Local Church Holds Youth Conference
Emmanuel Church is celebrating its’ 13th year of operation in 2005 and portions of the church’s youth are working to honor that achievement. A conference will go on starting tonight at the church, located in North Wilkesboro, where the target is to bring 250 teens together to honor and worship God. The name of this year’s conference is Raising the Crop. If you want to get involved and help, you can do that as well. The church is accepting any donations of time, food or whatever you can give to help support the conference. It begins tonight at 7:30pm, continues tomorrow night at 7:30 and then finishes up Sunday at 10:30 that morning. They are located at 708 F Street in North Wilkesboro and the number to call for information is 903-0693.

Local Fire Deemed Arson
Wilkes Fire Marshals are investigating a blaze that took place earlier this week on C.B. Eller School Road. Someone had attempted to set part of the home on fire, managing to damage about seven inches of the outside. The exterior breaker box was damaged, along with part of the nearby siding. Marshals determined that the would be arsonist used some type of small torch or lighter to ignite the home. It was discovered and put out before any real damage could be done. There are suspects in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Upcoming Abortion Conference
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 tomorrow, 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 tomorrow, August 20th starting at 9am in the morning. For more information you can call the Pregnancy Care Center at 838-9272.

Calf Stolen From Local Residence
Why would someone steal a calf? That’s what a Ferguson man is wondering today, after returning to find that one of his was missing. In addition to the missing calf, there was about $50 worth of damage done across his property, where it appeared that someone had been camping out. Trash was tossed around, clothing was laying in the field and there were remains of a fire. Despite all this no one had heard or seen anyone around the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Wilkes Heritage Museum Holds Fundraiser
Old Wilkes Inc. continues to raise money to put into their renovation project of what will be the Heritage Museum. One way of doing that will be on display this weekend, when the group hosts a giant yard sale. The event starts this afternoon at 4pm and runs til 8pm tonight, before starting back up Saturday morning at 8am and stretching on until 2pm. All kinds of items, from clothing, to art, to food will be available, with proceeds going to support the Old Wilkes renovation projects. Currently the organization is in charge of the Old Wilkes Jail, Robert Cleveland Log Home and Finely Law Office, in addition to the Old Wilkes Courthouse that is still under reconstruction. For more information or to get involved with the sale, you can call Laura Stroud at 838-4240 or contact the Old Wilkes offices at 667-3712.

Man Arrested For Drug Possession
A traffic stop in Wilkesboro led to an arrest by sheriff’s deputies this past Tuesday. Deputies had pulled over a vehicle for only having one working headlight. But when they came up to the driver’s side, there was a strong smell of marijuana coming out. The driver then opened his mouth to show deputies pieces of marijuana still inside. The man also had rolling papers in his lap. 18-yr-old Corey Holmes Nelson was arrested and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wilkes Christian Sportsmen
For anyone who loves to hunt or fish, this next bit of information is for you. The Wilkes Christian Sportsmen will be holding their Banquet next week beginning Monday night at 6pm. The banquet continues on Tuesday and then wraps up Thursday night. Each day, dinner is set for 6pm and then the program itself kicks off at 7pm. There are still tickets available and you can pick them up at Minton Pawn, For Heaven’s Sake Book Store, Mike’s Bait & Tackle, Ed & Dale’s Gun Shop, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Peace Haven Baptist Church and Oakwoods Baptist Church. For more information you can call 667-7838.

Money Stolen From Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home in Wilkesboro this week, after $30 was stolen. The homeowners returned to find the money, which was all in quarters, missing with no signs of a break-in. Nothing else was taken from the home and no damage was done. However deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Post Office Evacuated In Charlotte
Officials in Charlotte evacuated the Post Office on Scott Futrell Drive Thursday morning, after reports came in of a bomb threat. Around 6am someone called in and said there was a bomb in the building, however no explosives were ever found. By 8am bomb sniffing dogs had cleared the building and police were able to track the call to a pay phone just down the road.

War Protestors Hold Vigil In Durham
350 war protestors gathered this week in Durham, urging President Bush to bring the troops home. This was part of a larger network of events, which has been going on across the state since the first of August. The planners say that they want to hold these in support of Cindy Sheehan and all other mothers whose sons have been killed in Iraq. Cindy Sheehan has spent almost two weeks camped out near the president’s ranch in Texas, protesting the war and asking for the troops to come home, so no other mother will have to receive a message informing them that their son or daughter has been killed in combat. Across the state this week, 1700 people came out to the rallies, which were held in Charlotte, Greensboro, Chapel Hill and other areas.

Dam Project Causes Protest
In Randolph County, a dam project has people up in arms today. The Randleman Dam is almost finished and will soon bring water to people in the area. However that same dam is also forcing members of the community to find a new home. Farmers say they recognize that the dam is needed, but the problem is that they’re being lowballed for their land. The Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority has tried to buy all of the local farms, but has offered less than half of what they’re worth. If the farmers were to accept an offer like that, they wouldn’t have enough money to move their families, much less livestock and equipment. A hearing on the matter is scheduled to go before the Randolph County Superior Court on Monday.

Lawmakers Cashing In
Concerns are being raised about how much money is given out to state lawmakers. Despite being in recess, 99 lawmakers are still receiving their $104 a day checks. According to legislative records, 88 House members are still receiving checks and 11 senators. Now this isn’t a normal paycheck but rather what’s called an expense check, paid out for food and lodging on the drive to and from the lawmaker’s own district. Since these checks are automatically sent out, lawmakers have to officially decline them in order not to get one. Despite not being in Raleigh, some of the senators justified taking the money. Wake County Republican Neal Hunt said that he was catching up on emails sent out from local constituents and even though he’ll be doing this at home, felt it was appropriate to receive compensation. Both houses of government are expected to return next week for a new session.

