Orientation Continues Tonight
With only three days left before the first day of class, orientation continues tonight at several of the local schools. At Mountain View Elementary, there will be an open house for Pre-K, kindergarteners and first graders from 4-5pm. Then from 5-6pm for 2nd and 3rd grades and finally 6-7pm is when 4th and 5th graders can come in and tour their new classes. Up the road at Boomer Ferguson, a special open house will take place at 7pm, so that Pre-K and kindergarteners can meet their teachers. For the rest of Boomer Ferguson’s students, open house will take place on August 22nd at 7pm. Over at East Wilkes Middle School, orientation starts at 6:30pm for all rising 6th graders. As for the rest of the county, Central Wilkes Middle School is holding orientation this Sunday from 3-5pm for all rising 6th graders and all other new students. Then Mount Pleasant Elementary will hold open house on the 18th and Millers Creek Elementary on the 25th.

Thieves Clean Out Local Store
The Outdoor Sportsman store in Wilkesboro was the victim of thieves this week, with $3378 worth of items either stolen or damaged. The thieves pried open on the of the doors at the business and walked in, carrying off pretty much whatever they could find, Included in the theft was a Dish Network TV box, several fishing rods, some reels, boxes of seed, buckets of minnows and other items. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Ebenezer Holds Tournament Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the date for this year’s golf tournament, to benefit the Ebenezer Garden Christian Children’s Home. The event will take place at Oakwoods Country Club, with morning and afternoon flights. The format for the tournament this year is four man captain’s choice, with over $50,000 in prizes up for grabs. The entry fee is $75 per person and only a few spots remain. All of the proceeds from the event will go to the Home, for use as needed. One of the projects that will be helped by proceeds from the event is the 4th home at Ebenezer called Hope, which is currently under construction. Once again there are a limited number of spots still open for the afternoon tournament. To sign up or for a brochure you may call the Home at 667-5683.

Broke In To Have A Look Around
Thieves broke into a Wilkesboro woman’s home this week, only they left the place just as they found it. Nothing was missing from the house, also no damage was done, except to a window. The would be thieves had apparently shattered a window and climbed inside, but didn’t find what they were looking for. Clothes had been scattered and tossed throughout the house, but there was no other evidence of a break-in. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Head Start Orientation
As we get closer to the start of school, we’re also approaching the beginning of this year’s Head Start program. With that in mind, orientation for Head Start will take place at all three Wilkes County Centers today. You and your child can come in anytime from 8am til 8pm, with officials on hand to answer your questions and show you around. Once again that’s going on today, at the Cub Creek, Lomax and North Wilkesboro Head Start Centers. For more information you can call Judi Mitchell at the BROC head office. Her number is 667-7174.

Wreck On River Street Totals One
It’s always a good idea to get a good night’s sleep before you drive. A Wilkesboro man found this out the hard way on Wednesday, as he fell asleep at the wheel. The man’s car skidded off the road and into a power pole. The car was totaled, with estimated damages placed at $3800, however thankfully the man walked away unhurt.

Drink Machines Across the Area Hit For Change
Wilkesboro police are investigating a series of break-ins today, where drink machines across the area were targeted. Machines at four different businesses were vandalized and then the thieves also either attempted to or succeeded at stealing the change inside. In one of the cases, a mysterious tip led police to the scene of the crime apparently minutes after the incident occurred. It’s unknown exactly how much money was stolen from the machines, however damages were placed at over $800. The investigation is ongoing.

Stuff The Bus Program Wrapping Up
With only a few days left before the start of school, it’s important for kids to get all the supplies they need for class. However with economic times not being the best here in Wilkes, many kids will enter the school term without the simplest things such as paper, pens and calculators. Communities in Schools wants to help solve that problem, with their Stuff the Bus program which is going on right now. You can drop off school supplies at several locations around Wilkes, including Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd, Staples and also between the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in North Wilkesboro. There are also drop off spots at Dollar General, Super 10 and the Communities in Schools office. All different types of school supplies are needed, so anything you can donate would be welcomed. For more information you can call Amie Blevins at Communities in Schools. Her number is 651-7830 extension #23.

Weed-Eater Stolen From Purlear Home
A homeowner in Purlear came home earlier this week looking to take advantage of the sunlight outside and get some mowing done. However when he went out to get the mower, he found it was missing. In addition, thieves had also ran off with his weed-eater that had been lying nearby. No lock had been on the door next to which the materials were kept and it appears thieves just walked right in and helped themselves. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

School In Charlotte Falls Victim To Break In
Some hungry thieves broke into the Coulwood Middle School in Charlotte early Thursday morning. Police estimate that around 1am, thieves somehow gained access to the school through the doors, but without leaving behind any damage or evidence they were there. Instead, they made their way to the vending machines inside, smashing them open and then running off with both snacks and money.

Jobs Coming To Gaston County
Some good news today for people in Gaston County, as more jobs are heading into the area. Dole Foods announced plans this week to build a packaging plant in the area. The plant will be built in Bessemer City, with construction to begin later this year. Company officials are opening the doors to anyone who’s looking for a job. If you want to put in an application, you can go online and do so at the Dole website, which can be found at www.Dole.com.

Farmer In North Carolina Supplying White House
A Farmer in North Carolina will be supplying the White House this Christmas. A Laurel Spring man has been selected to provide this year’s White House Christmas tree. Now there are some requirements that have to be met here. The tree must stand 18 ½ feet tall at least. In October, the man’s farm will be visited by a member of the White House staff, who will have to approve the tree. Once that’s finished, the tree will be cut down at Thanksgiving and sent to Washington to be decorated.

