News & Sports For June 13th

News & Sports For Monday June 13th 2005

Chicken House Catches Fire In Storm
Over the past few days, several storms have hit Wilkes County, leaving their mark with both rain and damage. Now one of those storms may be responsible for a fire that happened early Friday morning. Firefighters were called out to a blaze on the Red White & Blue Road as a chicken house had caught fire. The call went out just after 5am on Friday but before fire crews could arrive on the scene, the building had already collapsed. Roaring River and Broadway crews responded to the fire, which had apparently been burning several hours before the call went out. An exact cause hadn’t been determined but fire marshals said it was possible the weather played a part in igniting the blaze.

Counterfeit Money Found In Deposit
Wilkesboro police were called out to the Northwestern Bank on Curtis Bridge Road late last week, after some counterfeit money was discovered. A bank teller had found fake cash in a local man’s deposit, which he exchanged for the real thing. The counterfeit bill was turned over to police, as the man had no idea how it ended up in his possession. There are no suspects but the investigation is ongoing.

Tobacco Transition Payment Program
This coming Friday is the deadline to sign up for the 2005 Tobacco Buyout Program. Under the plan, growers would receive $3 for each pound of tobacco grown during 2002-2004 and then additional payments for the years following. $3.9 billion has been allocated for farmers in North Carolina and currently state officials estimate that 90% of growers have already signed up. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so by going to the Wilkes Farm Service Agency and filling out the paperwork today. To set up an appointment you can call the agency at 838-3622 extension #2.

Walked Off With The Air Conditioner
The hot weather has led to several break-ins over the last few days, as local people try to find ways of staying cool. Thieves broke into a Millers Creek woman’s home late last week, taking her air conditioner along with some medication. Nothing else was taken from the house and no damage was done to any part of the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Blood Drive Later Today
The rain and wind over the past few days hasn’t just caused problems on the roads. It’s also severely lowered turnouts at the area’s blood drives. With the blood supply in Wilkes currently at critical levels, it’s important to come out and give the gift of life if at all possible. Later today Wilkesboro Methodist Church will be holding a drive from 2-7pm. In order to schedule an appointment you can call the Wilkes Red Cross at 838-4563.

Nicotine Fix Leads To Break-In
Thieves broke into the Run-In on Hwy 421 West late last week, stealing almost $3000 worth of merchandise. A window was shattered in the back supply room, allowing thieves to come in and take over a hundred cartons of cigarettes along with some cans of snuff tobacco. The store is monitored by video camera and the thieves were caught on tape. There are suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Heat Relief Available For Elderly
The recent heat has caused problems for many Wilkes County citizens, but especially the elderly. As the temperature is expected to climb back into the 90s this week, it’s important for every senior in the area to be taken care of. The Wilkes Senior Citizens Council is giving away fans this summer to any senior citizen that meets their requirements. In order to get a fan, you must be at least 60 years old, live in Wilkes and be served by Duke Power. In addition, your home situation must present a threat to your life without the fans. Applications are being taken from 8:30am til 5pm at the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council office, located at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information you can contact them at 651-7811.

Just Broke In To Have A Look Around
A Wilkes County man called sheriff’s deputies late last week after finding over $200 worth of damage done to his car. The vehicle had been parked outside his house and during the night, the man had heard several loud noises, but didn’t go to check them out. The next morning, he came out to find someone had shattered the car’s windows. Nothing was taken from the vehicle and no other damage was done. The investigation is ongoing.

West Park To Hold Dedication Tomorrow
Tomorrow a ceremony will be held to honor American soldiers and dedicate the new American flag at West Park. The event will be held Tuesday June 14th, beginning at noon with a special performance from the Liberty Grove Baptist Church Choir, in addition to tributes from the local VFW group and the Boy Scouts, who will be raising the flag into its’ new position. Once again all of this will be held at West Park in the Health Foundation area. For more information you can contact the Foundation at 838-1949.

Local Business Falls Prey To Vandals
Wilkesboro police were called out to Dooley’s late last week after vandals caused over $600 worth of damage to the business. Someone gained access to the building and managed to empty out the propane tank, releasing over a thousand lbs. of the gas into the area. There is a suspect in the case, as a black Dodge truck had been seen just outside a few minutes before and the driver yelled that everyone in the building would get what was coming to them. Witnessed provided descriptions of both the man and his vehicle to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Jonesville Man Killed In Head-On Collision
A Jonesville man died last week after a wreck on Center Road, according to the Highway Patrol. 53-yr-old Danny Ivan Wilkins was killed after his car crossed the median and struck another vehicle carrying a local family. All three family members were taken to Baptist Medical Center, treated and then released without serious injury. It’s unknown what caused Wilkins to cross the center line, but drugs or alcohol were not involved.

State News

Police In Concord Searching For Scam Artist
Concord police are warning people to be aware of a group of con artists operating in the area. Over the past few weeks, a man has come up to local homes, pretending to be with the power company. He then asks to look at some trees on the homeowner’s property that might need to be cut down. While the homeowner goes with him to check out the property, a second man then walks into the home and steals whatever he can carry. Usually in the scam, the second thief also cuts the home’s phone lines before leaving. The only description police have is that the first man has a scar and acne on his face and drives a four door gray truck. Anyone with information is asked to call the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department at 704-920-3011.

Pet Snake On The Loose
Johnston County officials are asking people in the area to help them locate a pet that escaped from its’ house recently. It’s hard to miss this pet, as it’s an 8-foot long boa constrictor. The animal escaped from its’ home in Pine Level and so far, there have been no reports of sightings. Still, animal control officers warn that boas like to climb trees or hide in tall bushes and the rising temperatures could have driven it into hiding.