Missing Woman Located
Officials in Lexington have located a woman that went missing August 6th. Kimberly trip was found this week in Georgia, having been abducted by her ex-boyfriend. Tripp had called her mother hours before she disappeared, telling her goodbye and saying that her ex-boyfriend had told her he would bring her back in a box. She was found in Mitchell County and was unharmed. The ex-boyfriend, Anthony Duncan, was arrested and charged with her kidnapping. He now facing an extradition hearing.

Reidsville Police Raid The Wrong House
A Reidsville woman got a shock earlier this week, after officers ordered her out of her home and pointed guns in her face. The woman had been eating breakfast when the officers arrived, banging at the door and ordering her to step outside. It turns out they were searching for an escaped murder suspect, but had the wrong home. Instead, the place they were looking for was right across the street. Instead of raiding the 20-yr-old suspect’s home, they went to one of a retired schoolteacher. Members of the police force, including the local captain apologized for the incident. The suspect, 20-yr-old Tim Thaxton turned himself in a few days later.

Sports Headlines

Football Friday Night Kicks Off
Around the high school scene, today officially kicks off football season and 3WC will be out at the local schools bringing you all the action with our Game of the Week. Ken Byrd and Keith Briand will be over at East Wilkes, broadcasting the Cardinals’ game against East Davidson. Also Brian Carlton will be in the studio, interviewing coaches and bringing you up to date scores from the other games going on in the area. Things start off at 7:15 tonight with the McDonald’s Pregame Show, then kickoff is set for 7:30. All on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

Former Tarheels Return To Smith Center
Tarheel players both past and present will gather in the Smith Center next week for the fourth annual World’s Greatest Alumni Game. Already committed to show up are Raymond Felton and Sean May, both of which are starting their NBA career after winning the national title last season. The game starts at 7pm Saturday August 27th, with the former Heels suiting up against the ACC Pro All-Stars, which will include Josh Howard, Chris Paul and Daniel Ewing. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the American Diabetes Foundation.

Women Advance To Finals
In other college basketball news, the U.S. women’s team moved on to the finals after beating Russia 118-67 at the World University Games. The team went on a 20-0 run early in the first half and never let up, earning the right to face Serbia and Montenegro for the gold medal later today.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem falling to Wilmington 11-10. Warthogs’ reliever Juan Ovalles got the loss after giving up a solo home run in the eighth inning. Robert Valido led Winston, going 3-4 with three RBIs.

Panthers Sign Morgan To Extension
The Carolina Panthers locked up another vital part of their defense this week, coming to terms with linebacker Dan Morgan. The five year deal will keep Morgan in Carolina until at least 2009, a move that team officials said was a priority. Morgan said that he wants to finish his career as a Panther, playing for the team that drafted him and hopes to bring home a few Super Bowl trophies along the way.

Eury Jr. To Stay With DEI
In NASCAR, some good news today for Dale Earnhart Incorporated. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. agreed to a new contract, signing on with DEI for a long term deal. Eury Jr. the cousin of Dale Earnhart Jr., hasn’t said who he’ll be working with next season, as his current driver, Michael Waltrip, is leaving after this year.

Stewart Steps Down From Ride
Tony Stewart is stepping out of the driver’s chair and letting someone else take the wheel. In the Busch series that is. Stewart turned over the reins of the #33 Chevy to Tony Raines, who will be driving the car in the Busch series for the rest of the year. Up til now, Stewart had been splitting time in the vehicle with Raines but stepped aside so that he could focus on the Nextel Cup race.

False Missionary Popping Up
The Wilkes Sheriff’s Department has issued a warning for churches in the area. A young man pretending to be a missionary is in the area, trying to get donations for his supposed trip. In reality the money isn’t used for anything close to mission work. He’s already conned several churches in other counties and now information points to him being in Wilkes. The man is described as being oriental, around 5’7ft and skinny. He drives a green 1991 Toyota Corolla with New Hampshire license plates. If you have any information regarding this man, please contact the Sheriff’s Department at 903-7600.

Shots Fired At Moravian Falls Home
Sheriff’s deputies were recently called out to a home in Moravian Falls, after reports of shots being fired. The homeowner woke up to the sounds of gunfire around her residence, lasting for about two hours. Deputies were called in but there was no evidence at the scene and no witnesses. The investigation is ongoing.

Open House Later Today At West Wilkes
As we get set to wrap up the first week of school, students at West Wilkes High can take part tonight in an Open House. Parents can come in and meet with their children’s teachers, also getting to see the different classrooms. The event starts at 7pm with everyone gathering together in the gym. For more information you can call the school at 973-4503.

Another Round Of Gas Thieves In Wilkes
For the second time in under a week, gas thieves hit a business in Wilkes County. This time it was the Clingman Pit Stop in Ronda, as a person drove up in a green van, pumped $46 worth of gas and then took off without paying. Employees inside the store were able to get a description of both the driver and his vehicle, both of which were turned over to deputies. That investigation is ongoing.

Ran Off With The Pressure Washer
How do you just walk off with a pressure washer? That’s what a Traphill woman wants to know, as thieves paid her a visit this week. The washer was sitting on the porch when the woman left earlier in the day. However when she returned it was gone, with no marks left behind and no evidence that someone had been there. Deputies do have a suspect, as a witness described a man pulling up in a dump truck and loading the washer inside. A description of both the man and his truck were turned over to deputies, who are continuing the investigation.

Focus On Music
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to start out as a musician? To juggle your music ministry with work, school and the everyday insanity of life? This week on Focus on the Foothills, we’ll be talking about all those subjects with musician and college student Wes Pickering, providing a snapshot of what the process is like, putting together a record and working to keep your grades up at the same time. To hear Brian's interview with Wes, you can tune in today for Focus on the Foothills. They’ll be discussing what’s involved if you want to get started in music, also providing some hints to help along the way. That’s coming up at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Medicare Information Session Later Today
It can be hard at times to understand all the legal language when going through an insurance contract. How much do you pay? What exactly is covered? It’s no different with Medicare, however coming up this week it’ll be a little easier to get some answers. There will be a public information session going on Thursday August 18th at the Wilkes Public Library. The session will go on from 11 am til 12 noon, with people on hand to answer your questions concerning Medicare Plan B. For more information you can call 670-2644.

