the NBA. Guard Eddie Basden was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls and then sent to the Developmental League. Now Bulls forward Darius Songaila is out for the rest of the year and the team is calling up Basden to take his place. The rookie’s first game was last night, as

NHL: NY Rangers vs. Carolina
On the ice last night, the Carolina Hurricanes snapped their two game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. Doug Weight led the Hurricanes with two goals and an assist, as the team improves to a league best 44-15.

Panthers Continue Changes
In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers continue to retool for next season. On Monday, they signed former first round pick Damione Lewis to a two year deal. Lewis, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams back in 2001, is an athletic and quick defensive tackle able to help stop the run. With Lewis joining the team, it completes a revamp that began on Friday. Now there are six defensive tackles on the roster, all of which are under 30 years old.

News & Sports For March 14th

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

Winter Weather To Make A Return
If you enjoyed those 80 degree days and sunshine, it’s time to say goodbye. A cold front is making its’ way back into the area and over the next few days those temperatures are going to drop back down. According to the National Weather Service, a cold front will move in later today, dropping the temperature over 20 degrees at times. Then it’ll be back below freezing this weekend, as a second cold front is expected to make its’ way through Wilkes, with temperatures falling to the low 20s and possibly even the high teens at times. The cold weather is going to stay around, with the highs not expected to climb out of the 40s next week.

Local Agencies In Need Of Help
Even though winter here in Wilkes County has been mild, the lack of jobs has sent people out in search of food. For most of the local relief agencies, that means their shelves are virtually empty. Wilkes Cares and Samaritan’s Kitchen both find themselves in need of any help possible. Everyone from retirees to those who just want to give a few hours in community service are asked to come out and help the organizations. You can call Samaritan’s Kitchen at 838-5331 or Wilkes Cares at 838-4900.

Newest Protection Against Fraud
As we head into spring, this is also a busy time of year for thieves, both the usual kind and those who travel on the internet. Credit cards, social security numbers and other personal information are major targets. But people here in North Carolina can take steps to protect themselves against ID Theft. One of those tools, the Identity Theft Protection Act, has only been available for the last three months but has already become an important weapon against thieves. It allows you to block access to your credit records, preventing any would be thieves from gaining access and ruining your finances. You will be able to do that thanks to a security freeze. The only problem is that while thieves won't be able to use your credit to purchase things, neither can you. Once the freeze is placed on, no company or business can check up on your credit history until its' lifted. If you do want to fill out an application for a credit freeze or just want more information, you can log on to the state Department of Justice website at www.ncdoj.com/idtheft.

Blood Drive Going On Today
Across the country, blood is needed every two seconds. To help build up our own local supply and also have enough to help other areas, the Red Cross is holding a drive today at Wilkesboro Civi Center. The event will run from 2pm to 6:30pm and will be open to the public. Just remember before going to donate, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To call the Red Cross for more information or to set up an appointment, the number is 838-4563.

3WC Techwatch: Some Help With The Housework
With spring not too far off, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else mow your lawn? Well help isn’t that far off, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. Throughout last week, genius inventors and would be creators made their way to Germany for the world’s largest high tech show called CeBIT. The event, which is held each year in Hanover, had some interesting solutions to any housekeeping problems you might have. NEC, a Japanese company, brought out a small robot that’s able to act as a watchdog, recognizing people on sight and alerting you that they’re coming. Also the Electrolux company, which makes vacuums among other things, has designed a new robotic lawnmower. All you have to do is attach the robot to your lawnmower set its’ clock, indicating what time of day you want the lawn mowed. Then the robot will turn itself on at that time, start the mower and cut your grass, before returning to the garage. And finally the German Vorwerk company unveiled an electronic carpet. It feels and looks just like a regular carpet, except tiny electric particles inside can communicate with vacuum cleaners designed by the company, informing the person about dirt or spots that were missed. However if you want the help from any of these new toys, your wallet will cry. The cheapest is priced at $2000.

Small Business Seminar Today At WCC
It can be hard starting up your own business, especially if you have to compete with larger companies. What business model should you follow? Can your idea even succeed in the current economic climate? Coming up this Thursday, the Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College will continue their Small Business Start Up Series. In this third seminar, the topic will be “Financial Planning and Record Keeping”. You can pre-register by calling WCC at 336-838-6210 or 336-838-6113. The seminar is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend.

State News

Possible Clues Coming In Missing Persons Case
Officials in Lee County believe they might have a break in a recent missing persons case. In January, Michelle Bullard was kidnapped from a friend’s house at gunpoint during a break-in. Now investigators are trying to see if a suicide later that day in the same area is linked to the crime. David Wilson matches the description of the man who took Bullard and the two are believed to be on a convenience store security camera. Police believe that if they can determine why Wilson killed himself, they might find out what happened to Bullard.

NC Doctors Are Violating Ethics Guidelines
Part of North Carolina’s execution process violates ethical guidelines, according to the American Medical Association. Officials from the association have come out against the fact that doctors here in the state are called to monitor executions and determine if a prisoner is alive or dead. This is in violation of the physician’s oath to first do no harm, according to the Association, as a declaration that the prisoner is still alive will result in more lethal drugs being injected. However under state law, a doctor is required to be on scene at each execution.

Questions Arise After Man Dies In Custody
Questions are being raised in Mecklenburg County after a suspect died in custody Sunday night. Around 11pm, police responded to a report of a fight on Equipment Drive, but only discovered one man at the scene, who was bleeding. The officers said the man became combative and so they had to put him in handcuffs. He collapsed on the way to Carolina Medical Center, dying just a short while later. The arrest is now the subject of both a Homicide and Internal Affairs investigation.

Asheville Up In Arms Over Coach’s Firing
What kind of league fires a coach whose teams always finish near the top of the division? That’s what some parents in Asheville are wondering today after Mona Nix was informed she wouldn’t be asked to return as a coach in the East Asheville Little League. Nix, whose teams always have finished either first or second in the league, believes it’s because of her gender. She’s the only woman coaching baseball in the area. League officials denied the allegations, saying that a committee chooses the coaches they want each year, based on the program’s needs. The decision is currently being appealed to the Little League board.

Sports Headlines

Softball & Teeball Signups This Week
As we head into spring, it’s time once again for softball and teeball. Signups are being held this Saturday at the Austin Community Center for boys and girls ages 5-15. The signups last from 9am til 12 noon and are one of three signup periods going on this month. You can also sign your child up on March 23rd from 6:30-8:30pm or March 25th from 12 noon til 3pm.

Two NC Schools Invited To NIT
While several North Carolina basketball teams made it to the NCAA, two schools from here in the state are just happy to still be playing, after getting invitations to the NIT. UNC Charlotte and Wake Forest both received invites to the tournament, which begins tonight. The 18-12 Charlotte 49ers will play host to Georgia Southern, with the winner of that game taking on Cincinnati this Friday. Wake Forest on the other hand, will tip off their tournament schedule on Wednesday, going on the road against Minnesota.

Bad News Comes For Bobcats
Some bad news for the Charlotte Bobcats, as the team prepares for tonight’s game against Washington. They may have to do it without their leading scorer. Gerald Wallace was injured during Sunday’s matchup with Detroit, spraining his calf muscle less than 5 minutes into the game. Team doctors think the injury will go away with rest, something that could leave the already depleted Bobcats shorthanded as they face back to back games tonight and tomorrow against the Wizards. Also rookie Raymond Felton is having problems with his left leg, after getting kicked in the shin Saturday night against New York.

