Wilkes Cares This Saturday
The Wilkes Cares organization finds itself in need of supplies, funding and more volunteers. But this coming Saturday, they also want to show the people of Wilkes what exactly it is they do. An open house will be going on from 12 noon until 4pm, where everyone can come in and take a look around. That will be at their office on the Elkin Hwy in North Wilkesboro. For more information about the open house or how you can lend a hand, the number to call is 838-4900.

Break-In At Wilkesboro Store
Thieves broke into the Merita Bread Outlet this week, but apparently didn’t find what they were looking for. Nothing was taken from the building, but over $300 worth of damage was done to a side door. The theft fits a pattern that has been popping up over the last few weeks. Several Merita stores in Winston Salem and the surrounding area have been broke into, but there are currently no suspects in those cases. Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Prostate Cancer Awareness
Over the last two weeks in the 3WC Healthwatch, we’ve been talking about prostate cancer, going over some things to look for, how you can prevent it and what to do about it. Later today there will be a free clinic at Dr. John Hetterachchi’s office, for men 45 and older. You can either make an appointment or walk in, although walk-ins will most likely have to wait longer. The number to call is 838-5655.

Always Keep Your Car Locked Up
A Wilkesboro man learned why it’s a good idea to always keep your car locked this week. He went over to a family member’s house Wednesday afternoon and had a gun secured under one of the seats. However when he returned to the vehicle later in the day, the .45 caliber handgun was missing. No one in the area saw or heard anything suspicious during that time. The investigation however is still ongoing.

Hunting Safety Class Coming Up In October
This next bit of news is for all the would be hunters out there. Coming up October 18-20^th, there will be a class on hunting safety at the Kerr Scott Ranger Station. The class will last three hours and 20 minutes each night with a test at the end. Once participants pass the test, they can receive their certification. There is no minimum age to attend, however you must be at all three classes in order to take the exam. To pre-register for the class, you can call 919-733-7191. Or for more information, you can call Officer Mark Minton of the Wildlife Resources Commission. His number is 336-957-3061.

Wilkes Art Gallery To Hold Reception For Two Artists
Later today, the Wilkes Art Gallery will open its’ doors and invite the public in for a reception, presenting the new works of two local artists. Ward Nichols is one of the artists whose work will be on display. A full time painter for the last 36 years, his paintings have been displayed in 22 states and he’s received 30 awards. The work of Clarence Hayes will also be on display. The presentation will be available to the public from today until November 12^th. The reception will go on tonight from 6-8pm at the Wilkes Art Gallery. For more information you can call the gallery at 667-2841.

Thieves Break Into Local Cabin

A Lenoir woman came into the county to check on a vacation cabin she owned. When she arrived however, she found that someone had already been by the property. Several thousand dollars worth of tools had been stolen, after the thieves cut a hole through the screen door and came inside. There are no suspects in the case but that investigation is ongoing.

More Counterfeit Money Enters Wilkes

Counterfeit money continues to enter Wilkes County. For the second time in less than a week, the Sonic restaurant in Wilkesboro feel victim to counterfeiters. In two separate incidents, employees were given money but didn’t have enough time to check it due to the large crowd of people waiting to be served. One of the incidents happened at the drive through and video cameras were able to get the suspect on tape. The second incident however was inside and no video footage could be provided. Descriptions of both suspects however were turned over to Wilkesboro police in addition to the videotape. That investigation is ongoing.

Blood Drive Coming Up Today

The blood supply here in Wilkes is still at critical levels as you’ve heard on the news. Something to consider about that is the fact one bad wreck or other type of accident would use up most of what is stored away right now. With that in mind, the Red Cross has set up another drive going on today at the New River Behavioral Healthcare Center. This one is by appointment only, so if you want to give the gift of life, you can call the Red Cross and set up a time. The number is 838-4563.

Open Door Proves Too Tempting For Thieves

A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he returned home on Wednesday. Thieves had been inside the house, stealing three TV sets, a DVD player and over 33 different movies. Over $800 worth of merchandise was taken from inside. The back door had been pried open by the thieves, who then took the items and loaded them into their car. A witness saw everything happen and provided deputies with a description of both the thieves and the vehicle they were driving. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

Firefighters Ask For A Raise

Firefighters in Gastonia are asking for some changes to take place. They’re asking for higher pay and benefits, which they believe would stop the exodus currently going on in the department. Nine firefighters have left for higher paying jobs in other areas over the last three years, with six more currently interviewing with other departments. Gastonia is second to last in the state in regards to beginning salaries, with firefighters making less than $24,000.

Davidson Teacher Arrested By Police

A school teacher from Davidson County is in jail today. 31 year old Steven Eggleston was charged with breaking & entering, possession of stolen property and larceny of a motor vehicle. Eggleston was a science teacher at Davidson Day, who had previously worked in the Mecklenburg School system before being hired last month. A hearing is set for later today.

