News & Sports For March 24th

Interest In Chicken Plant Grows
Over one hundred people turned out last night at the Wilkes Open Forum, to get more information about the proposed Fibrowatt plant. The plant would use chicken litter to generate electricity, burning the material at roughly 1500 degrees Fahrenheit to produce steam. That steam would push the turbine engine, producing electricity, This would be just the second plant of its’ kind built in the United States, the first currently being assembled in Minnesota and Wilkes is one of three North Carolina counties in the running. The other two are Alexander and Surry County. County commissioners and town officials from both Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro were in attendance, along with several hundred chicken growers. In the Forum last night, Fibrowatt chief operating officer Carl Stickler debated the idea of the plant with Mike Ewall from the Energy Justice Network. Ewall and his organization are opposed to building such a plant, citing concerns about the odor and emissions released into the air. Strickler said however that the company’s process of burning chicken litter would be cleaner than the present alternatives of wood or coal. In addition, he said that the odor problem would be controlled and there would be little noise coming from the plant. A decision on where to build the plant could be made by the end of this year.

More Counterfeit Money Entering Wilkes
As we reported yesterday on the 3WC News, counterfeit money has become a problem across the entire western part of the state. The problem has made it’s way back into Wilkes County, as earlier this week Foster’s Grocery fell victim to counterfeiters. A man came into the store Tuesday night, paid for his purchase with three $20 bills and left. It wasn’t until later that the money was discovered to be counterfeit. A copy of the security tape has been given to sheriff’s deputies along with a description of the suspect. That investigation continues.

Thieves Hit Local Residence
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home on South Center Church Road this week, after thieves paid a visit. The homeowner returned to find someone had attempted to pry open the padlock on his storage building. When that failed, the thieves turned their attention to a couple of motorcycles that were in an open shed nearby. The make and model of the two cycles were turned over to sheriff’s deputies, along with the license plate of a truck that neighbors saw hanging around the area. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

IRS Sees Increase In Phishing
With the tax deadline less than a month away, the IRS is sending out an alert, warning people to be careful about what kind of information they give on the internet. There’s been an increase this tax season in the number of phishing scams going on where criminals attempt to impersonate the IRS and get your tax information. So far, the Treasury Department has tracked down 12 different websites operating out of 11 countries ranging from Aruba to here in the United State. In each case, the crooks are sending out fake emails that have the exact same information as the IRS would, even down to the log-in screen. They inform the reader that he or she has a tax refund coming and should log on to confirm. In some situations, it’s even impossible to tell if the email is legit by looking at who sent it, as hackers can alter any portion of the message. First and foremost, if you get any emails from the IRS, log out and go directly to their website. Don’t click on any links that will connect you. While it may seem harmless, what that does in fact is link you with a hacker’s computer. Now he has a way into your system. While taxpayers who file electronically possibly will be getting a confirmation that their return is accepted, the IRS will call or send information regarding your return via the regular mail, never through the internet. Because this is such a widespread problem, the IRS is asking you to call and let them
know if you receive an email at 1-800-366-4484.

Statesville Man Falls Victim To Forgery
A Statesville man got a surprise in his bank statement, as just under $200 in checks had been written to the account in Moravian Falls. It turns out that a local man had somehow gained access to his checkbook and taken several out, using them over the course of three months. The suspect’s name and address were given over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

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

Thieves Run Off With Expensive Coin Collection
A man on Byrd Road fell victim to thieves this week. He went to check on his coin collection this week, only to find it missing. Also taken in the theft was a chainsaw. The coins had been in a secure location that only one other person knew about and are worth a reported $2500. There was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property, however deputies do have a suspect and that investigation continues.

Check Road Conditions Before Leaving
Before you head out this morning, it’s important to know what road conditions are like across the county. For people in Wilkes that can be accessed now on the internet by visiting the state DOT webpage at www.ncdot.org/traffictravel. Once there you can click on the real time travel information option and it will let you know what roads are like and how long a delay you can expect on your drive into work.

Roadside Assistance For Farmers
Even though the weather outside says otherwise, spring is on the way and that means it’s time for farmers to start planning how they’re going to market their crops. A program created by the Department of Agriculture can help with that. The Roadside Farm Market program is designed to help farmers directly sell their fruits and vegetables to people who might otherwise buy the products at a store. Now for more information or to get involved with the program, you can contact Ross Williams at the NC Department of Agriculture. His number is 919-733-7887. Applications are also available at the Wilkes Cooperative Extension office.

State News

Black Investigation Goes Criminal
State House Speaker Jim Black could find himself in hot water, as the investigation into his campaign changes gears. The State Board of Elections has asked prosecutors to determine if the campaign broke any laws through its’ dealings with special interest groups. Black’s campaign admitted on Thursday that they had accepted $9775 in illegal donations and were prepared to either refund the money or pay a fine to the state. However there’s a wide gap between what Black’s campaign admitted taking and what the state believes is the figure. The Board of Elections said on Thursday that their investigators have uncovered $27,625 in illegal donations, $17850 more than Black would admit to taking. A decision has not yet been made as to if criminal charges will be brought.