Money Order Forged At Local Store
A woman came into the Fast Track in Wilkesboro this week, wanting to cash a money order. However employees at the store noticed that it looked strange, like someone had changed the name on it. After the woman was told that the check would have to be verified, she grabbed it and took off out the door. She was able to be identified and Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

3WC Healthwatch: Accidental Poisons
Recently in the local Wal-Mart, a toxic gas was created when someone accidentally mixed two chemicals. But what other toxins are we exposing ourselves to in everyday life? Today we’re taking a look at that in our 3WC Healthwatch. If you’re bitten by a gnat or some other seemingly harmless bug, you tend not to think that much about it. But recent studies have shown that might not be such a good idea. Even the smallest insect can carry poison inside, so if you start itching in a place you’ve been bitten, you need to put an anti-inflammatory cream or spray on it. That helps not only alleviate the itch, but also cuts down on he poison. Also be careful of things in your house. Never sniff containers to see what’s inside and also be careful to toss out any old or outdated chemicals inside your home. In addition, be sure and turn on a fan or open up a window when mopping or using any other chemicals. That way the gases can escape outside and not be caught up with you. Finally remember that pesticides can be absorbed through the skin, so if you see a place that’s being sprayed, try to stay as far away as possible. It may cause extra driving time, but that’s better than a hospital stay.

State News

Jobs Leaving Burlington Area
Some bad news today for people living in Burlington, as more jobs are headed out of the area. Culp Inc. announced plans this week to shut down two yarn-making factories, a move that will cost 100 people their jobs. Equipment from the plant will be sold to a company in Chapel Hill. The move comes after an announcement about this year’s profits, which took a dive to $286 million. That’s $32 million less than at the same time last year. Company officials said that they weren’t prepared for profits to dip any lower and found that it was cheaper to buy yarn and then put it to use than to make their own.

Employee Frozen At Papa Johns
Winston Salem police were called out to the site of a robbery Wednesday on South Hawthorne Road, at the local Papa John’s store. Instead of the robber however, they found an employee locked up in the store’s walk-in freezer. Apparently what happened was that a man came in, showed a gun and demanded money. After taking the cash, he then locked an employee in the freezer and took off. Before being stuffed inside however, the employee was able to trigger the store’s alarm. Winston police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 336-773-7700.

All Chatham Students To Have A Laptop
When students in Chatham County make it back to class this week, there’s a surprise waiting. A brand new laptop computer. County officials invested one million dollars to buy Apple iBook computers for every high school student in the area. Currently they’re a little over halfway toward the goal, as just over 1,000 students will be given the laptops this week. The plan was to help equip students and make sure everyone has access to the same technology, to level the playing field for those who might not be able to afford one on their own.

Waste Spill Contaminates Neuse River
In Clayton North Carolina, cleanup continues on one of the worst spills ever in this part of the state. 600,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into the Neuse River, the result of a clogged pipe. Some debris from local construction blocked the pipe, causing the water to spill out of a manhole in a remote part of the area. It went unnoticed for over a month, due to the limited amount of traffic coming through. Town officials have since fixed the sewer line and pumped out around 113,000 gallons. However over 400,000 gallons still remain although officials say there shouldn’t be any concern about contaminated water sources.

Judge Causes Case To Be Overturned
A judge in Raleigh is under fire today, after her remarks led to a new trial for a convicted offender. 31-yr-old Douglas Shane Wright, a convicted sex offender, was given a new trial after the state Court of Appeals ruled that the judge in his case created a negative atmosphere that prevented him from having an impartial jury. Wright had been charged with two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and sentenced to five years in prison. Now that decision has been overturned, after the court heard testimony about the judge’s behavior. According to witnesses, she repeatedly made disparaging remarks to the defense attorney and told the jurors they should be afraid of her. This isn’t the first time Judge Evelyn Hill has been the subject of controversy, as she’s been reprimanded by the state twice for misbehavior in the courtroom.

More NC Troops On The Way To Iraq
Bad news today for military families at Fort Bragg, as more North Carolina troops have received orders to ship out. 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division will begin deploying to Iraq over the next two weeks, on a mission they haven’t even received details on yet. The unit returned from Iraq in 2004, after serving both in Fallujah and earlier in Afghanistan. Officials said that the soldiers wouldn’t be given orders until they arrive in Iraq, but are being told to prepare for some nontraditional missions.

Sports Headlines

University Team Continues To Win
The U.S. University team continues to roll through the competition at this year’s University Games. The games, offered as an alternative to those too old for the Under 21 league, are being played in Turkey. The American team put together another strong showing as they beat China 117-61. Duke’s Shelden Williams put in 16 points to help lead the team to victory. The news was just as good on the women’s side, as the U.S. beat Taiwan 109-57, advancing to the semi-finals. Duke’s Monique Currie added 14 points in the victory, as the U.S. moves on to face Russia later this week.

Duke Lands Football Recruit
In what’s shaping up to be a great recruiting class for football, Duke University has landed its’ 11th commitment for 2006. Brandon King, a fullback ranked as the 18th best player in Pennsylvania, has agreed to play for the team. The 6-3, 240 lb. King totaled up 651 rushing yards last season as a junior and will be used both for his running ability and also his blocking next year as a Blue Devil. A dedication to winning and good academic program were two of the things he said drew him to Durham.