Greensboro Charged For Nonexistent Relief Effort

The city of Greensboro finds itself with a $115,000 bill to pay. All for evacuees that never showed up. Officials transformed the Greensboro Coliseum into a shelter for hurricane victims, hiring workers, renting out facilities and doing other things to prepare for the people. All this after FEMA announced that the city would be used as a relief shelter, promising that 500 evacuees were on the way. Somehow this got lost in translation, as no survivors were ever brought to the complex and this week the town was told it wouldn’t be needed after all. Local officials are calling for FEMA to reimburse them part of the cost.

Libertarians Take North Carolina To Court

The state of North Carolina is defending itself against a lawsuit today, filed by the Libertarian Party. Under state law, political parties have to get at least 10% of the vote in either the governor or presidential race to be considered an official group. The Libertarians failed to do so in last year’s election and so the 13,000 members here in the state are now labeled as unaffiliated. The group however is challenging the ruling, saying that it denies citizens their right to free association and protection under the law.

ID Theft Bill Now Law

It will be harder for thieves to gain access to your personal information, now that Gov. Mike Easley has signed the ID theft bill into law. Under the plan businesses can no longer use a person’s social security number as identification and are discouraged from asking for it at all. An estimated 286,000 people in North Carolina fall victim to ID theft each year.

Mecklenburg Officer Won’t Face Charges

No charges will be filed against a Mecklenburg police officer, who shot a 67-year-old double amputee. Family had asked police to check on the 67-yr-old after no one heard from him in several days. After identifying themselves, the officers came inside and saw the man pointing a gun at them. One of the officers pulled his own weapon and killed the man. Mecklenburg authorities determined that the officer was acting within the law.

Sports Headlines

Friday Night Football

Around the high school scene, it’s back to the gridiron tonight as all the local schools are in action. West Wilkes goes on the road to play Elkin, while East Wilkes is at home against Bishop McGuiness. The other two schools in the area will collide in our 3WC Game of the Week, as Wilkes Central heads into Viking Country to face North Wilkes. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm and the McDonalds’ pregame show goes on the air at 7:15pm. All on your home for local sports, 1240 3WC.

Tarheel Basketball Team Loses A Player

Already undermanned after this summer’s exodus, the UNC Tarheels lost another player this week, as Damion Grant announced he was quitting. The 6-11 Grant had injured his ankle earlier this summer and said it was a struggle to just get through practice, much less a game. Over his four years at Chapel Hill, Grant only played 28 games, due to injury. He missed virtually all of last season after developing a stress fracture in his foot. As for the future, he plans to graduate this year and go on to law school.

Wake Forest Loses Player For Season

The news wasn’t much better on the football field, as Wake Forest lost a player for the season. Freshman tight end Ted Randolph had to undergo surgery to repair an injury in his shoulder. Randolph will keep his eligibility as a redshirt this year, is expected back by the start of spring practice. The 6-3 250 pound freshman had been dealing with the injury since last year in high school.

Panthers Injury List

The injury bug continues to haunt the Carolina Panthers, who have six players looking to recover by Sunday. One player who definitely won’t be suiting up is safety Mike Minter, who sees his streak of 68 consecutive games come to an end. The 9^th year player is expected back on the field in two weeks.

Edwards Leads In Busch Rookie Race

Around the Busch Series, Carl Edwards may not be challenging for the championship, but he’s in the running for another title. Edwards currently holds the lead in the Busch Series rookie of the year standing, beating Reed Sorenson 310-301. The leader is determined based on the top 16 finishes for each driver.

More Donations From Katrina Relief
With supplies still needed across the Gulf Coast, donation drives are going on throughout Wilkes County. The Red Cross has put together a cookbook sale, with proceeds going to benefit hurricane survivors. The recipes are taken from friends and family members of those who work for the chapter and are available for $10 each. You can pick one up by going to the local chapter or for more information call Carolyn Nichols at 838-4563. In addition, baby supplies are still being taken up at Our House. That includes diapers, baby food and formula and you can drop those items off anytime between 9am and 5pm through Thursday. Then on Friday morning donations will be taken until 12 noon, at which time it’ll all be packed up and shipped down.

Prostate Cancer Pt. 5
Once men reach a certain age, prostate cancer can become a serious problem. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and in today’s 3WC Healthwatch, we take a look at how to get more information about the disease. Dr. John Hetterachchi explains when is a good idea to go for your first test.
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Coming up this Friday there will be a free clinic for all men 45 and older in Dr. Hetterachchi’s office, where you can be checked for the disease. To call ahead and make an appointment, the number is 838-5655.

