The local and regional news page of 12403wc Hometown Christian Radio.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

 

News & Sports For October 27th

Murder In Roaring River
One man was killed and a suspect is in custody today after a fight in Roaring River. The incident happened late Tuesday night at 581 Mtn. Scenery Road, where an argument broke out between 19-yr-old Christopher Lee Caudill and 28-yr-old Charlie Randall Nance. Somehow during the argument Nance pulled out a knife and stabbed Caudill in the bedroom of the house. The victim's sister,LeeAnn Caudill, who was also in the home called EMS and Christopher was taken to Hugh Chatham Hospital, where he died as a result of the stabbing wounds. Charlie Randall Nance was arrested and charged with murder and is currently being held in the Wilkes Detention Center.

Child Advocacy Study Highlights Whats Needed
Throughout this week, we've been going over a study put out by the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute. In today's final part, we break down the recommendations that the study suggested should be put into place. On the economic side of things, the institute believes that more financial help for parents will mean better development for their kids. Among the economic suggestions was a request to raise the minimum wage until it reaches "a living wage" and guarantee health benefits to all workers, no matter how big or small the company. Also the study called for child care to be subsidized by the state and for North Carolina to install an Earned Income Tax Credit. As far as child safety goes, the institute called for universal health care for all children, regardless of their financial situation, while also creating better health and safety education programs in the local school systems. Finally to cut down on the abuse that is seen throughout the state, the study called for a decrease in the amount of time kids spend in the foster care system and instead finding a permanent family to take the children in. As with the rest of this week's information, you can go online and check it out at www.ncchild.org.

Paychecks Stolen From Stone Mountain Country Store
Thieves broke into the Stone Mountain Country Store late Monday night, running off with over a thousand dollars in payroll checks and cash. When employees came in the next morning to open up, they found that someone had already invited themselves in. The door was wide open, but there were no signs of damage and it didn't appear to have been forced. The box which contained over $500 in payroll checks and over $700 in cash had gone missing. There are suspects in the case and that investigation is still ongoing.

Illegal Dumping Discovered In Union Grove
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a piece of property in Union Grove this week, after telephone workers found bags of trash in their area. Someone had piled ten bags of garbage in the area belonging to Yadkin Valley Telephone. No one in the area can recall hearing or seeing anyone make the dump, but deputies are continuing the investigation.

Blood Drive Later Today
1500 pints of blood. That's how much is used each day by doctors here in North Carolina to treat patients in the local hospitals. But with so much having to be sent down to the Gulf Coast, the local supply constantly stays at critical levels. To help build it back up, you can go out today to a drive at North Wilkes High School. It's starting at 8:30 this morning and will run til 2pm this afternoon. Just remember before giving however, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. For more information you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Diamonds Stolen From Wilkesboro Residence
Be careful who you invite inside your home. A Wilkesboro woman learned that lesson the hard way this week. She held a party at her house, allowing people to come and go wherever they wanted. Later on while cleaning up, she found that they took what they wanted as well. Two diamond rings were missing, which totaled just over $1200 in value. She had no idea as to who could have stolen the rings, due to the amount of people that came through the house. That investigation is continuing.

Focus On Jobs
For many people here in Wilkes, the economic problems of the area have made it hard to find work. It can be complicated at times. What companies are hiring? What skills are they looking for? The Wilkes Joblink Center was created to help answer those questions. To hear more about the Joblink Center and the upcoming Job Fair, you can tune in for Focus on the Foothills later today. Brian will be talking with Beth Foster and Rick Cornejo from the Employment Security Commission. That's coming up at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Be Careful Where You Put Your Keys
It's usually a good idea to keep your car keys in a secure location. A Wilkesboro man found that out earlier this week, after his car was stolen. The man had let a friend come and go in his house, also allowing her to see where he kept his keys. Earlier this week he left her at his house while taking a carpool to work, to save gas. When he returned that night however, both the friend and his car were gone. A description of both were turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Child Abuse Prevention Conference Coming Up Next Week
Child abuse affects all of us in some way, in our churches, schools and even in the workplace. To help people better understand the problem, the Child Abuse Prevention Team here in Wilkes County is getting set to hold a conference coming up next week.
That conference will take place Friday Nov.4th and people can sign up for a fee of $55. Along with the conference itself, breakfast and lunch will be included in that price. For more information you can call Our House at 667-5555.

Wreck On 421 Totals Two
A North Wilkesboro woman failed to slow down for a red light Tuesday afternoon on 421, causing a two car pileup. A Moravian Falls woman was turning left, with the green light on her side, when the second woman's car slammed directly into her, hitting the driver's side. 25-yr-old Samantha Mae Perkins was arrested for driving with a revoked license and running a red light. Both drivers and their passengers were taken by EMS to Wilkes Regional, however the first vehicle's driver and a passenger in the second refused treatment.