Series Of Armed Robberies Hit Raleigh
Three armed robberies in the Raleigh area this weekend may have been linked, according to local officials. All three robberies happened in a one hour period that stretched from late Friday night to the early morning hours on Saturday. In the first robbery, a man was robbed in a Hillsborough Street parking lot by at least two men. Then 30 minutes later, a second man was robbed and shot on Friendly Street. The bullet only grazed him and he had no serious injuries. In the final incident, a man was robbed in a parking lot on North Harrison Avenue. In all three, the men are described as being in their early to mid 20s, about 6 ft and weighing 180 lbs. Also in all three incidents, the robbers drove a silver Nisan Altima with a 30-day tag on it. Raleigh police are still investigating.

Jobs Coming To High Point
Good news for people in the High Point area today, as American Express announced plans to open a new call center in the area. The move, which was announced this weekend, will bring 300 jobs to High Point over the next two years. A five year lease was signed by the company for the Piedmont Centre, where the business will be located. This call center will focus on helping business and corporate customers make their travel arrangements. It’s expected to be open by September.

Almost 200 Yr Old Church Burns Down
A church in Nash County that had stood for almost 200 years burned down over the weekend. A fire ignited in Peachtree Baptist Church shortly before 5am Sunday morning and by the time firefighters had arrived on scene, the roof had already caved in. The church was built back in 1909 and has stood ever since. Church officials said that God knows what He’s doing and they believe He has a reason for allowing the fire. Fire investigators say while unsure what caused the fire, there’s no evidence to suggest arson. Meanwhile the church will be meeting at a local Masonic lodge.

Sports Headlines

Wilkes County Becomes Turkey Land
Wilkes County finished out this year’s turkey season as the number one destination for hunters in North Carolina. For the second straight year, there were more turkeys bagged in Wilkes than any other place in the state. 334 birds were killed this year, 14 more than second place Caswell County. Overall, 9824 turkeys were killed this season by North Carolina hunters, up from 8846 last year.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues this weekend, it was Winston Salem beating Wilmington 4-2. Warthogs’ starter Ryan Rodriguez got his seventh win of the year, going seven innings while giving up two runs on five hits. Relief pitcher Rafael Flores got the save by throwing two innings of shutout ball. Down the road in Georgia, the Hickory Crawdads took the 3-2 loss as they fell to the Rome Braves. The loss put Hickory’s losing streak at eight games, a streak they look to end tonight in the second game of the series.

Edwards Gets Win At Pocono
In NASCAR over the weekend, it was Carl Edwards pulling ahead of the field and taking the win at Pocono. Brian Vickers came in second, Joe Nemechek was third, Kyle Busch fourth and Michael Waltrip rounded out the top five.

Minter Signs Extension
In the NFL, some good news for Carolina Panther fans, as the team announced this weekend it had signed an extension with safety Mike Minter. Minter, who came to Charlotte in the second round of the ’97 draft, will finish out his career as a Panther under the new four year deal. Terms of the extension were not revealed, however the numbers for Minter speak for themselves. He’s the team’s all time tackle leader with 790 and last year alone, he had 94 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Minter said he & his family had put down deep roots in Charlotte and wanted to play for the same team that had drafted him.

News & Sports For June 10th

Counterfeit Checks Continue To Pour In
A Wilkesboro man called out sheriff’s deputies this week after discovering that someone had attempted to re-open one of his old accounts. The man had found out that local stores were receiving checks written in his name to pay for things, checks from an account long since closed. The man’s signature was on each of the forged items, all of which totaled out to $198. There is a suspect in the case, although it’s unclear how access was gained to the checks. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

First Disaster Loan Deadline Today
With the new hurricane season upon us, it’s crucial for businesses to plan ahead just in case a storm was to hit in the local area. It’s just as important however to get the damage fixed from storms that have already passed through and that doesn’t always mean just physical repairs. Large storms can severely damage your bank account and the government has a plan in place to help business owners repair that problem as well. Today is the first deadline to obtain disaster loans from the government for any business that fell victim to Tropical Storm Francis. Wilkes is one of 61 counties in North Carolina where businesses are eligible for the loans, given out to those who are still struggling to financially recover from the storm. This is called an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, which pays out up to $1.5 million if it can be proved your business suffered from the storm. These are working capital loans, which must be paid back over a 30 year period. For more information you can call the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Area Office at 1-800-366-6303 or visit their website at www.sba.gov/disaster .

Never Loan Out Your Car
Be careful who borrows your car. A Wilkesboro woman learned that the hard way this week, after loaning out her vehicle to a friend. The man said he’d bring it back in the next two hours and that was three days ago. It also turns out that the friend had recently been released from prison. His crime? Auto theft. A warrant has been taken out for 29-yr-old Christopher Wilkins, who was last seen driving the 1994 Buick Century down River Street. Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Voting Continues For Gospel Music Awards
Voting continues to select the winners of this year’s Southern Gospel Music Awards, put out by online magazine TheSouthernGospel.com. In each category ten finalists are presented for voters to choose from and this year 3WC made the cut. As we announced last week, 3WC was named as a top ten finalist for Favorite Radio Station and morning show DJ John Wishon was selected as one of the Favorite Radio Personalities, in addition to making the list of Favorite Concert MCs. Now if you want to get involved and vote, you can log on to www.thesoutherngospel.com , click on Southern Gospel Music Awards 2005 and cast your ballot. All it takes is a working email address to be able to make your voice heard.

Second Time’s The Charm
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Millers Creek residence earlier this week, after someone vandalized the homeowner’s car. The man walked outside Tuesday morning, only to find his vehicle had been damaged during the night. Someone had come up to the car and let the air out of the tires, causing over $50 worth of damage. Nothing was heard or seen by anyone in the neighborhood and while there are no suspects, the investigation is ongoing.

Blood Drive Later Today
The rain throughout Wilkes yesterday didn’t help numbers at the local blood drive, as the county’s supply still hangs around critical levels. While it may not seem that important, blood is needed, especially now as we head into the summer vacation months. As one of their last drives this month, the Red Cross will be accepting donors today at Ryan’s Steakhouse from 2-6:30pm. If you want to give, you can either stop by or call ahead to make an appointment. To reach the Red Cross you can call their local number at 838-4563.