Vandals Damage Recruiting Centers In Protest
Officials at three military recruiting centers in North Carolina got a surprise when they arrived at work Wednesday morning. Vandals had attacked the buildings, causing several hundred dollars worth of damage in a move later described as a protest against the war. An email message was sent out Wednesday supposedly by one of the vandals, who called the attacks a form of protest against the Iraqi conflict. The email said that people here at home are being exploited by a government that doesn’t care and announced that “resistance would continue” until the war is over. There is a suspect in the case but no arrests have been made.

Sentence Handed Down For Former Lawmaker
Former North Carolina Senator John Carrington was sentenced this week after violating federal law. The 71-yr-old Carrington had pled guilty last year to charges of illegally shipping law enforcement equipment to China. He was given a year of probation, ordered to pay a $850,000 fine and give up all exporting privileges for the next five years. Prosecutors had argued that Carrington should get some jail time, as the charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, however the defense requested probation due to the man’s health and age, along with his record of public service. Carrington’s company, Sirchie Finger Print Labs, sold law enforcement equipment to China. Federal law prohibits such equipment being sold to any country with a record of human rights abuses.

Fugitive Brought To Justice In Granville
Officials from 15 different law enforcement agencies worked together to bring in a convicted killer this week. 80-yr-old Johnny Van Ellis escaped from a Granville County prison back in 1974 and had been living in the same area for the past 30 years. The Violent Crimes Task Force, coordinated by the U.S. Marshals, picked up the case on Tuesday and by Wednesday had tracked Ellis down and placed him under arrest. Over the past year, the task force has arrested 392 fugitives.

Sports Headlines

High School Baseball Tonight
High school baseball is back on the radio tonight if the weather permits as we go up the road to Millers Creek. The West Wilkes Blackhawks will be in action, playing host to the East Surry Cardinals. The first pitch is set for 7pm and we’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show around 6:45. That’s coming up tonight on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at college basketball last night, it was Duke bowing out of the NCAA tournament in a 62-54 loss to LSU. The Blue Devils shot just 27% overall and 19% from beyond the 3-point line, with J.J. Redick putting up just 11 points. Shelden Williams finished strong however with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks on the day. The loss ends Duke's season at 32-4 and also closes the door on Redick and Williams' college careers, as the seniors are bound for the NBA.

Sendek Gets Support
In a year where he’s faced intense pressure to step down, NC State coach Herb Sendek got a vote of support from his university. Athletic director Lee Fowler said that the university strongly supports Sendek, mentioning that they were impressed with the program’s direction, the increased graduation rate of players and the way they represent the university both on and off the court. Sendek has posted some impressive numbers during his 10-yr tenure, as this marks the 5th straight year State has made it to the NCAA and the 3rd straight time the team has won 21 or more games in a season. Still Wolfpack fans had been calling for the coach’s job after the team lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Texas 75-54 on Sunday.

Bobcats Look To Recover Against Heat
The Charlotte Bobcats look to be back up to full strength for their game tonight against the Miami Heat. Gerald Wallace, Brevin Knight and Melvin Ely are all expected back in the lineup. Wallace had to sit out Wednesday’s game against Cleveland with a strained calf muscle, while Brevin Knight is recovering from an injured groin. Melvin Ely meanwhile has been out with a migraine headache.

Panthers Look To Add Wide Receivers
The Carolina Panthers are looking to solve another one of their problems from last season, by adding some more wide receivers. The team is in talks with both former Cowboy Keyshawn Johnson and Kansas City Chief Marc Boerigter. While all the attention has been on Johnson, Boerigter also fits what the Panthers are looking for. Coming in at 6’3ft and 2220 lbs, the fourth year player is also younger and comes at a cheaper price than Johnson.

2nd Generation Driver Gets First Shot This Weekend
When the engines are turned on and the Busch Series race begins this weekend, there will be a familiar name sitting in Rusty Wallace’s No. 64 Dodge. His son Steve Wallace will make his first start of the young season this weekend, taking over behind the wheel. The Sharpie 300 starts at 3:10 tomorrow afternoon.

News & Sports For March 23rd

Parsons Pleads Guilty
The case involving former Wilkesboro police chief Gary Parsons has come to a close, after a plea deal was reached on Wednesday. Parsons plead guilty to five counts of private use of a public vehicle and one count of willfully failing to quit his duties as police chief. As part of the agreement Parsons won’t have to serve any jail time, however he will be placed on 18 months of supervised probation, during which time he won’t be allowed to own a gun. Also he has to pay all court costs associated with the case, along with $6000 in fines and turn in all property he has that is associated with the Wilkesboro Police Department. As one final condition of the agreement, Parsons has to give up his law enforcement certification, which will be suspended indefinitely. The move ends a nearly 6-month long process which began in September of last year with the SBI investigating complaints from Wilkesboro officers. Parsons had stood accused of12 separate felony & misdemeanor counts including obtaining property by false pretense, using officers to do personal work for him while on city time, misuse of a public vehicle and embezzlement. However as part of the agreement, the felony charges were dropped.