State News

Jobs Possibly Coming To Greensboro
Over a thousand new jobs could be coming to Greensboro, according to local leaders. Guilford County officials announced this week that they were negotiating with a Fortune 500 company to build a new plant in the area. No details were revealed as nothing has been finalized, but it's believed that an official announcement could be coming within the next month.

North Carolina Troops Coming Home
Good news today for some military families, as members of one Fort Bragg unit are returning home this week. Portions of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment's First Battalion will be coming back to the base later today. The rest of the 700 soldiers in the regiment will be following behind sometime in the next month.

Portions Of Parkway Close For Snow
Winter came early this week for the North Carolina Mountains and as a result parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway have been closed down. Sections of the road near Mount Mitchell State Park and also part of the road near Asheville has been shut down due to snowfall. Once road crews are in place and everything is cleaned up, those sections of highway will be reopened later today. Weather forecasters and ski resort operators alike say the early snow has them expecting a white winter throughout the mountain counties.

Schools In Guiford County Hit With Music Theft
Officials in Guilford County are trying to figure out who's behind a series of thefts in some of the local schools. Six instruments were stolen from one of the schools, all total an estimated $10,000 worth of material. That goes along with recent incidents including buses that have been damaged and concession stands that have been broken into. Now locals have put up a $2000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Black Says He's Staying
Despite the recent investigation into his campaign, State House Speaker Jim Black announced on Wednesday that he plans to stay at his position. Black accused the press of treating him unfairly, in the wake of revelations that the FBI is investigating political donations made to his office by the video poker industry and the fact his political director was a consultant for a Scientific Games, a lottery company. Black said that he doesn't expect to step down any time soon, regardless of the controversy.

Jobs Coming To Durham
Some good news for workers in the Durham area, as 360 new jobs will be coming over the next five years. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants announced this week that they plan to build an office in the area, with an expected opening date of July 2006. The move will bring 360 jobs such as computer programmers, database administrators and CPAs to Durham, with an average salaray of $53,500 a year plus benefits. The company could recieve just under $7 million in tax breaks if it meets certain job creation goals detailed by Governor Easley.

Sports Headlines

Randolph To Regain Starting Job
There's not going to be a quarterbaack controversy in Winston Salem, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe announced on Wednesday. When senior Cory Randolph is 100% healthy, he'll take over the reins of the team. Randolph has been cleared by the Deacons' medical staff to practice, two weeks after spraining an ankle in the loss against Boston College. Still, Grobe said he didn't expect Randolph to be ready to start when Wake Forest heads to Durham this Saturday for a game against Duke. The senior could be on hand if needed however. Duke and Wake Forest kick off at noon on Saturday.

Tarheels' Game Affected By Hurricane Wilma
Another ACC football game this weekend has been changed thanks to Hurricane Wilma. The UNC Tarheels were on the schedule to play the number six ranked Miami Hurricanes, with kickoff set for 3:30pm. However the recent storm damaged the lights in the Orange Bowl, so the game will have to be bumped up on the schedule to a noon start. The 3-3 Tarheels will be flying into Miami on Friday, looking for a repeat of last year's 31-28 upset.

Bobcats Make Final Cuts To Roster
The Charlotte Bobcats made the final cuts of the preseason, trimming their roster down to the required 15 players on Wednesday. Center D'or Fischer, a rookie free agent and former North Carolina forward Jason Capel. The team is also considering adding another player to the list, as rookie Antonio Meeking hasn't been able to stay on the court without fouling in the preseason and he's last on the depth chart in an already loaded Bobcat frontcourt. The NBA regular season gets started next Tuesday November 1st.

Hurricanes To Retire Ron Francis' Jersey
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes announced plans on Wednesday to retire the number 10 jersey of former captain Ron Francis later this year. Francis retired during the offseason, ending a career that saw him finish second only to Wayne Gretsky in assists and fourth in points scored. He'll also finish out as the franchise leader in goals, assists, points and games played. Francis will be honored and see his jersey retired during a home game in Raleigh on January 28th.

Smith An Early Pro Bowl Favorite
In the NFL, things are looking good for the Carolina Panthers, who head into this weekend with a 4-2 record. And for the first time in his career, one of the team's wide recievers is a favorite to make the Pro Bowl. Steve Smith leads the team with 39 catches for 596 yards, good enough for sixth in the league. He also leads the NFL with seven TD receptions so far, which has placed him front and center in the voting for the Pro Bowl. Fans can go online to nfl.com and cast votes for your favorite player and the Panthers will be back in Charlotte this Sunday to take on Minnesota.

