News & Sports For November 28th

Captain’s Table Burns Down
Firefighters responded to a call over the weekend at the Captain’s Table, but weren’t able to save the business. Early Sunday morning the building caught fire and burned to the ground. It’s still unknown what caused the blaze, although authorities believe it might have something to do with an electrical short.

115 Overpass Closed Down
Drivers in the Broadway community may have to find new ways of getting around for the next two weeks. The DOT has closed down the NC 115 South/Statesville Road overpass in Broadway after an accident this weekend. A tractor-trailer that was hauling a forklift misjudged the height of the overpass and crashed into it. No one was injured, however damage done to the overpass itself will take at least two weeks to repair, according to DOT officials.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part 2: What's Covered?
Paying the cost of prescription drugs can at times be worse than the sickness they're supposed to cure. Under the new Medicare drug benefit, around 50% of your drug costs are expected to be absorbed by the government. So why, as Dr. Merrill Matthews explains, could you still be paying the full price for a drug prescribed by your doctor? You can tune in to the news today and hear part of Brian's interview with Dr. Matthews, as they discuss some of the loopholes in the new drug benefit. Also coming up tomorrow in Tuesday's segment of the series, Dr. Matthews will be talking about how the benefit will affect your existing healthcare coverage.

Marine Corps Collecting Toys
While out shopping for Christmas presents this week, the local detachment of the Marine Corps is asking you to set aside one of those gifts for a needy child. The Corps is collecting toys for kids at four locations here in Wilkes. You can drop off new and unwrapped toys at the Hardees on 421, the Lowes Foods on 421, the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery and Lowes Foods at Midtown Plazza. All of the toys will be given out to needy children here in Wilkes and must be dropped off by December 15th. For more information you can call the Marine Corps at 667-0204.

Several Local Stores Damaged
Vandals hit two stores in the Wilkes County area this week. Lackey’s Market in Boomer had its’ front door shattered, then the power was cut. However nothing was taken and nothing was damaged inside the store itself. Meanwhile Cheek’s Market on Hwy 268 East was also hit by vandals. The front door was busted but again, nothing was taken or damaged inside. Finally in Ferguson, vandals hit the Watson BP by once again shattering the front door. Also the cameras outside the store were damaged as well, however nothing was taken from inside. Deputies are continuing all three investigations.

Communities In Schools Opens Its' Doors
Throughout the year on 3WCNews, you've heard us talk about Communities in Schools and discuss the programs with some of their workers. Now you have an opportunity to see for yourself. Coming up this Friday, Communities in Schools will be holding an Open House from 5-8pm, giving the people of Wilkes a chance to see inside the organization and learn more about the different programs from the inside. There will also be giveaways of school supplies, games, children's books and several other items. Once again that's this Friday December 2nd from 5-8pm at the Communities in Schools office. They're located just off School Street on College Avenue. The number to call is 651-7830 if you want more information.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as the holidays approach. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is 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 eithr 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.

False Teeth Stolen From Local Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to investigate a strange kind of theft on the Cotton Mill Road last week. Thieves broke into a local woman's home, stealing a bag of reciepts and her false teeth. They broke in by drilling a hole in the lock and opening up the utility room connected to the main house. Nothing else was taken in the theft and that investigation continues.

Thieves On River Street Do Some Early Christmas Shopping
Sheriff's deputies were called out to an apartment on River Street last week, after thieves broke into an apartment in the area. Included in the theft was a DVD player, a surround sound stereo system, a cell phone and some tools. There is a suspect in the case, as a friend had been staying with the man over the last week. When the homeowner returned, both the friend and his items were missing. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Regional News

Portions Of I-40 Closed
For anyone heading towards Winston today, portions of I-40 will be shut down. The DOT is closing down lanes on I-40 East and West at mile marker 188, near the Hanes Mall Boulevard. Only one lane of the road will be open starting at 7pm tonight and stretching on until 6am Tuesday morning. The reason for the shutdown is so that DOT can work on putting in a concrete barrier near the highway, as the beginnings of a widening project for the Hanes Mall Boulevard bridge currently over I-40.

State News

Shelby Police Searching For Murder Suspect
Officials in Shelby are searching today for a suspect after a murder over the Thanksgiving holiday. Police found John Alvin Haynes dying of a gun wound at his home on Buffalo Street. He later died at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Warrants have been issued for Renaldo Nehemiah Smith of Shelby, who is believed to be the killer.

Crazy Passenger Causes Flight To Land In Charlotte
A United Airlines flight was diverted to Charlotte International on Friday after the actions of one passenger. There were 117 people on board the flight, which was heading to Washington DC from Florida. Mark McGovern, officials say, stood up, lit a cigarette, then got into an argument with a flight attendant and urinated in the aisle. Federal authorities took McGovern into custody as soon as the plane touched down and after 20 minutes they were up in the air once again.

Incentives Not Coming To Western NC
Western North Carolina is missing out on most of the state’s incentives money, according to a report from the Asheville Citizen Times. The report took data from both the One North Carolina Fund and Job Development Grants. It found that 93% of the money given over the past three years by the fund went to the central and eastern parts of the state. That money was used to create 17,000 jobs in those areas, as opposed to 1500 created so far in the western counties.

Some Stores May Find Supplies Slipping
Some bad news if you’re going to be out and about this week shopping for Christmas presents. You may be waiting a little longer for your gifts. Diesel prices are still 40 cents higher than last year and to save on costs, trucking companies won’t let their drivers leave until they have a full shipment. That could lead to delays once stores run out of their supplies.

18-Yr-Old Teacher Goes To College
An 18-yr-old is heading for medical school at Wake Forest next year. What makes this student different from the rest is the fact he’s already an algebra and chemistry teacher at Forsyth Technical Community College, despite his age. Kyle Nichols wants to become a doctor and is leaving his job at the community college to pursue it.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
It was a busy weekend around the high school scene, as East Wilkes beat North in varsity basketball 67-58. Brent Poplin had 18 points for the Cardinals, who won their first game of the year. On the girls side, it was North Wilkes beating East 70-64, behind Sarah Smith’s 18 points. Kasey Shew had 29 points to lead the scoring for East. Also the Wilkes Central varsity girls had two games over the Thanksgiving weekend and won both, beating the Lady Blackhawks of West 68-39, and also beating North Iredell 63-39. The Lady Eagles improve to 3-0 with the wins.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scoreboard, it was Coastal Carolina falling to Wisconsin 92-54, UNC Greensboro beating Hampton 75-72, UNC Wilmington beat Elon 59-51, it was Western Carolina over High Point 73-66, East Carolina taking care of Wofford 70-68. UNC Charlotte bounced back from its’ earlier loss to Mississippi State by taking care of business against Georgia State 73-68 while the NC State Wolfpack beat Notre Dame 61-48.

NCAA Football Scoreboard
Around the college football scene, it was East Carolina taking care of UAB 31-23. With the win, East Carolina finishes at 5-6, nearly double their win percentage of the past two years combined. NC State locked up bowl eligibility with a 20-14 win over Maryland while the UNC Tarheels saw their season end with a 30-3 loss against Virginia Tech. And Appalachian State moved on to the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs with a 34-23 win over Lafayette.

Bobcats Beat Wizards
In the NBA Saturday night, the Charlotte Bobcats beat yet another playoff team as they dismantled the Washington Wizards 100-82. Gerald Wallace exploded for 26 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Emeka Okafor added a double double with 10 points and 17 rebounds. Sean May was a late scratch from the lineup with a sore knee as the Bobcats improve to 5-9 on the year.

Panthers Take Care Of Bills
While the Carolina Panthers offense has sputtered of late, the defense was there to help carry the team to a win over Buffalo on Sunday. The Panthers won 13-9, after Chris Gamble intercepted a last minute pass from Bills’ QB JP Losman. Jak Delhomme finished with 191 passing yards and a touchdown, while Deshaun Foster took over the running game with 77 yards on the ground.

News & Sports For November 25th 2005

New Law Puts Parents At Fault For Tardy Kids
Parents in Wilkes County might face jail time if their kids are late to school, starting this December. Thanks to a new state law, which takes effect December 1st, the responsibility will be placed on the parent or guardian to make sure their child is in class. After six unexcused absences, parents will be notified by the school and a counselor will be sent out, to determine what the problem is and how to fix it. If the student continues to stay out and reaches 10 unexcused absences, then another phone call will be made both to the parents and also the local district attorney. Under current laws, parents would then face 30 days in jail but once the changes take effect, that term will increase to a full six months. Once again that will take effect December 1st.

Owner Of Don’s Char Grill Dies
The owner of a local business passed away on Wednesday. Don Jarvis, who founded Don’s Seafood died Wednesday afternoon. A celebration of life service for the 68-yr-old Jarvis will be held this Saturday at 1pm at the Goshen Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Reins Sturdivant tonight from 5-7pm.

Money Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home in North Wilkesboro this week, after thieves paid a visit. Despite the fact there was no damage done or sign of a break-in, $100 in cash and a dish network receiver were both taken. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part 1: What Is It?
According to the government's own information on Medicare, most people can expect to pay a premium next year of $88.50 a month for medical insurance. With so many people on a fixed income, that doesn't leave much to pay for prescription drugs that you may need. That's where, in theory, the new prescription drug plan would step in. Beginning January 1st, senior citizens can choose from one of over 30 different plans, depending on what fits their needs. In the first part of our weeklong series, Dr. Merrill Matthews from the Council For Affordable Health Insurance will be talking with Brian today about what exactly the drug benefit is. You can tune in to any of the newscasts (6am, 7am.8am, 12 noon and then 5pm) to hear that conversation.
Coming up Monday in part two of our series, Dr. Matthews will be explaining what types of drugs are covered by the plan and why you might still be paying out of your pocket for medicines prescribed by a doctor.

Wreck Damages Home On 421
A wreck on Hwy 421 Tuesday afternoon damaged a nearby house. A tow truck was pulling a wrecked car onto 421 from Congo Road when a safety strap broke and the car was turned loose. The vehicle rolled across two lanes of the highway and into a residence. Thankfully no one was injured but damage was done to both the car and the house.