Winston Police Need Help In Finding Missing Man
Officials in the Winston area are asking for help in locating a man who went missing Wednesday afternoon. 78-yr-old Willard Warren left home just passed noon on Wednesday and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. It’s believed Warren could be driving a tan 2001 GMC Sierra, with the license plate NZV-5013. The situation is serious because Warren has Alzheimer’s and may be disoriented. If anyone sees the man, officials are asking that you call 911.

Minimum Wage One Step Closer To Increase
North Carolina came one step closer on Thursday to raising the minimum wage, as a new bill passed through both the full House and a Senate committee. In the House, a bill was passed that would raise the minimum wage to $6. The vote was a tight one, as it came through 62-56. Afterwards the bill was passed on to the Senate, who will consider it along with their own measure, which recommends the exact same thing. The only difference between the two bills is that the House version also would add tax credits for all small businesses that give health insurance to workers. That provision isn’t in the Senate version, which instead wants to reduce corporate and income tax rates, while raising the cigarette tax by another five cents. Currently over 100,000 people in the state earn less than $6 an hour, according to the NC Justice Center.

Another Rowan County Official Quits
Less than a month after a scandal came to light in Rowan County, yet another public official left office. County attorney John Holshouser resigned his position, upset that action hadn’t been taken against the man who he believes caused all of this, current county commissioner Arnold Chamberlain. It was revealed earlier this month that Rowan County had spent $23,000 to hire a private investigator, in order to determine who was writing letters that criticized local government. That investigation found that Chamberlain had written the letters, a charge he denies. However because no action was taken against him, Holshouser resigned the position he had held for the past 16 years. In his resignation, Holshouser called the current county government a charade and said that people deserved better.

Sports Headlines

Duke Lands 10th Recruit
It’s been a good offseason so far for Duke’s football program. The team added another piece to the puzzle this week as Andrew Holoman announced his commitment to the school. Holoman, a 6’2 202 lb. linebacker from Virginia, accepted the school’s offer of a scholarship, saying that it had the mixture of academics and athletics that he wanted. In doing so, he turned down an offer from his father’s alma mater Virginia and also Georgia Tech.

Under 21 Team Advances
And in college basketball, you can chalk up yet another victory for the U.S. Under 21 team, thanks in part to a player from North Carolina. Last time it was a Blue Devil, but in this case a 49er stepped up to the plate, as Curtis Withers from UNC Charlotte led the team to a 82-79 win over Slovenia. Withers had 15 points as he helped rally the team back from a 13-point deficit. With the win, the U.S. team will match up later today, against the winner of the game between Israel and Canada.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look around the minor leagues last night, it was Winston Salem beating Wilmington 3-1 in a game that took ten innings to finish. Warthogs’ starter Lance Broadway had a good game despite not getting a decision, going six innings and striking out seven, without giving up a run. Reliever Fabio Castro got his fifth win of the season, after throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Hurricanes Sign Another Player
The free agent period continues for the Carolina Hurricanes, as they agreed to a deal with right winger Justin Williams this week. Williams signed a one year deal with the team, after helping Canada win the gold medal at the World Hockey Championship.

Panthers Sign A Cornerback
In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers added another player to the roster, signing Dwight Anderson. Anderson had been released earlier in the week by the St. Louis Rams, after he missed curfew over the weekend. Despite Anderson being a model citizen otherwise, Rams coach Mike Martz cut the young cornerback, who had a shot at possibly cracking their starting lineup this year. Anderson will compete for time with Ricky Manning Jr. in the nickel back position.

NASCAR News
In Nascar, it didn’t take Michael Waltrip long before his name was associated with another team. Now that it’s public knowledge Waltrip is leaving DEI, reports have come out that he might sign a deal soon with Joe Gibbs, filling the spot of recently fired Jason Leffler. Officials close to the situation say that an announcement could come in the next week.

Wreck On Hwy 16 Shuts Down Traffic
Highway 16 Mountain was closed down for portions of the afternoon and into the evening hours yesterday, after a tractor trailer wrecked. It’s unclear how many other vehicles were involved, although one person was airlifted by chopper and another was taken by ambulance to the hospital. The incident happened around 2:40pm at the Ashe County/Wilkes County line. DOT workers shut down the road for most of the day as they cleaned up the wreckage.

Fox Meets With Local Vets
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Fox was in Wilkes County on Wednesday, holding a meeting with local war veterans. The meeting took place in the county commissioners’ room, with Fox promising the vets that she would stay on top of issues that affected them. She also asked for any concerns they had, dealing with problems she could help with. They cited a lack of veterans’ clinics in the area, with the closest one being in Winston Salem. Also the question of health benefits was brought up, namely how can all veterans get the coverage they need? The congresswoman promised to look into all of the subjects brought up at the meeting and said she hopes to have conferences like this several times a year at least.