Minor League Scoreboard

Minter Becomes New Champion
With the NFL preseason in full swing, there are bragging rights on the line and a new championship awarded to Carolina Panther Mike Minter. Minter was showing off his new title at the team’s practice facility on Wednesday, after he was crowned the new Madden 2006 champion. He even held a press conference to declare victory, proudly holding up his title belt, a white towel with the game’s label taped on it. Minter wanted to make sure everyone knew of his victory, because he came in near the bottom of the barrel in last year’s competition. However he solved that problem this time, he said, by practicing hard each and every day.

Hurricanes News & Notes
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes are going to loan out their coach for a few weeks. Peter Laviolette was selected this week as the new coach for next year’s U.S. Olympic team. The 40-yr-old Laviolette was a player during the 1994 team and coached the U.S. to a bronze medal at the world championships in 2004. In other news for the team, the Hurricanes agreed to a deal with defenseman Glen Wesley. The 36-yr-old Wesley is a fan favorite in Raleigh and will return for his 18th season in the league.

Nascar News & Notes
In NASCAR, a new team might be entering the Nextel Cup circuit next year, owned by a pair of Superbowl champs. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach have put together team called Hall of Fame Racing. Joe Gibbs has helped to supply the new team with cars and technology to get started and plans are in place to sign a driver possibly before the end of this season.

Notes From Commissioners Meeting
Wilkes County Commissioners met last night and discussed several items on the agenda. Six volunteers were recognized from different organizations in the county, for their service. They were Annie Wyatt from Hospice, Karen Clifton from the guardian child advocate program, Steve & Linda Minton from Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Mandy Markson from Communities in Schools and Ona Johnson from the Appalachian Senior Companion Program. All of these volunteers were given a certificate thanking them for their dedication and work ethic. Also at the meeting, county commissioners approved some budget amendments. To help refinance the Hanger loan, additional funds were approved for both the principal and interest payments of the county’s airport hanger. An increase of $1782 was established for the principal payment and the interest payment was increased by $4321. With the changes, the principal payment now stands at $25,882 and the interest payment is $8987. Also David McGrady from the Vocational Workshop spoke and outlined several problems the program finds itself facing. Over the past year, the workshop has found itself $385,000 in debt, partially from shrinking state funding. That has mainly been covered by cash reserves, which are drying up. Current cash losses were placed at $200,000 and there is only an estimated $50,000 in reserve. Proposals were presented to eliminate the debt, including getting rid of transportation to and from the workshop, which currently costs $85,000 a year. In addition, the café will be shut down, saving $25,000 and food will instead be offered by the Snack Shack, at a cost of $3 per meal. Director McGrady asked if the commissioners would consider increasing the amount of support provided by the county and if they could possibly subsidize transportation? Commissioners requested financial records from the organization and promised to take up the concerns in another meeting.

Mailbox Vandals Return To Wilkes
Mailbox vandals hit another home in the Wilkes County area this week. In Thurmond, a woman walked outside to find that her mailbox had been chopped down from its’ post and a hole had been punctured in it. $75 worth of damage was done, however no one can recall hearing or seeing anything during the night. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Focus On Music
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to start out as a musician? To juggle your music ministry with work, school and the everyday insanity of life? This week on Focus on the Foothills, Brian Carlton will be talking about all those subjects with musician and college student Wes Pickering, providing a snapshot of what the process is like, putting together a record and working to keep your grades up at the same time. To hear Brian's interview with Wes, you can tune in tomorrow for Focus on the Foothills. They’ll be discussing what’s involved if you want to get started in music, also providing some hints to help along the way. That’s tomorrow at 1:05pm, right after the midday stock report.

Ran Off With The Tire
Why would someone steal a tire? That’s what a Wilkesboro man is wondering today, after returning home to find his car was missing one. The man had parked his Chevy in the front yard six months ago as it didn’t work. After returning home this week, he found that one of the tires had been pulled off. Nothing else was stolen and no damage was done to either the car or the property. There are no suspects but the investigation is ongoing.

Medicare Forum To Be Held Tomorrow
It can be hard at times to understand all the legal language when going through an insurance contract. How much do you pay? What exactly is covered? It’s no different with Medicare, however coming up this week it’ll be a little easier to get some answers. There will be a public information session going on Thursday August 18th at the Wilkes Public Library. The session will go on from 11 am til 12 noon, with people on hand to answer your questions concerning Medicare Plan B. For more information you can call 670-2644.

Air Conditioners Stolen From Local Businesses
The heat is still affecting people around Wilkes County, who are looking for ways to cool off. But someone apparently decided he should have to pay to keep cool, as two air conditioners were stolen from the loading dock at Wilkes Heating & Air Conditioner. Over one thousand dollars worth of merchandise was taken from the business, however the joke is on the thieves as none of the units actually work. They had been set on the dock because of damages and were going to be looked at. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Retired Teachers In Wilkes To Meet
Retired teachers from around the Wilkes County area will come together for a meeting next Wednesday, August 24th. The event will be held at the Elks Club, starting at 12 noon. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss changes in the law, which will be done by Judge Gregory. In addition, Rev. Paul Huger will deal with any questions regarding Medicare Part D. Once again that will be going on August 24th at the Elks Club.

Illegal Dumping Becomes A Problem For Purlear Man
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Purlear man’s home, due to an unusual problem. Someone has been depositing their trash in his yard. No one has actually witnessed the dumping, but twice when the man returned from town this week, there was trash left on his property. There are no suspects, however deputies are continuing the investigation.

Wilkes Heritage Museum Holds Fundraiser
Old Wilkes Inc. continues to raise money to put into their renovation project of what will be the Heritage Museum. One way of doing that will be on display this weekend, when the group hosts a giant yard sale. The event starts Friday afternoon at 4pm and runs til 8pm that night, before starting back up Saturday morning at 8am and stretching on until 2pm. All kinds of items, from clothing, to art, to food will be available, with proceeds going to support the Old Wilkes renovation projects. Currently the organization is in charge of the Old Wilkes Jail, Robert Cleveland Log Home and Finely Law Office, in addition to the Old Wilkes Courthouse that is still under reconstruction. For more information or to get involved with the sale, you can call Laura Stroud at 838-4240 or contact the Old Wilkes offices at 667-3712.