Panthers Lose Two & Gain One
It’s a case of good news/bad news for the Carolina Panthers, as the team lost two players but gained a new one in the process. Starting linebacker Will Witherspoon said goodbye to the team on Sunday and joined the St. Louis Rams, thanks to a six year $33 million deal, with $15 million of that being guaranteed. The Panthers tried to keep Witherspoon but their offer was $4 million less than the Rams. With the departure of Witherspoon, Dan Morgan now becomes the only returning starter at linebacker. In addition, the team learned on Sunday that starting safety Marlon McCree had signed a deal with the San Diego Chargers. However the Panthers did get some good news in a key position as Tennessee Titans center Justin Hartwig agreed to a 5 year deal with the team. The 27-yr-old Hartwig will take over from 35-yr-old Jeff Mitchell, who opted to test the free agent market. Mitchell still could be resigned as a backup.

NASCAR Points Standings
Taking a look at the points standings after Sunday’s race, it’s Jimmie Johnson in first, followed by Matt Kenseth, who’s 52 points behind. Ksaey Kahne is in third, 85 points behind the leader while Casey Mears is 86 back in fourth. Mark Martin rounds out the top 5, 110 points behind Johnson.

News & Sports For March 13th

Blust Challenges Garwood To Debates
A challenge has been laid down to 45th District Senator John Garwood. His opponent in the upcoming Republican Primary, David Blust, wants to organize a series of debates over the next few weeks and has set a deadline of March 17th for Garwood to respond. Blust said in a press release issued over the weekend that he was asking all local newspapers and radio stations in the 45th District to work together and coordinate the debates. As planned, the debates would have questioned submitted from a panel of media members, along with a series of questions that each candidate would ask the other. A deadline of this Friday, March 17th has been set for Garwood to respond.

Hays Man Gets Surprise In Bank Account
A Hays man got a very unwelcome surprise when checking his bank account this week. A total of $1000 was missing and checks had been written to the account for items he had never bought. After going through his checkbook, it was discovered that someone had apparently come in and taken the checks, as the first ten were missing. All of the used checks were turned over to sheriff’s deputies as evidence and there is a suspect in the case. That investigation continues.

Gas Thief Arrested In Millers Creek
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a woman last week after she was caught stealing gas from the Creek Stop. The incident happened on Thursday as a woman pulled up, pumped just over $32 in gas, broke the nozzle on the machine and took off down the road. An employee from the store followed & detained her til sheriff’s deputies arrived, at which time she gave them a false name. This despite having her real name tattooed on her neck. 23-yr-old Amanda M. Wyatt was charged with gas theft, damage to property, driving with a revoked license and giving false information to law enforcement.

Gas Savers Part Three: Checkup Before Filling Up
With gas prices continuing to go up, it’s more important than ever to conserve fuel. Today in the third part of our gas savers series, we take a look at some other ways to save you time and money at the pump. First of all, keep your engine in tune. That may seem like a small thing, but an out of tune engine can lower your gas mileage by about 4%. Also be on the lookout for worn out sparkplugs. They can drop your car’s gas mileage by 30%. Be sure and replace the car’s air filter when needed. A clogged filter can cost you an additional 15 cents a gallon. Finally make sure to check your tires. Underinflated tires wear down quick, offering more resistance and forcing your engine to work harder. The gas mileage on underinflated tires can drop by 15% or more in some cases. It may seem like a long list of things to do, but it’ll be worth it when you can spend more time away from the pump.

Two Cars Totaled on Oakwoods Road
Two cars were totaled after an accident last week on the Oakwoods Road. On Wednesday a North Wilkesboro woman was trying to onto the road, but didn’t see another vehicle coming. The other car, driven by a Wilkesboro woman, couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. No one was injured in the crash however estimated damages were placed at $4500.

Bank Of America Providing Customers With New Service
Getting information about your bank account may only be a click away, thanks to a new service from Bank of America. Customers in Wilkes County and around the county will soon be able to receive warnings, alerts and other information on their computer or cell phone. Bank of America announced late last week that it’s beginning a new service to alert customers about their accounts. For example in the new program your email or cell phone would automatically receive a text message anytime that a deposit is made. Also you would get a warning whenever the account is in danger of being overdrawn or if an abnormal series of purchases was made on your debit card. The service is expected to be up and running across the nation by the end of this year. You can sign up now if you’re a Bank of America customer by logging on to www.bankofamerica.com

Parts Of Satellite Ripped Off Local Home
A Thurmond woman returned home last week to find someone had paid her a visit. Thieves had ripped off the Coax Converter on the woman’s satellite dish, causing about $99 worth of damage in the process. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone near the home, however that investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Who Wants A Cup Of Coffee?
Most people love to have a cup of coffee before going to work in the morning, but could it actually be good for you? A study coordinated between three universities in the U.S. and Canada found the answer to be yes and no, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. In the body there is a specific gene that breaks down caffeine and for some, it works slower than in others. That’s why the amount of coffee that’s healthy varies from person to person. Researchers from Harvard, the University of Toronto and the University of Costa Rica studied 4000 coffee drinkers, half who had fell victim to heart attacks previously and the other half who hadn’t. What they found was that for those coffee drinkers who had suffered from heart attacks, their system took longer to break down the caffeine, meaning that just one or two cups could increase their risk of heart problems. For the other half however, even as many as four to five cups of coffee didn’t cause any physical problems and in fact helped lower the risk of heart attack by a slight margin. However the test used to determine which version of the gene people have isn’t available to doctors or hospitals yet, so the researchers suggest you limit your coffee intake to no more than four cups a day.

State News

Football Employee Accused Of Embezzlement
The new owner of a Carolina football team got more than he bargained for with his purchase. Robert Boyd has filed charges against the team’s former general manager, accusing him of embezzling over $2000. Boyd took over the Carolina Ghostriders back in January and since then has discovered a paper trail leading back to former general manager David Dix. According to the police report, Dix made deals with people behind the owner’s back, agreeing to pay them without ever clearing it with the team. An audit is currently going on along with the police investigation.

Doctor Killed By Patient Over The Weekend
An Asheville doctor was killed over the weekend by a patient. On Friday, a man came in for his appointment, went into the examination room and then shot the doctor as he was coming in to check up on him. Once the gunshots rang out staff members tackled the shooter and held him until police arrived. Dr. Brian Ling later died at Mission Hospital. It’s believed that the gunman had a son who had died earlier this month while under Dr. Ling’s care.

UNC System Adding High School To University List
A 17th name has been submitted to the General Assembly by the North Carolina public university system, requesting that it be added. What makes this one a little different is the fact that it’s a high school. The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics will if approved, join the UNC college system and be supervised by the UNC Board of Governors in how its’ run. Until now, the school had been listed as part of the UNC system, but the board had no control over how it was run or who was in charge. That raised concerns about how they could be accountable for a school they didn’t control.

Sports Headlines

Duke Takes ACC Title
For the seventh time in eight years, the Duke Blue Devils took the ACC conference title. This time it was after a 78-76 win over Boston College. J.J. Redick had 26 points in the win, as the Blue Devils roll on to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Tournament Seeds Revealed
The Blue Devils weren’t the only North Carolina team to make it into the NCAA tournament. Duke will take on Southern University, while the #9 seed UNC Wilmington will face off against #8 seed George Washington. NC State makes it in as a #10 seed, taking on #7 California in the first round. #15 ranked Davidson will take on #2 Ohio State, while the #3 ranked UNC Tarheels will face off against #14 Murray State. Times for each of the games has yet to be set.

Bobcats Fall To Pistons
A two game winning streak came to an end for the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday, as they lost to Detroit 94-78. Charlotte had to play for most of the game without leading scorer Gerald Wallace, who was injured in the first half. Raymond Felton led Charlotte with 18 points, as the team drops to 18-46 on the season.

Hurricanes Lose To Florida
The Carolina Hurricanes have hit a snag as the season winds down, losing their last two games. On Saturday they dropped an overtime game to Florida 4-3. With the loss the team drops to 43-15, but stays in first place in the Southeast Division.