Blood Drive Coming Up On Sunday
As people fly or drive home after Thanksgiving, it’s important to realize the blood supply in Wilkes has been drained. With that supply in critical levels, a blood drive is going on this Sunday at Roaring Gap Baptist Church. The drive will last from 1-5:30pm and is open to the public. No appointments are needed but remember before giving, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. For more information or to set up a time to give, you can call the Red Cross today at 838-4563.

Always Lock Up Before You Leave
It’s always a good idea to lock up before you leave. A Wilkesboro woman learned that the hard way recently, after coming home to find some money missing. Somehow the safe in her house had been left open and thieves walked right in, removing $1500 in cash before leaving. Nothing else was taken and no damage was done to the home. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Highways To Be Busy This Weekend
Over one million drivers are expected to be on the roads across North Carolina this weekend. Here in Wilkes and the surrounding areas, the Highway Patrol is going to be out in full force with extra troops looking for speeders and reckless drivers. If you’re planning to be on the roads this weekend, also expect random roadside checks for impaired drivers. 24 people were killed on the road last Thanksgiving weekend, the most since 2001.

State News

North Carolina Issuing Deadline To Katrina Victims
Here in North Carolina, 700 evacuees from the Gulf Coast hurricanes are once again looking for a home. Those 700 are still living in hotels, being paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However federal officials have given the evacuees a deadline of December 15th to move out of the hotels and into apartments or mobile homes, which will be paid for by FEMA. However all federal aid will stop March 1st of next year.

Hunters Declining In NC
There are more deer in the woods across North Carolina, thanks to a declining interest in hunting. According to state wildlife officials, the number of hunting licenses handed out have dropped significantly over the last four years, with 150000 fewer being sold this past year. The commission is trying to encourage more hunting, in order to keep the deer population under control.

Huge Counterfeit Organization Uncovered In Raleigh
An estimated $800,000 in counterfeit merchandise was seized from a Lexington warehouse this week. Over 22,000 illegal switchblade knives, along with imitation products from Disney, UNC, Ford and some other dangerous weapons were picked up in the raid. Also the operators of the warehouse were arrested, three of which were revealed to be illegal immigrants from China.

Habitat For Humanity Falls Victim To Embezzlement
An investigation is going on at the Greensboro Habitat for Humanity chapter. The ministry is missing over $200,000 which is believed to have been stolen by a former employee. The name of the worker has not yet been released as charges have not yet been filed. But all information has been handed over to the Guilford County DA’s office.

Largest Cocaine Seizure In Rockingham County History
Officials in Rockingham County conducted the largest cocaine and property seizure in their history this week. On Wednesday officials announced that an undercover investigation led to the arrest of two suspects on drug charges, while a third is still being hunted. Nearly $5.6 million in cocaine and two vehicles were also seized in the raid.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
With the high school basketball season in full swing, there’s a lot of action around the local courts tonight. East Wilkes heads on the road to take on the Vikings of North, while West Wilkes is at Wilkes Central.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at college basketball over the holiday, it was NC State beating VMI 75-55. Illian Evtimov led the Wolfpack with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals as State improves to 4-0. Meanwhile UNC Charlotte had the worst game in school history as they lost to Mississippi State 53-38. Curtis Withers had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the 1-3 49ers. Finally Duke stayed undefeated in the preseason NIT semi-finals as they beat Drexel 78-68. J.J. Redick had 31 points for the 4-0 Blue Devils.

Panthers Walking Wounded Into Sunday’s Game
The Carolina Panthers are walking wounded into Sunday’s game against Buffalo. Linebacker Dan Morgan may sit out with an ankle injury, while runningback Deshaun Foster is having problems with his knee. Also tight end Kris Mangum might have to miss his second straight game while recovering from a knee injury of his own. The Panthers take on the Bills this Sunday at 1pm.

Bobcats Take Out Knicks
The Charlotte Bobcats welcomed back Gerald Wallace and delivered another type of greeting to the New York Knicks with a 108-95 victory. Playing at home, the Bobcats got 24 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks from Wallace, returning from a fractured wrist, while also adding 19 points and 11 rebounds from Emeka Okafor. Around the rest of the NBA, two former ACC players went at it as the New Orleans Hornets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 84-80. New Orleans got 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists from Chris Paul while on the other side, Rashad McCants had 5 points and one rebound in limited action for Minnesota.

News & Sports For Thanksgiving 2005

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A routine traffic stop on Hwy 115 Tuesday night led to a drug bust for sheriff's deputies. A van was swerving back and forth across the center line when deputies pulled it over and called for the K-9 unit. The driver refused to let deputies search inside, however when the K-9 arrived the dog indicated that there were drugs inside the car. Just over 7 grams of marijuana, 1.5 grams of cocaine, electronic scales, rolling papers and cash was all found inside. The driver, 45-yr-old Rebecca Shumate Roope was arrested and charged with drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaing a vehicle for the sale of drugs.

Focus On Giving
As we get ready to celebrate this season of giving, there are some people who need our help. Thanksgiving is about more than just turkey and the trimmings, but also showing thanks for our blessings by reaching out. As you may have heard here on 3WC, a benefit is being put together for Clyde Shew, to help in paying his medical bills. On Focus on the Foothills today, I'll be talking with several different pastors from the area about the benefit, how their churches got involved and why, as we give thanks, this is an important mission for the body of Christ. That's coming up today at 1:05pm.

Three People Arrested After Tire Theft
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro home this week after thieves ran off with some tires. The homeowner had the tires laying on the property and neighbors watched as three people drove up, knocked on the door and then walked out with them. Names and descriptions of the suspects were turned over to sheriff's deputies, who later found the stolen items at the suspects' house. Rusty Cleary, Boyd Cleary and Paula Bailey were all arrested and charged with the theft.

Unraveling The Medicare Puzzle
According to the government's own information on Medicare, most people can expect to pay a premium next year of $88.50 a month for medical insurance. With so many people on a fixed income, that doesn't leave much to pay for prescription drugs that you may need. That's where, in theory, the new prescription drug plan would step in. Beginning January 1st, senior citizens can choose from one of over 30 different plans, depending on what fits their needs. But how can you choose a plan? And is it a good idea to get involved at all? Beginning tomorrow on 3WC News, I'll be starting a weeklong series breaking down the new medicare drug benefit. Dr. Merril Matthews from the Council For Affordable Health Insurance will be explaining the ups and downs of the program and how to protect yourself from being caught in a potential trap. The good and bad, we're bringing it all to you starting tomorrow at 6am

Recall Of Stuffing
You might want to be careful before adding stuffing to your Thanksgiving meal tomorrow or at least check the label first. A recall has been issued of all boxes of Martin's Potatobred Soft Cubed Stuffing. The reason for the recall is because some packages may have wheat and dairy products accidentally mixed in and anyone with an allergy for either wheat or dairy could have a serious reaction. The packages with the problem have the sell by dates of February 2nd 2006, February 15th 2006, March 1st 2006, March 8th 2006 and March 15 2006. Anyone whose box of Martin's stuffing has a sell by date of January 2006 or earlier, it's safe to eat. However if you did purchase one of the recalled products, you can call the company to see if you qualify for a refund at 1-800-548-1200.

3WC Healthwatch:
During Thanksgiving, health concerns get tossed out the window when grandma's apple pie gets brought in. However there are some ways you can enjoy the food and also take care of your health at the same time. When eating turkey, pass on the skin and the dark meat. Instead load up on the white meat of the bird. The reason being that the skin and dark meat have most of the calories and fat. Also you can make your gravy fat free by refrigerating it and the skimming the fat off the top before serving it. Finally you can cut out on calories in the mashed potatoes by using skim milk and then season it using butter buds or a few drops of garlic powder. Most importantly have a great time and enjoy the day with family and friends.

State News

Man Tries To Hi-Jack School Bus
Police in Winston Salem are hunting down a suspect today after he attempted to hi-jack a school bus. Some students from South Davidson High School were on the way back home when they stopped to eat at the McDonalds near Hanes Mall. While inside, a man started arguing with some of the kids and later began threatening them while they were heading back to the bus. He walked toward the bus, pulling out a handgun that he had kept concealed, but the bus driver took off before he could do anything. Afterwards as the bus got onto I-40, they saw the man tailing them before police were called out and he disappeared. Officials are looking for a black man in a blue hooded sweatshirt and jeans. He was seen driving a blue Chevy Lumina. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800.

Teacher Arrested For Bringing Loaded Weapon To Class
A high school teacher in Pender County was arrested this week after bringing a gun onto school grounds. Barbara Rhoads, a math teacher at Pender High School, had a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver lying under the driver's seat in her car. While the vehicle was locked and the gun unloaded, school officials have suspended Rhoads after she was charged with felony possession of a weapon on school grounds. An anonymous tip was how police found out about the weapon.

Illegal Gambling Operation Broke Up In Rowan County
Officials in Rowan County have broke up an illegal gambling operation, but public safety was the first concern. A Texas Hold'em Tournament had been organized in the area, with willing players handing over a $500 entry fee to join. The problem is that the group put out flyers and other advertisements, which is how police were able to track them down. With no security on hand, officials said if they could track them down, it also made the gamblers easy prey for would be robbers.

Wachovia Doing Renovations For Tarheels
Tarheel fans will notice some changes in the next few months when walking into the Dean Smith Center. For the first time in school history, a sponsorship deal has been reached allowing ads in the facility. Wachovia will be installing a 6 by 8 ft. display on two of the center's video boards, along with other ads around campus. In exchange, the bank will pay for upgrades of the basketball facility, including repairs of the sound system, new seats in places, upgrading the concessions, lighting and work on the concourse. A timetable for all this to be finished wasn't announced.

Reward Being Offered In Homicide
A reward is being offered for information in a Kernersville murder. Gov. Mike Easley announced that the state would give $5000 to anyone with information leading to an arrest in the case, along with up to $2000 being offered by Crimestoppers. 48-yr-old Kimberly Allen Tuttle was found shot in his home on September 27th, the only murder to occur in the area this year. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800.