Local Man Falls Victim To ID Fraud
A North Wilkesboro man found himself the victim of identity theft this week, after his card was declined at a local store. He soon discovered that someone had been using his name and social security number to get a credit card and run up debt. The name of the suspect was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

Focus On Schools
With the new school year fast approaching, it’s time to start getting ready for class. But for students in the local high schools, it may also be time soon to move into a new building. Today on Focus on the Foothills, Brian will be talkign with Dr. Steve Laws, superintendent for Wilkes COunty Public Schools. They'll be discussing the renovations planned, also dealing with the ABC testing results and talking about where Wilkes County stands as a public school system. That’s coming up at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Gas Theft At Run-In
Another Wilkes County business fell victim to gas thieves this week. A man pulled up to the Run-In store in North Wilkesboro, pumped $59 worth of gas into his vehicle and then drove away. A description of both the man and the vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Orientation Tonight At Local Schools
The countdown to the first day of school continues tonight, as orientation sessions are being held across the county. C.B. Eller, C.C. Wright, Moravian Falls, Mulberry, Roaring River, Traphill and Wilkesboro Elementary will all hold orientation sessions tonight. Also the four high schools will all hold freshman orientation, beginning for each one at 6pm.

Always Keep Your Windows Locked
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Hays residence on Wednesday, after reports of a break-in. The homeowner had returned to find that someone had broke in through an unlocked window. There was no damage done to the property and the only things taken in the theft were several bottles of pills from the woman’s medicine cabinet. There are no suspects but the investigation continues.

Golf Tournament This Saturday
The Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home is gearing up for their annual benefit golf tournament, which will be held this coming Saturday, August 13th at Oakwoods Country Club. The format will be four man captain’s choice, with over $50,000 in prizes up for grabs. There are still a few spots open for the afternoon flight and to sign up or for a brochure you may call the Home at 667-5683.

Ran Off With The Steak
The Food Lion in Wilkesboro was the victim of thieves this week, as someone tried to run out the door with a pack of steaks. The man had come inside holding a large black bag, which he used to pick up three family packs of steaks and walk out the door. He then went across to Wilkes Family Pharmacy and tried to sell the steaks to employees. They turned him down and helped provide a description of the suspect. All total $50 in food was stolen and the investigation is ongoing.

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

State News

So Close To A Budget
North Carolina apparently doesn’t have a budget. While the details behind one were announced this week and lawmakers appeared ready to vote it in, Governor Easley has sent everyone back to the drawing board. Easley has said that he’ll veto the budget if raises for state employees aren’t taken out. The reason for the challenge is that Easley assigned a spending cap to the budget and with the employee raises, it crosses over his limit by a few thousand to finish at $17.2 billion. However some Republicans are coming out in support of the governor’s veto, because they feel that there are too many pork barrel projects in the budget. Several projects have been slipped in from different senators and representatives, all benefiting their districts. The added projects exceed $100 million dollars, according to Senate Republicans. More meetings are scheduled for the rest of this week as lawmakers try to cut down the number to one that Easley agrees to sign.

Highway In Hickory Shut Down
Portions of Highway 70 in Hickory had to be shut down late Tuesday night, after a nearby sinkhole flooded and spilled over into the road. The sinkhole at Buffalo’s Southwestern Café filled with water due to constant rain in the area. The water soon began to pool up and spill into the nearby highway, creating a dangerous situation for drivers. The road has since been reopened, however as nothing has been done about the sinkhole, local DOT officials said to expect the same problem when it rains again. A decision has not yet been made as to what to do with the sinkhole and more important for some making that choice, who’s going to pay for it.

Street Racing Leads To Power Failure
The lights went out in Charlotte on Tuesday night, thanks in part to some nighttime racers. Several street racers were driving on Independence Boulevard when they lost control and hit a power pole. That in turn created a domino effect, breaking a nearby underground water main and tearing down several power lines in the area. Duke Power crews spent all Tuesday night and part of Wednesday morning repairing the damage, which caused two lanes of Independence Boulevard to be shut down. Officials are still searching for the drivers involved.

Police Know Who Abducted Thomasville Woman
The search is on today for a Thomasville woman, however police believe they now know who took her. 23-yr-old Kimberly Tripp went missing on Saturday after calling her mother to tell her goodbye. She also said that her ex-boyfriend was planning to send her home in a body bag. That was the last time anyone saw the woman. Her ex, 23-yr-old Anthony Duncan is now wanted for questioning in her abduction.

Inmates Brought Back To Prison
Two inmates are heading back to prison today in Granville County, after being discovered late on Tuesday. 19-yr-old Noel Waff and 17-yr-old Kristen Whitaker were both picked up by officials on the side of the road, after they saw them walking along Highway 15 South. No details have been released as to how exactly the two managed to escape early Tuesday morning. Waff was in jail on second degree burglary and larceny charges, while Whitaker had been arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.

North Carolina Sued By Asheville
The state of North Carolina finds itself in legal trouble today, after papers were filed by the city of Asheville. Asheville officials are suing North Carolina, after a dispute with Buncombe County. In June of this year, state lawmakers made it illegal for Asheville to charge different water rates to residents outside city limits. They also made it illegal to spend money set aside for water maintenance on anything else. Now city officials are calling the laws unconstitutional, saying that the state is attempting to regulate trade and is denying Asheville equal protection under the law. It’s unknown when a hearing on the subject will go forward.

Sports Headlines

Student Chooses College Over Pros
For most student athletes, the promise of dollar signs far outweighs the chance at a degree. But one Black Mountain student turned down a major league team to pursue his education this week. Steven Hensley was drafted in the 44th round of this year’s Major League Baseball draft by the Washington Nationals. But instead of signing on the dotted line and getting his career started, Hensley announced that he’s enrolling at Elon University. The Black Mountain Owen grad says that he wants to develop his pitching arm and get a degree, while also helping Elon reach the regional NCAA tournament. When he does decide to enter the draft, there won’t be a lack of interest. Hensley has great control over his arm and throws in the early 90s, recording a Western North Carolina record of 153 strikeouts this past season.