Jimmie Johnson Takes The Win
Jimmie Johnson made his return to victory lane on Sunday, winning the Daimler-Chrysler 400. Matt Kenseth was second, Kyle Busch third, Kasey Kahne was fourth and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top five. The win Sunday is the second this year for Johnson, who also took the checkered flag in the Daytona 500. Next up is a trip to Atlanta for the Golden Corral 500.

News & Sports For March 10th

Wilkesboro Church Of Christ Opens Its’ Doors
The paint is dry, the inside has been redone and the Wilkesboro Church of Christ is ready to open their doors to the pubic. The church will be holding worship services for the first time in their building this weekend, a project several months in the making. The new church sanctuary can hold 200 people and the building includes an education wing with six classrooms and a library. In addition there’s a fellowship hall and fenced-in playground on target to open later this spring. The church is located at 1740 Curtis Bridge Road in Wilkesboro.

Thieves Run Off With Generator
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Wilkesboro residence this week, after thieves ran off with several items. The theft happened at a home on Country Square Drive, as a local man returned to find someone had broke into his storage building. A generator and a garden tiller were taken from inside and there are suspects in the case. That investigation continues.

Gas Savers Part Two: Keeping Your Cool
Have you ever got in your car and started it up, only to notice that the gas needle had dropped since you had turned it off? As the rays beat down on your car, they also suck up gas from inside. In part two of our 3WC Gas Savers series, we’re explaining some more ways to help save money at the pump. First try and park your car in the shade. Parking in sunlight will help your car’s gas evaporate quicker on a hot day. While storing it in the shade won’t solve the problem, it will make the evaporation process go a lot slower, saving at least part of your gas for the ride home. Also make sure your gas cap is tight. Each year, an estimated 147 million gallons of gas are lost due to misplaced or loose gas caps. Air conditioning might seem like a vacuum, draining your gas dry and your wallet too. But studies have shown that while driving on the highway, most cars are actually more efficient when the air conditioning is on, as long as you don’t go too far. Cranking it on full blast won’t get things cool any faster, but what it will do is put a drain on both your battery and gas. When you have an open window, it produces more resistance for your car to fight against, meaning that the engine has to work harder to keep up to speed and that translates into more gas being burned. Coming up Monday in part three of our series, we’ll tell you how the right tire can keep you away from the pump for a few more days.

Blood Drive Later Today
1500 pints of blood are needed across North Carolina each day. To help keep that supply going and not put our own into critical levels, the Wilkes Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Gardner Glass from 11am til 3:30pm. It’s open to anyone, however please remember before giving blood you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To set up an appointment the number to call is 838-4563.

Pay Phone Hit By Car
It’s not unusual for someone to accidentally run over their phone with a car. However when the item in question is a pay phone, that becomes a little more out of the ordinary. On Tuesday sheriff’s deputies were called out after someone slammed into the pay phone at the Little Market Basket on Hwy 268 in Wilkesboro. An estimated $300 worth of damage was done. However the incident happened after the store had closed, so there are currently no suspects in the case. That investigation continues.

Dry Conditions Bring Fire Warning
While by all accounts Wilkes County has had a mild winter. But rain, ice and wind have left behind their calling cards with downed trees scattered throughout the area. As temperatures heat up, those trees can create even more problems. Rain from those weekend storms has also helped grass start to grow around the trees, creating a dangerous combination should there be a lightning strike. In order to protect your property, fire marshals suggest that you remove any downed trees before they can dry out. In addition, you can add some protection to your house by surrounding it with a few succulent plants. Those plants are 90% water and while they may be baked by the flames, they’re not usually burned easy. Instead the water inside can actually serve as a flame deterrent, slowing it down or in some cases aiding to put it out. Succulent plants include aloe, agave, stonecrops and cactus. It’s important to take steps and protect your home now as in the first three months of the year, there have already been several hundred brushfires throughout North Carolina.

Thieves Drive Off With Local Scooter
Be careful where you leave your vehicles. A North Wilkesboro man found out why that’s a good idea this week, after parking his scooter at a friend’s house and leaving it behind. He came back Tuesday afternoon to find the vehicle was missing. However in talking with deputies, he couldn’t provide an address for the friend’s house, only that it was somewhere on Sparta Road. That investigation continues.

Local Agencies In Need Of Help
Even though winter here in Wilkes County has been mild, the lack of jobs has sent people out in search of food. For most of the local relief agencies, that means their shelves are virtually empty. Wilkes Cares and Samaritan’s Kitchen both find themselves in need of any help possible. Everyone from retirees to those who just want to give a few hours in community service are asked to come out and help the organizations. You can call Samaritan’s Kitchen at 838-5331 or Wilkes Cares at 838-4900.

Recall Of Pasta Products
You might want to think twice before eating that bowl of pasta tonight. A recall has been issued by Unilever Inc. of over 560,000 pounds of pasta products. This is due to the fact that the products contain egg whites but that wasn’t disclosed on the package, potentially causing problems for people with allergies. The recall is for all 24-ounce bags of Bertolli Meatballs Pomodoro & Penne w/ peppers & onions, the complete skillet meal for two variety. Each package has an establishment number of EST 21340 inside the USDA inspection mark. They also have a best by date of Sept 14th 2006, Dec. 16th 2006, Dec. 23rd 2006, Jan. 4th 2007, Feb. 3rd 2007 or Feb. 15th 2007. They were sold in North Carolina and across the United States. A toll free hotline has been set up if you have any questions at 1-866-837-7592.

State News

State Unemployment Keeps Dropping
Some good news for people across North Carolina, as the state’s unemployment rate has taken another nose dive. At the end of January, the rate dropped to its’ lowest since 2000, coming in at 4.3%. One of the main reasons for the drop was an increase in education and health service jobs, as 6100 were added from December 31st to February 1st. North Carolina now ranks below the national jobless rate, which is sitting at 4.7%.

Man Charged With Kidnapping
One man in Rockingham County is facing kidnapping charges today after a short joyride. 39-yr-old Brian Kelly Land saw a vehicle idling at a convenience store in Stoneville and decided to climb into the driver’s seat. He took off down the road, with a woman and her 15-yr-old son in the vehicle. They had been waiting on the woman’s husband, who was inside the store paying for a purchase. Mr. Land drove the car to a restaurant in Eden North Carolina, before getting out and telling the two passengers they were free to go. He was arrested at that same restaurant a few minutes later by sheriff’s deputies. Land gave no explanation as to why he stole the car, only to return it shortly after.

State Senator Accused Of Campaign Violations
Prosecutors are determining if they’ll file criminal charges against State Senator Robert Holloman today. Holloman stands accused of not reporting over $23,000 in campaign contributions. In addition, part of that money is believed to be from businesses here in the state, something that’s illegal under North Carolina law. Holloman said that he didn’t intentionally break the law and was unaware of certain rules.

Inmate Death Labeled As Homicide
A Davidson County inmate that died in January was murdered, according to the state medical examiner’s office. 28-yr-old Carlos Castro died after a fight with two officers in the local jail on January 7th, after the officers tried to take a mop handle away from him. The ME’s report says Castro was asphyxiated, in addition to suffering severe head trauma, cuts and bruises. The SBI is continuing their own investigation into the matter.