Sports Headlines

Appalachian Coach Wins Award
After a regular season that saw his Mountaineers take the Southern Conference title, Coach Jerry Moore was honored for his achievements this week. Moore was named Coach of the Year after votes were collected from other coaches and media members. He wasn't the only Mountaineer receiving awards however. QB Richie Williams was named the Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while offensive lineman Matt Isenhour won the blocking award, given out to the best lineman in the conference.

Edwards Back Down On The Depth Chart
With their season on the line this weekend, the UNC Tarheels are making some roster moves. Former starting tailback Barrington Edwards has been bumped down to fourth on the depth chart, behind walk-on Justin Warren and freshman James Arnold. Coach Bunting said that Warren and Arnold have earned the right to back up starter Ronnie McGill, thanks to their recent efforts in practice and in game situations. The Tarheels have to win against Virginia Tech on Saturday to have a shot at the postseason.

ACC Team Welcome In Nashville
One ACC football team will be heading to Tennessee for their bowl game. This week, the Music City Bowl announced that they were switching conferences, taking a team from the ACC instead of their usual SEC selection. A major reason for the move is due to the fact only six SEC teams are eligible for bowl games with eight spots reserved. A decision will be made in the next few weeks as to which ACC team gets the invite to the game, that will be played December 30th against a team from the Big Ten.

Charlotte In Running For Baseball
North Carolina could be getting a professional baseball franchise, if negotiations work out right. The owners of the Florida Marlins announced this week that they'll be terminating their league in Miami after the 2007 season and are actively hunting for a new place to call home. Owners made the decision after plans for a new baseball only stadium in Miami were shot down by local leaders. The three frontrunners to get the team are Charlotte, Las Vegas and Portland. Also Greensboro could be in the mix, as the city has just recently built a new minor league stadium that could easily be expanded for a major league team.

News & Sports For November 23rd 2005

Jobs Coming To Wilkes Thanks To New Restaurant
Some good news today for the Wilkes economy, as a new restaurant is bringing more jobs to the area. Fire Mountain will be opening this Friday, with 130 Wilkes residents already finding employment as a result. There are more positions open, as the business is still accepting applications for at least ten positions. Fire Mountain will open its' doors to the public this Friday at 10:45am.

Focus On Giving
As we get ready to celebrate this season of giving, there are some people who need our help. Thanksgiving is about more than just turkey and the trimmings, but also showing thanks for our blessings by reaching out. As you may have heard here on 3WC, a benefit is being put together for Clyde Shew, to help in paying his medical bills. Brian will be talking with several local pastors about the event for the Thanksgiving edition of Focus on the Foothills, coming up at 1:05pm tomorrow afternoon.

Food Stolen From Wilkesboro Lowes
An attempted case of theft at the Winkler Street Lowes Foods was prevented recently by a store manager. An assistant manager saw a young woman trying to hide packs of steak in her clothes. He followed her around and eventually caught her with the items, which she returned. However when he told the girl that he had to call police, she took off running out the door. A description of the girl along with the license plate of her vehicle were turned over to police.

Blood Drive Later Today
As we're less than a day away from Thanksgiving, most people will spend today on the road, trying to get home to family and friends. Unfortunately with those drivers usually come a lot of accidents. On a normal day, 1500 pints of blood are used across North Carolina in hospitals. That number increases during the holiday season, so it's important to have as much on hand as possible. A blood drive will be going on today at New River. It's by appointment only, so to schedule a time to give you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Local Churches Hold Thanksgiving Dinners
For anyone still trying to figure out what to do for Thanksgiving, several churches in the area want you to eat dinner with them. Cornerstone Church and House of Worship Church are both inviting the entire community to a free Thanksgiving meal. Cornerstone's dinner will start at 2pm, while the meal at House of Worship begins at 1pm.

Winter Booze It And Lose It Program Continues
Unfortunately holidays mean more opportunities for people to drink and drive. To help prevent any drunk driving accidents, the Highway Patrol will be out in force across Wilkes over the next few weeks, as part of the annual Winter Booze It & Lose It campaign. During the holiday season last year, 47 people in the state died due to alcohol related accidents. Checkpoints will be out in full force and troopers will be patroling over the next month to prevent any more fatalities.

Wreck On Hwy 421 Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after a wreck recently on Hwy 421. An Asheboro man was traveling down the highway when the vehicle in front of him suddenly swerved into another lane. He soon found out why, slamming into a Wilkesboro woman's car as she waited for the light to turn. She in turn hit the vehicle in front of her. Thankfully no one was injured in the crash however estimated damage was placed at just over $3000.

State News

Cold Weather Brings Wind And Power Loss
Wilkes County apparently only caught the tail end of wind and rain that poured through the area yesterday. In portions of the Triad including Chapel Hill and Durham, homes near the downtown area were without power for several hours. From 3 to 6am, over 4500 were in the dark as crews worked to repair downed power lines. Most of the issues had to do with falling trees and other weather related problems

Fake ID Ring Broken Up In Randleman
An operation that provided illegal aliens with fake IDs has been broken up in Randleman. The operation also helped illegals gain access to forged passports, marriage licenses and fake social security cards, for a price of $40 each. When officials raided the home in Randleman, they uncovered stacks of forged documents ranging in the hundreds. The two operators, Jose Romero-Daniel and Daniel Toxqi are both in jail today awaiting trial. Several hundred names are on the client lists of the two operators, both illegals themselves, an idea that concerns local officals.

Flu Shots Available In Lexington
For anyone wanting a flu shot, there are some available if you want to drive out of the county. A free clinic will be going on in Davidson County next Wednesday, November 30th. Anyone can come in, regardless of age and receive a free vaccine. The clinic will be held at the Lexington Health Department, from 8am til 5pm on the 30th and you must call ahead to schedule an appointment beforehand. To do that, you can call 336-236-3096.

Jobs Coming To Kinston
Good news for people living in the Kinston area. More jobs area coming in over the next three years. Dupoint announced plans this week to expand production at its' local plant, a move which will bring in 66 new jobs. The plant is responsible for making Sorona brand polymer, a cheaper alternative to other synthetic fibers. The move comes after a $200,000 grant from Gov. Easley's One North Carolina Fund.

Science Center Expansion To Become Reality
A major expansion will soon be a reality for the Hickory Science Center. Thanks in part to a $200,000 grant from the federal government, plans are going forward to add a 60-seat theater and digital planetarium to the center, along with a physical science exhibit, 6500 saltwater touch tank and a 5000 Lake Hickory tank. Center officials said the new plans will help to give children a unique educational experience. It's believed the new additions could be open to the public by 2009.

Panic At Buncombe County School Thanks To Internet
Internet rumors caused mass panic at one Buncombe County school this week. Almost half of the student population at Reynolds High School stayed out on Monday, after rumors spread about a possible Columbine style attack that had been planned. 572 kids didn't show up at all 160 left early, all thanks to a threat posted on an internet website. Police investigated the threat and said that it turned out to be nothing serious, however by then the damage was done. School officials spent a good portion of the afternoon calling parents and trying to convince them that there was nothing to the rumors and that the school was safe.

Asheville Break-In Leaves People Without Jobs
24 people are without jobs in Asheville today, after a break-in at a local restaurant. 26-yr-old Eric Eugene Hart was arrested and charged with felony breaking & entering along with larceny after coming in through the roof of the Backyard Burgers store on Patton Avenue. For some reason, Hart damaged or destroyed all of the air conditioning, electrical and neon lighting systems on the room, then shattered the drive through window. He didn't take any money, choosing instead to steal a gift card, a hat, a set of keys and a scarf. It's unknown why Hart committed the crime, as he had no connections to the restaurant or anyone inside that police know about. The restaurant will be shut down indefinitely while cleanup continues.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Scoreboard
On the high school basketball court last night, West Wilkes beat North 77-65 in a game that was at times a lot closer than the score showed. In the girls varsity game, it was North getting their first win of the season, beating the Lady Blackhawks 49-34. Finally in JV action, the West Wilkes girls beat North 47-44.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at college basketball scores from last night, it was Western Carolina beating Atlanta Christian 110-51, Gardner-Webb knocked off East Carolina 77-72, Miami of Florida beat NC A&T 87-62 and UNC Wilmington beat North Texas 70-52. On the ACC side of the ball, it was UNC Chapel Hill blowing out Cleveland State

Top 25 Poll Released
The new college basketball Top 25 poll was released this week and the national champions continue to be shut out of the spotlight. In fact, UNC Chapel Hill dropped to 38th place in the new poll. Duke maintained its' top ranking, with Texas right behind in second. Wake Forest was the only other North Carolina team in the Top 25, coming in at 24. NC State finished just out of the running, at 28th.

Panthers Receiver Still Leads NFL
The news wasn't all bad for Carolina after Sunday's loss to Chicago. The Panthers still have the top receiver in all of football, as Steve Smith increased his lead this week. Smith's 72 catches and 9 touchdowns both lead the league, as does his 1106 receiving yards. In addition, he has seven 100 yard receiving games so far this year, tying him with former Panther Muhsin Muhammad for the franchise record.

Ottawa at Carolina
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes went looking for their 15th win last night, playing host to the Ottawa Senators. Unfortunately it didn't exactly turn out as planned, with Carolina losing 5-3. The loss drops Carolina to 14-6 on the year, however they maintain their position atop the Southeastern Conference.

Durham Bull Heading For The Majors
Thirty years after he was first signed to the minor leagues, a member of the Durham Bulls is getting called up to the majors. Durham Bulls head coach Bill Evers will be the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006, joining first year coach Joe Madden's new staff. Evers is one of the top coaches in the minors, second all time with 1381 wins over 19 years of managing. Evers was hired to help work with some of the new Devil Rays, many of which played for him over the last few years at Durham.

News & Sports For November 22nd

Money Stolen From Koto's Restaurant
Thieves broke into Koto's restaurant over the weekend, taking off with several thousand dollars in cash. The owner of the business came in early Sunday morning to find his safe had gone missing. Included inside was just over $8000 in cash. Nothing was stolen from the office or the rest of the building and it's unclear how they gained access to the property. They did however leave behind a motorola walkie-talkie while escaping and apparently didn't notice the security cameras in the area. Footage of both thieves were turned over to Wilkesboro police and that investigation continues.