Ring Stolen From Local Woman
Wilkesboro police were called out to a local residence on Tuesday after getting reports of a break-in. When they arrived, the homeowner explained that a ring had been stolen from the house. After officers went through and found no signs of a break-in, she said that the theft had occurred sometime over the last three months, but she didn’t know when. She did however have a suspect and gave the woman’s name and address to the officers. All total an estimated $2000 worth of jewelry was taken from the home and the investigation is ongoing.

More Deadlines Upcoming For Local Farmers
Local farmers have just under three weeks before the second of this year’s filing deadlines. On June 30th, farmers have to report all corn, soybeans and other crops to the Wilkes Farm Service Agency.
Once again for any farmer who hasn’t yet filed their report, you can go to the Wilkes Farm Service Agency and get that taken care of today. If you’re unable to make it out to the agency, you can contact them at 838-3622.

State News

Tax Problem Linked To Computers
One small mistake on a computer program led to thousands of dollars being accidentally taken from taxpayers across North Carolina. It seems the system that handles automatic drafts had a glitch in it, one that caused 359 people to pay two, three or four times the amount of tax they really owed. The mistake was caught by North Carolina’s Revenue Secretary Norris Tolson and his office has been attempting to contact all those people who were affected, to return their extra payments. The state has also agreed to pay any bank fees stemming from the problem such as for overdrawn accounts. All those affected will be receiving either a telephone call or a letter in the mail within the next few days.

Whipped Topping Recalled
Over 700 cans of non dairy topping has been recalled today, after the company that makes it discovered some of the already shipped items had dairy products in them. Alamance Foods in Burlington is recalling their 7 ounce cans of Flavor Right Whipped Topping, the non dairy variety, after several people got sick from allergic reactions. Its’ unclear how the mixup occurred, but the company has sent out a release warning those with dairy allergies not to eat the topping, as a severe reaction is possible. The product code for the topping is 72205.

Missing Money Tied To Housing Authority
A fraud investigation has linked people within the Durham Housing Agency with over $3000 in missing money. A supervisor with one of the agency’s programs noticed the money was missing and informed his superiors, who began an investigation. That $3000 is just a rough estimate and agency officials said that number could grow as the investigation continues. A former employee that had been released in recent days is being considered as a possible suspect.

Dead Man Responsible For Fire
Winston Salem fire investigators have concluded that a dead man was responsible for a recent boarding house fire in the city. 43-yr-old Kenneth Crump, who died in the fire, is believed to have been the one to start it, according to investigators. The fire department said this came out after evidence proved Crump was directly involved with starting the fire that led to his own death. Crump was the only one who died in the fire, which burned the boarding house to the ground.

East Carolina Being Investigated
Allegations of tampering and fraud surround East Carolina’s financial aid office and a state SBI unit has been called out to investigate. The school had began its’ own investigation late last year and then turned things over to the Justice Department after a possible misuse of state funds was discovered. It’s unclear exactly what the charges are or who was involved. The SBI are still putting together the evidence in the case.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 In Action This Weekend
Around the local scene, if the rain holds off this Saturday, we’ll have some Post 31 baseball for you as the Wilkes Patriots get set to take on West Forsyth. Gametime is set for 7pm with the pregame show going on the air at 6:45pm. Ken Byrd and Keith Briand will be on hand to bring you all the play by play action from the home of the Eagles, as we’ll be broadcasting live from Wilkes Central. That’s American Legion baseball here on 3WC.

UNC Says Goodbye To Football Player
Taking a look at college football, the UNC Tarheels are short one player today after Terry Hunter was released from the team. Tarheels Coach John Bunting announced his decision Wednesday afternoon and said the choice was made after the end of spring practice. Hunter, a defensive lineman in the program, had several run-ins with the law this past year including an arrest for possession of marijuana. Bunting said that the team had tried to help Hunter with his problems and now he has to find a way to help himself.

Williams Leaning Towards College
With the NBA draft a few weeks away, several college players will be making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. June 21st is the deadline for players to back out of this year’s draft and still be eligible to return to college. One of those players is Wake Forest center Eric Williams, who talked to reporters on Thursday and said now more than ever he’s leaning towards pulling out of the draft and heading back for his senior season. He said the only guaranteed way he’d stay in the draft is if he was a lock as a first round pick. That’s extremely doubtful as most scouts have him in the late second round, if being drafted at all.

Jones Gets Word On Injury
Braves’ third baseman Chipper Jones went in on Thursday for an examination by Dr. Robert Anderson, a Charlotte foot & ankle specialist. Depending on what the exam results reveal, it’s possible Jones could have to undergo surgery. Until that’s determined however, the third baseman has been fitted with a walking boot and told that even without surgery, he’ll have to miss at least a month while the damage heals. Initial results showed that Jones suffered a partial ligament tear and severe bone bruise in the leg.

More Shakeups In Racing
In the world of racing, some more shakeups happened on Thursday as Scott Riggs was left with a new crew chief. MB2 Motorsports announced that Doug Randolph, Riggs’ former chief, has now been bumped up to race coordinator for the team, while Rodney Childers takes over Randolph’s old job. Around the rest of the MB2 garage, Joe Nemechek will keep his crew chief Ryan Pemberton, but Pemberton will also assume the duties of team manager.

News & Sports For June 9th

News & Sports For Thursday June 9th 2005

Weapons And Drugs Seized At Local Home
Sheriff’s deputies searched a North Wilkesboro residence on Tuesday, responding to a tip about possible drug activity in the area. Along with members of the county’s Special Enforcement Team, deputies performed a search of the house and found 30 grams of cocaine, in addition to drug paraphernalia, several weapons and $461 dollars in cash. 30-yr-old Jerry Andrew Eller was arrested and charged with maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Wilkes County Trail Gets New Status
A wilderness trail here in Wilkes County was recognized this week by the federal government. The Dark Mountain Trail, a seven-mile trek that runs beside Kerr Scott Reservoir was selected by the Department of the Interior as one of 37 new National Recreation Trails in the nation. Gale Nortion, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior made the announcement this week and as a result, a certificate of designation and national trail markers will be placed along the path. Dark Mountain was one of three trails in the state to get the designation. The other two were the Scuppernong River Boardwalk on the coast and a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Mountains To Sea Trail.