Suspect Arrested In Murder Investigation
A suspect has been arrested in Union County after a series of murders that stretches across two states. Three women have been killed in North and South Carolina over the last few years, following a pattern that law enforcement traced back to 42-yr-old Scott W. Williams of Monroe. Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey announced the arrest at a press conference held Thursday afternoon.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college scoreboard last night, it’s tournament time across America and Wake Forest appears ready to make the most of it. They beat Florida State 78-66 in the opening round of the ACC tournament yesterday, being led by Justin Gray’s 25 points and 8 assists. Next up for the Deacons will be a rematch this afternoon with the NC State Wolfpack. Tipoff is set for 2:30pm. And in the Atlantic 10, the UNC Charlotte 49ers possibly saw their season come to a close, as they lost to Xavier 59-55. Star senior Curtis Withers had only 8 points to go along with 12 rebounds, as the 49ers drop to 18-12.

Bennerman To Play Tonight
Some good news for NC State fans, as Cameron Bennerman will be in uniform for the team’s matchup tonight against Wake Forest. Bennerman has been out for a week due to a hamstring injury, but was able to practice at full strength this week and has been cleared to play.

Redick Named To All America Team
Two Duke players made the Basketball Writers All America Team this week. Shelden Williams and J.J. Redick were both named to the squad, joining Adam Morrison from Gonzaga, Randy Foye from Villanova and Brandon Roy of Washington. This marks the 50th year the All-America team has been selected.

Wake Forest Plugs Up Holes
The Wake Forest football team plugged some holes on their coaching staff this week. Head coach Jim Grobe hired Tim Billings to take over as wide receivers coach. Billings has served the past six years as head coach of Southeast Missouri State, working before that as an assistant at Marshall, Missouri and Oklahoma. He replaces Kevin Sherman, who left to join the Virginia Tech staff back in February.

Fines Upheld By NASCAR
In Nascar, as drivers prepare for this weekend’s race at Las Vegas, one team finds itself dropping back in the points race without even hitting the track. Hall of Fame Racing saw its’ appeal tossed out this week against penalties given out by NASCAR. Those penalties were for modifications made to the #96 Chevy during qualifying for the Daytona 500. As a result, a $25,000 fine has been handed out to crew chief Philippe Lopez and 25 points were taken away from driver Terry Labonte. The team admitted the mistake but said the parts were brought in by a third party and it wasn’t intentional.

News & Sports For March 8th

Local Agencies In Need Of Help
Even though winter here in Wilkes County has been mild, the lack of jobs has sent people out in search of food. For most of the local relief agencies, that means their shelves are virtually empty. Wilkes Cares and Samaritan’s Kitchen both find themselves in need of any help possible. Everyone from retirees to those who just want to give a few hours in community service are asked to come out and help the organizations. You can call Samaritan’s Kitchen at 838-5331 or Wilkes Cares at 838-4900.

Focus On Our House
For many people in the Wilkes County area, the name Our House has become associated with caring and support. But while many may have heard the name, they’re not sure what exactly goes on at the organization. Sherry Mabry, executive director at Our House, will be Brian’s guest this week on Focus on the Foothills as they’ll be talking about Our House and some opportunities for you to get involved with the organization. That’s coming up Thursday afternoon at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Business Expo Coming Up Today
With economic conditions not exactly the best here in the county, a lot of people are out looking for work. The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce wants to help with that, by holding a Business Expo at the Walker Center today. 47 different businesses will be on hand, ranging from the Hickory Crawdads to Carolina West Wireless. The expo will last from 9am til 4pm and is open for anyone who is looking for a new career.

Cheaper Way To File Taxes
March 15th is less than a week away and if you haven’t filed taxes yet, now’s a good time. But filing your return doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, thanks to a new plan across North Carolina. The State Department of Revenue has set up an agreement with two companies to offer free state & federal tax returns through their website. The plan applies to anyone who makes $50,000 a year or less and can be accessed by going to www.dor.state.nc.us . That will let you link up with either TaxEngine or TaxSimple, the two companies providing the free service.

Small Business Seminar Tomorrow At WCC
It can be hard starting up your own business, especially if you have to compete with larger companies. What business model should you follow? Can your idea even succeed in the current economic climate? Coming up on Thursday, the Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College will have a seminar to answer those questions and provide advice to would be employers. In the second part of their Small Business Start Up Series, the topic will be “Is My Business Concept Viable?” You can pre-register by calling WCC at 336-838-6210 or 336-838-6113. The seminar is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend.

Warning Issued For Antibiotic
A warning has been issued for anyone using the antibiotic Tequin, as it can lead to life threatening side effects according to a recent study. The study, which will be released in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that elderly people who used the drug were 17 times more likely to develop side effects such as diabetes or low blood sugar than those who used other medicines. Tequin, or gatifloxacin as its’ generic form is known, is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs, sinuses, skin and urinary tract. The FDA has not made any official decision regarding the drug, but a warning label has been attached to the drug advising patients with diabetes not to take it.

Regional News

Driver Charged In Friday Death
Charges have been brought against the surviving driver in a deadly race in Caldwell County. Last Friday two teenagers got into a street race on the extension road next to Lowes’ Hardware in Lenoir. Both drivers lost control and collided, going over the 60 ft. embankment nearby. One of those drivers, 16-yr-old Adam Lackey died at Carolinas Medical Center over the weekend. Now the other driver, 19-yr-old Brian James Overton is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

State News

Elections Probe Put On Hold
A state investigation into the video poker industry has been put on hold while officials sort through the evidence already collected. North Carolina’s Board Of Elections has been investigating potentially illegal campaign contributions from video poker companies to several state lawmakers. A hearing date has been set for March 21st for testimony and to present evidence in the case.

Jobs Possibly Coming To Camden County
Good news today for people in Camden County, as more jobs could soon be headed to the area. Blackwater USA, a military contractor, is planning to build two airstrips, a pilot building and a hanger in the area to handle all of its’ air traffic. Construction wouldn’t begin until April, after the local planning board has had a chance to review the request. The plans would be an expansion of Blackwater’s presence in Camden, as they already have several firing ranges, classrooms and other buildings in the area.

Local Schools Losing Scholarships
Two North Carolina schools could lose scholarships after their athletes turned in bad grades. Under the NCAA’s new academic standards, teams at each school have to meet a minimum requirement. If they fall below that standard, not only are the students deemed ineligible, but scholarship money is taken away as well. Overall 65 sports teams fell below the standards with East Carolina and Gardner-Webb being the only two local schools involved. Gardner-Webb’s football team took a hit with nine players failing. The East Carolina basketball program will also possibly shrink with two students failing. Those students have a chance to play next fall if they improve this semester.

Defense Asks To Spare Inmate’s Life
An inmate scheduled to be executed on March 17th is now at the center of a court battle. Patrick Moody was sentenced to die in 1995 after pleading guilty to the murder of Donnie Robbins, whose wife he’d been having an affair with. Now defense attorneys have filed one final appeal, saying that Moody’s life should be spared because they believe him to be mentally retarded. The appeal also questions North Carolina’s use of lethal injection, calling it inhumane.

Project To Save Cape Lookout Begins Today
A project is beginning to help save the Cape Lookout Lighthouse this week. The lighthouse has stood on North Carolina’s coast for almost 150 years, but recent storms combined with natural erosion have put the structure in danger of toppling into the ocean. To prevent that, officials with the Cape Lookout National Seashore are dredging nearby soals to rebuild the shoreline. By the time the project is finished, 75 feet of sand will be dumped on the beach as protection.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Tonight
With the weather turning warm, it’s time for high school baseball here in the county. 3WC will be on hand tonight to bring you the game between Elkin and North Wilkes over in Viking County. We’ll go on the air at 6:45 with the McDonald’s pregame show, then turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand for the first pitch at 7pm.