Local Man Arrested After Chase
Deputies manning a DWI checkpoint ran across a wanted man earlier this week. On Sunday, sheriff's deputies and Wilkesboro police were performing a DWI checkpoint on Hwy 421. A man came through and after running the license plate with the com center, deputies discovered he had warrants out for his arrest. Before they could arrest him however, the man drove off down the road, being followed by both sheriff's deputies and police. They tracked the suspect from Hwy 421, onto 268 West and then onto Browns Ford Road. After several more minutes, spike stripes were deployed when the chase got back onto Hwy 421 and the suspect was soon placed into custody. 47-yr-old Timothy James Frye was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving, driving to endanger, resisting a public officer and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Christmas In Wilkes Has Angel Trees Out
With the holidays coming up, it can be hard for parents to afford both the bills and also a gift under the tree. Several organizations here in Wilkes are stepping in to help solve that problem. One of them is Christmas in Wilkes. For more information about sponsoring a child with the program or the organization itself, you can call Christmas in Wilkes at 927-2969.

Watch Out When Driving In Rain
A wreck earlier this week on Hwy 421 totaled two vehicles. The incident happened Sunday afternoon, as a Wilkesboro woman slowed down due to heavy traffic on the highway. A Boomer man was driving behind her, but couldn't slow down in time to avoid a collision. Estimated damages were placed at $3100. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.

Salvation Army Offering Aid
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as the holidays approach. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is 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. 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.

Personal ID Stolen At YMCA
A North Wilkesboro man had information and cash stolen while he was at the local YMCA this past weekend. The man had left his personal belongings in the locker room and went to work out. When he returned about an hour later, all $330 in cash was taken from his wallet, along with his debit card. Information was given over to Wilkesboro police and that investigation continues.

Empire Chrysler Working To Cure Diabetes
November is National Diabetes Month and one local car dealership is doing its' part to help cure the disease. From now until the end of the year, Empire Chrysler is donating one dollar from ever vehicle sold to the Iacocca Foundation. Proceeds will go to help raise money for diabetes research. Each year in the U.S., over 200,000 people die from diabetes with others losing limbs and suffering blindness. The Iacocca Foundation has worked with scientists to potentially discover a cure for the disease. However now they need to raise money for clinical testing of the treatment, of which they're halfway to the goal. In lab studies with mice, the treatment completely cured all traces of the type 1 portion of the disease, but it's still unclear how it could affect humans. In addition to Empire Chrysler, if you want more information about the Foundation itself, you can log on to www.iacoccafoundation.org

Thieves Break Into Cars At Queen's Garage
Wilkesboro police were called out to Queen's Garage over the weekend, after thieves broke into some of the cars at the business. The owner of the garage, along with a customer, both had radio/CD players ripped out of their vehicles while they were gone. An estimated $320 in electronics was taken by the thieves. Information was turned over to Wilkesboro police and that investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Paw Paws Employee Killed Over Weekend On Hwy 16
An employee of Paw Paws' Restaurant was killed over the weekend in what police are now calling a homicide. 30-yr-old Timothy Dwayne Shatley was found by Ashe County EMS sitting dead in the driver's seat of his van. The case had originally been treated as an accident, as officials found the van smashed into a construction site. But a closer inspection revealed a bullet hole in the driver's side door. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

Unemployment Falls Across State In October
Some good news across the state as unemployment fell to 5.3% by the end of October. That's a drop of .2% from the end of September when it was 5.5% and marks the fourth straight month that jobs have been created. 1200 manufacturing jobs were added in October, along with 600 in professional services and 500 in entertainment and hospitality.

North Carolina Cities Safe For the Most Part
It's safe to life in North Carolina cities. That was the idea put out by Morgan Press over the weekend, as the annual Safest Cities in the Nation rankings were released. The town of Cary came in at number 10, while Raleigh also made the list at 151. On the other side of the coin, Durham was listed as the 77th most dangerous city in America, while Fayetteville was tagged as thr 105th worst. Several factors, including traffic accidents and murders were taken into account when putting together the list.

Caldwell County To Explore Methane Gas
Caldwell County is exploring a new way to generate electricity, by going through the landfill. Methane gas is produced in large quantities by most landfills here in the state and is used on a test basis by some to heat nearby greenhouses and help keep a glass blowing furnance running. In Caldwell, several test wells would be installed in the Lick Mountain landfill to determine if it would be a financially feasible project to begin mass production of methane into energy.

Soldiers Return From Deployment
3am on a Monday isn't a time you'd expect to see smiles and happy faces, but all those who turned out in Charlotte Monday morning were grinning from ear to ear. They were out to welcome back over 600 National Guard troops, who were deployed to the Gulf Coast to help with the recovery efforts and provide security. The first convoy got into Charlotte around 3am, while the second one finished unloading troops at 6pm. Troops from Boone, Fayetteville, Kinston and Goldsboro all made it home.

Charlotte-Douglas Proves To Be Cash Cow
Charlotte Douglas International has generated both jobs and money for the people of Mecklenburg over the past eight years. This according to a new study put out by UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. $6 billion dollars and 28000 jobs have been created thanks to the airport, which in turn pumped $5 billion into the local economy. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory called the airport "the region's most important economic development tool."

Spore Causing Problems In Onslow
Farmers on the eastern part of the state are facing some potential problems today. It appears that storms coming over from Asia have brought with them soybean rust spores, tiny little bacteria that can destroy a crop. Farmers near Jacksonville learned that the spore is now in their crop fields, after a test by NC State's Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. The only way to treat the spore is through the use of fungicides and monitoring your crops.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball Tonight
High school basketball got underway last night here in Wilkes and up at North Wilkes, it was Alleghany over the Lady Vikings 46-35. Also as Coach Tommy Johnson made his debut for North, the Vikings steamrolled over Alleghany 50-32. And our hoops coverage will tipoff tonight with a game between West Wilkes and North. Coach Tommy Johnson and the Vikings will play host to the Blackhawks, as both teams look to explode out of the gate in the new season. The McDonald's pregame show goes on the air at 6:45 as Brian will be talking with Coach Randy Joines from the Lady Vikings. Then we'll have the wrapup of the JV game and turn things over to Ken Byrd and Keith Briand at 7pm.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around the college circuit last night it was Jacksonville State over Coastal Carolina 82-71, High Point blowing out Southeastern College 110-57, Georgia Tech knocking off Elon 81-69 and Appalachian State beating Virginia Commonwealth 51-47. The Mountaineers were led by D.J. Thompson, who put in 24 points in the win as Appalachian improves to 2-0. Meanwhile in the ACC, it was Wake Forest beating UNC Asheville 79-63. Justin Gray led the Deacons with 16 points and three rebounds.

Bad News For Tarheel Football
Some bad news for the Tarheel football team, heading into Saturday's game with Virginia Tech. Wide receiever Wallace Wright is out for the year after fracturing his left ankle last week. Wright, who also was a captain of the special teams, will be replaced by a combination of three recievers. Trimane Goddard and James Arnold will take over his kick returning duties, while Brooks Foster will come in at receiever and also work on the punt coverage. The game, which will be televised on ESPN is a do or die situation for Carolina. They have to win in order to be eligible for the postseason.

A&T Says Goodbye To Football Coach
After a 3-8 season, NC A&T said goodbye on Monday to its' football coach, firing George Small and his staff. Small is just two years removed from being named Coach of the Year in the MEAC Conference. The school will begin looking into replacements after Thanksgiving.

Morgan Walking Wounded
If Sunday's 13-3 loss to Chicago wasn't bad enough, the Carolina Panthers got some more bad news after the game. Dan Morgan, who's already playing with a seperated shoulder, injured his ankle early in the first half. X-rays showed that the ankle wasn't broken, but more tests are needed this week to determine what exactly is wrong. This will make the fifth time in Morgan's five NFL seasons that he's been out with an injury.

Final Standings In Points
With Tony Stewart taking the championship on Sunday, the Nextel Chase for the Cup ends with few surprises. Jimmie Johnson wrecked during Sunday's race and it dropped him all the way to 5th place, where he'll end the year. Moving up to second is Greg Biffle, while Carl Edwards is in third and Mark Martin finishes fourth. Rusty Wallace, who raced in his last Nextel Cup competition Sunday before retirement, finished his career with an 8th place in the points race.

Canadian Plans Continue
NASCAR's expansion plans are continuing and now there might be a date attached. Officials say that a Canadian track could be included in the Nextel Cup circuit as soon as 2007, if all goes as planned. The only holdup is between Nextel and track officials on where to hold the race. NASCAR wants a new track to be built, while several Indy owners want to use a current one and save money. If Nextel gets their way, the race could be held on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, where an oval track would be built.

News & Sports For November 21st

Scholarship Being Offered To Children Of Vets
As we head toward the holiday season, deadlines are creeping up on high school students who want to apply for college scholarships. Here in Wilkes, a special scholarship is being offered by the Veteran's Service Office. You can tune in to the news today as Veterans Service Officer Ralph Broyhill explains the details on how high school kids can apply.

Time Ticking Down To Apply For Disaster Relief Aid
There's only nine days left if you want to apply for disaster relief aid this year. Governor Easley declared 50 counties throughout the state, including Wilkes as disaster areas after last year's swarm of hurricanes. Now over 15 months later, if you are still struggling to put the pieces back together because of the storms, you can apply for assistance. The state of North Carolina will give limited help in paying off any Small Business Administration home loans that you received from the government. People in Wilkes and the surrounding areas have until December 1st to apply, which you can do by contacting Belinda Jones with the NC Redevelopment Center at 919-733-1566 or by mail at 102 North Salisbury Street 20325 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699.