Gas Stolen From Woman’s Car
Gas thieves reached a new low on Monday, stealing fuel from another car in the area. A North Wilkesboro woman went to work Monday morning and when she got out of the car, she still had almost a full tank. When she returned to her car later in the day, the door was open, the gas cap was missing and she was down to half a tank of fuel. Another car in the area was in the same condition, but no one could locate the driver. There is a suspect however and the investigation is ongoing.

Focus On Missions Pt. 2
Mission work is a unique outlet of the church. People are sent out to other parts of the globe to spread the gospel, having to possibly learn new languages and new ways of living. But how do you know that you’ve been called? As Bob Strachan explains, there is a way.
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Pastor Strachan will be Brian’s guest tomorrow during Focus on the Foothills, as they discuss mission work in Scotland. What should people know before going over? How can the church in America lend a hand? That’s all coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Thieves Continue To Steal Flowers From Graves
Who would want to steal flowers from a grave? That’s what sheriff’s deputies are asking today, as several people have reported flowers being stolen from their loved one’s graves at a local cemetery. Nothing is damaged at the grave sites and flowers are the only things taken. There are no suspects but deputies are continuing the investigation.

Blood Drive Going On Today
Most of us have seen pictures of the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Supplies have been donated and money has been sent down. But in the wake of the storm, there are other problems to consider back here at home. The blood supply is still at critical levels here in Wilkes, as most of the recent donations have been sent down to aid in hospitals and emergency rooms across the Gulf Coast. To help give the gift of life, you can go out today to Wilkes Community College, where a drive will start at 9:30am and last until 3pm this afternoon. And before giving, just remember you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs.

Wilkesboro Man Falls Victim To Fraud
A Wilkesboro man called sheriff’s deputies this week after falling victim to computer hackers. He had received an email that appeared to be from ebay, asking for his personal information. After entering all of it in, the screen then changed and he realized it wasn’t ebay that everything had been turned over to. The man has alerted his bank and called in sheriff’s deputies, in hopes that the hacker could be tracked down. That investigation is ongoing.

Now Is A Good Time To Break Out The Axe
As we near the end of September, winter is not too far away. And with the winter months comes ice and snow, a small problem if there are dead trees in your area. Fire marshals advise that now might be a good time to break out that axe or chainsaw and cut them down. Otherwise this winter, they could fall on the roads or damage vehicles. It’s even a good idea to cut down unhealthy trees that aren’t dead yet, according to the forest service. The reason being that once winter comes, that tree could quickly die and crash, creating problems you don’t need. You can tell unhealthy trees by several ways. They always have dead leaves, also a hollowing trunk and peeling bark. And who knows, if you have a wood furnace, those trees you cut could help save on your power bill come November.

All For A Can Of Coke
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Rivers Edge Skate Park earlier this week after vandals did over a thousand dollars worth of damage to drink machines on the property. In front of witnesses, they also stole drinks from the machine once it was damaged and took off running. The vandals were described and identified by witnesses however and sheriff’s deputies are continuing the investigation.

Gas And Mower Stolen From Ronda Home
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a Ronda woman’s home on Monday, after she fell victim to thieves. While she was gone to work, someone had come by the house and stolen a push mower along with 10 gallons of gas. Nothing else was taken and there was no damage done to the property. No one in the area however could recall hearing or seeing anyone nearby. That investigation is ongoing.

State News

More People Arrested In Katrina Scams
On Tuesday, officials in Burlington arrested two more men accused of disaster relief scams. Quincy King had been going around the area, pretending to be a volunteer with the Red Cross and taking up donations. However when someone contacted the local chapter, they had never heard of the man. He was helped by a representative of a local church, Willie Frank Warren, who worked with Grace Fellowship Ministries. Both were released on bond.

Pay Increasing For UNC Healthcare Workers
Good news for people who work in any part of the UNC Healthcare system. Your pay could be increasing. Healthcare officials announced on Tuesday that the minimum wage for their workers will be increased to ten dollars an hour, effective at the beginning of next month. That will go for any housekeepers, entry level clerical workers, groundskeepers, dietary assistants and all others making the minimum. An estimated 365 employees across the state will get pay raises and that extra money will start showing up in the first check they receive in November.

Greensboro Asks For Help With Drivers
Members of a Greensboro neighborhood are tired of people violating the speed limit and so they’re taking the fight to city hall. Residents of Gretchen Lane have asked that at least stopsigns be installed in the area, if not speedbumps to solve the problem. However since Greensboro doesn’t have a speedbump program, their request had to be tabled until a report is created on what it would take to begin one. Traffic problems increased in the area when a new development was built and neighbors are concerned that someone, possibly an elderly person or child coming home from school could become a victim. Stopsigns are supposed to be installed at three intersections in the coming months.

Jobs Available In Greensboro
The U.S. Postal Service needs help and to solve the problem, 100 new jobs are being created in Greensboro. The jobs, which will be temporary, are at the human resource center and must be filled by January at the latest. Any and all applications are being taken for the jobs, which pay a range from $14 to $20 an hour. To apply in person, you can go to the USPS human resource center in Greensboro, located at 7023 Albert Pick Road. Applications are taken anytime from 2-7pm during the week and also on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm.