Charlotte, Duke And UNC Players Chosen
Around the college basketball scene, several conference honored players this week. In the Atlantic 10 conference, two UNC Charlotte players were named to the All-Conference team, as De’Angelo Alexander and Curtis Withers both made the squad. Teammate Leemire Goldwire made the honorable mention list. In the ACC, the All-Conference list read like a Duke-Carolina roster. J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams and Tyler Hansbrough were all named to the team, each a unanimous vote from all of the 108 ACC Sports Media Association. UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough also made history as the first freshman to ever earn a unanimous nomination. He was one of two Tarheels to make the all-freshmen team along with Bobby Frasor. Josh McRoberts and Greg Paulus from Duke were the other Carolina players making the list. On the All-Defensive team in the ACC, Duke had Shelden Williams and Cedric Simmons represented NC State.

Injured Bobcats Possibly To Return
Good news for Bobcats fans, as the team prepares to take on Golden State tonight. Two of their injured players could be on the way back. Power forward Emeka Okafor says he expects to play before the end of this month. Okafor sprained his ankle December 19th, then reinjured it in early January. Since then he’s missed 35 games and has just recently been able to start walking on it.
Also forward Sean May, who’s missed most of his rookie season due to injury, could make an appearance before the end of the season as well. May has been cleared by doctors to practice, dunking and running with the rest of the team. The team however wants to take it slow and make sure May doesn’t aggravate the injury while rehabbing it.

Former Warthog Looking For a Major Shot
A former member of the Winston Salem Warthogs is getting his shot at the majors this spring. Leo Daigle made history last year as the first Carolina League Triple Crown winner in over 50 years. He batted .341 with 29 home runs and 112 RBIs. But the 26-yr-old was released by the Chicago White Sox, as they didn’t have a spot for him on the major league roster. Now he’s in training camp with the Baltimore Orioles, having signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Daigle might have the inside track to stick with the team, as they’re short on both outfielders and 1st basemen, the two positions he plays. He’s started things off on the right foot so far, homering in his first intersquad scrimmage.

Harvick With Decisions To Make
In NASCAR, a decision will be coming up for Kevin Harvick. He told reporters that around the first of April, he’ll be a making a decision whether to stay with Richard Childress Racing or to go off on his own. Childress says that Harvick is one of the most talented drivers on the circuit and he wants to keep him, but the negotiations have to be a two way street.

News & Sports For March 7th

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

Triplett’s Grocery Falls Victim To Thieves
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Triplett’s Grocery on Sunday, after thieves paid a visit. Three people came into the store, grabbed some wine and hot sausages before taking off out the door. However the joke appears to be on the thieves, as they were caught on the security tape, which was turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation continues.

Two Cars Damaged After Wreck On 421
A wreck on 421 Sunday afternoon damaged two vehicles. A Wilkesboro man had to stop suddenly due to traffic, however the car behind him couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. No one was hurt in the accident and estimated damages were placed at $750.

Warm Weather To Stick Around
While it may not feel like it this morning, warm weather is expected to make its way to Wilkes County. Forecasters are predicting some of the warmest temperatures this year to descend upon the county in the next two weeks, thanks in part to the La Nina weather system. Temperatures are expected to hit the mid 70s by Friday and stay that way until at least March 17th. But the spring weather is just making a visit, as March 18th is expected to mark a return to cold temperatures as another system moves in.

Thieves Hit Millers Creek Home
Thieves targeted a home in Millers Creek over the weekend, apparently with music in mind. It’s unclear exactly how they managed to get inside the house on Friendly Grove Church Road, as there was no damage done to the property. But once in the door, they went straight for the homeowner’s pocketbook along with a nearby IPod. The woman’s checkbook and several other items were inside the pocketbook and information has been turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Gun Stolen From Millers Creek Residence
A gun was taken from a residence in Millers Creek Sunday afternoon. The homeowner returned to find the 9mm Colt missing, without any sign of a break-in or anything else taken from inside. There is however a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Highway Patrol Out In Force This Week
Be careful if you’re out and about on the roads this week, as the Highway Patrol has launched Operation Slowdown. Officers are trying to reduce the amount of speeding on North Carolina highways, mainly targeting the interstate system using helicopters and motorcycles. Across the state, speeding violations over 100 mph have grown 175% in the last seven years.

Thieves Roll Off With Tires From Local Home
A Moravian Falls man didn’t exactly get the homecoming he expected when returning from the hospital this week. He came back on Sunday to find that thieves had paid a visit, running off with tires and wheels from his front yard. All total an estimated $250 worth of material had been stolen. That investigation is ongoing.

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

State News

More Soldiers Return Home
There were smiles and hugs handed out earlier this week at Fort Bragg as more troops came home. Members of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment arrived home on Sunday to a warm welcome from family & friends. For many of the 250 troops, this had been their third deployment since 2001, serving in Afghanistan.

Judge Threatens To Shut Down Schools
19 schools in North Carolina will be closed down unless they improve, according to a state judge. A 17-page letter was sent to State Superintendent June Atkinson and the State Board of Education, calling for massive changes in each of the schools targeted for closing. Instead of financial shortages, Judge Manning said that poor leadership from principals and other school officials were to blame for the results in the classroom. Under the judge’s ruling, schools whose students manage a 55% or worse passing rate on state tests will have their principals replaced before the fall term.

Chapel Hill Grad Says His Trial To Offer Lesson
The UNC Chapel Hill graduate who drove his vehicle into a crowd of students last week said that he’s glad to be going to trial. 22-yr-old Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar told the judge in his case that he was glad she would be hearing the trial, because it would help her learn more about the will of Allah. Taheri had told police when they arrested him that he attacked the students as a way of avenging the American treatment of Muslims. A hearing date has been set for March 16th and Taheri plans to represent himself.

Zoo Asks For More Money
A price tag has been set at $6 million by the North Carolina Zoo, for repairs and improvements, money they’re asking to be given by the General Assembly. The zoo would use the money to renovate their ampitheater, add a children’s center and some new barns as well. This would mark the first time in over 14 years that state money has been given out to the zoo for such a project. In the meantime it has survived mostly on private donations.

Monday Marks Anniversary For Winston
Monday marked a historic occasion in Winston Salem, as the city celebrated the 40th anniversary of Piedmont Airlines’ first flight into the area. Piedmont began operations back in the late 1940s, flying between the Carolina coast and the Ohio River Valley. Later on it would merge with US Air to become US Airways.

Charlotte Named Site For Hall
The worst kept secret in all of racing was made official on Monday, as Charlotte was announced to be the site of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The city’s location was a key factor in landing the Hall, according to NASCAR officials. Most of the NASCAR teams are stationed either in the city itself or in nearby towns, with many drivers and their families living in the area.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scene last night, it was UNC Wilmington getting a spot in the NCAA tournament by beating Hofstra 78-67 in the finals of the Colonial Conference. With the win, Wilmington improves to 25-7 and awaits Selection Sunday next week, when they’ll find out where they’re seeded.

Heels Name Defensive Ends Coach
In college football, UNC Coach John Bunting wasted no time in plugging the holes in his staff. Charlotte native Danny Pearman was named as the Heels new defensive ends coach on Thursday. Pearman played as a tight end at Clemson from 84-87 before accepting a job at Virginia Tech as an assistant. He’ll replace Brad Lawing, who left to join Steve Spurrier’s staff at South Carolina. In addition, wide receivers coach Dave Brock has also been named the new recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Miami
In the NBA, it went down to the wire but the Charlotte Bobcats fell just short against Miami 106-105. Gerald Wallace led Charlotte with 25 points, 15 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 blocks on the day, while Raymond Felton adding 19 points. The team drops to 16-45 with Golden State coming to town on Wednesday.

NHL: Carolina vs. NY Rangers
On the ice last night, it was the Carolina Hurricanes over the New York Rangers 2-1. The Hurricanes keep their winning streak alive, having gone 4-0 since the Olympic break, as the team improves to 43-14, the best record in the NHL.