North Carolina Players Shine In World Championships
Several players from around North Carolina are turning heads in the Under 21 World Games this year. Duke shooting guard J.J. Redick scored 22 points in the U.S. team’s win over Nigeria 113-78 this week. Redick tied a tournament record by hitting six three pointers in the game. Wake Forest guard Justin Gray also got in on the action, putting in 11 points.

Minor League Scoreboard
In the minors last night, it was Winston Salem falling against Wilmington 10-5.
Warthogs’ starter Wes Whisler was roughed up in the loss, giving up nine runs in just 3 1/3 innings of work.

Bobcats Sign Three
From the NBA, the roster continues to fill up for the Charlotte Bobcats. The agent for point guard Brevin Knight said that his client and the team have come to terms on a deal, however it won’t be finalized until the first of next week. Also the team signed deals with two of its’ summer league players, Antonio Meeking of Louisiana Tech and Alan Anderson from Michigan State.

One Hurricane Sticking Around
Despite all the turnover and trades in the NHL, one Carolina Hurricane will be coming back for another season. Kevyn Adams signed a new deal with the team, locking him up for at least the next two years. The 30-yr-old Adams says that he wants to finish out his career in Raleigh and hopefully bring the Stanley Cup to the Carolinas.

NASCAR News
In NASCAR, Ryan Newman became the latest driver to sign a new deal this week. Newman agreed to stay with Penske Racing, signing a three year extension with the team. Currently Newman is seventh in the points hunt with five races left before the playoffs.

Theft At Foothills Grocery
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to Foothills Grocery on Monday, after thieves broke into the business. Glass in the front door had been shattered, allowing the thieves access into the building. Nothing was stolen from inside except for 30 packs of Marlboro cigarettes. Estimated damages were placed at $300. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

ABC Pt.3: High Schools
With new buildings in the works, Wilkes County’s high schools are at a crossroads. For the most part, the results from this year’s ABC testing showed that they’re headed in the right direction. East & West High were both named as Schools of Distinction, meaning that scores grew as expected and at least 80% of students passed the tests. At East Wilkes the number was 82%, while at West it was 85.6%. West Wilkes was also named a school of high growth, meaning that their scores this year exceeded expectations from the state. As for the other two area schools, Wilkes Central finished as a School of Progress, coming in at 79%. The same was true for North High, who finished at 79% as well.

Pull Over Before Lighting Up
A North Wilkesboro woman learned why it’s a good idea to pull over before lighting up a cigarette. She was driving down Edgewood Road in Wilkesboro when she attempted to light her cigarette. Taking her eyes off the road for a few minutes, she glanced up to see her vehicle was headed off the road. The woman slammed into a guardrail and was knocked unconscious. 911 was alerted to a wreck in the area and help soon arrived. The woman was taken to Wilkes Regional, where she received treatment. The vehicle was totaled with estimated damages placed at $8500.

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

Guns And Cash Stolen From Local Residence
A Roaring River man returned home earlier this week to find thieves had paid him a visit. Missing from the house were several hundred dollars worth of antique coins and money, along with a 9mm handgun and a red bike. After returning home however, he received a call letting him know where some of the stolen property was. The man alerted sheriff’s deputies, who went to the home and found the stolen merchandise. 21-yr-old Wayne Everette Combs and 19-yr-old Bobby Ray Blackburn Jr. were both arrested and charged with felony break-in and felony larceny.

Blood Drives Continue
Earlier this week 3WC News told you about the continuing need for blood here in Wilkes. That need is still a problem today, with the supply at critical levels less than a week before school. As school starts, there also comes the possibility for wrecks and other injuries in the classroom. To help make sure there’s enough blood for all needs, a drive will be going on today at Wal-Mart from 1-5:30pm. However you can only take part in it by appointment. To set up a time to give, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Chemicals Tossed At Local House
A Wilkesboro couple heard a noise outside their house on Monday and went out to investigate. They found a bottle lying a few feet from the home, with smoke pouring out. Some sort of clear liquid was also inside. They called sheriff’s deputies, who soon discovered the compound was a mixture of flammable chemicals that could have caught fire. There is a suspect in the case, as local teens saw someone running from the property and got their license plate. The investigation is ongoing.

Money And Other Items Stolen From Car
A Moravian Falls woman came outside on Monday to find that someone had broke into her car during the night. Crowbars had been used on the vehicle, to rip open the trunk and also to shatter a window. Over $400 in merchandise was missing from the car, along with $80 in cash. Total damages were placed at $450. In addition, the woman’s work permit and social security card were both taken. Despite all the damage however, nothing was heard or seen by the woman or anyone else in the neighborhood. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Bank Robbery In Charlotte
Police are investigating a bank robbery that happened Tuesday morning in Charlotte. The RBC Centura Bank on John Delaney Drive was robbed around 9:15am, when a man came in with a gun and demanded money. After bank tellers handed over the cash, he then took off running out the door. The man is described as wearing a long blonde wig, a gray hat, a blue blazer and blue khakis. Local officials are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600.