Wilkes Deputies Called To Investigate Smell
Residents of an Elkin neighborhood became concerned earlier this week when strange smells began coming out of a local man’s home. The man hadn’t been seen for several days and didn’t answer his door, so locals called out sheriff’s deputies to check the place out. Deputies also reported smelling a foul odor in the home, with no visible cause. The homeowner wasn’t inside and the only living thing in the area was the pit bull that had been guarding the place. The homeowner soon returned and couldn’t give an explanation as to what caused the home to smell so bad. The homeowner promised to do his own investigation as to what caused the odor.

Blood Supply Going Critical
As expected, the onset of summer hasn’t helped the local blood supply. In fact the supply here in Wilkes is quickly approaching critical levels again.
Later today there will be a drive going on at the Traphill Volunteer Fire Department from 3-7:30pm. To give blood, you can call the Wilkes Red Cross for an appointment at 838-4563 or drop by their offices, located at 104 West Street in Wilkesboro. And if you do plan to give, just be advised that there are some requirements. You must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs to donate.

Focus On Fox
Stem cell research is a hot topic around the country. With supporters promising potential cures for disease, solutions for aging and ways of healing faster, it’s no wonder why the bill passed the U.S. House. Still, one thing you may not know. Before the bill was passed, some members of Congress asked for proof that embryonic cells could be used and they had none to give. That’s one of the subjects I’ll be talking about later today in my interview with Congresswoman Virginia Fox as we discuss stem cells, Social Security and other issues affecting this district. That’s at 1:05pm today on Focus on the Foothills after the midday stock report.

Mailbox Vandals Strike Again
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence on Tuesday after yet another case of mailbox vandalism. This time however the vandals didn’t just stop with the mailbox. When the homeowner returned, she found over $800 worth of damage done to her trailer, with both the siding and the underpinning partially damaged. Also her mailbox had been ripped up and smashed with what appeared to be a hammer. There are several suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Heat Relief Available For Elderly
Summertime can mean problems for the elderly, with rising temperatures leading to sickness and possibly death. With that in mind, the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council is giving away fans this summer to any senior citizen that meets their requirements. In order to get a fan, you must be at least 60 years old, live in Wilkes and be served by Duke Power. In addition, your home situation must present a threat to your life without the fans. Applications are being taken from 8:30am til 5pm at the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council office, located at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information you can contact them at 651-7811.

Fact From Fiction: Open Forum Today
Over the past year, there have been several conflicting reports about the air quality here in North Carolina. Is it safe? Is it polluted? Should we stay indoors and take precautions? Well later today Wilkes Open Forum will help you put an end to the guessing as Dr. Roy Cordato from the John Locke Foundation will be on hand to discuss the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report. That will go on tonight at 6pm in the Wilkes Public Library.

State News

NC State Faces Repair Bill Of Almost $1 Million
NC State officials received one large repair bill this week, after damage estimates were done on Reynolds Coliseum. The historic area, which had stood on campus for over forty years, was partially damaged during an electrical fire two weeks ago. Two classrooms were burned down and the rest of the building sustained heavy smoke damage. Estimates costs of the repairs, which have already begun, were placed at $900,000. That includes money for the classrooms to be completely rebuilt and other needed repairs throughout the complex. School officials however say that they’re confident the building will be ready by the time students arrive later this fall.

Broyhill Announces Massive Cuts
The job market in Caldwell County took a major hit this week, as Broyhill Furniture announced that it will be laying off a little more than 1,000 employees in the next two months. In addition, two plants in Lenoir will be closing down and another one in Rutherfordton will also be shutting its’ doors. The Harper Plant and Occasional 1 Plant, both in Lenoir will be shutting down and Plant 68 in Rutherfordton will as well. All of this will begin the week of August 13th with 1009 workers losing their jobs in one of the largest mass layoffs this year. Broyhill officials said staying competitive was the main reason they had to make the cuts. With imports from overseas taking a good part of the business, people had to be let go so that the company could remain viable. Certain departments at the plants, such as shipping, will stay open for several additional months, with a target closing date of around November 12th. After that time, all the doors will be shut and the property will be put up for sale.

Middle School Janitor Facing Charges
A Greensboro man is facing charges of embezzlement today after police say he stole $3000 from the middle school where he worked as a janitor. 34-yr-old Willie Lee resigned from Mendenhall Middle School last month and after an investigation, local police have charged him with embezzling from the school. It’s not been explained how Lee gained access to the money or why he decided to steal it. He was released this week after promising the judge in writing that he would appear in court when needed.

Charlotte Police Hunt Robbery Suspect
Police in the Charlotte area are trying to track down a man they believed robbed a bank on Wednesday and took off. The First Citizens Bank on Albemarle Road was robbed early Wednesday morning by a man who wore a bandana over his face. He ordered everyone to lie down on the floor, then took a bag of cash and left. Police describe the suspect as a black man in his mid 30s to early 40s, around 5’ft 9inches. He also wore safety glasses and a blue hard hat. The FBI is helping local authorities to investigate and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Car Crashes Into Winston Grocery Store
Shopping for food became deadly for people in Winston on Wednesday, as a driver crashed into the Food Lion on Reynolda Road. Local authorities say that the driver was an elderly woman, who first slammed into a nearby Ford Explorer. Then she shifted into drive and hit the gas pedal, plowing into the store. Damage was mainly contained to the checkout area and several people had to be treated for what authorities called minor injuries.

Bomb Threat Proves To Be A Hoax
The Charlotte bomb squad was called out early Wednesday morning to investigate a mysterious package that appeared at the Bob Walton Plaza in Center City. Several security workers discovered the package while doing rounds that morning. They alerted authorities and that entire section of street was shut down, all the way to the interstate entrance ramp for I-277. Once on the scene, bomb squad members took a water cannon and destroyed the box. When they looked inside however, all they found was an empty package.