Time Warner Accused Of Overcharging
If leaders in Wilson North Carolina have their way, Time Warner Cable may have a bill of its’ own coming due. Each month, people in Wilson find an upgrade fee tacked on to their regular cable bill. An upgrade that was finished in the late 1990s. The fee is included as part of the standard cable service charge, so it’s hard to notice. City officials have approved a resolution that claims the fee is unwarranted and not only needs to be stopped, but that people in the area should be refunded. Over the last four years alone, that fee has taken $700,000 from local citizens, however a spokesman from Time Warner said that the cost hasn’t even been covered yet. Over five years since the upgrade was actually done, charges for technology improvements still haven’t been made back in profit, according to the company. In fact, Time Warner says the fee will go on for at least another 10 years, to make back the money paid on the project. The town meanwhile has filed an appeal with the FCC.

More Kids Get Sick From Salmonella
In a case strikingly similar to one late last year in Wilkes, some 25 students in Gaston County have become sick from salmonella poisoning. All of the students became sick after attending an etiquette class held at the City Club, a members only institution. While the health department said that food at the club was safe to eat, investigators did announce that the way employees handled it could have caused the problem. Targeted by the investigation was a pot of chicken, cooked by a combination of grilling and baking. Apparently according to investigators, it hadn’t been cooked all the way when delivered to the students. Keep in mind that salmonella is a deadly bacteria, but an infection can be easily avoided simply by washing your hands.

Sports Headlines

Son Of Former Hornet Selects College
Davidson will have a freshman coming in next fall with a famous father. Stephen Curry, the son of former Charlotte Hornet Dell Curry, announced this week that he was committing to Davidson. The 6-1 Curry turned down scholarships from Virginia Tech & Winthrop to join the school’s basketball team. During his junior year, Curry was a finalist for the National Christian Schools All America team, in addition to being one of just 100 athletes across the nation invited to the NBA Players Association Camp this summer.

Bobcats Re-Sign Gerald Wallace
In the senior circuit, the Charlotte Bobcats have almost wrapped up their offseason dealings. The team has come to terms on a contract with small forward Gerald Wallace, bringing him back under a three year deal. Wallace, one of the best athletes in the league, was a restricted free agent, meaning that other teams could offer him a deal but the Bobcats had the right to match it. Instead, Wallace and his agent hammered out an agreement with the team that took him in last year’s expansion draft. The move leaves two members of last year’s team unaccounted for, as shooting guards Jason Kapono and Keith Bogans are still unsigned. Kapono has been in talks for a trade to the Lakers or possibly the New Jersey Nets.

Rules Set For Developmental League
Also on Tuesday, the NBA set the rules for the Developmental League and handed out affiliations. Out of the eight teams in the new minor league system, each one will be linked with at least three NBA franchises. The Charlotte Bobcats are partnered with the Fayetteville Patriots of the D-league, along with the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. Each team can send down two players to the league, to get playing time and develop their skills. For the Bobcats, rookies Alan Anderson and Antonio Meeking both may spend some time in Fayetteville this season.

Former Tarheel Out For The Season
In the NFL, the season came to an early end for a former UNC Tarheel. It was announced Monday night that Oakland Raiders receiver Ronald Curry will miss the rest of the year after tearing his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. It’s the exact same injury that sidelined Curry a year ago and it’s unknown if he’ll undergo surgery this time. Last season he spent the better part of nine months in rehab and avoided going under the knife.

NASCAR Hands Out Penalties
In the wake of tempers flaring during Sunday’s race, NASCAR officials have handed down fines and penalties to several teams. Robby Gordon was fined $35,000 for attempting to hit Michael Waltrip’s car with his helmet and later cursing about the incident on tv. With the fine comes a suspension of 50 points and a sentence of probation for the rest of the year. Meanwhile Waltrip himself was fined $10,000 and docked 25 points for the obscene hand gesture that followed. Kasey Kahne was fined $25,000 after intentionally ramming Kyle Busch, knocking both drivers out of the race, in retaliation for an earlier collision. Kahne was also put on probation and docked 25 points.

What To Do If You Are Still Searching For Loved Ones
As we approach the one month anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s rampage through the Gulf Coast, some people have still not been able to connect with friends and family. The Red Cross has an operation going on designed to help you track down your missing loved one. Called the Family Links Registry, it’s available either by phone or the internet. You can call 1-877-568-3317 or log on to www.redcross.org. Either way you can find out where your missing friend or family member has been evacuated to, then the Red Cross will help you get in touch with them. In addition, there are several other registries still in operation that you can sort through to get in touch with family members. The National Next of Kin Registry at www.nokr.org will match located evacuees with family members. Also katrinaconnections at www.katrinaconnections.com is available to be used.