Mission Trip Upcoming For Wings of Eagle
People here in Wilkes County sent down food, clothes and blood to the victims of Gulf Coast hurricanes earlier this year and now one group is heading out to another part of the world to help a need. Wings of Eagle Ministry, run by Dr. Charles Cain, is preparing to leave on a mission trip to India in March of 2006. To help support the ministry, you can call Dr. Cain at 921-2764 or send prayers/donations to Wings of Eagle Ministry, at 444 Bud West Road, Boomer NC 28606.

Thieves Break Into Home On Sawmill Road
Sheriff's deputies were called out late last week to a home on Sawmill Road after thieves paid a visit. The homeowner returned to find two men sitting in a car in his backyard, before they took off. After going inside the house, he found that the glass door in the back of the home had been shattered and the residence itself had been trashed. Clothes were scattered across the floor, boxes and other items were thrown around. Despite all the damage however, only one thing appeared to be missing, a 12 gauge shotgun. Information on the two suspects was turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation continues.

Cornerstone Church Invites Community To Thanksgiving
For anyone still trying to figure out what to do for Thanksgiving, Cornerstone Church has an idea. Come have dinner with them. The church is inviting the entire community to a Thanksgiving dinner set for 2pm on Thursday. The meal is free to anyone who comes by and includes Turkey w/ all the trimmings. The church is hoping to make this an annual event, but are needing help with the finishing touches. If anyone in the community would like to donate time to clean up afterwards, cook or serve the meals, the church would welcome the help. For anyone interested in helping, you can call the church at 838-8542.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A traffic stop on Hwy 268 East led to a drug bust for sheriff's deputies last week. Deputies pulled up behind a driver whose tail lights were busted, so they pulled him over. He told deputies he had a license, but didn't have it with him. When they ran his name, Com Center informed them that he had 6 felony warrants out. 23-yr-old Michael Joseph Billings was arrested and in doing so, deputies found a crack pipe and some cocaine residue, along with a pistol he had concealed in his waistband. Billings was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Disturbance Due To Marijuana
Sheriff's deputies were called out to HIS AutoSales last week, after reports came in of an intoxicated man walking down the road. Deputies tried to ask the man's name, but he ignored them and kept walking, stopping only to ask people for a ride. When deputies stopped him and did a weapons check, they found .28 grams of marijuana on his person. 20-yr-old Javier Mendoza Castelan was arrested and charged with drug possession and intoxicated & disruptive behavior.

Tag Stolen From Vehicle
Why would someone steal a temporary car tag? That's what people at the Boone Trail AutoHaus are wondering today, after discovering that one of their cars had a tag stolen. The incident apparently happened as employees were taking the car to an auto auction. Somehow during the trip, thieves gained access to the vehicle and ripped off the temporary tag, which was set to expire within the next two weeks. Information was turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation continues.

State News

NC Man Faces Charges Over Iraq
A North Carolina man is facing federal charges today, after allegations that he accepted bribes while working in Iraq. Robert Stein Jr. from Fayetteville, who worked with the Coalition Provisional Authority, is accused of taking over $600,000 to award building contracts to specific companies. Stein and his wife then took the money and used it to buy cars, jewelry and real estate, according to investigators. More charges are pending in the case.

Jobs Leaving Sanford
Some bad news for people in Sanford North Carolina, as more jobs are leaving the area. The GKN PLC company announced that they’ll be closing down the Sanford plant in 2007, meaning that almost 300 people will be out of work. The plant builds drive shaft components for cars and work from the plant will be transferred to a new one being built in Mexico.

Gunshot Rings Out At Franklinville School
Officials in Franklinville are investigating today after a gunshot last week at a local elementary school. Almost 100 students were out on the playground at Grays Chapel Elementary when a shot rang out nearby. Officials immediately closed down the playground, ballfield and basketball courts and some parents have decided to keep their kids out of school while the investigation continues.

No Children Allowed
A petition is gaining support throughout North Carolina today, one that calls for a ban on children in certain high class restaurants. If successful, the petition would force restaurants to create special child free areas where adults could go. Over 400 people have signed it so far and it’s even gotten national attention in some New York papers, however everyone isn’t happy. Restaurant owners are against the petition, fearing that it could run off business. To see the petition, you can log on to www.petitiononline.com/childfree/petition.html

Concerns Being Raised About ASU Safety
Concerns are being raised about the safety of students at Appalachian State University, after a series of recent events. 3WC News told you about a student’s murder earlier this month, now comes reports that Appalachian has the highest rate of drug problems of any school in the UNC system. A meeting will be held later today between interim chancellor Cindy Wallace and local authorities to determine what can be done about the problems.

Sports Headlines

Wilkes Central Wins State Championship
Around the high school scene, Wilkes Central is coming home with a championship. The Eagles’ men’s soccer team came from behind to beat Cardinal Gibbons 4-3 to win the state’s 2A championship. Trailing 2-1 coming out of halftime, Central scored the final two goals of the game on Saturday, receiving the first soccer championship in school history. Central will finish the year with a 19-2-1 record, having snapped a 22 game winning streak for Gibbons.

High School Football Scoreboard
In high school football, it was the end of the road last night for East Wilkes, as the Cardinals fell in second round action 27-7 to the Cherokee Braves. Meanwhile Elkin cruised to the next level, running over Hobbton 52-0.

NCAA Football Scoreboard
Around the college football scene, it was East Carolina beating Marshall 34-29, Wofford knocking off Gardner-Webb 56-42, Charleston Southern beating Coastal Carolina 34-27, South Carolina State defeating NC A&T 43-27 and Appalachian State wrapping up their regular season by winning the Southern Conference title with a 52-14 defeat of Elon. In ACC action, NC State kept its’ playoff hopes alive with a 24-3 win over Middle Tennessee State and North Carolina drove down to score in the final minutes and pull out a hard fought win over the Duke Blue Devils 24-21. Carolina needs to win next week against Virginia Tech in order to be eligible for the postseason.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college basketball scoreboard this weekend it was Winthrop over Marquette 71-64, High Point beat Maine 70-67. In ACC action, Duke took care of Davidson 84-55. J.J. Redick led the Blue Devils with 29 points, while Shelden Williams added 20 points, 10 rebounds and 9 blocks for the team. Up the road in Chapel Hill, there was almost a major upset as the Tarheels barely escaped with an 83-80 win over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. With less than two seconds left, David Noel hit a three pointer to win the game for Carolina, while freshman Ricky McPhee had 21 to lead the Bulldogs. Finally NC State won the Hispanic College Fund Classic on Sunday, after beating Delaware 73-57. Cedric Simmons and Gavin Grant both had 22 points for the Wolfpack.

Bobcats Fall Against Timberwolves
In the NBA, it was a rough weekend for the Charlotte Bobcats. They lost to Minnesota 102-89, falling to 3-8 on the year. Charlotte was led by Raymond Felton, who had 15 points and 5 assists. On the other side, playing for the Timberwolves, Rashad McCants had 11 points, 4 rebounds, two steals and a block.

Panthers Lose To Bears
The Carolina Panthers took a hit in their quest to return to the Super Bowl. They lost Sunday 13-3 to the Chicago Bears, but the story of the day was a horrible performance by the offensive line. They allowed eight sacks and most of quarterback Jake Delhomme’s completions were done while on the run for his life. The team falls to 7-3 with Buffalo on the schedule next week.

NASCAR Results
Tony Stewart took the Nextel Cup Championship after Sunday's Ford 400. It marks the second championship of his career, after a crazy race that saw him finish 15th and his closest competitor in the Chase wreck. Greg Biffle took the checkered flag on Sunday, giving his team some momentum heading into next season. Mark Martin was second and Matt Kenseth came in third.

News & Sports For November 18th

Wilkes County Gets Tourism Grant
Gov. Easley handed out $130,000 in grants this week to counties here in North Carolina, with some of that money coming to Wilkes. The governor gave out the grants to 29 different programs, each designed to increase tourism in their area. $2800 was given over to the Chamber of Commerce here in Wilkes, which will be used to create new print ads focusing on the county's history and the beauty of the area. The grant will also be matched by local funds, giving a total of $5600 for the project.

Last Day For Energy Applications
With the economy still struggling here in the area, it can be hard at times for people to afford to pay their heating bill. But there is help, if you qualify. Social Service here in Wilkes has been taking applications for their Low Income Energy Assistance Program. This is the final day for people to come in and apply, which you can do at the Social Service office, located on College Street in Wilkesboro. Applications will be taken from 8:30am til 5pm. This will be a one time credit to help in paying for your heating costs this winter.You can call Social Services for more information at 651-7400.

Deputies Arrest Man After Vandalism At Bojangles
Sheriff's deputies were called out to Bojangles on Hwy 16 North early Thursday morning, after reports came in of a suspicious person in the area. The man was seen parking his car and then walking over to the restaurant, where minutes later a loud crash was heard. Deputies arrived on the scene and saw the man run to his car and prevented him from leaving. The restaurant's drive through window had been shattered with a rock, however there was no damage done or anything taken from inside. 23-yr-old Kurtis Michael Zollman admitted to causing the damage, although he didn't explain why. He was arrested and charged with attempted breaking & entering, property damage and driving with a revoked license.

Wilkes Art Gallery Opens Christmas Show Tonight
Coming up tonight, the Wilkes Art Gallery will begin its’ Annual Christmas Show and Sale. The event runs from tonight til Christmas Eve. As a kickoff to the event, a reception will be held from 6-8pm at the Gallery, to coincide with the annual Light-Up Downtown celebration going on throughout the night. Over 50 different artists from here in the region will have their work on display during the show.

Mailbox Vandals Return For The Holidays
Mailbox vandals hit another home in the North Wilkesboro area this week, this time going after something other than just the box itself. A man came back from an out of town trip on Tuesday, only to see his mailbox, a small ornament nearby and a sign indicating his business all destroyed. Neighbors told deputies that they heard noises at the house around 2am the night before. Estimated damage was placed at over $100 and the investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, the Red Cross is stepping up its' blood drives, to try and guarantee that we have as much supply on hand as possible for the holiday. A drive is going on today at East Wilkes High School from 8:30 this morning til 2pm this afternoon. No appointments are needed, but if you don't want to deal with waiting in line or kids going to and from class, you can call the Wilkes Red Cross and set up a time to give. Their number is 838-4563.