Sports Headlines

Former Blue Devil Makes Comeback
A former Duke Blue Devil is getting set to make a comeback in the NBA, almost three years after a wreck nearly ended his life. Former Duke point guard Jay Williams is training and looking to get invited to an NBA training camp this fall. Williams had just finished his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls in 2003 when he crashed while riding his motorcycle. A nerve was severed in his left leg, ligaments were torn in his left knee and he also suffered several broken bones. Now after surgery and a strenuous rehab assignment, he’s working with Michael Jordan’s former trainer to get back into game shape. Williams has also been playing pickup games with friends Raymond Felton, Dee Brown and his former Duke teammate Chris Duhon. So far all the reports are good, but now it becomes a waiting game until after the draft, when teams make those final roster moves.

Manuel Out In Chicago
Taking a look at some other news from the NBA, Jackie Manuel won’t get a chance to put on a show this weekend in Chicago. Instead the former Tarheel will be watching from the stands after turning his ankle in practice. Reports from the camp trainers say that the injury didn’t look good and could sideline him for several weeks, meaning Manuel might not be able to work out for any teams before the NBA draft. And Julius Hodge explained why he declined an offer to play in the predraft camp, saying that he believed the personal workouts he had done for several teams was good enough to lock up a spot as a draft pick.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look at the minor league scoreboard last night, rain put a stop to Hickory’s matchup against the Greensville Bombers. The game was called before teams took the field in the third with Greenville holding a 1-0 lead. The game will be made up tonight, beginning at 6pm.
And the news wasn’t really any better for the Winston Salem Warthogs, as they lost to Potomac 10-9. The Nationals scored six runs in the fourth inning alone and managed to hold off a Warthog rally in the ninth inning. Winston starter Wes Whisler was yanked after just 3 1/3 innings of work, giving up seven runs off eight hits.

Buckner Stays For Another Year
Good news for fans of the Carolina Panthers today, as defensive tackle Brentson Buckner announced this week that he’ll be staying with the team for at least another season. After the year ended, Buckner had considered retirement, with a possible job as a radio or television analyst. The 33-yr-old said he decided to come back after looking at all the talent returning for this year’s squad, which he believes could put together another long run into the playoffs. The new team has got him so excited in fact, team officials told the media that Buckner was working out at the Panthers’ facilities a month before the off season program officially started.

NASCAR News
In NASCAR, the Joe Gibbs Racing team made some changes on the field, replacing crew chief Dave Rodgers with Mike Ford. Ford will now take over as the crew chief for driver Jason Leffler, less than a month after being fired as the crew leader for Dale Jarrett’s team. Leffler has fallen out of the top 35 in points, with only a 12th place finish as the best of the season. Team president J.D. Gibbs said the move was needed to enhance the performance of both car and driver.

News & Sports For June 8th

News For Wednesday June 8th 2005

Wilkesboro Puts Hold On Mountain Sale
Plans to lease Gobbler’s Knob came to a halt this week as Wilkesboro officials announced the deal was off the table. The town had been in talks with Vulcan Materials to lease the top 200 feet of the mountain in exchange for a yearly payment of $7500 and royalties for each ton of rock taken out. Despite the announcement, it doesn’t mean that the deal is finished. Town officials announced at a meeting on Monday that they’ll continue to take a look at their options and possibly in the near future an amended offer will be extended to Vulcan. While the town could make over $1 million from the lease, concerns have been voiced about the ecological impact, especially after Monday’s presentation showed that there is a possibility a local watershed would be affected. In addition, the mountain can be seen from most portions of the county and could present an eyesore for any tourists driving through the proposed state visitor center which would be on U.S. 421.

Decision Handed Down On School Funds
Yesterday the Wilkes County Commissioners held their monthly meeting and one of the issues on the agenda dealt with the school system. Commissioners approved a measure that would refund $2 million to the school system for the costs involved with drawing and developing plans related to the upcoming school improvements package. As soon as those plans are drawn, bids will be taken and then commissioners will vote on approving the contracts. A target date for the plans to be finished hasn’t been set, although it’s expected to take at least the next four months.

Local Man Robbed In His Home
A Roaring River man called sheriff’s deputies earlier this week after being robbed in his home. At around 2am Sunday morning, the man woke up to find two other people in his house. One of them demanded money and after being told the man didn’t have any, hog-tied the homeowner and drug him into the kitchen, where the robbers proceeded to start beating him. One of the two walked through the house, apparently trying to find something but failing as the two soon left. The only thin taken from the residence was $65 from the homeowner’s wallet. The man only sustained minor injuries in the incident and deputies are continuing the investigation.

One Stop Shopping
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a residence in Ferguson earlier this week, after thieves broke in to do some shopping. The homeowner returned to find his front door had been kicked in and over $1200 worth of merchandise taken. Included in the theft was a 27 inch tv, a Winchester shotgun, a Regal guitar and several other items. That investigation is ongoing.

West Park To Hold Flag Dedication
A ceremony will be held next week to honor American soldiers and also to dedicate the new American flag at West Park. The event will be held Tuesday June 14th, beginning at noon with a special performance from the Liberty Grove Baptist Church Choir, in addition to tributes from the local VFW group and the Boy Scouts, who will be raising the flag into its’ new position. Once again all of this will be held at West Park in the Health Foundation’s park. For more information you can contact the Foundation at 838-1949.