More Counterfeit Money Found In Wilkes
Some more counterfeit money has made its’ way into Wilkes County. During the lunchtime rush on Sunday, someone paid for their meal at Sonic with a fake $20. According to both sheriff’s deputies and store employees, it was clearly noticeable that the money was counterfeit. But due to the rush, the employees didn’t have time to check until after the person had paid. That investigation is ongoing.

Explosives Found At Elkin Residence

Sheriff’s deputies were called out to an Elkin residence early Monday morning, after a homeowner came outside to discover a fire had ignited behind his truck. The blaze had been started by a motov cocktail, a bottle that had been filled with flammable liquid w/ a cloth inside). Another cocktail was nearby but it hadn’t ignited. Before deputies arrived, the homeowner watched as a man pulled up next to the driveway and tossed several more cocktails out of his vehicle’s window. The vandal was recognized and warrants were later taken out on 42-yr-old Jackie Ray Hayes, for damaging property with explosives.

Spots Still Available At Head Start
For any parent who wants to get their child started early on their education, Head Start has some available spots left. There are currently two openings in the program for new students, after that the kids will be put on a waiting list. Classes started in August for this year’s program and will run until May of 2006. Students can enroll at any time up until March of 2006. After that they’ll have to wait until the next term. The classes run from 8:30am until 2:30pm Monday through Thursday. The students are admitted based on their family income, as those in the lesser income bracket get taken first. For more information or to enroll your child, you can call Judy Mitchell at the Head Start office. Her number is 667-7174.

Guns Stolen From Wilkesboro Home

A Wilkesboro man returned home from work Sunday afternoon, only to discover that thieves had been by to pay him a visit. The back door to the home was standing open and the door knob itself was loose from where someone had worked on it. Stolen from inside were three shotguns with an estimated value of $1500. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Wilkes Art Gallery To Hold Reception For Two Artists
Coming up this Friday, the Wilkes Art Gallery will open its’ doors and invite the public in for a reception, presenting the new works of two local artists. Ward Nichols is one of the artists whose work will be on display. A full time painter for the last 36 years, Nichols deals with rural landscapes in everyday items in his work. His paintings have been displayed in 22 states and he’s received 30 awards. The work of Clarence Hayes will also be on display. Mr. Hayes works mostly in ceramics, although he’s also an accomplished blacksmith. The displays will be available to the public from this Friday September 23^rd until November 12^th. The reception this Friday will go on from 6-8pm at the Wilkes Art Gallery. For more information you can call the gallery at 667-2841.

Car Wrecked While Owner Shops
A Wilkesboro woman parked her car at a local store on Monday and went inside to do some shopping. When she came back out, the vehicle had been smashed, with estimated damages placed at $1500. It looked like someone had slammed into the, then backed up and driven away. Security cameras are being looked at and Wilkesboro police are continuing the investigation.

Samaritan’s Kitchen Needs Help

When people can’t afford to buy food, who do they turn to? Here in Wilkes, the Samaritan’s Kitchen lends a hand. The Kitchen, which has been in operation for over six years, is involved with several different programs throughout the week. Now as we head into October, the Kitchen finds itself in serious need of volunteers. If you can donate thirty minutes or three hours, the people there will be glad for your help. You can give them a call at 838-5331 for more information.

Gas Thieves Start Hitting Residences

Despite the price of gas dropping at the pump, some Wilkes County residents still are refusing to pay. However this time instead of going after a business, gas thieves stole from a local residence. A North Wilkesboro man was sitting in his yard when another person came up, saying that he’d run out of gas. He asked if he could borrow some and the homeowner refused. The homeowner then went inside. A few hours later he came back out to find that the 2.5 gallons of gas he had sitting on the porch was now missing, along with the other man. A description of the thief was given to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

WCC To Host Financial Class For Adults
Sometimes it can be a pain collecting on a debt. Regardless if it’s something owed by a neighbor or payment charged to your business. Coming up next week, Wilkes Community College is holding a seminar, to help people understand what their legal rights are in such a situation. Such as what are your options for collecting a bad debt? What to do when a debtor skips town? The meeting is free, however you must register ahead of time to get in. To sign up, you can call WCC at 838-6210. That will take place on September 29^th, sponsored by the Small Business Center of the college.

State News

Giant Pot Field Found In Wallace
The cleanup continues in Wallace North Carolina, after officials discovered over 4000 pounds of marijuana growing in a local field. The farm covered an estimated 12 acre spread, with plants up to 13 feet tall. It’s unknown how officers located the farm, but already $10 million worth of pot has been destroyed with more still to go. So far no arrests have been made but authorities are still investigating.