Fire Ban Off Thanks To Rain
The rain and snow over the past few days has been a bonus for people here in Wilkes. It helped bring water levels back up from their previous drought status and as a result, the burning ban has been lifted. Fire Marshal Nikki Hamby said yesterday that the ban has temporarily been lifted, but could just as quickly be re-imposed if we go through another dry spell. The chances are good for Wilkes to get wet the rest of this week, with the possibility of snow and rain in the forecast. However if we don’t see any raindrops for a week or more, the burning ban could be back on.

Vandals Hit Brushy Mtn. Baptist Association
Vandals hit the Brushy Mountain Baptist Association this week, causing several hundred dollars in damage. The vandals climbed in through a shattered window and appeared to go wild. Fire extinguishers throughout the building were either damaged or set off and one of the interior windows was busted as well. Just under $300 worth of damage was done and that investigation continues.

Focus On Foxx
With the recent controversy over port operations and now possibly our military equipment being made by other countries, the U.S. finds itself in a catch-22. Should we continue to farm out operations to our allies or will that be setting ourselves up for trouble later on? Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will be Brian’s guest this week for Focus on the Foothills, as they’ll be discussing some current bills before Congress and also what can be done about outsourcing. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Thieves Hit Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out this week to a home in Wilkesboro, after thieves decided to go on a shopping spree. The incident happened at a rental property on Foster Mill Road. Somehow thieves broke in while the renter was away, stealing a flat computer screen and a 9mm rifle. It’s unclear exactly how the thieves managed to get inside, as there was no damage done to the residence. Deputies however were able to track down the missing merchandise and arrest the man who had taken them. 18-yr-old Jesse Contner was arrested and charged with breaking & entering.

3WC Healthwatch: The Road To Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be a problem for anyone from nine to ninety two. But it turns out one simple activity might dramatically reduce high blood pressure in senior citizens. In today’s 3WC Healthwatch, a report was recently released from the Oregon Research Institute that found the road to good health may be laced with stones. Researchers did a study of 108 volunteers over a 16 week period and found that after just 30 minutes of walking each day on cobblestones, the group’s blood pressure dropped significantly. Moreso than the control group, which had been walking on regular pavement. The reason for the difference? The group doesn’t have a clear answer, but believes the smooth and uneven surface of the stones help stimulate nerve points in the body that don’t get used as often otherwise. With these nerves running at full steam, it takes pressure off other areas and allows the body to relax. More tests are being conducted but the group suggests that if you want to lower your blood pressure, make a walkway of your own. Find some smooth but uneven stones, possibly in your creek bed, put them into the ground as a walkway and go over them for about 30 minutes each day. Within a few weeks your blood pressure could take a nose dive back into the normal range.

Check Road Conditions Before Leaving
With snow and ice in the forecast, it’s important to know what road conditions are like across the county. For people in Wilkes that can be accessed now on the internet by visiting the state DOT webpage at www.ncdot.org/traffictravel. Once there you can click on the real time travel information option and it will let you know what roads are like and how long a delay you can expect on your drive into work.

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

State News

Counterfeit Money Found In Lincoln County
Officials in Lincoln County are working with the Secret Service to determine how hundreds of dollars in counterfeit money has started flooding into the area. The latest incident happened recently at a small town market in Lincoln County, where forgers passed off a fake $20 bill for their purchases. Across the western part of the state, thousands of dollars in counterfeit cash has popped up. Officials say they believe the money is being brought over from Tennessee but still don’t know how it’s being distributed.

FBI Asking For Help In Robbery Investigation
The FBI is asking for help in tracking down a bank robber today. A man walked into the Bank of the Carolinas in Harrisburg Monday morning and left with a sack full of cash. The suspect was wearing a mask, but has been described as a 6’1 ft. black male, between 180 and 200 lbs. In addition he was wearing a light grey sweater, dark dress shirt and yellow tie. Anyone with information is being asked to call the FBI at 1-704-331-4555.

Major League Baseball Still A Possibility
Good news for fans of major league baseball in North Carolina, as Charlotte has a chance to bring a team in. Mecklenberg County Commissioners included the discussion in their meeting on Tuesday, voting and approving a new proposal on one condition. Supporters of the proposal now have until April 1st to prove the Florida Marlins are in fact interested in moving to Charlotte and learn what it would take to get them here. Most experts believe that Charlotte is 10-15 years away from being able to support a major league team but if the deal goes through, the Marlins could be suiting up in Charlotte as early as 2010. If the project fails however, there is a backup plan. The minor league Charlotte Knights would move into the new stadium, to be built in Center City, with the possibility left open for major league expansion later on.