Credit Card Stolen From Local Group Home
Deputies were called out to Rest Care this week, after officials at the group home discovered that a credit card had been stolen. The card, which was used to purchase items for the home, was discontinued so that the thief couldn’t use it. There were no reports of anyone attempting to use it and no suspects in the case.

State News

Greensboro Residents Asked To Dump The Pump
Tired of high gas prices? Well the city of Greensboro has come up with a possible solution called “Dump the Pump”. The city is suggesting that people give up cars for a ride on the bus. It costs two dollars for a roundtrip anywhere in Greensboro, less than the fee for just one gallon of gas. After seeing the latest round of skyrocketing prices, city officials said they felt the need to offer an alternative, to help people save money.

Town Forgets Own Birthday
Sometimes you accidentally forget a friend’s birthday and rush to make up for it. But for the town of Roxboro, nothing can make up for the celebration that would have been. The town turned 150 this past January, but local officials forgot all about the event. Instead, they were reminded just a few weeks ago after receiving a letter of congratulations from the state. Aside from the festivities involved, locals are upset over the missed marketing opportunities, which could have brought in much needed tourism dollars. To solve the problem, town commissioners have declared that January 9th in Roxboro will now be known as Founder’s Day, giving the town an official holiday to celebrate.

Man Gets Strange Sentence For Drunk Driving
A Waynesville judge handed down a unique punishment this week in the case of a drunk driver. Mark Calhoun had been charged with felony death by motor vehicle, after killing a 16-yr-old who was riding his bike. After a jury found Calhoun guilty, the judge ordered that he spend 90 days in jail, after which he has to pay $11,000 for the boy’s funeral and be placed under house arrest. In addition, the judge also ruled that for the next four years, Calhoun has to come back to jail, to serve a 48 hour sentence on the anniversary of the crash.

Hickory May Lose Flights
Bad news coming out of Hickory today, as the city may lose it’s Delta Connection Center. Less than a year after getting the service up and running, officials from Atlantic Southeast Airlines said that they would possibly leave the area if profits don’t increase over the next two months. Currently around 40% of all seats on Delta flights are sold in Hickory, 10% lower than the company’s estimates. It’s unclear what, if anything can be done to attract more customers, as the company doesn’t plan to lower prices and Hickory can’t afford to offer any other services.

Police Car Thief Still At Large
The search continues in Winston Salem for a man who stole a police car. 31-yr-old Derrick Devon Reid had been arrested Monday on assault charges and put in the back seat of the vehicle. The officers left the sliding window between the back seat and front open, so that Reid wouldn’t burn up on such a hot day. However when the officers stepped out of the car, Reid managed to crawl in between the seats and drive off, as the keys were still in the ignition. Police later found the car abandoned on Claremont Avenue in Winston Salem.

Easley Makes Pitch To Keep Movies
Gov. Mike Easley has made a pitch that he hopes some movie company will pick up. Namely he hopes they pick up and move production to North Carolina. Included in the budget signed on Saturday, is an item called the film incentive package. Under the plan, any production company that spends at least $250,000 in North Carolina would receive a tax credit equal to 15% of the cost for all goods, labor and services it purchases in the state. The maximum benefit a company can be given is $7.5 million, which in turn would require the company to spend at least $50 million in the state.

Sports Headlines

First Game Of The Week This Friday
Around the high school scene, this Friday kicks off football season and 3WC will be on hand to bring you all the action with our Game of the Week. Ken Byrd and Keith Briand will be over at East Wilkes, broadcasting the Cardinals’ game against East Davidson. Also Brian Carlton will be in the studio, interviewing coaches and bringing you up to date scores from the other games going on in the area. That’s high school football this Friday starting at 7:15 with the McDonalds Pregame Show, then kickoff is set for 7:30. All on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

UNC Football Team Gains One But Loses Another
It’s a case of good news/bad news in Chapel Hill, as one Tarheel was cleared to rejoin the football team, while two more are leaving. Freshman Mark Paschal is returning to the squad after charges were dropped against him in criminal court. The 18-yr-old Paschal had been charged with assault, drunk & disruptive behavior and resisting arrest on the night of July 9th. However after he went through an alcohol and drug education program, the prosecution agreed to drop all charges. Coach Bunting said that he believes Paschal learned a valuable lesson and he was glad to welcome him back to the team. The news wasn’t so good for defensive end Xavier Rainey, who announced that he’s quitting football. Rainey had broke his leg during spring practice and rehab wasn’t going as well as he had hoped.

NC State Loses Two Players
Down the road in Raleigh, some bad news also hit the Wolfpack training camp. NC State will lose defensive ends Raymond Brooks and Chip Cross for the season, according to the athletic director’s office. It wasn’t made public why the two wouldn’t make the squad, however they will be missed. The sophomore Brooks was a big part of the team’s defensive line, seeing action in ten games last year. Cross had just rejoined the team after a year off as he’s heading into his senior season.

Duke Adds Another To Offensive Line
Over in Durham, an experiment is taking place during camp. 6-7 senior Demetrius Warrick is working on a position change, moving from defensive tackle to plug a hole on the offensive line. The 300 lb. lineman has never played on the offensive side before, but Duke coaches believe he could have an impact on the game. The only catch is that Warrick has less than a month to learn a position that can take up to three years to master.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem losing to the Wilmington Blue Rocks 4-2. There were only slim pickings for the Warthogs, who were led by Robert Valido’s one RBI. Valido also had a stolen base in the loss.