Last Of Katrina Victims Leave Charlotte Coliseum

Some of the hurricane victims can now back to a slightly more ordinary existence, living with friends and family. The last of the evacuees left the Charlotte Coliseum earlier this week, with most heading into apartments or houses. 30 victims still need temporary homes and while the Red Cross looks for families to take them in, they’ve been put in a nearby hotel. Since the Coliseum was opened as a shelter on September 5^th, over a thousand evacuees have passed through its’ doors.

Duke Professor Has Theory On How To Rebuild

You hear politicians in Washington argue about how to rebuild New Orleans, with billions of dollars suggested as the cost to do it. Instead of spending billions, a civil engineer at Duke University has reached into the past for another idea. Henry Petroski is suggesting that New Orleans take a lesson from the city of Galveston Texas, which faced pretty much the same problem back in 1900. 8000 people died in the wake of a hurricane that year which flooded the area. To save the city, the townspeople had to raise it above sea level. Petroski is now suggesting that New Orleans do the same, take the time to rebuild above sea level and save what experts predict will be a 30 year project to fix the flood levees.

Get Out Of Jail Free

A decision made by city authorities in Durham over the weekend has some people up in arms. Town officials announced that people with outstanding warrants for their arrest could turn themselves in and not have to go to jail. All people who turned themselves in on misdemeanor charges didn’t have to post bond or see the inside of a prison. They were instead released after promising to appear in court. This was a one time trial that the county was experimenting with, in hopes that criminals would turn themselves in. Once the numbers come in from this time, a decision will be reached to if it should happen again.

Edwards Presents First Suggestions About Ending Poverty

After failing in his bid for the White House, former Senator John Edwards returned to North Carolina and created a poverty center at UNC Chapel Hill. The center is designed to act as a think tank, studying poverty and coming up with solutions to help solve the problem. The first of those solutions was unveiled this week. Edwards called for a return to Depression era job programs, paying unemployed workers to do jobs such as building parks and bridges. As an example, he cited the Louisiana cities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Instead of giving money to the residents, pay them to rebuild their city. In 2005 before the hurricane hit, an estimated one million people in this country have fallen under the poverty level.

Sports Headlines

Heels Lose Senior For The Year

If starting out 0-2 wasn’t bad enough, the Tarheel football team got some more news on Monday. Senior linebacker Doug Justice was lost for the season, after breaking a bone in his right foot. The injury happened last Saturday during the loss to Wisconsin, after which he was examined by team doctors. It’s unclear right now if the injury will require surgery, but even without a procedure, Justice will have to go through about 10 weeks of rehab. Taking his place for the season will a combination of junior Victory Worsley and sophomore Durell Mapp.

Former UNC Runner Locks Up Starting Job

Speaking of the Tarheels, a former member of the team locked up a job of his own. Running back Willie Parker, a third year player with the Pittsburgh Steelers made the second start of his career on Sunday, rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown. Originally Parker was just holding the starting job until Jerome Bettis and Deuce Staley got healthy, but after putting up back to back 100 yard rushing games, the Steelers coaching staff has said the job is his for the foreseeable future.

Panthers News & Notes

Coming off their impressive 27-17 win over New England on Sunday, the Panthers were hit once again by the injury bugh. Safety Mike Minter will be out at least a week , possibly two after straining his left calf muscle. The injury happened in the fourth quarter, with about four minutes left in the game. With Minter out for next week’s matchup against Miami, Coach Fox plans to use a combination of Idrees Bashir, rookie Thomas Davis and Marlon Mcree.

NASCAR Standings

In NASCAR, as the Chase for the Cup enters week two, Tony Stewart stays atop the leader board. Greg Biffle is in second place, behind in the race by 20 points. Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace are both 40 points back, tied for third place and Matt Kenseth is in sole possession of the 5^th spot in the playoffs, 50 points back of the leader. Jimmie Johnson is in sixth place, one point in front of seventh place Mark Martin who’s 54 back of the leader. Jeremy Mayfield, Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch round out the bottom three.

Big Names Coming To Greensboro

For you golf fans out there, the Chrysler Classic continues to grow. The event, which will be held in Greensboro starting on the 29^th of this month, has added some big names, with two of the top ten players in the world on their way. Sergio Garcia, ranked 6^th in the world has already committed and then this week Adam Scott followed suit. Scott is currently #7 in the world. They’ll join an already crowded field of Davis Love, Jason Gore and John Daly. Another golfer, Jay Haas will take part and be honored during the tournament since this is his 22^nd time making the rounds in Greensboro. Once again that’ll go on September 29^th through October 2^nd.

Local Schools Celebrate Constitution Day

Across the nation this weekend, people took time to celebrate Constitution Day. Last year President Bush made September 17^th officially a holiday where people honor and celebrate the making of the constitution. In Washington, General Tommy Franks read the Preamble in a ceremony Saturday morning. Meanwhile in Wilkes County, several of the local high schools took time out to take part in the holiday. At North Wilkes, students heard the preamble read Friday morning at 11am. East Wilkes students had events throughout last week including trivia questions during the morning and afternoon announcements. The teachers also used the occasion in lessons throughout the week.