Just Drove In And Took The Camper
How do you drive off with a camper top without anyone noticing? That’s what a Wilkesboro man is trying to find out today, after coming outside to find his had gone missing. The man had heard noises during the night but didn’t think anything of them. The thieves gained access to the camper top by smashing one of the vehicle’s windows and prying it off. Nothing else was damaged on the property and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Time To Play Kick The Car
Thieves broke into a Millers Creek man’s car earlier this week, ripping out the radio before causing over a hundred dollars worth of damage to the vehicle. Dents had been kicked in almost every section of the car, with quarter panels smashed in and other sections battered as well. The vehicle had been parked in the man’s driveway and despite the noise, he didn’t wake up during any part of the vandalism. There are suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Focus On Fox
With all the problems facing our government, certain issues are either being ignored or pushed under the radar. Stem cell research falls into the second category, with a bill that recently passed through the U.S. House allowing for extended use of embryonic cells. Congresswoman Virginia Fox was one of a slim few who voted against the bill and late last week she called in and explained why.
Play Cart: Fox1
Now to hear more of my interview with Congresswoman Fox, you can tune in this coming Thursday for Focus on the Foothills. That’s tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Thieves Go On Listening Spree
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Millers Creek residence recently after broke into a local man’s car and stole over $200 worth of merchandise from inside. Included in the theft was just over $150 worth of music CDs, a camera and $5 in change. The doors had been left unlocked so thieves just opened them up and took what they wanted. There are suspects in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Case Of ID Theft Causes Headache For Deputies
A Ronda man called sheriff’s deputies earlier this week after discovering that someone had been writing checks in his name. Several local stores had contacted the man in recent weeks, informing him that his checks had bounced. However the man himself hadn’t been out shopping in over a month. After some investigation, deputies tracked the theft to a female family member, who admitted having the checks, however she claimed that she hadn’t been the one to use them. She then provided deputies with information regarding several others who could have committed the theft. There are several suspects in the case and deputies are still continuing the investigation.

State News

Missing Fisherman Located
Three days after he had gone missing, Rowan County authorities found the body of a missing fisherman. Monday night, searchers were able to locate the body near Cow Island on High Rock Lake. Over the past three days, volunteers have searched the water around High Rock Lake, looking for a local man who fell out of his boat late Friday evening. He had been fishing with his 10-yr-old son and two friends, who watched as the man fell into the water.

Thomasville Furniture To Begin Cuts
Bad news today for Thomasville Furniture employees, as the company announced the largest layoff in its’ history Tuesday afternoon. 620 employees will be fired before the end of this year, according to company officials, starting with the closing of Plant A in Thomasville. Davidson County workers have also been informed that 302 support jobs would be removed from the area, with more to follow. All of these cuts will begin in August as the company continues its’ restructuring plans. A lower demand for furniture and overseas competition were cited as two of the main reasons for the move. All released workers can file for federal benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.

Modeling Agency Goes Under The Knife
The Face Modeling Agency has shut down in recent weeks, but that didn’t stop the Attorney General in North Carolina from issuing an order to the company. All of the company’s former clients have to be paid back for work that was never done. The Face Agency has been accused of corruption for several years, with several newspapers and TV stations doing investigations. At last estimate, the state attorney general’s office says that 512 people were scammed by the would be talent agency, who promised magazine covers and tv show spots to its’ clients. While money was paid out, the promised roles never materialized. A list of the scam victims had been given to the Attorney General and they plan to contact each one, forcing Face to give each one a refund.

Several Hundred Foster Kids Now Homeless
A shocking study was released this week that showed North Carolina’s foster care system has some serious holes in it. The reason? Almost 500 kids were released from foster care in 2004 after they turned eighteen. Out of that number, one in eight are now homeless. The study, which was supported by independent coordinator Youth Homes Inc., found that most foster kids in the system have a hard time surviving on their own due to having little money and also in some cases, no skills to get a job with. $1000 is given to former foster kids to pay for their housing each year and $500 a year is given out for living expenses such as food and clothes. That runs out three years after they turn eighteen and leave.

Vietnam Memorial Going On Tour In Caldwell
Each year, it’s estimated that at least 3.5 million people travel to Washington and pay a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For some here in North Carolina who can’t afford to make that trip, the Memorial is going on tour. In September, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Experience will come to Caldwell County. The traveling memorial is a three quarter scale version of the original that goes around the country from California to New York City. The wall will be up for viewing at the Lenoir Mall from September 9th through the 11th.

Attack Of The Killer Bees
With summertime on the way, bees are out and about in North Carolina, but usually in manageable numbers. However that wasn’t the case for a Greenville woman, who saw 20 bees swarming around one of the walls in her house and got some spray, thinking she’d solve the problem. Instead, she discovered over 10,000 of the bees living in the walls, an entire colony that had taken up residence at her house. A local bee keeper was called out and quickly took care of the problem, extracting the bees using his own customized vaccum. Now the colony has a new home in his personal backyard collection, along with several thousand more of the insects.

Sports Headlines

NC State Lands Another Recruit
NC State continues to restock its’ basketball program, as yet another junior recruit committed to the Wolfpack. Larry Davis, a 6-3 shooting guard from New York City, picked State over Villanova and Pittsburgh. Last year as a junior, Davis averaged fourteen points, seven rebounds and eight assists while also keeping a 4.0 GPA. Davis said he picked State because he thought it was the best school to help him achieve his full potential.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor league scoreboard last night, it was Hickory losing a close one 3-2 against the Greenville Bombers. The Bombers drove in the winning run on an RBI single from center fielder Bret Levier and then held off a Crawdads rally to take the win. Despite not getting a decision, Hickory starter Derek Hankins pitched a good game, going six innings while only giving up two runs on six hits.
The news was better however up the road in Potomac, as the Winston Salem Warthogs beat the Nationals 7-2. Ryan Rodriguez got his sixth win of the season, going six innings and only allowing one run on six hits. With the victory, Winston stands a half game behind first place Kinston.

Major League Draft Begins
Tuesday was the first day of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft, with two North Carolina players taken in the first round. Cameron Maybin, from TC Robinson High School was picked 10th by the Detroit Tigers. Maybin, a center fielder with Roberson who is also the cousin of former Tarheel Rashad McCants, will be looked to provide some help for the Tigers’ shaky defense in the near future. He also brings some pop to the lineup, as Maybin set a state record last year with a .662 average in his senior season at Roberson. And Braves fans can breathe a sigh of relief, because some help for that much maligned bullpen could be on the way soon. Atlanta picked Joseph Devine, a right handed pitcher from NC State with the 27th pick in yesterday’s draft. Depending on how quickly he signs, some scouts are saying that Devine could be in an Atlanta uniform as early as next summer.