Thief Makes Slippery Getaway
Deputies are looking for a would be thief today in Rowan County, one that made a slippery getaway. Officials were called out to the Blue Bay restaurant in Tuesday morning, after reports of a break-in. From evidence at the scene, it appears the thief gained access to the building by climbing down through the fryer vent in the roof. However things didn’t go as planned once he got inside. The man apparently fell into a vat of hot grease, stumbling out and slamming into a nearby wall. After that sudden impact set off the alarm, the man limped out the front door, leaving behind foot and handprints that investigators are using to track him down.

Atkinson Gets Vote Of Confidence
June Atkinson came one step closer to being named the state superintendent of public schools on Tuesday. A report was turned over to the legislative committee put in charge of settling the dispute, stating that Atkinson won the race and should be allowed to assume her post. The 10-member committee will now hold a vote and make a recommendation of their own to the full General Assembly later this week. After that lawmakers will hold a joint session and vote to appoint a winner in the race. Atkinson beat her opponent, Republican Bill Fletcher by 8535 votes in last November’s election. Fletcher however refused to concede the race, saying that 11,000 people cast their provisional ballots illegally. A final decision could come by the end of the month.

Billy Graham To Call It Quits
One of the most beloved ministers in our time is calling it quits. The Rev. Billy Graham is officially ending his crusade ministry, according to daughter Anne Graham Lotz. Lotz said that her father was at total peace with his retirement and would only come out to possibly speak at one of his son Franklin Graham’s festivals.

Judge Rules In Favor Of Patients
A judge in Durham has opened the door for lawsuits against a local company. Earlier this year it was announced that surgical instruments at Durham Regional and Duke Health Hospital were cleaned with hydraulic fluid instead of soap. That led to some complications for patients recovering from surgery and others in the hospital. Attorneys for the companies involved said that it was an accident and their clients didn’t mean to hurt anyone, so due to that fact they requested that punitive damages be dropped. The judge refused, instead saying that the victims can in fact sue both Cardinal Health and Automatic Elevator Company for pain and suffering.

Sports Headlines

Surprise Entry Into UNC Camp
The Tarheels got a surprise addition to camp this week, after freshman Mark Paschal showed up ready to play. Paschal had been sent home by Coach Bunting after being charged with assault, resisting arrest and drunk & disruptive behavior. The freshman is still expected in court on August 15th but has been cleared to play until further notice.

Duke Lands More Recruits
Up the road in Durham, some good news today for the Duke football program as Jeremy Ringfield committed to the team. Ringfield is a 6-5 wide receiver from Georgia who was named last year to the all-state team in 4-A. During his senior season, Ringfield will also be learning how to play cornerback, preparing for possibly a dual role on the Duke team in 2006. By committing to Duke, Ringfield turned down offers from Maryland and Louisville, saying that he liked the combination of academics and athletics found in Durham.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem beating Wilmington 8-2. Warthogs’ starter Ray Liotta got his third win of the season, giving up one run in five innings of work. Leo Daigle also hit his league leading 27th home run for Winston, one of the Warthogs’ 11 hits on the day. Over in Hickory, the Crawdads beat Delmarva 4-2. Crawdads starter Yoann Torrealba got his fifth win after going seven innings and giving up two runs. With the win, Hickory moves three and a half games back of Delmarva in the race for the Northern Division title.

Injuries Continue To Plague Panthers
Injuries continue to plague the Carolina Panthers as they get set to wrap up training camp. Linebacker Chris Draft is still receiving treatment for asthma, after suffering a series of attacks during practice. Draft said that he hoped to be back on the field later this week, although doctors still don’t know what triggered the attacks. Meanwhile rookie Thomas Davis had to be held out of practice after a bout with what could possibly be the flu, although team doctors aren’t sure.

Leffler Fired By Gibbs Racing
In NASCAR, Jason Leffler is looking for a new ride today, after being fired by Joe Gibbs Racing. Leffler, who drove the #11 Chevy, will be replaced by a series of fill-ins for the rest of the year. J.D. Gibbs said that the decision was made due to the fact the car and driver failed to meet expectations. Currently Leffler is 35th in the points race. This week Terry Labonte will take over, with several Busch drivers on tap for the rest of the year.

Busch To Swap Rides
A major shakeup in the Nextel Cup circuit, as Kurt Busch announced he’ll be leaving Roush Racing. Busch has signed a deal with Penske Racing South, beginning in 2007, however he’s asked Roush to let him go a year early from his contract, so that he can possibly take over for Rusty Wallace next season driving the #2 Dodge. Roush officials said they haven’t made a decision on Busch’s request and would take an indefinite amount of time to do so.

ABC School Report Part 2: Middle Schools
With the State’s ABC results out for this year, Wilkes County schools have a grade to show for their end of course testing. Today we’re taking a look at the middle schools and how they measured up to the state requirements. All but one of the schools met or exceeded expectations, with that one exception being North Wilkes Middle. On the other side of the county, East Wilkes Middle was named an Honor School of Excellence, meaning that at least 90% of the students scored high on the testing and met the state’s requirements. Central Wilkes and West Wilkes Middle were both named as Schools of Distinction, which means that at least 80% of students met or exceeded state requirements. Those three schools, Central, East and West also all made high growth projections, exceeding the results from last year while continuing to develop. Tomorrow we’ll examine where the local high schools stand in all of this.

Reports of Forgery In North Wilkesboro
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise over the weekend, when he received a call from his bank. It seems that several checks written to the man’s account had bounced, despite the fact he had never actually written them. All total, 25 checks had been taken from his home, along with $1600 in cash and $1500 in silver coins. It’s unclear exactly how the items were taken, as there hadn’t been any sign of a break-in during recent weeks and the man had just now noticed the items were gone. There is however a suspect in the case, as officials were identified of someone trying to cash one of the checks at a local store. The investigation is ongoing.