Former Duke Player Locked Up With Contract
In the NBA, one former Duke player has a bit of job security today, after coming to terms on a new deal. Point guard Chris Duhon will return for another year with the Chicago Bulls, after the team matched an offer put out by Toronto. The three year deal will keep Duhon with the team that drafted him out of the second round last year, where he averaged 5 points and 4 assists as a backup. He also helped guide the Bulls to their first playoff appearance in seven years.

Fox To Meet With Chairman In Wilkes Today
5th District Congresswoman Virginia Fox will be in Wilkes this morning, to meet with U.S. Representative John Boehner. Mr. Boehner is the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and will be touring Wilkes Community College along with Congresswoman Fox, before meeting with local officials. The point of the meeting is to discuss the Higher Education Act and how it could possibly affect Wilkes County.

Deputy Assaulted By Break-In Suspect
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to an Elkin residence earlier this week, after reports came of a break-in. A man had apparently busted into the home, knocking open the door and damaging a wall. Once inside he screamed at the homeowner and her family before rushing out and climbing the roof. Within a few minutes the man disappeared, just before deputies arrived. However he returned once again, refusing to let the deputies out of their vehicle. He kept cursing at the deputies, swinging the car doors and trying to hit them. 37-yr-old Richie Holbrook was arrested and charged with assaulting an officer, in addition to breaking & entering along with property damage. Estimated damages at the woman’s home were placed at $600 and it’s still unclear why the man chose that specific home to go into.

Gas Theft In North Wilkesboro
Gas thieves hit another business in Wilkes County earlier in the week, this time targeting the Run-In on Statesville Road. A man pulled up, pumped $36 worth of gas and then took off down the road, spinning tires while doing so. A description of both the man and vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Rabies Becoming A Concern This Year
As we close the book on summer, rabies is still a problem both in Wilkes and across the state. With a shortage of the rabies vaccine, officials are still concerned of a potential problem. The easiest way to fix things is to go and have your pet vaccinated, which at the local clinics costs $10. Keep in mind if that seems like a lot, humans can also contract the virus and it costs around $2500 to treat an infected person. If you’re not sure, call your vet and check that your animals all have up to date vaccinations. If you have any questions, you can call Animal Control at 903-7688 or the Wilkes Health Department at 651-7450.

Mower & Video Games Stolen
A Millers Creek man returned home earlier this week, only to find that someone had paid him a visit. Gone from inside was the man’s push mower, in addition to his X-Box game system. It appears that the thieves had pried open a side door with a pocket knife to gain access. Nothing else was stolen and no other damage was done to the home. There are several suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

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. Or if you want to wait until the next safety check, there will be one going on September 17th.

Gun Fired At Traphill Home
Deputies were called out to a Traphill residence after reports came in of shots fired at the house. The homeowner returned from church Sunday afternoon to find that his windows had been shattered and also parts of the siding on his home had been torn up as well, all this done by a shotgun blast. $2500 worth of damage was done to the property, however there are no suspects in the case. The investigation is ongoing.

“Spoofing” Pt. 1 Of Internet Safety Series
Virtually everyone is logging onto the internet these days, checking email and even working from home. However a new practice called spoofing can give you an online headache. The idea is a ripoff of an old practice, sending out fake emails that have the exact same information as a company you do business with, such as Wachovia, even down to the log-in screen. It’s even impossible to tell if the email is legit by looking at who sent it, as hackers can alter any portion of the message. First and foremost, if you get any emails from a company you do business with, log out and go directly to their website. Don’t click on any links that will connect you. While it may seem harmless, what that does in fact is link you with a hacker’s computer. Now he has a way into your system. Also the spoofed emails will always have a generic greeting, such as welcome Wachovia customer. Also realize that no legit company would ever ask for bank account, credit card or debit card numbers. They also wouldn’t ask for your drivers’ license or full name. These are all little tools hackers use to gain access to your information. The best thing to do is delete an email if it seems strange or if you think it’s hacked. Then if nothing else you can go directly to the website of the business in question and find out for yourself. It’s a lot cheaper than the alternative.

Thieves Leave Vehicle Behind At Heist
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home on Hwy 16 North earlier this week, after reports of a break-in in progress. They arrived to find several tools had been stolen from the woman’s home, including a $200 pressure washer and $200 welder. Estimated cost of everything that was stolen was placed at $1400. However a vehicle was parked nearby, one that didn’t belong to anyone in the neighborhood. Deputies radioed in and got the information as to who owned the car and are continuing the investigation.

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 being 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, the number is 651-7331.

Never Leave Money Out In Plain Sight
A Wilkesboro man learned why it’s never a good idea to leave money in plain sight this week. He locked his car before going into a store, however when he came out, $60 that had been laying on the seat was missing along with his wallet. In addition the driver’s side door and driver’s side key lock were both damaged. Total damages were placed at $250 and the investigation is ongoing.

State News

Police Hunt For Wingate Robber
Police at Wingate are hunting for a robbery suspect today, after a government employee was assaulted. A driver for one of Union County’s transportation vans was pulling out of a nearby Burger King when a man rose out of the backseat and tried to beat him with a pipe. After a brief struggle, the driver was able to toss the man off, after which he jumped out the door and took off running. There were no injuries and nothing was stolen from the van. However police around Wingate are still attempting to locate the man, before he strikes again. He’s described as a skinny black male, last seen wearing a red shirt and black cap. If you have any information Wingate Police are asking for a call at 704-233-1697.

North Carolina In First Regional Cold Case Group
The state of North Carolina is taking part in a law enforcement organization that’s the first of its’ kind on the East Coast. Investigators from North Carolina, Delaware, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia are all coming together as part of the Mid-Atlantic Cold Case Association. The group will help each other out on cases, offering a fresh pair of eyes to a case that might have stumped law enforcement til now. David Cordle is the president of the group, in addition to being the chief investigator for the Anne Arundel County state attorney’s office in Maryland.