Cole To Miss Rest Of Regular Season
The Hurricanes got some bad news before last night’s game as Eric Cole will miss at least 6 weeks. Cole was injured Sunday night when a Pittsburgh player slammed him headfirst into the boards, fracturing part of his vertebrae. The 27-yr-old had scored a career high 60 goals in 60 games so far this season. To fill his spot on the roster, Carolina called up Andrew Ladd from the minor leagues.

News & Sports For March 6th

Sex Offenders Leaving List
People here in Wilkes and across the state are concerned about a recent move involving sexual offenders. Under the current law, sex offenders have to be registered for a 10-yr-period and then their names are taken off the list. For those offenders who were registered in 1996, that means they’re no longer in the system as of this year. That however doesn’t apply to repeat offenders or violent predators, who have to stay registered for life. In Wilkes County, there are currently 99 registered sex offenders living in areas stretching from North Wilkesboro to Boomer. Across North Carolina, there are over 9000 people registered as sex offenders. Now members of the House are wanting to re-examine the law and make changes, to possibly keep all offenders registered for life.

Never Leave Your Purse Behind
Be careful what you leave behind in your car. A Wilkesboro woman found out why that’s a good idea last week, when thieves opened up her vehicle and went shopping. She had stopped off at a patient’s house to check on them and left her car unlocked, with her purse still inside. When she returned a few minutes later, a local man was running away from the vehicle and the purse was missing. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Business Expo This Wednesday
With economic conditions not exactly the best here in the county, a lot of people are out looking for work. The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce wants to help with that, by holding a Business Expo at the Walker Center this Wednesday. 47 different businesses will be on hand, ranging from the Hickory Crawdads to Carolina West Wireless. The expo will last from 9am til 4pm and is open for anyone who is looking for a new career.

Thieves Go On Spending Spree In Traphill
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Traphill residence last week, after thieves broke in. The incident happened on the Traphill Road, as someone shattered the front window with a rock, then climbed inside. Over $7000 in jewelry was taken from the home, including a 14 karat gold bracelet, a woman’s ruby ring and other items. Information about the missing pieces was given over to deputies, as each was unique and could be identified by engravings and inscriptions. That investigation continues.

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

Wilkes Residents Could Have A Refund Coming
Wilkes County residents could have some relief coming to their wallet, thanks to a recent court decision. Ameriquest Financial Services has agreed to pay back $295 million to clients across the U.S., after reaching a settlement. Investigations had started in several states, accusing Ameriquest of predatory lending practices including hidden penalties and fees that helped to drive people into debt. Across North Carolina, an estimated 6000 people will get part of the settlement and will be contacted over the next few weeks by the state’s Attorney General office.

Local Churches Working To Help Hurricane Victims
Two local ministries are asking for help in reaching out to a family in need. Calvary Baptist Church has been working to rebuild a home for a family in Gulfport Mississippi. Now in connection with Rescue America Baptist Missions they want to finish the job. The outside of the house is fine and a new roof has been put on, but the inside still needs work. The two ministries have been told that it will cost about $20,000 to finish the project. They are asking for any type of help possible, from volunteers to pick up a hammer to anyone looking to donate supplies or money. They need doors, sheetrock, lumber and anything else available to give. The house belongs to a couple and their two kids and if you or your church can help by volunteering or through financial means, the person to call is Jean Hodges at 262-0385.

Regional News

Local American Idol Sees Dream Come Short
A local girl fell just short in her dream to become the next American Idol. 22-yr-old Heather Cox of Jonesville was eliminated last week from the program. Cox had performed the song “Hero” by Mariah Carey and got the second lowest vote total of the night. However Cox took the announcement in stride, saying she was blessed to have been a part of the competition.

One Teen Dies After Race Ends
One teenager is dead in Lenoir today as a high speed race ended in tragedy. On Friday’s news we told you about a race near the Lowes Hardware complex, between two cars driven by teens. The two vehicles collided on an extension road near the business and went over a 60 ft. embankment, with two of the teens being taken to the hospital. Adam Collins Lackey was one of those teens and he died after being airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. The Lenoir teen was one of the drivers and his passenger, a 16-yr-old Lenoir boy, has already been treated and released from Caldwell Memorial. The other driver, 19-yr-old Brian James Overton, walked away without injury. According to Lenoir police charges are pending in the case.

State News

Changes Possibly Coming For College Tuition
The way you pay for college could be changing soon across North Carolina. A proposal has been put forth to the North Carolina college board, suggesting that students pay per credit hour instead of a flat fee. Officials believe that would discourage students from taking a heavy course load and possibly improve their focus on the ones that remain. Also officials believe students would graduate quicker, as they would be more likely not to enroll for a double major or minor in a subject. A decision is expected before the start of the fall semester.

Student Kicked Out For Selling Tickets
A freshman at Duke University thought he’d make some extra cash this weekend but ended up with an eviction notice. Since the first week of January, several thousand Duke students have lived in the tent city known as Krzyzewskiville, vying for tickets to the Duke-Carolina game. One student however decided he wanted money rather than to see the game and put his ticket up for auction on Ebay. The problem for him was that a former usher at Cameron Indoor Stadium saw the auction and let a line monitor in the tent city know what was happening. The student was tracked down and kicked off, going back to the dorm empty handed after living for over a month in a tent.

Charlotte Firefighters Uncover Bodies
A fire in north Charlotte has turned into a murder investigation. Firefighters were called out late Saturday night to an apartment complex to put out the blaze. What they found inside were two bodies that didn’t appear to have been killed by the flames. It’s still unclear exactly how the two people were killed and the Fire Investigation task force has taken control of the case.

Police Searching For Bank Robbery Suspects
Officials in Rowan County are searching for two women that attempted to rob a local bank. Friday morning, the pair walked into First Bank in Salisbury and gave a note to a teller, demanding money. It also said they would start shooting if they didn’t get the money. However before the teller could react, both women took off running out the door and disappeared. It’s believed they had a getaway car waiting and officials are using security cameras to piece together what exactly happened.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
In college basketball this weekend it was a time of old finishes and new beginnings. Appalachian State saw their hopes at a conference title end, as they lost in the Southern Conference tournament to Chattanooga 78-75. DJ Thompson had 25 points and 6 assists for the Mountaineers, one of four players to finish in double figures for the team but it wasn’t enough as the team goes to 14-16. Also in Southern Conference action it was Elon losing to Davidson 65-58. The Phoenix will wrap things up with a 15-14 record. Also the 7th-ranked George Washington team survived an upset bid by UNC Charlotte, winning 86-85 in overtime. Senior Curtis Withers had 18 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the 49ers, who fall to 18-11.

ACC Scoreboard
Taking a look at the ACC, two upsets involving North Carolina teams as Wake Forest knocked off NC State and the UNC Tarheels beat Duke. The Demon Deacons beat the Wolfpack in a blowout 76-63, thanks in part to 22 points and 16 rebounds from Eric Williams. Evan Atsur had 23 points for State, who fall to 21-8, all the way down to fourth place in the ACC while Wake improves to 15-15, still dead last in the conference. In Durham, things didn’t go as planned for the Blue Devils on Senior Night as they lost to UNC 83-76. J.J. Redick had an off night, only scoring 18 points as the Blue Devils drop to 27-3 but maintain their position atop the ACC standings. Tyler Hansbrough had 27 points to lead Carolina, who improve to 21-6 and slide into sole possession of second place.

NASCAR Busch Series Results
The NASCAR teams were off this week, leaving the spotlight on the Busch racers. Denny Hamlin won Sunday’s Tercel-Motorola 200 in Mexico City, beating out Boris Said by just over one second. Kevin Harvick took the third spot. NASCAR meanwhile will return to the track this coming Sunday for the UAW Daimler-Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas.