Open House At Different Schools This Week
With the first day of school less than a week away, it’s open house time around the county. Things get started tonight as North Wilkes Middle School holds orientation starting at 5:15 for rising 6th graders. Then later on at 7:15, it will be open house time for 7th and 8th graders. Also 7th & 8th graders at West Wilkes Middle can go by tonight starting at 3pm and pick up their schedules. For the other schools in the area, Thursday and Friday are the dates for this year’s orientation sessions. C.B. Eller, C.C. Wright, Moravian Falls, Mulberry, Roaring River, Traphill and Wilkesboro Elementary will all hold orientation sessions on Thursday night. Also the four high schools will all hold freshman orientation on Thursday, beginning for each one at 6pm. Mountain View Elementary will be holding their open house one day later, on Friday the 12th, as will East Wilkes Middle and Boomer Ferguson will hold a special orientation Friday night for Pre K and Kindergarten students, so they can meet the teacher. The final three schools are holding open house next week, beginning with Central Wilkes Middle School on the 14th, Mount Pleasant Elementary on the 18th and Millers Creek Elementary on the 25th.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in Wilkes this weekend, targeting the Grocery Bag on Boone Trail. A man pulled up in his vehicle, pumped just over $12 worth of gas into the car and then drove off without paying. A description of both the man and his ride were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

Farmers At Risk Of Losing Benefits As Deadline Extended
Some farmers here in Wilkes County could be at risk of losing state aid dollars unless a mistake is corrected. The aid money is scheduled to be sent out to any farmer who suffered crop losses or had to rebuild from last year’s hurricanes. However when filing out their information sheet, several hundred farmers throughout North Carolina refused to allow the state to share their information with federal agencies. This causes a problem because the Department of Agriculture is the one in charge of sending out the aid money & without that consent form, they don’t know who to send it to. The deadline to turn in a form is September 9th and you can pick one up at the Cooperative Extension office. To call for more information, their number is 651-7331.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
Wilkesboro police were called out to a wreck on 421 over the weekend, after a driver ran a red light. A Wilkesboro woman was trying to turn left onto Hwy 421 when another driver ran the red light and slammed into her. That second vehicle, driven by a Boone man was totaled with damages placed at $4000. Meanwhile the woman’s car was also totaled, with estimated damages placed at $5000. Thankfully no one was hurt in the crash however 22-yr-old Robert William Bates was charged with a stop light violation.

Pregnancy Center To Hold Event This Month
The Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center has been helping people deal with unplanned pregnancies for the last 10 years. They also counsel women who are either considering abortion or have already gone through with one. Coming up next week, the Center is putting together a program to help minister to those who are struggling to come to terms with an abortion in their past. That will go on once again August 20th starting at 9am in the morning. For more information you can call the Pregnancy Care Center at 838-9272.

Tires Slashed While At A Business
A Wilkesboro woman called police over the weekend after coming out of the store to find her car had been vandalized. All four tires had been slashed, that along with other damage was estimated at a total cost of $500. There are suspects in the case, as employees inside the store witnessed two men doing something to the vehicle, but they couldn’t tell what. Names and a description of both men were turned over to police and the investigation is ongoing.

Head Start Orientation
As we get closer to the start of school, we’re also approaching the beginning of this year’s Head Start program. With that in mind, orientation for Head Start will take place at all three Wilkes County Centers this Friday. You and your child can come in anytime from 8am til 8pm, with officials on hand to answer your questions and show you around. Once again that will be held this Friday, August 12th at the Cub Creek, Lomax and North Wilkesboro Head Start Centers. For more information you can call Judi Mitchell at the BROC head office. Her number is 667-7174.

State News

Elderly Man Saves Soldier’s Life
A man in Fayetteville North Carolina saved the light of a soldier over the weekend. The soldier apparently had a seizure according to officials and lost control of his vehicle, which crashed into a gas pump. The car then burst into flames as the soldier’s wife and daughter were able to get out of the vehicle, however he was still pinned inside. 62-yr-old Richard Raynor heard the wife calling for help and managed to pull her husband, Adam Umland out of the car before it exploded. Umland sustained third degree burns across parts of his body and is currently being treated at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Pardons Come Slow For Freed Inmates
Problems are stemming up in North Carolina’s prison system, even after the inmates are freed. Recent evidence has led to freedom for at least four men in the state, however their permanent record still labels them as criminals. 54-yr-old Silvester Smith was wrongfully accused of being a child molester, however even after his release from prison, he has to register as a known sex offender. His case was thrown out of court due to testimony that proved he didn’t commit the crimes. With the offender tag, he’s been unable to find a job, despite his innocence. And several other similar cases are coming to light, all involving innocent men who still are labeled as criminals. Despite the problem however, Gov. Easley’s office hasn’t handed out any pardons. It’s not that he has refused, but his office says they’re reviewing the cases in question and there could possibly be a pardon issued by the end of this term.

Jobs Leaving High Point
Bad news today for people in the High Point area, as more jobs are heading out of town. Less than a week after the president signed the CAFTA bill into law, Henredon Upholstery announced plans to shut down their plant in the area. 45 jobs will be lost in the move as the company hopes to raise profits by combining the plant’s operations with another one in the area. Company officials said it was simply a plan to get better production from their factories.