Officials Looking For Animal Arsonist
A fire that tore through a petting zoo in Rowan County this week was probably set on purpose. That comes from fire marshals and sheriff’s deputies, who are investigating the case. On Sunday night, a fire ignited at Dan Nicholas Park, killing over 40 animals at the petting zoo there. After shifting through the damaged park, officials have put together enough evidence to open an investigation.

Restaurant Sold For A Dollar
A Hickory restaurant that has become more famous for what it doesn’t have was sold this week for $1. Buffalo’s Southwest Café is known throughout the state for it’s lack of a parking lot, thanks to several giant sinkholes which have swallowed cars and other items. The property, located on Hwy 70 in Hickory, will have some major repair work done thanks to the new owners, Steve Mason Enterprises, cleaning up both the sinkholes and the busted drainage pipes that originally caused the problem.

Film To Premiere At Lowes Speedway
Fans of a different sort will be filling up Lowes Motor Speedway in May, as Pixar announced plans this week to debut its’ latest film there. The animated film “Cars” will have its’ world premiere at the speedway, a place owned by one of the actors in the film. Track owner Humpy Wheeler plays Tex in the movie, one of the national racing circuit sponsors. The film will open up at Lowes on May 26th and then make its’ national debut less than a month later on June 9th.

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 later today at the Austin Community Center for boys and girls ages 5-15. The signups last from 6:30 til 8:30pm and are one of two signup periods going on this month. You can also sign your child up this Saturday, March 25th from 12 noon til 3pm.

Awards Keep Coming For Carolina
The good news keeps coming for Tarheel basketball fans, as Roy Williams was named Coach of the Year this week. Williams took a UNC team of mainly freshmen and built them into the 2nd-ranked team in the ACC, finishing with a 23-8 record. Meanwhile one of Williams’ star pupils this year, freshman Tyler Hansbrough, was named Freshman of the Year by the Basketball Writer’s Association. Hansbrough put up 18 points and 7 rebounds a game during his first year at Carolina.

Redick In Running For Award
With Duke getting set to take on LSU in the Sweet 16, one member of the team learned he’s in the running for another type of trophy. J.J. Redick was picked this week as one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy, given out each year to the best player in all of college basketball. Allan Ray of Villanova, Rudy Gay of Connecticut and Adam Morrison of Gonzaga were the other three finalists. A winner will be announced on April 2nd.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Cleveland
In the senior circuit of the NBA last night, it went into overtime but the Charlotte Bobcats fell just short as they lost to Cleveland 120-118. Charlotte was led by Raymond Felton, who had 30 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds. The team drops to 19-50 with a game coming up on Friday against Miami.

NHL: Carolina vs. Buffalo
On the ice last night, it was the Carolina Hurricanes beating Buffalo 4-3. The win snapped a two game losing streak for Carolina, as the team improves to 46-17.

Panthers Sign McCadam To Contract
The Carolina Panthers added another piece to the puzzle this week, signing free agent safety Kevin McCadam. What may make the signing sweeter for Panther fans is that McCadam comes to Carolina from the rival Atlanta Falcons, for whom he played 54 games during his four year career. He’ll compete for a starting job with newly signed Shaun Williams and possibly take the place of Dante Wesley on special teams.

News & Sports For March 22nd

Unemployment Rate On The Rise
Bad news for Wilkes County workers, as the unemployment rate is back on the rise. At the beginning of February, unemployment here in the county rose 0.1% to finish at 5.1%. While that number alone may not seem concerning, consider this. At the beginning of January, 1587 people were unemployed in Wilkes. By February, that number had climbed to 1651, meaning that 64 more people lost their jobs in January alone. Wilkes County also is above the statewide average for unemployment, which currently stands at 4.8%.

Gas Thieves Hit Local Business
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Dockery’s Grocery & Snack Bar this week, after gas thieves paid a visit. A man drove up, pumped $30 worth of gas and then took off down the road without paying. Employees inside the store were able to get a description of both the man and his vehicle, which were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Wilkesboro Woman Named To State Board
Gov. Mike Easley announced this week that he was re-appointing Wilkesboro resident Shelia Nichols to the State Board of Sanitation Examiners. Nichols works as an environmental health specialist at the State Department of the Environment, also serving as part of the Children’s Environmental Health Branch. The State Board of Sanitation Examiners has nine members, all of which are appointed by Governor Easley.

Thieves Run Off With Newspaper Rack
Thieves hit another local business in Wilkes this week, deciding they apparently didn’t want to pay for the paper. A newspaper rack was stolen from the Dollar General Store on Boone Trail, as thieves broke the lock and took off with it. It’s unknown exactly how much money was inside the rack, however an estimated $20 worth of damage was done in the theft. That investigation is ongoing.