Governor Easley Reappoints Trustee
Gov. Mike Easley announced on Friday that he’s reappointed one North Wilkesboro man to the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees. Earl T. Eller, a former athletic director for North High, was re-appointed to the post by Easley. Out of the 16 member board, each of which serves a four year term, the governor selects four.

Thieves Go Through Local Home
A Wilkesboro man returned home over the weekend to find thieves had ransacked his house. The lights were on throughout the home but virtually everything else was gone. Over two thousand dollars worth of material was taken from inside. Included in the theft were five rifles, a DVD player, $30 in cash, several gold necklaces, some tools and several other items. There are no suspects in the case but deputies are continuing the investigation.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business over the weekend, this time targeting the Run-In on Statesville Road. A white man pulled up to the store, pumped $35 in gas and then drove off without paying. A description of both the man and his vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation is ongoing.

Vandals Hit Local Business
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Creek Stop in Millers Creek on Friday, after vandals left their mark on the building. Someone had shattered the front door, causing an estimated $200 in damage. However nothing was taken from inside and also nothing else was damaged around the property. That investigation is ongoing.


Watch Out For Flooded Cars
While the hurricanes have passed by Wilkes County, a different type of problem may be finding its’ way into the area as a result. Today in our 3WC Special Report, we take a look at a problem with flooded cars. In a large storm, vehicles often have to be left behind and are hit hard. But after the storm is over, the owner of the car can fix it up so that you would never know it’s been in a storm. That’s the problem however, according to insurance officials. The metal components inside a car can start to rust once exposed to water, even though you won’t be able to see. After you buy the car and drive it for a few miles, you’ll start to experience problems and all of a sudden, the car will just die. There are some quick ways to make sure a vehicle isn’t a “flood car. The interior will have a mildew smell and you also may find water stains inside. In addition, check the car’s oil. If it doesn’t look black, instead appearing milky or just real thin, that’s a sign it’s been in a storm. If you find any flooded cars, be sure and contact the Better Business Bureau and let them know where you got it from.

Wreck In Wilkesboro Sends One To Hospital
A wreck in Wilkesboro totaled two cars last week. The incident happened on West Main Street, as a North Wilkesboro man didn’t slow down for traffic. He slammed into the two cars in front of him, totaling one of them as well as his own vehicle. That third driver however, was injured and had to be taken to Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Estimated damages were placed at $3800.

Benefit Bike Tour Starts Saturday
For any bike riders out there, this next bit of information is for you. Coming up this Saturday, the Rollin’ Round the River bike tour starts off. The tour, which is set up to benefit the Special Olympics, starts at 9am and would be riders have two options. They can choose either the 20 or 50 mile route, each heading through the Yadkin Valley. There is a fee to sign up of $20, all the proceeds of which will be given to the Wilkes County Special Olympics cycling team. Registration will start Saturday morning at 8am at the Wilkes YMCA building on Hwy 268 West. For more information you can call tour director Tim Murphy at 667-6836.

Thieves Break Into Ronda Home
A Ronda woman came home late last week to find a surprise. Her front door had been broken and was hanging open. Included in the theft were three ink cartridges for computer printers, also some costume jewelry and gold chains. There are suspects in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Furniture Dropped On Local Man's Property
Why would someone dump furniture on another person’s lawn? That’s what a Wilkesboro man is asking today, after returning home to find furniture scattered across his property. Someone had dumped the broken pieces while he was out of town, however no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything. That investigation is ongoing.

Regional News

Death In Dobson Called Into Question

Local and state police are investigating a death that happened Friday in Dobson. Jack Marion, one of the town’s commissioners, was shot dead in an office in city hall. The 68-yr-old Marion was dead by the time help arrived. His daughter came running to a local restaurant, asking the owner to call 911 and saying that her daddy had killed himself. Police seem to agree that the wound was self-inflicted, however the State Bureau of Investigation has been called in because of Marion’s status as a public official. There was no note or other indication why Marion would have taken his life.

Congresswoman Foxx To Speak At Local Workshop
As you heard two weeks ago on Focus on the Foothills, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will be in the area later this week. She’ll be speaking this Saturday at a workshop in Boone, at the Broyhill Center on Appalachian State’s campus. The topic of the workshop will be women in public service, as the congresswoman gives advice on how to establish yourself if you want a political career. Once again that will go on this Saturday at Appalachian State. For more information you can call 919-508-2308.