Wreck Wednesday On Wilkesboro Blvd
Two cars were totaled after a wreck Wednesday morning on Wilkesboro Blvd. With the rain coming down, two drivers had slowed down due to the traffic in front of them. A third driver, a Purlear woman, couldn't stop in time and created a domino effect, hitting the car driven by a Hays man, who in turn slammed into the vehicle in front of him, driven by a man from North Wilkesboro. Estimated damage to the first two vehicles was placed at $5000, while the third escaped unharmed. Thankfully no one was injured in the accident.

Christmas In Wilkes
With the holidays coming up, it can be hard for parents to afford both the bills and also a gift under the tree. Several organizations here in Wilkes are stepping in to help solve that problem. One of them is Christmas in Wilkes. For more information about sponsoring a child or the organization itself, you can call Christmas in Wilkes at 927-2969.

Regional News

Crafts Fair Today In High Point
For anyone looking to do some early Christmas shopping, a crafts fair is going on today in High Point. The 5th Annual Roy's Folks Crafts Fair, put on in part by WGHP Fox 8, will have over 40 different vendors. There will be items ranging from homemade yo-yos to log furniture and several other different gifts. It's going on at Providence Place, 1727 Westchester Drive in High Point and will go on from 6am this morning til 6pm tonight. Admission is $3, but senior citizens can get in for $1.

State News

Winston Salem Wants People To Buy Local
Buy from local stores this Christmas. That's the message the Winston Salem Chamber of Commerce is putting out by issuing CertifiChecks. These are gift certificates, that local businesses in the Winston area will accept instead of money. That includes retail stores, restaurants and even grocery stores. Officials said they came up with the idea to keep people from spending their dollars in other cities when shopping for Christmas gifts. The certificates can be picked up by logging on to www.winstonsalem.com or at the chamber's offices at 601 West Fourth Street in Winston.

Wreck On Charlotte Involves School Bus
A school bus driver was injured Thursday morning after a crash in Charlotte. The driver had been picking up kids to drop off at Oakhurst Elementary, when he was involved in an accident. A mini-van pulled in front of a tanker truck and swerved right into the school bus's path, as it was in a turn lane. Thankfully none of the children were hurt and only two injuries reported, from the driver of the bus and mini-van. Both were taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Great American Smokeout Kicked Off Thursday
Across the state, research shows that more college age adults are either continuing or beginning to smoke. As a result, the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund has put together a program, working with over 30 different universities and community colleges here in the state. Working in connection with the American Cancer Society, people are being asking to stay tobacco-free for 24 hours. Also at college campuses, information will be sent out discussing the dangers of tobacco, both chewed and smoked. This marks the first time anyone has targeted college-age adults specifically with a campaign.

Police Search For Elderly Robber In Charlotte
Charlotte officials are on the hunt for an elderly man in the eastern part of the city today. The man walked into the Eckerd Drugs near Sharon Amity Road Thursday morning, announced that he had a gun and demanded money. After receiving the cash, the man took off out the door. He's described as being a black male in his 70s, about 5'7ft and weighing around 170 lbs. He was last spotted running toward Sharon Amity Road wearing a green cap, green jacket and green sweatshirt. Police are asking those with information to call Crimestoppers at 1-704-334-1600.

No Football For Wilmington
Football fans in Wilmington will have to wait at least one more year before college ball comes to their town. School officials turned down a proposal this week to create a football program, because there's not enough money available to field a team. The reason being that under a 1972 law called Title IX, a girl's athletic team of some kind would have to be added, in addition to the football program, to make things fair. And with the latest round of budget cuts, there's not enough left for both. Athletic officials said that they're trying to work things out, but it could be a few years before anyone sees a kickoff by the sea.

Sports Headlines

Friday Night Football
There's still some football left to be played around the high school scene and one Wilkes County team is in the mix. Later on tonight the East Wilkes Cardinals will head up the road to Cherokee for the second round of the state playoffs. The 3WC Sports Team will be making the trip as well and we'll kick off our coverage tonight at 7:15 for the McDonald's pregame show. Then at 7:30 it's over to the field to hear from Ken Byrd and Keith Briand. All this on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

Wake Forest Falls Against Florida
Around the college scene last night, Wake Forest was upset by the unranked Florida Gators 77-72. Eric Williams led the Deacons with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Wake falls to 2-1 with the loss, as they advance to the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic tournament later tonight.

Bethel To Play In Tonight's Opener
In other college hoops news, a familiar face will be suiting up tonight for the Wolfpack. Senior guard Tony Bethel is back with NC State, recovered from a groin injury that's kept him out for the entire preseason. Bethel's seen limited time in practice this week and coach Herb Sendek said that he'll be playing, but probably won't be seeing any starter's minutes for the near future. State plays Stetson tonight in the first of three games in three days.

Panthers Walking Wounded Into Chicago
Heading into Sunday's game at Chicago, the Carolina Panthers recieved some good news and bad from the practice field. The good news is that the cast on defensive end Julius Peppers' right hand is about ready to come off. Peppers broke his hand in the game against Detroit, but it hasn't slowed him down any. He's got four sacks in the last two games. On the other hand however, there are some players that could be sitting out this Sunday. Tight end Kris Mangum continues to recover from his knee injury, while center Jeff Mitchell was held out due to some problems with his hip.

NY Rangers vs. Carolina
In the NHL last night, the Carolina Hurriacnes got win number 14 as they rolled over the New York Rangers 5-1. Kevyn Adams had three goals for the Canes, who improve to 14-3 with the win and extend their first place lead in the Southeastern Conference to five games over second place Tampa Bay.

JR Motorsports To Begin Operations
A new team will be taking the field this Sunday in the Busch Series finale. JR Motorsports will be making their debut, with driver Mark McFarland behind the wheel. The team, owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., wasn't content to wait until next season. Their No. 88 Chevy will be taking the field as part of the Ford 300 at Homestead Speedway. McFarland, who's moving up from the Pro Cup Series, will bring his crew chief along with him as Jefferson Hodges takes over in that position.

News & Sports For November 17th

Flu Vaccine A Little Short
As we head toward the beginning of December, that means winter is right around the corner. And winter usually brings with it the flu season. However, despite having advance warning and preparing, it seems that portions of the country are going through a temporary shortage of the flu vaccine. The reason being that one of the company producing the vaccine is putting it out in smaller quantities than expected, although no there is currently no explanationa s to why. With that being the case, the Centers for Disease Control have asked county health departments to coordinate with local doctors and make sure that those at high risk of the virus are given the vaccine. Here in Wilkes, the Health Department is coordinating efforts with the healthcare community to distribute the supply they currently have on hand. The Senior Center here in the county will be holding an appointment only flu clinic for later this month, for which you can call now and secure a time. If you can't get in touch with the Senior Center, contact your doctor to see about the best way to get a flu shot. Now is the best time if you want to protect against the virus, as peak flu season isn't expected to hit until at least January.

Be Careful Who You Give Out Information To
It's always a good idea to be careful who has your personal information. A Roaring River man found that out the hard way this week, after a trip to his bank. While checking his account, he discovered that there were several debits for purchases he never made. After getting information from a teller, the man discovered that his debit card had been used all across Statesville over the last few days. The information was turned over to sheriff's deputies and there is a suspect in the case.

Fox Bill Set To Pass House & Senate
A bill created by 5th district Congresswoman Virginia Fox is set to pass both the House and Senate this week, providing help to military families. The plan would allow soldiers in combat zones to be able to take their money and put it in a tax deferred savings plan. Currently troops can't put their combat earnings into IRAs because the law doesn't allow tax free money to be put into a savings account without paying some form of tax on it. The only thing left to be sorted out before the bill goes for a final vote is when it will take effect. The House version would start retroactively on December 31st of 2004, allowing troops to put in earnings from this tax year. The Senate went even further back, installing a date of December 31st 2003. The Foxx Bill, called the HEROs Act has support from all corners and once a date is determined, would immediately be approved and go to the President for his signature.

Money Stolen From Thurmond Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home in Thurmond earlier this week, after thieves ran off witha local man's money. The man had cashed his check and stored most of it in a box inside the house. But after the man went out, neighbors reported that another family member came by the home, appearing to be carrying something on the way out. When the homeowner returned, all $1400 in cash was missing from his bedroom. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Muzz's Gym To Help Support St. Jude's Hospital
Coming up this Saturday, working out at Muzz’s Gym can also help a good cause. The gym is holding a weightlifting competition on Saturday, November 19th to benefit St. Jude Children’s hospital. A bench press contest will be going on, with divisions for women, teen men, adult men and men over 40. Money raised from the contest will go to help St. Jude’s work to treat children dealing with cancer and other life threatening diseases. To sign up for the contest or to make a donation you an call 838-4345.

Guns Taken From Elkin Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home on the Austin Traphill Road this week to investigate a case of theft. One that happened over two months ago. In September, thieves had broke into the house of a local woman, stealing her 9mm Beretta and .22 pistol. However she thought a family member that was out of town had taken them and failed to report it. But when that family member returned with no clue what had happened, the woman called sheriff's deputies. That investigation continues.

Winter Booze It And Lose It Program Begins
The Highway Patrol will be out in force over the next few weeks, as the annual Winter Booze It & Lose It campaign kicks off today. A special ceremony is going on this morning in Kitty Hawk at the Wright Brothers National Memorial to begin the event. A second ceremony will be held tomorrow in Boone. During the holiday season last year, 47 people in the state died due to alcohol related accidents. Checkpoints will be out in full force and troopers will be patroling over the next month to prevent any more fatalities.

Cars Stolen From Salvage On New Browns Ford Road
Thieves drove off with several cars from a salvage yard on New Brown's Ford Road. The owner returned to find his property intact, with no signs of a break-in or any damage. However 9 cars were missing from the salvage yard, totaling over $4000 in value. That investigation is ongoing.