Focus On Foxx
With the recent controversy over port operations and now possibly our military equipment being made by other countries, the U.S. finds itself in a catch-22. Should we continue to farm out operations to our allies or will that be setting ourselves up for trouble later on? Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will be on hand to discuss the subject this week for Focus on the Foothills. She'll also be talking about some current bills before Congress and what can be done about outsourcing. That’s coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Car Damaged On Jessie Reins Road
A Wilkesboro woman came outside on Monday to a surprise, as someone had damaged her car. The incident happened sometime during the night, as the vandals keyed the passenger side, scratched the hood and overall caused an estimated $1000 in damage. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Wood Smoke Can Be Health Hazard
If you were to hear that smoke could cause lung cancer, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise would it? But we’re not talking about cigarette smoke here, rather a different kind of cloud as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A recent report in the medical journal Chest identified wood smoke as possibly a major trigger for the disease. Researchers studied 62 cancer patients, most of them non smokers who hadn’t been exposed to any major tobacco products for extended periods of time. Instead, one third of them had used wood stoves all their lives. But the smoke itself wasn’t the problem. Most of those who took part in the study didn’t routinely check to make sure vents and windows in their homes pushed the smoke outside. So instead the smoke just hung inside the house, leading to asthma, bronchitis and the doctors believe, lung cancer. While the evidence wasn’t strong enough to officially link the two, doctors said it might be a good idea to make sure your chimney vent is working before you toss another log on the fire.

Samaritan’s Christian Ministry Update
Samaritan’s Christian Ministry has been expanding their operations in the last few months, to the point where they now deliver meals to over 450 different families across Wilkes County. That’s just over 1600 meals that need to be prepared, loaded up and delivered each week. With that progress comes a greater need for volunteers, as the organization finds itself falling short in most categories. The man need is for drivers to transport the meals on Saturdays, however cooks, assembly line workers, greeters and other volunteers are needed as well. If you’re interested in volunteering or just want some more information, you can drop by the Kitchen anytime from 8am til 2pm during the week. They’re located just down the road on Woodland Blvd from the Wilkesboro Post Office. You can also give them a call at 838-5331.

Recall Ordered Of Children’s Toy
A recall has been issued for a children’s toy today. The Brio Corporation is removing all of its’ Pull-Along Snails from store shelves and asking those who have already bought one to bring it back for a refund. The problem comes from an accessory sold with the toy, a rattle which contains a bell inside. That rattle has been found to come apart and small children have tried to swallow the bell. All of the recalled toys have a BRIO logo printed on the back end of the snail, which is painted red with yellow wheels. An estimated 2100 of the toys were sold from September of last year to January of 2006. You can call the company’s information line with any questions at 1-888-274-6869.

State News

NC Lottery Is Legal
North Carolina’s lottery is legal. That was the ruling handed down on Tuesday by a judge in North Carolina Superior Court. Judge Henry Hight tossed out a lawsuit challenging how the lottery was created, saying there was no evidence to support claims the lottery was a tax. Judge Hight said that no one is forced to buy a lottery ticket and so the creation of a lottery does not impose a tax. North Carolina’s first education lottery will begin March 30th.

Investigation Into Black Continues
Testimony continued on Tuesday as the State Board of Elections investigates House Speaker Jim Black’s campaign contributions. The board is checking into reports that people associated with video poker made several anonymous contributions to the Black campaign, often going through a third party or using cashier checks so the money wouldn’t be traced back to them. According to Democracy North Carolina, since 2001 Black has taken more money from the video poker industry than anyone in the state. Black refused comment however his lawyer said that they were not aware of any illegal contributions being made.

Bush Administration Pays Visit To NC
Part of the Bush administration paid a visit to North Carolina on Tuesday. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and Secretary of Health & Human Services Mike Leavitt were both on hand in Raleigh, speaking at a summit on the pandemic flu. State Health Director Dr. Leah Devlin was on hand, as were representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. It’s currently estimated that should a pandemic flu hit North Carolina, 5600 people would be killed and 25,000 hospitalized. In addition, 1.1 million people would likely have to make some sort of outpatient visit to their personal doctor with symptoms of the virus. The summit was geared to help people get more information and coordinate measures to protect against the virus.

More Jobs Coming To NC
Good news for people in Henderson, as more jobs are coming to the area. Elkamet, a German owned company, announced plans this week to build a plant in Henderson County, its’ first in the United States. The company, which makes plastic parts, would create 50 new jobs in the area, while investing $4.85 million dollars. The move comes thanks to a $125,000 grant from Gov. Easley’s One North Carolina Fund.

13th Amendment Up For Sale
The nation’s 13th Amendment is going up for sale in Alamance County. One of the 13 original versions of the amendment is being put up by a local dealer in an online auction March 30th. However before the amendment is turned over to its’ new owner, people will have a chance to read it at the Times-News building this week in Burlington, where it’s on display. The 13th Amendment, signed into law by President Abe Lincoln, abolished slavery across the United States. It’s expected to fetch a price of anywhere from $750,000 to $1 million.