State News

North Carolina To Evaluate Storm Protection
While Hurricane Ophelia did little more than scratch the Carolina coast, state lawmakers are wanting to make sure what happened to New Orleans can’t happen here. Members of the House and Senate proposed on Friday that North Carolina create a joint commission to study building codes and determine what, if anything, the state needs to do in order to prepare for a hurricane. That commission, among other things, would work to strengthen the building codes on the coast, so that homes and businesses can withstand hurricane force winds. Once the commission has finished its’ work, the new codes would be mandatory for all schools and new public buildings.

Drug Rehab Center Unwanted In Greensboro

A proposed drug rehab center may be getting a second chance in Greensboro. The Dreams Treatment Center was denied access to the neighborhood earlier this year, after a neighborhood petition was taken up. People in the area said they didn’t want the treatment center there because it would mean drug addicts would be in the area. Now the Dreams Center has been recreated as a place where the homeless can be trained for jobs, learn computer and also interviewing skills. Despite the new plan, the same petition is making the rounds again. Neighbors say that bringing in homeless people would possibly mean drug addicts would come in as well. Dreams still plans to open, although it’s unclear when that will happen.

Unique Way Of Intimidating Witness Lands Woman In Jail

A Kernersville woman is in jail today after being arrested for intimidating a witness. Apparently the woman, 37-year-old Lisa Marie Orbeck, had been hitting the ceiling of her apartment with some type of object. The reason? She was trying to intimidate a witness into changing her story about a police report that was filed. It’s unknown exactly why she believed hitting the ceiling would intimidate the person, but she finds herself in jail today, with bail set at $20,000.

Unemployment Falls Across State

Some good news on the economic front for people in North Carolina. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 5.6% by the end of August, a reverse from the three previous months. From May to the end of July, the rate rose 10% and still remains above the national rate of 4.9%. The reason for the change lies mainly in the 1500 new jobs created in the education, health and construction fields over the past month. Government jobs took a hit however, with 6500 temporarily out of work due to a slow start in the school system and lack of a budget.

Sports Headlines

Football Friday Night Scoreboard
Around the high school scene last night, it was East Wilkes going on the road and winning a close one. They beat North Stokes 25-16, to improve to 3-2 on the season. The final score wasn’t so good for North Wilkes however, as they were blown out by Alexander Central 49-6. That drops North to 1-4 on the season.

College Football Scoreboard
In college football, NC State beat Eastern Kentucky 54-10 as Josh Davis tossed for three touchdowns. State improves to 1-1 as they get set to host North Carolina next Saturday. Speaking of the Heels, they shut down the Wisconsin offense but failed to get enough of their own in a 14-5 loss. UNC fell to 0-2 on the season, after another subpar game from quarterback Matt Baker. He threw for 281 yards and an interception, failing to find the end zone. Another team looking for their first win found a team they could beat over the weekend, as Duke defeated Virginia Military Institute 40-14. Justin Boyle ran for 113 yards and freshman Zack Assack made his debut at quarterback for the Blue Devils, tossing for a touchdown. Duke moves up to 1-2 on the season and will take on Virginia next week. Appalachian State also notched a win as they beat Coastal Carolina 30-3, behind 178 rushing yards from Kevin Richardson. The 2-1 Mountaineers get set next to take on the Citadel. Finally it took three weeks but Wake Forest got its’ first victory of the season, beating Eastern Carolina 44-34. The East Carolina defense crumbled as Chris Barclay exploded for 210 yards rushing, tying a school record as he scored four touchdowns. The Pirates also couldn’t stop his backup Micah Andrews, who tacked on 142 yards. Next up for the Deacons will be a visit by Maryland to Winston Salem.

Panthers Beat Patriots

The Carolina Panthers showed why most experts have them picked to win the Super Bowl on Sunday, knocking out the New England Patriots 27-17. Stephen Davis led the way with 77 rushing yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first running back in three years to score more than twice against the New England defense. With the win, Carolina improves to 1-1 on the season and will go on the road next week against Miami.

Big Names Coming To Greensboro
For you golf fans out there, the Chrysler Classic continues to grow. The event, which will be held in Greensboro starting on the 29^th of this month, has added some big names, with two of the top ten players in the world on their way. Sergio Garcia, ranked 6^th in the world has already committed and then this week Adam Scott followed suit. Scott is currently #7 in the world. They’ll join an already crowded field of Davis Love, Jason Gore and John Daly. Another golfer, Jay Haas will take part and be honored during the tournament since this is his 22^nd time making the rounds in Greensboro. Once again that’ll go on September 29^th through October 2^nd.

NASCAR Kicks Off Playoff Hunt
The playoff hunt started with a bang for NASCAR fans this weekend, as Ryan Newman took the checkered flag. Newman pulled ahead of Tony Stewart with 16 laps to go and held on for the win. Matt Kenseth was third, Greg Biffle was fourth and Dale Earnhart Jr. came in fifth. As a result, the chase standings look like this. It’s Tony Stewart in first, followed by Greg Biffle in second. Rusty Wallace and Newman are now tied for third heading into this weekend.