Man Shot After Robbery
Winston Salem police are investigating after a robbery Monday morning. The incident happened around 6:30am at the K&W Cafeteria on Hanes Mill Road. A 54-yr-old man was shot after a would be robber came up to him in the parking lot and demanded his money. It’s unknown what exactly happened after that, however the man was shot and the robber took off in a small green car. No one could provide any more details of the incident. The man however, 54-yr-old Marshal Norman, is currently in Baptist Hospital, recovering from surgery.

Broyhill Plant In Lenoir Shuts Down
Bad news today for people in the Lenoir area, as Broyhill Furniture officially closed down their Occasional 1 plant. A few workers are remaining on staff to help run the warehousing operations, which will continue until all the stock has been moved. Today is also the final day for Lenoir’s Harper plant, which closes down at the end of business. Overall 475 jobs will be lost, with an additional 285 people being forced to relocate in order to keep theirs. Both plants are currently up for sale.

Caldwell County To Hold Employment Event
Some good news for people without work in Caldwell County, as later this week a job fair of sorts will be going on. Called “Directions”, the program will be set up at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute from Wednesday through Friday. Times are set starting at 10am in the morning and wrapping up that evening at 6pm. The program is designed to help any out of work people find connections for assistance and possibly jobs before they leave. The event is free to everyone and on hand will be healthcare providers, food, clothing and school supply drives among other things. Once again that’s taking place Wednesday through Friday at the Caldwell Community College from 10am til 6pm.

Sports Headlines

Tarheel Player Considers Redshirting
This year hasn’t gone as planned for Tarheel runningback Ronnie McGill, who’s recovering from a torn chest muscle. Now as he faces at least four months of rehab before he can get back on a football field, McGill is considering redshirting and making his return next season. An official decision hasn’t been made yet, but McGill said he didn’t want to return for just a few weeks and cause any problems for the team.

Duke Lands Ahead Of North Carolina In Preseason Poll
Some surprises came out in the first national college football poll. USA Today released its’ first preseason poll and more surprising than who was left off was who got a vote. The Duke Blue Devils received a vote in the poll, one more than both North Carolina and Wake Forest despite only winning eight games in five years. The only other North Carolina school receiving a vote was NC State, who was ranked 31st, with 69 votes.

Giuliani To Play At Duke
A member of the first family is enrolling this fall at Duke University. The first family of New York that is. Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, will head to Durham this fall in hopes of making the golf team. The 19-yr-old doesn’t have a scholarship, but will instead try to make the team as a walk-on. In addition to Giuliani, Coach Rod Myers returns most of a team that won the ACC title last season. Giuliani said one of the reasons he picked Duke was because of his friendships with some guys already on the team.

Minor League Scoreboard
Taking a look at the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem beating the Wilmington Blue Rocks 6-5. Winston starter Wes Whisler got his third win of the year, only giving up one run in six innings of work while striking out seven. Reliever Fabio Castro picked up his second save of the year in 1 2/3 innings of scoreless ball. Noah Hall led the Warthogs’ attack, going two for three with a home run.

Panthers Win Comes With Price
Not everything went as planned for the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, as two more players were added to the list of walking wounded. Linebacker Brandon Short sprained his left foot and special teams captain Karl Hankton sprained his shoulder. Some good news however also came for the team, as cornerback Ken Lucas, receiver Keary Colbert and safety Mike Minter were all cleared to return to practice, after recovering from injuries.

Where Did You Come From?
A Wilkesboro man was walking through his home over the weekend when he noticed a woman in his kitchen. He asked who she was, only to see her run out the door. There was no damage done to the house and it didn’t appear that anything was stolen. However the man later found that his billfold had been taken, along with $60 in cash and his drivers’ license. A description of the woman was turned over to deputies and an investigation is ongoing.

Wreck On Oakwoods Road Wrecks Two
It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes on the road. A Moravian Falls man found that out the hard way over the weekend, as he was driving down Oakwoods Road. After looking away for a few seconds, he glanced up to see the vehicle in front of him had come to a stop. Unable to follow suit in time, the two cars collided, causing an estimated $10,500 in damage. The Moravian Falls man was taken by ambulance to Wilkes Regional.

Local Church Holds Youth Conference
Emmanuel Church is celebrating its’ 13th year of operation in 2005 and portions of the church’s youth are working to honor that achievement. A conference will go on this week at the church, located in North Wilkesboro, where the target is to bring 250 teens together to honor and worship God. The name of this year’s conference is Raising the Crop. If you want to get involved and help, you can do that as well. The church is accepting any donations of time, food or whatever you can give to help support the conference. They are located at 708 F Street in North Wilkesboro and once again the number to call for information is 903-0693.

Always Helps To Lock Your Doors
A High Point woman called Wilkesboro police over the weekend after discovering that thieves had been inside her car. The woman had left her vehicle while going to different businesses in the area, keeping a camera inside with the doors unlocked. However when she returned, the camera was missing. That investigation is ongoing.

Upcoming Abortion Conference
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 later this 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 this Saturday, August 20th starting at 9am in the morning. For more information you can call the Pregnancy Care Center at 838-9272.

Air Conditioner Stolen From Local Home
The heat apparently got to at least one person over the weekend, as a Wilkesboro man returned home to find that thieves had stolen his air conditioner. Damage was done throughout the house, with the final bill estimated at around $500. There is however a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Roadside Assistance For Farmers
The Department of Agriculture has created a new program for farmers in the area, one that would help them market their products. The Roadside Farm Market program is designed to help farmers directly sell their fruits and vegetables to people who might otherwise buy the products at a store. Now for more information or to get involved with the program, you can contact Ross Williams at the NC Department of Agriculture. His number is 919-733-7887. Applications are also available at the Wilkes Cooperative Extension office.