Counterfeit Money Orders Entering Wilkes
Sheriff's deputies are investigating after a North Wilkesboro man fell victim to counterfeit money orders this week. The man had contacted a potential buyer for some of his property over the internet. Instead of the agreed amount, the buyer sent just over $6000 and asked that the extra cash be sent to an address in Africa. The victim agreed and sent the money to Africa, after which his bank informed him that the money order had been counterfeit and he was now out $4000, the amount he sent out. All the information was turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Focus On Kids
As we head toward the holiday season, several different groups are working to help the less fortunate kids here in the county. Christmas for Kids is one of those groups and Rebecca Johnson from the organization will be Brian's guest today for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be explaining what the organization does and how locals can get involved. That's coming up today at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

State News

Columbine Style Attack Foiled In Charlotte
Two students at a Christian school in Charlotte have been arrested and charged for planning what police are calling a Columbine style attack. Recently officers were called out to Bible Baptist School, after a student told teachers that two classmates were planning to kill kids and members of the staff. The two 15-yr-old boys have now been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, after a police investigation, however due to their ages, names were not released. Officials refused to go into detail about the threat, only to say it had been prevented and the boys are now in a juvenile detention center.

NC Baptist Convention Adopts Policy On Homosexuals
One item has already been approved at this week's Baptist State Convention. North Carolina's state convention voted on and approved a policy condemning churches that allow homosexuals to be members. Such churches, the convention said, are "not considered friendly". Delegates also agreed that no church would be kicked out of the convention for supporting homosexuality, but such a stance would mean they're basically members in name only.

13-Yr-Old Thief Hunted In Shelby
A 13-yr-old car thief is being hunted by police in Cleveland County today. The boy first stole a van in Kings Mountain and made it into Shelby, where he ditched the vehicle and took an SUV from a local car dealership. After reports came in of the second theft, the vehicle was seen by a Shelby police officer and a high speed chase began, which at times reached above 80 mph. 15 minutes later, the boy crashed just outside of Boiling Springs and took off running. As he left the scene, the SUV rolled back and pinned the officers, preventing them from catching the suspect.

Wake County Employee Charged With Embezzlement
A teacher's assistant in Wake County is out of a job today, after being charged with embezzlement. Judy Dilahunt stands accused of stealing over $8500 from the county's Teacher Assistant's Association. Dilahunt worked at Rand Road Elementary in the Garner community, but was terminated once the charges came to light. It's unclear why she took the money or how she gained access to it, according to local officials.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
No good deed goes unpunished, as the saying goes. A man in Alamance County stopped to help a stranded driver and ended up in the hospital. He had pulled over on the side of Hwy 49 after a white female stood in the road, pleading for aid. As soon as the man stopped and got out of the car, the girl and two Hispanic boys pulled out knives and started attacking him. Before he escaped, the man was stabbed several times in the arm, neck and back. He rolled out from the car and watched as the thieves drove off down the road. Locals called police and EMS, getting him to the Alamance Regional Medical Center, where he's undergoing treatment. 16-yr-old Ashley Anema has been charged with assault and attempted murder, while the two boys, ages 13 & 16 were also later arrested, although their names have not been released.

Sports Headlines

Wake Signs 7 ft. Prospect
In other college hoops news, the calvary is coming in a big way for Wake Forest next year. The Demon Deacons added a 7 ft. center to their 2006 class as Chas McFarland committed to the team. McFarland joined this week as part of the NCAA's early signing period and gave up offers from Boston College, Pittsburgh and Marquette to join Wake. He averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks as a high school junior last year.

UNC Tarheels Add Another Quarterback
With starter Matt Baker wrapping up his senior season, the Tarheels are facing an open competition next year at quarterback. And as of this week, another name was added to the list. B.J. Phillips, a 6-6 232 high school senior from South Carolina committed to the team this week. Phillips turned down offers from Kentucky and Vanderbuilt to play for the Heels. Scouts say that he's got a strong arm and can run the ball as well.

NC Central To Join Division I
In other college sports, another North Carolina team is making the move to Division I. NC Central University had the idea approved yesterday at a school meeting, ending their long association with Division II and the CIAA. The school so far hasn't made a final decision as to where they'l be playing, weighing options from the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Now NC Central will submit an official application to the NCAA and should start the five year process fairly soon.

Everham Makes Changes
Some more changes are coming for one garage on the Nextel Cup circuit, plans that will alter the very way their teams operate. Owner Ray Everham announced on Tuesday that he was changing things by getting rid of the crew chief on all of his cars. Instead, a three person group will take over the responsibilities, including a team director, car director and engineer for each crew. The move will take effect this Sunday, for the Ford 400.

News & Sports For November 16th

Unemployment Checks Not Finding Their Owners
Here in Wilkes and across the state, people dependent on unemployment are wondering where their checks are. Several thousand people have been affected throughout North Carolina, as some of the nearly $40 million in benefits have disappeared. At the local Employment Security Commission here in Wilkes, the phones have been ringing off the hook over the last 48 hrs. as people call in asking when the checks will arrive. However if you have been waiting, it won't be much longer. The checks, all 23000 of them, were found on Tuesday, hidden under some equipment at the Raleigh post office where they had been dropped off. In Wilkes County alone, there are currently 1729 people unemployed with over $1 million in benefits at stake. Officials from the local Employment Security Commission said that the checks should be arriving within the next few days, now that they've been located.

Wilkes County Turns Out For Heritage Opening
The ribbon was cut and pictures taken as Wilkes County's Heritage Museum opened for business Tuesday morning. County commissioners, town officials and the media were all welcomed inside the old courthouse, as doors opened into the history of Wilkes. Inside seats from the North Wilkesboro speedway were found, along with some of the first radios in the county, dating back to the 1930s. Also you could read about the first settlers here in Wilkes, discover what the post office looked like back some 200 years ago and see what doctors used to treat patients back in the 1800s. The museum is open for tours and you can set one up by giving them a call at 667-3171. Or you can drop by, as the Museum is located at 202 Bridge Street here in Wilkesboro.

Three Involved In Wreck On 421
Wilkesboro police were called out after an accident Monday afternoon on Hwy 421 Business. The drivers of two cars both saw green lights at the same time and atempted to turn, thinking the other one would stop. Instead, both collided, with one spinning out and into a third vehicle waiting for his light to turn. The driver of the first vehicle, a North Wilkesboro woman, was taken by EMS to Wilkes Regional. Everyone else walked away from the accident. Estimated damage was placed at $6100.

Focus On Kids
As we head toward the holiday season, several different groups are working to help the less fortunate kids here in the county. Christmas for Kids is one of those groups and Rebecca Johnson from the organization will be Brian's guest this week for Focus on the Foothills. They'll be discussing the program, what's involved and how you can help to sponsor a child. That's coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Tools Stolen From Millers Creek Home
Apparently some thieves in Millers Creek just needed to borrow a few tools. A man had parked his car at home and walked inside, but soon heard voices and the car door open. He looked out to see two people running off and his tool box was wide open. Over $400 worth of items were taken in the theft, including a socket set and hunting knife. That investigation continues.

Blood Drive Coming Up Today
While we need the rain, showers can also bring with them accidents on the highways. And with the blood supply still hovering around critical levels, one major wreck could possibly wipe it out here in Wilkes. With that being said, a blood drive is going on today at West Wilkes High School from 9am til 2pm. Before giving blood, please remember that you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs, for your own health's sake. No appointment is needed but if you don't want to wait in line, you can set up a time to come by calling the Wilkes Red Cross at 838-4563.

Wreck On Hwy 18 North Causes Traffic Delays
That accident on Hwy 18 Monday morning caused some more delays for drivers yesterday, as cleanup continued. A dump truck had been traveling up the mountain when the driver lost control and wrecked, with his cargo spilling out over the road. The cargo was cleaned up and removed on Monday, but that took so long officials had to wait until it got light on Tuesday morning to move the truck itself. That effort got started at 9am and stretched until 2:30pm, with both lanes of Hwy 18 North and South shut down.

Money Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
A North Wilkesboro woman returned home this week to a strange sight. Her air conditioner unit had been pushed in, leaving the window wide open. Despite the damage, hardly anything was missing from inside, with the exception of $600 from a lockbox. No other damage was done to the property, however there is a suspect and that investigation continues.

State News

Former Judge Calls For Legalization
A former member of the North Carolina Supreme Court is calling for the legalization of drugs. Burley Mitchell, who served as chief justice on the court until 1999, said that the war on drugs has failed. His solution is to make all drugs legal, as he believes that would eradicate the industry of dealers and suppliers. Mitchell also said he believed that once legal, the demand would go down and we would see less crime on the streets. He told this to a group in Raleigh on Monday, while speaking on prison reform.

Man Appears In Spring Lake Without a Clue
A 21-yr-old man from Lumber Bridge is in the hospital today, after an incident near Fort Bragg. Christopher Murray was found by locals on a dead end road near the base, on the edge of the woods. His car had apparently been wrecked, altrhough there was no sign of another vehicle and no other damage, indicating that it had hit a tree or anything else. Murray is still in critical condition and police are investigating how the man ended up on a one way road and what he was doing there. He's currently undergoing treatment at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Missing Boy Found Safe After Father's Arrest
A 2-yr-old boy is safe in police custody today, while authorities still hunt for his father in Smithfield North Carolina. A search had been going on for Pablo Garcia, who had been living with his father in the area. However last week, his father, Pablo Silverio was charged with killing another man and disappeared, along with the boy. Police however found the boy, thankfully safe and unharmed, at a babysitter's house where the father had apparently dropped him off. The 29-yr-old Silverio is still on the run.

Bank Robbery In Durham
Officials in Durham are tracking two men after a robbery Tuesday morning. The Mutual Community Savings Bank on Fayetteville Street was robbed by two men wearing yellow gloves, hats and bandanas. One of them pulled out a gun and ordered the teller to hand over some money, although it's still not clear exactly how much they escaped with. The men are believed to be driving an older model gold Honda Accord. Rewards are being offered by both Crimestoppers and the NC Bankers Association totaling up to $6200 for information leading to an arrest in the case. To give out information you can call the NC Bankers Association hotline at 1-800-209-2293 or the FBI at 1-704-377-9200.