North Carolina Man Breaks Drum Record
What does it take to be the world’s fastest drummer? A North Carolina man can tell you, as Cary resident Eric Okamoto broke the world record. Okamoto, a music teacher in the area, hit 1559 drumstrokes a minute, which broken down, means 26 strokes a second. The competition he took part in is called Extreme Sport Drumming, an event in which over 10,000 people have tried to break the previous record. The event is held twice a year and winners get their name entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Police Searching For Assault Suspect At NC State
Police around the NC State campus are searching for a suspect today, after he assaulted a student at the school. Over the weekend, a woman was walking on campus when she was grabbed from behind and tossed to the ground. She managed to escape and got a good look at her attacker, which a description was turned over to police. The man is believed to be in his 20s, around 5’7ft with brown hair and a strange body odor. Officials are asking anyone with information to call the local Crimestoppers before he strikes again.

Sports Headlines

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look at the minor league scoreboard from Monday, it was Delmarva beating the Hickory Crawdads 10-4. The game was called halfway through the eighth inning due to rain, as Crawdads starter Julio Guerrero got saddled with the loss. Guerrero gave up eight runs over four innings of work as Hickory falls four and a half games behind Delmarva in the hunt for the Northern Division title. Up the road in Winston the news was the same as the Warthogs lost to Wilmington 5-4. It took eleven innings to seal the deal as Warthogs reliever Juan Ovalles gave up the final run.

Kasay Unleashes Kicks
Fans who came out to the Carolina Panthers’ practice got some excitement earlier this week. Kicker John Kasay nailed several field goals beyond the fifty yard marker, hitting them from 59, 55 and 50 yards. So far, Kasay ranks third in league history in field goals made from beyond fifty yards, something that he attributes to God. He told reporters that it’s only by God’s grace that he can still maneuver and perform at such a high level.

Bobcats Schedule Revealed
The Charlotte Bobcats are still growing and developing into an NBA team, this being their second year in the league. Now at least they’ll know who to prepare for, as the schedules were released yesterday for the upcoming season. Tarheel fans will get their first chance to see the new Bobcats, Raymond Felton and Sean May on Saturday November 5th, when the team opens up the new arena against the Boston Celtics. Before that Charlotte starts off with two games on the road. First in Chicago on the 2nd and then in Philadelphia on the 4th.

Hurricanes Sign Another Player
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes added another piece to the puzzle by signing Ray Whitney. Whitney, who had played the last four years with the Florida Panthers, agreed to a two year deal with the team. The 33-yr-old will help revive a struggling Hurricane offense, which only converted 10% of its’ power plays in 2003.

Kahne Signs Extension
In NASCAR, Kasey Kahne has his future locked up, after coming to terms on a contract with Everham Motorsports. With Kahne gone from the free agent market, rumors are now flying around the DEI is going after a big name driver to race in the #15 next season. Michael Waltrip will vacate the driver’s seat as he’s announced plans to leave DEI after this year is over. The mystery driver is under 30, according to Earnhart officials and ran a good time in this week’s practice sessions. An official announcement isn’t expected for several weeks on the hire.

North Wilkesboro To Hold Public Hearing
The way elections are held may be changing in North Wilkesboro. A public hearing will go on September 13th to determine if the town will continue holding partisan elections or primaries. Currently North Wilkesboro is one of only seven across North Carolina to have such elections, but that may change if Mayor Steve Foster has his way. Foster received approval last week from the town board to hear what the public has to say about the proposal. If it passes, the move would save thousands of dollars, as primaries routinely cost around two to three thousand dollars. Instead all candidates would move forward to the general election, where people could vote for whoever they choose, regardless of party affiliation.

Shots Fired At Wilkesboro Residence
Deputies are investigating a shooting that took place in Wilkesboro over the weekend. A local man was sleeping in his living room when he heard gunshots outside. Then seconds later a second round of gunfire ripped through his home, hitting him on the left side. The man was taken to Wilkes Regional, where he was reported to be in good condition. Deputies went to his home and found eleven shell casings outside the home and several more within, They were able to match the bullets to a 9mm weapon and are continuing the investigation.

Counterfeit Money Found In Wilkesboro
Wilkesboro police were called out to the Lovette Company late last week, after $20 in counterfeit money was discovered. Company officials told police that they had no idea how they got the cash, which was found when they made a deposit at the bank. This marks the second time in under a month that counterfeit money has been turned in by a local business and the investigation is ongoing.

Blood Drives Across County
1500 pints of blood are used in hospitals and emergency rooms every day to treat accident victims, deal with disease and perform surgery. With accidents and other injuries constantly in the news, Wilkes County’s blood supply continues to hover around the critical level. In order to help solve the problem, the Red Cross has organized two more blood drives in our area. The first will be this afternoon from 2-6:30pm at the Lovette Company. Then one hour later Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church will host a drive, from 3-7pm. Before donating, just remember that you must be at least 17 years old, weigh no less than 110 lbs and be in good health. To set up an appointment you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Attack Of The Video Game Bandits
A North Wilkesboro man called out sheriff’s deputies late last week, after thieves broke in. He had returned from work to find several hundred dollars worth of merchandise gone from the home, including a Playstation 2 and nine games. There was no damage done to the property and no sign of a break-in however. There is a suspect in the case, as the man believes the thief had a key to the house. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Local Businesses Fall Victim To Break-in
Two businesses in Wilkesboro fell victim to thieves late last week. Someone had busted through part of the cinder block wall in both locations, making a hole just big enough to get through. In Bestway, the thieves stole two Dell laptop computers and some employee files. An estimated $1500 worth of damage was done. Less than a few feet away, the thieves struck again at Go Wireless, busting in and causing $2450 in damage. However unlike in Bestway, nothing was taken from the store. Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Always Keep Your Car Doors Locked
It’s never a good idea to leave your car doors unlocked. A Millers Creek woman learned that the hard way after several thousand dollars worth of money & merchandise was stolen from inside. The woman returned from a local store to find that thieves had been inside and stolen her wallet, $3800 and seven credit cards. There are no suspects but Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