3WC Ranks In Top Five
The first round of voting is over and the Top Five Finalists were announced on Monday for this year’s Southern Gospel Music Awards. 3WC made the list as one of the top five radio stations, joining Joy FM, WJBZ, WDJC and KKGM on the list. Over one hundred thousand people from over 70 countries cast their vote for their favorites in each category. Now the second round of voting begins and you can cast a ballot even if you did so the first time. Same as before, you just have to log on to www.thesoutherngospel.com , click on Southern Gospel Music Awards 2005 and cast your vote. All it takes is a working email address to be able to make your voice heard. Then the winners of this year’s awards will be revealed on October 29th during a ceremony at the LJVM Coliseum in Winston Salem.

State News

Deputy Fired After Stealing Weed Eater
Normally law enforcement officers watch surveillance tapes, but for one Craven County sheriff’s deputy, he was the subject of one. Sgt. James Teel was fired from his job after being found guilty of stealing a weed-eater. The man was caught on tape walking over to a local storage shed, then kicking down the door and grabbing the trimmer. He pleaded guilty in criminal court, but didn’t give any reasons for his crimes. The 10-year law enforcement vet was given 45 days in a suspended jail sentence, along with 18 months of probation. This marks the fourth employee fired from the Sheriff’s Department in Craven County over the last week.

Bad News For College Students
While North Carolina finally has a state budget, that could actually be a bad thing for college students. In the $17 billion dollar budget, funding for state colleges & universities was cut 1.72%. Now what that means is schools are going to have to make up the difference themselves, which for many means a choice between cutting staff or increasing tuition. College officials across the state said the decision will be different for each school, but also said increasing tuition was the more likely choice.

Reward Offered As Hunt Continues
Officials in Winston Salem are hunting today for a hit & run driver and are offering a reward for information. A four year old boy was hurt last week after walking on the sidewalk of his street and being hit by a speeding car. The vehicle was described as a red convertible with a black top, but no other information could be provided by witnesses. After slowing down, the car kept on going down the road. The boy suffered a broken leg in the incident and now his parents are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. If anyone has information about the case, you can call 336-727-2800.

Marines Return Home
Some good news for military families in the state this weekend, as 900 Marines returned home to Camp Lejeune. The 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine group had left for Iraq in January, where they helped to train the Iraqi army. Also while over there, the soldiers confiscated 125 weapons caches and 26,000 rounds of ammunition. On Sunday, families started arriving at 9am, with over 500 eventually crowding around. The soldiers said they were most proud of helping to calm the violence, as attacks were down almost 50% from January til July. 210 attacks went on in January, compared with 65 in July.

State Finally Has A Budget
One week after it was passed by state lawmakers, North Carolina’s budget became official as Governor Easley signed it into law. The $17.2 billion plan will stay as it was originally conceived, with over $600 million coming in via new tax plans. Several projects within the budget have been called into question, including $400,000 to pay for a Teapot Museum in Sparta and $1 million to help pay for an equestrian center in Rockingham County. Despite the concerns, Easley did in fact sign the budget into law.

Sports Headlines

Results Of Local Golf Tournament
Around the local scene, this weekend was the Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home Golf Tournament, played at Oakwoods Country Club. The winning team from the first morning flight included Bradley Eller, Burn Gregory, Todd Felts, John Battle, while second place went to Kerry Cook, Scott Prevette, Matt Reneger and Gray Burchette. On the second flight of the morning, it was John Burchette, Marsh Lyall, Mark Church and Don Rhodes taking first place, with Keith Huffman, Bob Simmons, Steve Ellis and L Tomlin. Later on during the afternoon, it was the team of James Mathis, Jeff Shoemaker, Jim Wiles and Jim Barlow finishing first, with Barry Byrd, Ed Snyder, Brian Bonette and Kent Sherrill coming in second. Then on the final flight of the day, it was Kevin Lyall, Erine Drumm, Mark Jolly and Brandon Jolly finishing first, with Bruce Miller, Josh Welborn, West Minton and Arthur Lankford wrapping up second place.

Under 21 Team Fails To Get Gold
It was a rough weekend for the U.S. Under 21 team, as they were knocked out of the running for a gold medal. Canada beat the U.S. by a score of 93-90 on Friday, a game that went into overtime. The U.S. rebounded on Saturday, winning the consolation game 99-79 over Puerto Rico. Justin Gray from Wake Forest had 16 points for the U.S., while Duke’s JJ Redick was ice cold, only scoring three points.

Minor League Scoreboard
Around the minor leagues, it was Winston Salem losing against Fredrick 3-2. Ray Liotta got his first loss of the season, giving up three runs in seven innings of work. With the loss, Winston falls two games back in the race for the Southern Division title. Up the road in Hickory the news wasn’t any better for the Crawdads, who fell against Lake County 3-2.

Former 49er Gets Major Chance
Hurt by injuries, the Baltimore Orioles made a call to the minors for pitching help over the weekend. After one game, it seems they made a good decision. Former UNC Charlotte pitcher John Maine made his first start in the majors this season, tossing five innings of shutout baseball against the Toronto Blue Jays. The plans were to have Maine sent back down after one game, but club officials were so impressed they’ve added him to the roster.

Panthers Win Opening Game
In the NFL, it was a good start for the Carolina Panthers, who took their first preseason game 28-10. Playing against the Washington Redskins in front of just over 61,000 people, the Panthers put on a show both on and off the field. During halftime, they retired the jersey of former player and linebackers coach Sam Mills, who died earlier this year from cancer. Coming up next for Carolina is a matchup against the Giants, this Saturday at 8pm.

NASCAR Results
Tony Stewart took the checkered flag at Sunday’s Sirius at the Glen. Robby Gordon was second, Boris Said came in third, Scott Pruett was fourth and Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top five. With the win, Stewart moves ahead of second place Jimmie Johnson by 95 points in the race for the Cup.