Search On For Missing Woman In Cumberland
Officials in Cumberland County are searching for a missing woman who vanished late Monday night. 27-yr-old Shannon Parker left her family's home in the Grays Creek area of the county and hasn't been seen since. Parker is a schizophrenic and is described as a white woman about 5'6ft with glasses. Family members have no clue how she left as normally Parker doesn't leave the house without someone coming with her. The Highway Patrol and local law enforcement are aiding in the search.

Sports Headlines

AP College Poll Released
In college basketball, the latest AP Top 25 Poll has been released, with two North Carolina teams making the list. Duke stays at #1, while Wake Forest drops one position to #19. Meanwhile NC State is ranked #34th, UNC Charlotte comes in at 33rd and the defending champion UNC Tarheels fall all the way to 34th place on the latest poll.

NCAA Scoreboard
In college basketball last night, it was UNC Wilmington beating Northwestern 56-48, UNC Greensboro beating Texas Arlington 61-49 and UNC Charlotte dropping to 0-2 on the year with an 87-78 loss against Wyoming.

Charlotte at Orlando
In the senior circuit of the NBA, it was the Charlotte Bobcats losing to the Orlando Magic 85-77. The Bobcats were playing for the second straight game without leading scorer Gerald Wallace, out with a fractured wrist. Keith Bogans led the Bobcats with 18 points and Sean May came off the bench to add 15 points and 10 rebounds.

NHL: Carolina at Ottawa
The Carolina Hurricanes started another winning streak on Tuesday, recording their 13th win of the season as they beat Ottawa 2-1. With the win, Carolina improves to 13-3 and stays atop the Southeastern Conference.

Kenny Wallace Taking Over For Busch
With driver Kurt Busch suspended for the rest of the season, Kenny Wallace will step behind the wheel for Sunday's Ford 400. Officials from Rousch Racing said that they were impressed with Wallace's performance this past weekend, where he started at the back of the pack but finished in 16th. Meanwhile Kurt Busch has been issued a criminal citation for the incident this past weekend with law enforcement near Phoenix.

News & Sports For November 15th

Wilkes Heritage Museum Opens Today
The courthouse doors will open today and the Wilkes Heritage Museum will officially be in business. The 1902 courthouse has been completely restored and remodeled, with pieces of the county's history dating to the early 1800s and before. Junior Johnson's race car, World War II material and Civil War flags all lie inside, along with dozens of other exhibits and information. The Museum is open for tours or field trips for any organization or school group. You can also simply walk right in and have a look. The official ribbon cutting takes place this morning at 9:30am and for more information you can call Old Wilkes at 667-3712.

Dump Truck Overturns On Hwy 18
Traffic was backed up for several hours on Monday after a dump truck wrecked on Hwy 18 North. The truck had been heading up the mountain but the driver lost control and crashed, spilling his cargo across the road. Crews took a good portion of the afternoon to clean it all up.

Money Stolen From Local Restaurant
Wilkesboro police are investigating a break-in at Hardees over the weekend. Thieves somehow gained access to the building's safe, got inside and stole $1222 in cash. No damage was done to the property and there was no sign of a break-in. Officers have suspects and the case is still open.

Kerosine Tanks Damaged At Rock Creek BP
One driver was apparently lucky to walk away with their life earlier this week, after causing some damage at the Rock Creek BP station. Employees came in on Sunday to find the kerosine dispenser had been damaged, with evidence left behind from what was most likely a vehicle. Despite the damage, which was estimated at $200, there was no sign of who caused the problem and no witnesses to the event itself. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Prank Calls Lead To Car Damage
An Elm City woman called Wilkesboro police earlier this week, after her car's tires were slashed. She had been staying at the Holiday Inn Express and recieving strange prank phone calls each night, where the caller would simply hang up minutes after she picked up the phone. All this despite the fact that she hadn't given out her number. Then walking out earlier this week she found her car's tires had been slashed. There are two suspects in the case and that investigation is ongoing.

Break-In At Wal-Mart Parking Lot
Thieves broke into a Warrensville man's car while he was shopping earlier this week. As the man was inside Wal-Mart, thieves pried open the passenger side window's weather stripping and got inside. They stole 100 music CDs, along with a pair of sunglasses, a palm pilot and several other items. Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust
A routine traffic stop by sheriff's deputies led to a drug bust earlier this week. Deputies got behind a vehicle on Hwy 421 that was having problems staying on their side of the road. After pulling over the car, deputies found that the driver had no license, as his had been revoked. In addition, electronic scales and marijuana were both found inside the vehicle. 21-yr-old Daniel McNeil II was arrested and charged with drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving erratically and driving with a revoked license.

State News

Theft One Of The Largest In Surry County History
Eight people are facing charges in what law enforcement are calling one of the largest thefts in Surry County history. $2 million worth of material was stolen from Bassett Furniture this past April, at the company's Mt. Airy complex. The day after the break-in, pieces started to be recovered, later totaling over 300 items. Eight employees of Bassett Furniture have now been charged with the crime, each given seven counts of conspiracy to commit embezzlement. All eight, who had worked in management at the plant, were fired as charges were brought. They are 62-yr-old John Ronald Jarrett of Morehead, 46-yr-old Gary Moser of Pilot Mountain, 51-yr-old Randall Alex Lawless of Stuart VA and 47-yr-old Lisa Marie Martin, 44-yr-old Michael Wayne Pennington, 35-yr-old David Ray Slate, 55-yr-old Jerry Conrad Tolbert and 30-yr-old Michael Slate all of Mt. Airy. Officials are still trying to track down the other pieces of furniture, which were sold to organizations and groups in the area. Deputies are asking anyone who bought a piece from one of these eight to give them a call at 336-401-8900.

Officials Hold Conference To Stop Meth Use
With meth use still a problem across North Carolina, officials from around the state are holding a meeting this Wednesday at Western Carolina University. The object of the meeting will be to curb the growing problem, which wasn't destroyed the way attorney general Roy Cooper believed it would be when his office banned certain cough medicines containing pseudoephedrine unless the person had a prescription. The drug is a key component of meth and as of November, 289 labs had been destroyed here in the state. That's almost on par with last year's total, which stood at 322.

UNC Colleges Cut Funding
Less than a week after announcing that all university chancellors would be getting a raise, the effects are becoming clear. With more money being diverted to staff pay, several schools made cuts in their student programs. UNC Chapel Hill announced that due to budget problems, 46 classes were eliminated, while at NC State 60 were erased. All total, an estimated $31 million in school programs and needed equipment was cut from the budgets of UNC campuses to help fund the staff raises. The only way to prevent the cuts, officials said, was to raise tuition, which has been capped by the board of directors to allow no more than a 10% increase.

Forensic Institute To Open In Greensboro
Some people have been behind bars for years, serving time for crimes they didn't commit. A new project will hopefully change all that, as a forensic institute will soon be open in Greensboro. The America Judicature Society is scheduled to open their doors in January and, working with Elon University's new law school, plan to work on ways of preventing innocent people from seeing the inside of a jail cell. Outdated forensic practices are a major problem here in the state, as currently 400 untested rape kits are waiting to be processed, kits that could help solve hundreds of open cases.

Edwards Apologizes For Mistake
Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards has come out with an apology, both for people here in the state and our troops overseas. Edwards wrote an essay, which was published by the Washington Post, in which he apologized for supporting the Iraqi war. He said the decision was a mistake and was sorry that people here at home, especially soldiers, had to pay for it. However Edwards doesn't believe that we should pull out now, but rather figure out a way to succeed and leave Iraq a better place than when we arrived. He also called on other countries to lend a hand, as the stability of Iraq affects their lives, not just our own.

Drug Bust In Mount Holly Nets Three
Three men are in jail after an undercover operation in Mount Holly. Officers were able to break up a smuggling ring that was transporting methamphetamines into North Carolina from Florida. Just over 3 pounds of the drug was found in an old car battery, worth over $280,000. Police in Gaston County are still unraveling leads, but it's believed the three arrested could be part of a bigger network operating out of the Florida area.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
College basketball season has officially tipped off and several North Carolina teams were in action last night. It was the number one ranked Duke Blue Devils beating Boston University 64-47 in the first round of the Preseason NIT. J.J. Redick led Duke with 19 points. Meanwhile it was UNC Wilmington beating Wyoming 62-59, UNC Greensboro beating Morgan State 62-49 and UNC Charlotte falling against Northwestern 61-47. Charlotte was led by Curtis Withers, who had 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Appalachian Adds To Next Year's Recruiting Class
In other college basketball news, Appalachian State continues to load up for next season. Their 2006 recruiting class got two more names over the weekend, as Ibrahim Graiba and Juan Pablo Montas committed to join. The 6-9 Graiba averaged 28 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks while playing for a club team in London while the 6-7 Montas put up 21 points and 11 rebounds while playing for his high school in the Dominican Republic.

Duke Football Lands Another Recruit
While the current Duke football team is struggling, help is on the way for next season. The Blue Devils received a commitment from offensive lineman Jeffrey Cowart, a high school senior from Georgia. The 6-6 Cowart can run the 40-yd dash in 5.28 seconds and helped Mary Parsons High School get into the state playoffs with an 8-3 record this season. Cowart turned down offers from Georgia Tech, Louisville and Memphis to join the Blue Devils.

Chase For The Cup Standings
Taking a look at the NASCAR standings, Tony Stewart stays atop the Chase For the Cup, 52 points ahead of second place Jimmie Johnson. Carl Edwards is third, 87 points behind while Greg Biffle comes in fourth, 102 behind Stewart. Mark Martin rounds out the top five, 162 points behind in the Chase. Next Sunday drivers head to Homestead Miami Speedway for the Ford 400.

France Begins His Restructuring Of NASCAR
Bill France announced over the weekend what some of the changes are going to be on the Nextel Cup Series next season. Owners can't have more than four cars in their garage and for those that already do, some compensation will be sorted out. Also as part of the new policy, drivers can only test cars at six of the Nextel Cup tracks. That includes Charlotte, Daytona, Homestead, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and Richmond.