Sports Headlines

Carolina Baseball In Top 25
While basketball season may be over for the UNC Tarheels, their baseball team is ready to roll. The UNC team is ranked 3rd in the latest Top 25 poll with a record of 17-3. NC State also made the list, coming in 20th with a record of 21-5. Mississippi State’s baseball team is sitting in first place with a perfect record of 15-0.

Charlotte Knight On The Way Out
One rung up the ladder in the minor leagues, a member of the Charlotte Knights swapped hats on Tuesday. Outfielder Joe Borchard was traded to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Matt Thornton. The White Sox traded the 27-yr-old Borchard despite him being the Knights career leader in home runs and RBIs. While at AAA, Borchard hit 78 homeruns and drove in 227 RBIs the past four years, splitting time between Charlotte and Chicago. However that power didn’t translate to success on the big league level, as he only hit .191 with 12 home runs with the White Sox. The 29-yr-old Thornton, who will take Borchard’s place on the major league roster, was 0-4 last year with a 5.21 ERA for Seattle.

NBA: Charlotte vs. Orlando
Taking a look around the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats got their 19th win of the season last night, beating Orlando 108-102. Gerald Wallace led the way with 27 points, while Raymond Felton added 16 points and 13 assists. With the win, Charlotte improves to 19-49 with a game coming up tonight against Cleveland.

NHL: Carolina vs. Toronto
On the ice last night, a rough patch for the Carolina Hurricanes as they lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. With just over four minutes left in the game, Carolina gave up the winning goal, dropping to 45-17 on the season. They’ll go on the road tonight against Buffalo, looking to end a two game losing streak.

NASCAR Set To Unveil Car Of Future
NASCAR fans will get their first look at the future of the sport next week, when the organization begins testing its’ “Car of Tomorrow”. Testing will be held at Bristol Speedway on March 27th, using one car from Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress and Roush Racing, in addition to NASCAR’s own version. The new model will be 2 inches taller and 4 inches wider than the current cars and be designed with safety in mind. NASCAR plans to start using the cars in 2007 on road courses and short tracks, before fully switching over in 2009.

News & Sports For March 21st

**Wilkes County Schools On Regular Schedule**

Winter Weather Returns To Wilkes
On the first day of spring, it seemed more like winter across Wilkes County as snow fell in the area. In portions of Boomer and Millers Creek, reports came in of a half inch falling before the mix turned to sleet. And things may not be over, according to the National Weather Service. With a storm system hanging around the area, an additional half inch of sleet or snow could fall tonight. However if you’re looking forward to warm weather, it could be awhile. Forecasters are predicting that it’ll at least a week before the temperatures return to the 60s and 70s.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A routine traffic stop on Hwy 268 West led to a drug bust for sheriff’s deputies. After pulling over the car, deputies found that both people inside had warrants out for their arrest. After the men were put under arrest, deputies searched the car and found gas cans and power tools. Also found inside was less than a gram of cocaine and a crack pipe. The suspects then admitted to breaking into several trucks at Martins’ Roofing. Included in the thefts were several drills, a few saws, a nail gun and four gas cans filled with $60 worth of gas. 29-yr-old Darrell Ray Elledge and 26-yr-old Christopher Brandon Johnson were both arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Blood Drive Later Today
With the winter weather returning to Wilkes County, it’s more important than ever to have enough blood on hand. The Wilkes Red Cross is looking to keep our supply out of critical levels, by holding a drive today at Traphill Elementary. The drive will last from 2:30-7pm and is open to everyone. To set up an appointment, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Wilkes County
Mailbox vandals hit another residence in Wilkes this week, targeting a home on Country Club Road. A woman came outside after hearing a loud noise, to find a dark colored mustang at the end of the driveway. The car took off, as she noticed that her mailbox had been damaged and left on the ground. A description on the car was given to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Lawn Mower Taken From Clingman Home
Thieves drove off with a Clingman woman’s lawn mower earlier this week. The incident happened just off of Old Hwy 60, as the homeowner called sheriff’s deputies. She had noticed the lawn mower was missing and after asking about it, her daughter’s boyfriend admitted he had taken the mower and sold it for cash. Deputies were able to track down the buyer, who gave back the machine. 29-yr-old Charles Anthony Boswell was arrested and charged with larceny.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need during the winter season. 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.

Thieves Target North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home on Brown Ridge Road this week, after thieves paid a visit. The homeowner’s garage had been broken into, with thieves running off with almost $2000 worth of material. Taken from inside were several saws, a few drills and some welding equipment. Deputies are checking into a possible connection with some similar break-ins in the area as the investigation continues.

Recall Ordered Of Chevy Trucks
More trucks have been put on the recall line this week, as GM discovered a problem in several Silverado and Sierra vehicles. All 1999 and 2000 models of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have been recalled, after what GM calls an exhaustive investigation. The galvanized steel support cables that hold the tailgates in place can actually fracture over time due to moisture seeping through the cracks. 84 people have been injured so far across the world and truck owners can return the vehicle to their dealer for a free repair.