North Carolina Players Go To Camp
As the NBA’s draft day gets closer, some North Carolina players were invited to this week’s workout camp in Chicago. Eddie Basden from UNC Charlotte, Jackie Manuel & Jawad Williams from the Tarheels, Eric Williams from Wake Forest and high school senior Brandon Rush from Durham Mount Zion Academy were all invited to take part in workouts at the event, which serves as a chance for lesser known athletes to have a chance to shine and possibly move up on draft day. One surprise from the camp was that NC State’s Julius Hodge announced that he had been offered an invitation but turned it down. A reason for Hodge’s decision wasn’t given. UNC Tarheel Marvin Williams along with teammates Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants are all scheduled to hold private workouts with interested teams this week.

News & Sports For June 7th 2005

News & Sports For Tuesday June 7th 2005

Local Business Honored With Award
On Monday, a local business here in the area received an award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Meadows Mills Company, a North Wilkesboro business that builds and puts together sawmill equipment, was honored for their efforts in exporting products to other countries. Congresswoman Virginia Fox was on hand for the celebration, as was Commerce Department Representative George Thomas.

Assault & Robbery In Moravian Falls
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a residence in Moravian Falls this week after a man was robbed in his home. One of the man’s neighbors had come over and wanted to talk, but once inside the house shoved the homeowner down and proceeded to fight with him. During the fight, the neighbor managed to grab the man’s wallet and took off, threatening to return if the law was called out. The homeowner only sustained minor injuries in the assault and warrants have been issued in the case.

Crop Disaster Deadline Upcoming
Farmers here in Wilkes have just over a week before this year’s Crop Disaster deadline. June 17th is the deadline to sign up for this year’s program, which helps make payments for any fruit or vegetable losses that came as a result of storms during the past growing season. You could be eligible for this program even if you didn’t qualify for an insurance payment. For more information, you can contact the Wilkes Farm Service Agency at 838-3622 extension #2.

Hays Home Linked To Drug Trafficking
Following up on some information, deputies used a search warrant to enter a Hays man’s home and discovered several pounds of drugs inside. 3.8 lbs of methamphetamines, 4.98 lbs of marijuana and ½ a gram of cocaine were found by the deputies. Also seized in the search were 7 handguns, one shotgun and one rifle. 50-yr-old Ricky Charles Howell was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a house for use in drug sales and also possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Gas Thieves Hit Neighbors’ Store
Neighbors Store in Elkin was the latest victim of gasoline thieves over the weekend. A woman pulled up to the pump, put in $30 worth of gas and then took off without paying. Employees inside the store were able to get a good look at both the driver and the vehicle, descriptions of which were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Veterans To Be Honored Next Month
Plans are being finalized for the unveiling of the Veteran’s Brick Walk this summer. The event will take place on Saturday July 9th at the Veterans Walk, which will lead into the new Wilkes Heritage Museum. For anyone who bought a brick before the May 30th deadline, that veteran will be honored during the ceremony. There will also be a car show during the event, tours of the Old Wilkes Jail and Robert Cleveland Log Home and a special concert put on by the NC Army National Guard Band. Once again that will take place Saturday July 9th at the Old Wilkes Courthouse.

Never Leave Your Keys Inside
Never leave your keys inside a vehicle after you get out. An Elkin woman learned this the hard way earlier in the week, after her truck was stolen from the Austin Ball Park. She had left the keys inside while going shopping with a friend, then returned to find the vehicle missing. Later that night the truck was discovered in a Yadkin County ditch, with an estimated $11,000 worth of damage done to it. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Jewelry Stolen During Hotel Stay
Wilkesboro police were contacted by a Charlotte woman this week after thieves broke into her hotel room. The woman and her husband had been staying at the Hampton Inn over the weekend when they returned to their room and found some jewelry was missing. There was no sign of forced entry and nothing else was taken from the room. All total, an estimated $150 worth of jewelry was taken in the theft and the investigation is ongoing.

Blood Drive Later Today
Despite all the blood drives in the area, the local supply is still under normal levels due to poor turnout. The recent heat from yesterday and rain last week have kept people away from the drives and make new donors even more necessary. For anyone who wants to give, there will be a blood drive going on later today at the VFW Hall here in Wilkes. That will be held from 2-6:30pm and to make an appointment, you can call the Wilkes Red Cross at 838-4563.

All For A Few Pennies More
A Moravian Falls man called in sheriff’s deputies after returning home to find his door standing wide open. Thieves had apparently kicked in the door and gone through the house, but nothing was taken except for a few jars of quarters totaling $450. A vehicle tag was turned over to sheriff’s deputies of a girl that had been seen around the house and the investigation is ongoing.

State News

Election Possibly Coming To An End
Seven months after voters went to the polls and North Carolina is still unclear who will be the new school superintendent. With the school year already finished under the eye of an interim department head, the court battles continue to rage between Democrat June Atkinson and her Republican opponent Bill Fletcher. Atkinson won in both the original count and the recount, holding a lead of over 8500 votes. Fletcher meanwhile has challenged the outcome of the elections several times, saying that at least 11,000 provisional ballots were not filed properly and should be cast out. The ballots in question mostly come from Carteret County and were cast in a precinct other than the one the voters were registered in. The State General Assembly however is looking to put an end to the fighting by gathering evidence and preparing to cast its’ own vote on the matter. Under the state constitution, the legislature has the power to decide a contested race. However no timetable for that decision has been set.