ABCs of School
Late last week, the results were released for this year’s ABC testing program. The grades of each school were made public by the state Department of Public Instruction and here in Wilkes, there was both good and bad. Today we’re taking a look at the elementary schools throughout the county. Eight of the thirteen elementary schools met state expectations and several even exceeded them. Four county elementary schools were named as Schools of Distinction. CC Wright, Mulberry, Ronda Clingman and Wilkesboro. CC Wright also made the list of schools making higher than expected growth, joining Traphill, Mulberry, Ronda Clingman and Boomer Ferguson. Two schools in the county were named as Honor Schools of Excellence, Traphill and Mountain View while Boomer Ferguson and Moravian Falls were both named Schools of Progress. Tomorrow we’ll go over the middle schools, explaining which ones made the cut and which ones didn’t.

State News

One North Carolina School Keeps Indian Name
Seventeen universities across North Carolina will be looking for a new mascot this year, after being told to make a change. The NCAA announced that all schools with an Indian mascot would have to find a new one, however there was one exception. UNC Pembroke gets to keep its’ name, a decision that has several groups up in arms. The NCAA said the exception was given because Pembroke was exclusively an American Indian school for 67 years and so was given preferential treatment. The change was ordered in the first place because groups have complained that the use of a Native American mascot is scary and intimidating to some, while seeming to be hostile to others.

Missing Greensboro Man Found
The search is over today for a missing Greensboro man. 84-yr-old Frank Rasche was found just a few miles from his home, dead in the woods. A teenager came across the body while looking for a missing cat. Deputies said that it appeared the man died of natural causes, but an autopsy has been ordered just to be sure. The 84-yr-old went missing during the last week of July when it’s believed he wandered away from home.

Search Is On For Hit & Run Driver
The search is on today for a hit & run driver in Winston Salem. A local man was walking near Bowman Gray Stadium when he was hit by a van speeding through the intersection. The man, Randall Lee Beougher died at Baptist Hospital. Officials have obtained a description of the van, labeled as a light colored vehicle with damage to the right front section. Police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800.

Jobs Coming To Winston
Good news for people in the Winston area, as some jobs will be coming in over the next three years. AGL Logistics announced plans this weekend to lease a warehouse near the new Dell plant, providing supplies for the plant as needed. 50 workers will be hired to run the warehouse, dealing with shipping and other issues as needed. The jobs will be open to anyone, as the company is posting employment information on its’ website www.apllogistics.com.

Budget Agreement Will Be Announced Today
Finally after several months of debate and discussion, a state budget will be officially unveiled later today. The two year plan comes as both parties have agreed to compromise. The cigarette tax will be increased to 30 cents on September 1st, then by this time next year it will increase five more cents. State employees will also get an $850 increase in pay, while teachers’ pay will be raised 2.4 percent.

Sports Headlines

Heels Lose Member Of Their Team
Up the road in Chapel Hill, the news wasn’t good for the Tarheels, who saw a member of their offense leave. However Vince Wilson decided to leave all on his own. Wilson, a 5-9 sophomore, announced that he was transferring from the school because he felt he wasn’t being used enough by the team. He sat down and talked with Coach John Bunting through the week before finally coming to the decision. The move however leaves North Carolina with a very inexperienced backfield. None of their halfbacks have ever carried the ball during a college game. Barrington Edwards, who transferred in last year from LSU, becomes the starter with freshmen James Arnold and Richie Rich backing him up

Duke Loses Kicker
Up the road in Durham, Duke’s football team is rushing to find a kicker today, after Alex Feinberg announced he would miss this upcoming season. Duke coach Ted Roof said that Feinberg told him the decision was made for personal reasons. Now with the season less than a month away, freshman Joe Surgan will take over kicking duties. As a high school senior, Surgan was ranked number four in the nation.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look at the minor league scoreboard, it was Hickory falling against Delmarva 7-6. Despite having the tying run less than 90 feet away at third base, the Crawdads couldn’t drive him in during the ninth inning. The news was better however for the Winston Salem Warthogs, as they beat the Fredrick Keys 12-3. Warthogs reliever Fraser Dizard got his fourth win of the year, giving up one run in three innings of work.

Jones Retires From Panthers
For the second year in a row, a free agent of the Panthers has retired without playing a down. Tight end Freddie Jones retired on Sunday, saying that it was in the best interests of his family. He also said that he looked forward to whatever God has planned for him during his retirement. With Jones gone, the Panthers have three tight ends on the roster. Veterans Kris Mangum, Mike Seidman and second year player Michael Gaines.

NASCAR Results
Tony Stewart took the checkered flag at yesterday’s Allstate 400. Kasey Kahne was second, Brian Vickers third, Jeremey Mayfield fourth and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five. With the win, Stewart takes over the lead in points, 75 in front of Jimmie Johnson and 111 ahead of Greg Biffle.