TV Stolen From Local Residence
A homeowner on Hwy 21 woke up earlier this week after hearing his dog barking. He looked out and saw a man running from the residence, carrying his tv. It’s unknown how the man got inside, however a description of the person and his getaway vehicle were both turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

Hearing Begins In Lottery Case
The new state lottery is little more than a tax. That’s what lawyers for the opposition said in North Carolina Superior Court on Monday. They were in court trying to get the lottery overturned and sent back to lawmakers for a second vote on the issue, saying that it was a tax and should be treated like one. No evidence was presented as to why it was a tax and supporters of the lottery brought that up, saying that no one is forced to buy a ticket. Judge Hight is expected to rule on the matter later this week. If nothing is changed, lottery tickets will go on sale March 30th.

State Officials Want Guns Replaced
Hundreds of guns used by correction officers across the state need to be replaced, according to North Carolina prison officials. The state has called on Smith & Wesson to replace several hundred weapons due to a problem with the pistols. During testing, the barrels broke off some of the weapons when they were fired and one in every four guns failed to fire when the trigger was pulled. It could end up costing the state over $1.5 million to replace all of the weapons, in addition to the cost of new ammunition & retraining expenses.

Jobs Coming To Rocky Mount
Good news for people who live in Rocky Mount, as some much needed jobs are headed to the area. RW &Able Inc., a manufacturing company that creates plastic parts and seats for car interiors, will be moving to the area from California, bringing along 50 new jobs in the process. Gov. Mike Easley announced the move on Monday, which was made possible by a $25,000 grant from the One North Carolina fund.

Sports Headlines

Hansbrough Staying
UNC Tarheel fans can breathe a sigh of relief as they look to next season. Freshman Tyler Hansbrough expects to stay with the team. Coach Roy Williams said that he’ll look into the freshman’s NBA prospects, but expects to have everyone back. In his first year at Carolina, Hansbrough became the first freshman in school history to lead the team in both points and rebounding. He also was the first freshman in the history of the ACC to put up 40 points in a game.

Hodge Recalled From D-League
One former member of the Wolfpack is getting a shot at the NBA as Julius Hodge was called up from the Developmental League this week. Hodge, who was drafted with the 20th pick by the Denver Nuggets, had been playing for the Austin Toros of the D-League, averaging 17 points and 5 rebounds. The Nuggets called up Hodge after losing guard Earl Boykins to a hand injury which will have him out of the lineup for at least four weeks.

NASCAR Results
Around the Nascar scene, Kasey Kahne took the checkered flag at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Golden Corral 500. Mark Martin finished 2nd, Dale Earnhart Jr. came in third, Jeff Gordon was 4th and Tony Stewart rounded out the top five. The win moves Kahne up to second place in the points race, 55 behind current points leader Jimmie Johnson. Matt Kenseth is third in the points race, 78 behind Johnson. Rounding out the top five is Mark Martin in fourth place, 90 points behind and Casey Mears in 5th, 136 behind the leader.

Former Tarheel Getting Chance To Crack Royals Roster
With spring training in full swing, major league teams are trying to set their rosters for the upcoming season. An open spot in the Kansas City bullpen could be good news for a former UNC Tarheel, as Kyle Snyder is expected to make the squad. Drafted back in 1999 by the Royals, Snyder’s major league career was delayed due to two shoulder and elbow surgeries. However so far this spring he’s showing why the Royals drafted him, giving up only two runs in 6 2/3 innings and throwing a shutout against Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.

News & Sports For March 20th

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

Chase Ends Near Dehart Church Road
A case of theft ended in a high speed chase by sheriff’s deputies last week. On Thursday morning deputies were called out to the Fast Track in Millers Creek, after a man ran off with two cartons of cigarettes. The suspect was quickly tracked down but refused to give up, engaging deputies in a high speed pursuit all the way from Hwy 18 North to the Dehart Church Road, where he finally pulled off. The suspect then jumped out of the car and took off running, abandoning his passenger in the vehicle. The woman inside gave deputies the driver’s name and a picture of him, which security camera footage proved was the same man who stole the cigarettes. In addition, the suspect has been linked to another case of theft at the Run-In across from Tyson. Warrants have been taken out for 27-yr-old William Thomas Church for larceny and eluding arrest.

Vandals Target Damaged Car
A Mooresville man has some car trouble last week and had to leave his vehicle on the side of the Tumbling Shoals Road. However when he came back the next morning, it was clear someone else had paid the vehicle a visit. All the windows had been smashed and there was an estimated $4000 worth of body damage. In addition, a tool set that had been inside was stolen. Information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Cheaper Way To File Taxes
We’re less than a month away from April 15th and many people haven’t found time yet to file their taxes. But if you fit in that category don’t panic, because there is some help on the way. 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.