Kasey Planning To Return
While some of the Carolina Panthers are still undecided about their future, one member of the team isn’t afraid to commit. Kicker John Kasey, the only one left from the original Panthers roster, announced on Thursday that he was going to be returning for his 16th season in the NFL. ESPN had been reporting that Kasey was possibly leaning towards retirement, but the kicker said that was nothing but gossip.

Hurricanes Continue Winning Streak
The Carolina Hurricanes kept their winning streak alive over the weekend, beating Pittsburgh 7-5. Eric Cole led Carolina with two goals on the night, before leaving in the 3rd period with an injury. With the win, Carolina improves to a league best 42-14, with a game later tonight against the New York Rangers.

News & Sports For March 3rd

Arson At Wilkesboro Elementary
Wilkesboro police are investigating a series of arson fires at Wilkesboro Elementary. The first one happened on Tuesday, as a glass jar had been filled with fuel and ignited near one of the building’s corners. Some fire damage was done to the brick and also a nearby post. Evidence was taken from the scene by Wilkesboro police, who were called back on Thursday, after another glass jar filled with fuel was set out. This one however hadn’t been ignited yet and was also taken as evidence. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Wind Gusts Blow Through Wilkes
The warm weather yesterday brought a friend along for the ride, as wind gusts blew through the area, hitting 30 mph at times. A traffic light was knocked down in front of Wilkes Towers and several buildings in the county had shingles or other sections torn off. In addition, the dry conditions helped to fan a fire over in the woods near Rock Creek Church Road. Several crews from around the county were called out to battle the blaze, as it took most of the afternoon and into the evening hours to get things under control. However the windy weather left just as quickly as it came and in its’ place a cold front has moved in. Expect a change in pace this weekend, which highs in the 50s and lows once again dropping down to the lower 30s and possibly below that.

Parts Of Tyson In The Dark
Sections of the Tyson plant were left in the dark last night when a transformer blew. As a result, three second shift departments had to be shut down for the duration including the Wing Room, Fillet Debone and Line 6 Cut-Up sections. Officials at the plant said they expected things to be fixed and the plant to be back to normal by tonight’s shift.

Warrants Out On Police Impersonator
A Mooresville man is facing charges today after impersonating a police officer. While driving on Hwy 421, he repeatedly tried to force a Boonville woman to pull off the road. When confronted at a stoplight, he told her he was a Highway Patrolman and she was looking at a $500 fine for tossing out a cigarette butt. The woman repeatedly asked to see a badge, but the man refused and finally drove off in his car. She wrote down his license and turned it in to Wilkesboro police, along with a description of the car and the offender. Charges are now pending against 35-yr-old Darron Martin Deal.

Blood Drives Going On This Weekend
Each day, 1500 pints of blood are needed in emergency rooms across North Carolina. To help fill the need and keep the local blood supply above critical levels, two blood drives are going on in Wilkes County. The first is today at East Wilkes High School. It starts at 8:30am this morning and runs until 1:30pm. Then the second is tomorrow at Liberty Grove Baptist Church, from 10am til 2:30pm. And as always you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs before donating. To schedule an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

Always Lock Up Before You Leave
Thieves broke into a Roaring River man’s vehicle while he was away this week. The man had parked at a building on Moravian Falls Road and left the truck while handling some business. He returned to find the rear window had been pried open and over $1000 worth of material had been taken. Stolen from inside was $20 in change, $180 in cassette tapes, a carton of cigarettes and several other items. That investigation continues.

Risk Of Fire Grows With Weather Changes
While by all accounts Wilkes County has had a mild winter. But rain, ice and wind have left behind their calling cards with downed trees scattered throughout the area. As we head into warmer weather, those trees can create even more problems. Rain from those weekend storms has also helped grass start to grow around the trees, creating a dangerous combination should there be a lightning strike. In order to protect your property, fire marshals suggest that you remove any downed trees before they can dry out. In addition, you can add some protection to your house by surrounding it with a few succulent plants. Those plants are 90% water and while they may be baked by the flames, they’re not usually burned easy. Instead the water inside can actually serve as a flame deterrent, slowing it down or in some cases aiding to put it out. Succulent plants include aloe, agave, stonecrops and cactus. It’s important to take steps and protect your home now as in the first three months of the year, there have already been several hundred brushfires throughout North Carolina.

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

Regional News

Massive Fire Spirals Out Of Control In Surry
Firefighters from Surry and Wilkes Counties battled a massive blaze yesterday that stretched across 750 acres near Dobson. Wednesday night, a controlled burn in the southwestern part of Surry County got out of control, igniting the blaze, which quickly spread. The dry conditions and wind gusts reaching over 20 mph didn’t do much to help and as of last night, the fire was still raging.

Caldwell County Teens Injured In Drag Racing Incident
Two teenagers are in the hospital today after drag racing in Caldwell County. Around 8am Thursday morning, the teens were racing another vehicle on the extension road next to Lowes’ Hardware when the two cars collided and then lost control, both going over the embankment. The cars went down a 60 ft. embankment before coming to a sudden stop. The high school students are both in the hospital, with one having to be airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center. The 19-yr-old who was driving the other car walked away from the accident, however charges are pending in the case.

State News

Flu Possibly On The Rise
Bad news for people across the state, as health officials are warning the flu is making a comeback. Over 70 doctors from all over North Carolina are reporting an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms. While most of the cases so far have been mild, over 50% are children. Doctors are suggesting that now is a crucial time to eat well, exercise and get enough sleep, to avoid catching the bug.

Jobs Leaving North Carolina
Overseas competition has cost some more North Carolina workers their jobs. Carolina Mills announced this week that it will be shutting down two of its’ plants in the Valdese and Newton area. The move was blamed on cheaper imported products, which despite recent treaties continue to affect textile and furniture sales here in the U.S. Plant #9 in Valdese will shut its’ doors by the end of April and then Plant #3 in Newton will follow one month later, at the end of May. Over 200 people will be out of work due to the cuts.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball
On the baseball diamond last night, it was the East Wilkes varsity team over Wilkes Central in 7 innings 13-11. With the win, East improves to 1-1 while Central drops their opening game, going to 0-1. In the earlier JV matchup it was Wilkes Central getting the 14-13 victory.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at college basketball last night, it was UNC Greensboro over Western Carolina 69-65, while Appalachian State beat Wofford 66-65. DJ Thompson led the Mountaineers with 20 points as the team improves to 13-15. Gardner-Webb pulled out the 64-63 win over East Tennessee State, with a last second buzzer beater. The Running Bulldogs improve to 17-11 and advance to the second round of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.

Projects Paving The Way For New Drivers
In NASCAR, a new partnership has been created, in hopes of bringing diversity to the track. 10 historically black colleges & universities are working in connection with NASCAR to develop new curriculums and programs, with the hope that more minorities will want to get involved in the sport. The partnership was also spurred on by legislation passed in both the U.S. House & Senate, calling for more of a minority presence in NASCAR.
In other auto racing news, a great opportunity is becoming available for would be teenage drivers out there. East Lincoln Speedway has created a new entry-level racing series, open for any speedsters age 12 through 16 who want to gain experience on the track. The cars have to be front wheel drive four cylinder vehicles made in 1980 or later and additional safety features have to be added in. The drivers aren’t just racing for experience however as a $1000 college scholarship will be handed out to the series champion at the end of each year.

Panthers Have To Make Roster Cuts
With NFL labor talks at a standstill, teams are having to make hard decisions.
If the sides can’t come to an agreement, then the default salary cap goes into effect, putting each team’s salary at around $95 million if they don’t want to be penalized. As the Panthers and several other teams have salaries over $100 million, they spent Wednesday making cuts to get under the possible cap. Running backs Stephen Davis & Rod Smart along with defensive tackle Brentson Buckner were all let go. Davis and Smart are coming off knee injuries, with Davis still recovering from ACL surgery. Buckner and Davis are expected to possibly be resigned and invited to training camp once a new labor contract is in place. Currently the owners and players are separated by percentage points. The players union wants 60% of all revenue to come to them, while the owners are willing to give them 56.4%.