New Jobs Coming To Granville County
There’s good news today for people in Granville County, as 150 jobs are coming into the area over the next three years. Dill Air Controls Products, which makes air valves and tire repair accessories for vehicles, will be moving to Oxford North Carolina and setting up shop in what used to be the Lenox china plant. Applications are being taken at the company’s temporary home in Roxboro, looking for skilled and semi-skilled workers with an average weekly salary of $594. The move comes due in part to a grant of $150,000 handed out from Easley’s One North Carolina Fund

Teen In Jail After Hitting Officer
A teenager in Burlington is in jail today after putting a police officer in the hospital. The officer had originally gone over to talk to the boy, after seeing open cans of beer in his car. As the boy attempted to drive off the man grabbed for the car and became ensnared in the driver’s side seat belt. He was drug for nearly a mile at speeds up to 70 mph, as the teen and his passenger laughed and tried to knock him off the car. The car hit a curb minutes later and the man’s arm was freed. The driver then lost control and hit a tree before fleeing the scene. The officer was treated and released from Alamance Regional Medical Center while the driver, 19-yr-old Jeremy Jerome Gillom was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill, first degree kidnapping and assault on a law enforcement officer. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of just over 40 years. Police are still searching for the passenger.

Toy Collectors’ Drawings Uncovered
UNC Asheville received a special treat this week after 118 documents and drawings from the Tryon Toy Makers were turned over to the school. The collection of documents, which will be put in the school’s library, details plans and designs dating back to the early 20th century when Tryon first started making hand carved figures. The company, which began in 1915, also made church altars in the area, furniture and many other pieces. The school has placed the designs on display in the Ramsey Library where they can be seen Monday-Thursday from 9am until 2:30pm.

Johnston County Faces Traffic Problems
Take it slow. That’s what Highway Patrol officers in Johnston County are asking people, after reports have shown that the area averages more than 300 wrecks a month. One of the fastest growing areas in the state, 183 people have died over the past five years due to wrecks on the county roads, putting the area third in the state. With only 23 troopers to patrol the area and several thousand miles of both interstate and rural roads, the current situation seems to be a recipe for disaster. However local officials say that while more money for troopers would be great, the solution is much simpler. A lot of the wrecks come in curves and intersections where an accident could have been avoided if the drivers had just slowed down and looked before they pulled out. The county is also considering a request to the state for more manpower.

Sports Headlines

Randolph Plans To Stay A Blue Devil
Around the college scene, a member of the Duke Blue Devils came one step closer to sticking around for his senior season. Junior Shavlik Randolph put his name in for this year’s NBA draft, as a way to gauge interest from the professional teams. Now after wrapping up a workout for the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday, Randolph said that his intentions are to go back and finish his college career at Duke. However he also added that if he were to be ranked to go in the first round, all options would still be open. Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff suggested however that it would be a good idea for Randolph to go back and continue to develop his game some more in college before moving up to the professional level.

NC State & UNC Eliminated
In college baseball, the season came to a close for two North Carolina teams this week, as the UNC Tarheels and NC State Wolfpack were both eliminated from the field of 64. Both teams had a good run in the NCAA tournament but fell just short in their regionals, with State losing to Creighton 11-9 and the Tarheels dropping out against Notre Dame 3-0. For the Wolfpack, this was the second time in less than two days they had been beaten by Creighton, as the Bluejays had topped them in the regional opener 8-3 Friday night. They’ll finish out the season at 41-19. As for the Tarheels, it was a complete reversal as they had beaten Notre Dame 5-1 Friday night before being wiped out 5-2 by Florida State the very next day. With the loss, the ‘Heels will also wrap up the season at 41-19.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look around the minor leagues on Monday, it was Winston Salem falling against Potomac 2-1. With the loss, the Warthogs drop two games behind Kinston for first place in the Southern Division. Relief pitcher Juan Ovalles got his second loss of the season by giving up the game winning hit to Potomac’s Ender Chavez in the bottom of the ninth. And up the road in Hickory, it was the Savannah Sand Gnats beating the Crawdads 7-3. Hickory starter Kurt Shafer took the loss, giving up four runs while striking out five in six innings of work. The loss is the ninth in the last twelve games for the Crawdads, who start a series with Greenville at 7pm tonight.

NASCAR News
In NASCAR news, DEI may be getting some new faces around the Nextel Cup circuit by the end of the year. Martin Truex Jr. is in discussions to sign a new contract with the company and possibly take over a spot on one of their Nextel Cup series teams. The deal would be for three years if Truex accepts.

Babe Ruth Contract Up For Bid
This coming Friday, a part of baseball history will go on the auction block as the trade contract signed between the Red Sox and Yankees for Babe Ruth will be up for bids. That contract, which sent the Babe to the Yankees in 1919, began a Red Sox tradition known as ‘The Curse of the Bambino’. Also included in the auction are the first baseball thrown out at the opening of Fenway Park back in 1912 and an autographed bat from the Babe’s first year as a Yankee.

Chipper Jones Out With Injury
Bad news today for Braves fans, as third baseman Chipper Jones will miss at least one game while seeking treatment for his injured leg. Jones, who had a sore right heel before Sunday’s game with Pittsburgh, couldn’t make it out of the batters’ box after grounding to second. Unable to put weight on the left leg, he had to be helped off the field. Team doctors said it wasn’t clear how much time Jones could potentially miss with the injury.

Paris Frontrunner For Olympic Games
The reviews were handed out earlier this week and New York City fell just short against Paris. The two cities are both attempting to convince Olympic officials that they deserve to be the site for the 2012 games. In addition London, Madrid and Moscow all submitted bids. Over the past several months Olympic officials traveled to each city and outlined the pros and cons in their report. Paris came out as the frontrunner, as the officials had nothing negative to say. New York, while also in the race, will have to build a new football stadium if they want to be seriously considered, according to the report. That, in addition to other venues which need upgrading were the only negative comments issued to the city. The IOC body will meet in Singapore next month and select who the host city will be.

Welcome!

Welcome to the 3WC Radio News Blog. This is the place for up to date local news and sports happenings from in and around Wilkes County, North Carolina.