Good News For Absentee Voters
Some changes are in the works that will make it easier for military and other overseas voters to cast a ballot. The Justice Department has come up with a new plan affecting all military personnel from here in Wilkes and across the state, in response to a lawsuit recently filed. The suit alleged that counties here in North Carolina violated the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in regards to primary elections. Due to the quick turnaround from a primary election to any runoff, overseas voters can find themselves on the outside looking in as it takes longer than the four week period to send out ballots and then have them returned. Now as per the new agreement, military troops will get two ballots for the primaries. One is the primary absentee ballot and the other is a blank write in ballot for the runoffs, if necessary. Information will then be faxed or emailed to the troops, informing them of which candidates are in the runoff and they can fill in that blank ballot, making the process quicker all around. Before the plan can become official, it must be approved by the US District Court in Raleigh, which is expected to make a ruling this week.

Thieves Run Off With Farm Equipment
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence after thieves ran off with some farm equipment. The incident happened last week at a residence off of Old Hwy 60. A Turning plow and a finishing hare were taken in the theft, with tire tracks leading up to the old barn where they were stored. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation is ongoing.

Recall Of Volvo Trucks
Bad news today for some truck owners here in Wilkes. Volvo Trucks has issued a recall of 42,000 VN and VHD trucks that were produced between 2002 and 2006. The problem is in the vehicle’s D12D engine. Some of the models have faulty equipment that will cause the pipes running from their exhaust gas recirculation valve to crack. If that happens, the air cleaner unit and inner fender could catch fire. Two reports of such an incident have already occurred and Volvo is asking people to bring the trucks back to the dealer for a free repair. The company plans to install a protective heat shield to prevent any fires from igniting and also replace any defective parts.

State News

Chinese Company Violates Agreement
Some controversy is brewing in Raleigh over promises made by a Chinese computer company. Lenovo bought out IBM’s PC business last year and accepted $14 million in state and local incentives, promising to bring in new jobs. However over the weekend, company officials made an announcement that jobs are actually going away. An estimated 300 jobs will be eliminated from the company’s Research Triangle Park facility, part of a worldwide restructuring that will see 1000 people put on the unemployment line. However the decision violates the company’s agreement with North Carolina, which stated that no jobs could be lost for the full 11 years of the incentive package. State officials said that new jobs would have to be created by the end of the year, if Lenovo wants to keep the incentive program going.

Black Campaign Committed Violations
Some bad news today for House Speaker Jim Black, as the State Board of Elections found some violations in the way his campaign conducted business. The Black campaign violated contribution limits, according to the State Board, giving more than the legal limit of $4000 to five separate candidates in the 2004 elections. Attorneys for Black said that the information is in fact accurate and is calling for the candidates to refund the money. Names of the candidates were not released.

Greensboro Considering Ban On Selling Cars
It could soon be illegal in Greensboro to put a for sale sign on your car and stick it out near the road. The news comes as the Greensboro City Council is set to take up the issue tomorrow night, in the form of a law banning all car sales on sidewalks, roads or street corners. A decision on the ban will be handed down tomorrow night.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the NCAA tournament, some teams saw their season come to a close this weekend. It was NC State losing to Texas 75-54 in a game that saw the Wolfpack shoot just 13% from beyond the three point line. Cameron Bennerman led State with 16 points, as the Wolfpack end their year at 22-10. Also going out were the UNC Tarheels, who were upset by George Mason 65-60. After leading the entire first half, the Tarheels came out flat after halftime and never recovered. David Noel finished with 22 points, one of only two Tarheels to finish in double figures. Tyler Hansbrough was the other, scoring 10 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. The Tarheels finish out the year with a record of 23-8. And it was the Duke Blue Devils marching on to the Sweet 16, after beating George Washington 74-61. J.J. Redick had 20 points and Shelton Williams added 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Next up for Duke is a matchup this Thursday at 7:10pm against LSU.

NHL
On the ice this weekend, it was Boston over the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. Eric Staal and Kevin Adams both scored for the Hurricanes, who drop to 45-16.

NBA
Taking a look at the senior circuit of the NBA, it went down to the wire but the Charlotte Bobcats lost to Detroit Saturday night 108-103. Down two points with less than a minute to go, the Bobcats fouled Tayshawn Prince of the Pistons to stop the clock. However even though he wasn’t in the act of shooting, referees allowed Prince to drive to the basket and score before also awarding the foul. Primoz Breznec led Charlotte with 20 points, as the Bobcats drop to 18-49. They’ll take on Orlando tomorrow night.

NASCAR
Nascar fans will have to wait one more day for the results of this week’s race at Las Vegas. Rain showers caused the race to be postponed from yesterday and drivers will start their engines today at 11am.

Panthers Lose Another To Free Agency
The Carolina Panthers took another hit in free agency this week, as cornerback Dante Wesley left to join the Chicago Bears. Wesley had spent all four years of his NFL career with the Panthers, after the team drafted him in the fourth round back in 2002.

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.