Felton Named Rookie Of The Month
In the NBA, Bobcats rookie Raymond Felton heads into tonight’s game with some good news. He was selected as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, putting up double figures in all but two of the team’s games. He also put up 31 points last Saturday against Phoenix, the most by a rookie this year. So far in his first year Felton is third in points, averaging 15 a game and second in assists with 6 a game, just behind Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.

News & Sports For March 2nd

Lights Go Out In Wilkes County
Some people in Wilkes County woke up without electricity Wednesday morning near the Millers Creek area. 2000 people were affected all total as Duke Power reported an equipment malfunction at a local substation. The incident happened around 6:30am and power was restored to everyone by 8:30am.

Thieves Break In To Rip Radio Out
Always lock your car when you leave. A Wilkesboro man found out why that’s a good idea this week, after returning to find thieves had paid him a visit. He had parked one of his cars at home Sunday night and forgot about it. Coming back to it on Tuesday, he found the CB radio inside had been torn out. All the wires had been cut, however nothing else was either missing or damaged inside the vehicle. That investigation continues.

Focus On Grief
All of us have to face the death of friends and family at some point. How we deal with that grief can affect our lives for months, years or possibly the rest of our lives. Still there really isn’t a strict set of rules to go by when dealing with grief. Coming up today on Focus on the Foothills, Brian's guest will be Margo Wheeler from Hospice. They'll be discussing ways of dealing with grief and also the upcoming classes on the subject put on by Hospice. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Truck Damaged In North Wilkesboro
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he walked outside Tuesday morning. Over $100 worth of damage had been done to his truck, as someone had keyed the tailgate. There are suspects in the case and sheriff’s deputies are continuing the investigation.

Breaking The Bank Part IV: Planning Ahead
College is expensive for both the parents and prospective students. How can you afford a dorm room, tuition and the books you'll need? Throughout this week on the 3WC News, we’ve been taking a look at ways you can cover the cost without breaking the bank. But what if college is still a few years off for your child? One option for parents to consider is setting up a 529 plan. Each year over 7 million families use the plans to help in setting aside money for college. Coming up today in the 3WC News, Brian will be talking with Carol Owens from financial service Scott and Stringfellow about what the plans are and who qualifies.

Just Came By To Drop Some Stuff Off
Someone decided to use a Wilkesboro woman’s property as their own personal dump this week. She came to have a look around and found that a pile of cement blocks, tin, metal pipe and wire and been dropped off on her yard. It’s unknown exactly when this happened, as the woman had been gone for several months and the neighbors couldn’t recall seeing or hearing anything unusual. That investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Protect Yourself While Shopping
With the weather getting warmer, more people are shopping and taking part in local activities. But while you're out and about, it's a good idea to take some precautions and stay safe as we explain in today’s 3WC Eye On Safety. First, always keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up when leaving the vehicle. Over the past few weeks here in Wilkes several reports have come in of thieves opening unlocked doors and running off with items from inside. Also don't leave packages on the seat of your car. The reason being, would be thieves can see the items as they're walking by and it serves as a temptation to them. Once you buy something, put it in your trunk or behind the seat, out of sight. Finally, keep a grip on your purse, handbag or wallet and make sure not to set it down on either the top of your vehicle or off to the side when loading your purchases. That way thieves can't grab it and take off running before you've had a chance to react. Overall just watch out and enjoy the return of spring.

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

Troops Coming Home
Some good news for military families across North Carolina, as 200 soldiers made their way home this week. On Wednesday, members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division made their way back to Fort Bragg, marking the first time in over five years the entire division has been on leave. The 200 troops are the first of over 1100 that are expected to come back in the next few months from service in Afghanistan.

Gun Brought Into Fayetteville School
A 12-yr-old boy has been arrested in Fayetteville, after bringing a gun to his school. School authorities at Pine Forest Middle School discovered that the boy was carrying a fully loaded, semi-automatic handgun just before 1pm on Tuesday. He has since been arrested for bringing a weapon onto school grounds. No other information has been made available to the media.

Layoffs Coming For Winston Workers
Bad news for workers in Winston Salem today. US Airways has announced plans to transfer several hundred jobs out of the area beginning next month. As part of their merger with America West, US Airways will transfer their revenue collections department to the Tempe, Arizona area in a move expected to save the company millions of dollars. Company officials said that no jobs are being eliminated and that employees have the option of moving to the new location. If they decline, they’ll be given a severance package from the airline. The relocation is on track to start April 28th.

Accident With Gun Puts A Greensboro Girl In Hospital
A 6-yr-old girl is in the hospital today after an accident in a Greensboro store. The girl and her 9-yr-old friend were hunting for candy in a Mexican store owned by her grandmother, when they opened up a drawer and found a gun. The girl picked up the loaded weapon and as the boy tried to take it away, the gun went off. The 6-yr-old, whose name has not been released, was taken to Moses Cone Hospital for surgery and her family has asked that no information be released on her condition.

Cigarettes Taken From Store
The FBI are investigating a large scale theft that happened this week in Greensboro. Four tractor trailer trucks from Lorillard Tobacco had their cargo vanish, with several million dollars worth of cigarettes taken. Questions are being raised if the expiring contract with the trucking union had anything to do with the theft as it had been set to expire Tuesday night when the cigarettes went missing. While talks continue, the contract has since been extended to March 7th.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Tonight
With spring on the way, it’s time to toss the first pitch for our high school baseball coverage. Tonight we’ll be broadcasting from Moravian Falls, as Wilkes Central plays host to East Wilkes. Gametime is set for 7pm and we’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show at 6:45.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college scoreboard last night, it was UNC Charlotte over Duquesne 77-71. The 49ers got 27 points and 10 rebounds from Curtis Withers, improving to 18-10, good enough for second place in the Atlantic 10. Meanwhile in the ACC, it was a blowout on Senior Night, as North Carolina took care of Virginia 99-54. Senior David Noel led the way with a career high 26 points as the Heels improve to 20-6. And in a major upset, it was the unranked Florida State Seminoles beating the Duke Blue Devils 79-74. Duke got 30 points from J.J. Redick and 20 points along with 16 rebounds from Shelton Williams but it wasn’t enough to overcome the FSU attack. With the loss Duke drops to 27-2 and runs the risk of dropping in the rankings when the new Top 25 poll comes out next week.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Utah
Taking a look at the senior circuit of the NBA last night, it was Charlotte over Utah 104-89. Gerald Wallace had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks as the Bobcats improve to 16-43. Next up on their road trip is a visit to Dallas Friday night.

NHL: Boston at Carolina
On the ice last night, the Carolina Hurricanes had no problems getting back on track. Coming off the Olympic break, the team beat Boston 4-3 in front of the home crowd at the RBC Center. Aaron Ward had two goals to lead the Hurricanes, who improve to 40-14, tied with Detroit for the best record in the NHL.

NC Skater Working For Charity
North Carolina speed skater Joey Cheek already has plans to go to work now that the Olympics are over. Cheek, who picked up a gold and silver medal in speed skating, donated his bonus money from the games to help rebuild the war ravaged Darfar region of the Sudan. Now he plans to go to Zambia on a humanitarian mission. He’ll be working with Right To Play, a group that uses sports as a way to promote healthy lifestyles for children in the Third World. In addition, Cheek laid down a challenge when he donated the prize money, calling on his sponsors and other corporations to match the money. So far $300,000 has come in to help the charity, with more on the way from individuals.