Marlin To Take Over At MB2
Taking a look at the Nextel Cup, some changes are coming next season for Sterling Marlin. He announced this week that he'll be switching teams next year, heading over to MB2 Motorsports. Marlin will replace driver Scotty Riggs, who is leaving to become the third driver in owner Ray Everham's garage. Marlin said that with the new team also comes a timetable as he plans to race two more seasons and then call it quits.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

 

News & Sports For October 26th

BREAKING NEWS: Murder In Roaring River
One man was killed and a suspect is in custody today after a fight in Roaring River. The incident happened late Tuesday night in Roaring River. The victim, 19-yr-old Christopher Lee Caudill died of knife wounds at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital later that night and 28-yr-old Charlie Randall Nance was been arrested and charged with the crime. We'll have more details coming up on the news at 5pm.


Child Advocacy Study Raises Questions

On Tuesday, 3WC told you about a new study that's been released by the NC Child Advocacy Institute. The study highlighted current facts about life here in Wilkes and how it's affecting the children of the area. Today we're taking a look at the education data the study put out. The study found that in 1990, 62.6% of local kids finished high school in four years. Now more than ten years down the road, unfortunately that number has dropped to 59.1% or roughly 541 students. Some good news however as local schools at both the 3rd and 8th grade level have seen comprehension increase for the end of grade testing in math and reading. Back in 1998 during the last study, only 65% of 3rd graders and 74% of 8th graders could understand and pass the test. Now that number has climbed to 79% for both classes. Also the dropout rate has decreased here in Wilkes. Ten years ago, 10.4% of high school students were quitting. Now that number is down to 7.9% or 251 students. That's still slightly higher than the state average of 5.2%. Coming up on tomorrow's newscast we'll take a look at what the Institute found from their study and what recommendations are being used. Also to check up on the facts yourself, you can log on to www.ncchild.org

Police Still Looking For Hit & Run Driver
Wilkesboro police are searching for a hit & run driver today, after an incident Monday night near the Cub Creek Apartments. A Moravian Falls woman intentionally hit another vehicle in the parking lot that was driven by a local man. After hitting the car she then drove off before officers arrived at the scene. No one was injured, however estimated damages to the car were placed at $1200. The woman's name and description were given to Wilkesboro police and that investigation is ongoing.

Food Drive Going On At West High
For anyone going out to the West Wilkes football game this Friday, the school's Key Club is asking that you bring some items along with you. The club is holding a food drive to benefit the BROC agency here in Wilkes and wants people to donate two cans of non perishable items when they come. In exchange for that donation, each person will get a ticket to be entered in a raffle taking place at halftime of the game. The prize is a $100 shopping spree at the Lowes Foods store on Hwy 18 North. Also students from West Wilkes Middle School are holding a drive as well. Taking place this coming Thursday, October 27th, people can drive by the school and drop off canned food donations from 5:30-7pm. In exchange for the food, you can pick up some candy in return.

Credit Cards Stolen From Local Woman
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a Wilkesboro woman's home earlier this week after she discovered several credit cards had gone missing. After checking less than a day later, her statement showed that the cards had been used several times all across the Piedmont area. Currently over $17,000 has been charged on the cards. It's unknown exactly how the cards were stolen, as there hadn't been any sign of a break-in at the home or any damage done on the property. There is a suspect in the case and deputies are continuing the investigation.

Assault With A Deadly Rock
A Wilkesboro man called sheriff's deputies earlier this week after returning to find his car had been damaged. During the day, someone had come by the house and tossed rocks at the vehicle, shattering one of the side windows. Estimated damage was placed at $100. Despite the damage however, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything during that time. The investigation is still ongoing.

Lunch Buddy Training Session
Communities in Schools again finds itself short on volunteers as we near the halfway part of the school semester. Over a hundred kids are still on a waiting list, hoping to be paired up with a lunch buddy for the rest of this year. By joining the program, adults agree to meet up for about one hour a day with a kid at one of the local schools. The pair eat lunch together and get to know each other, giving the child a friend that otherwise they might not have. Coming up later today, a training session for the lunch buddy program will be held from 12 noon til 1pm. That will go on at the Communities in Schools office, just off School Street on College Ave. here in Wilkesboro. For more information you can call Amie Blevins, the program’s director. Her number is 651-7830 extension 23.

More Car Vandalism At Wilkesboro Home
A Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he came home earlier this week. Someone had been by the home and left a calling card on his jeep. Two of the vehicle's tires were slashed and the entire driver's side had been keyed. No one in the area could recall seeing anyone come near the home, however that investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Prolonged Smoking Can Shrink Braincells
Some bad news for anyone who's been smoking for a while. Keep that up and your braincells will start shrinking. That's the news in today's 3WC Healthwatch. Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that nicotine, the addictive element in cigarettes, can damage your brain functions over time. The reason being that nicotine once absorbed into your system, can build up after long periods of use and limit the bloodflow to your brain, while also cutting off oxygen. While small amounts of nicotine in the study did help the subjects to be more alert and focused, after extended periods those feelings began to reverse. Long term memory and verbal reasoning skills were the two things most affected by the nicotine. Researchers said that there's no way to stop the problem, except for quitting or cutting down on your cigarette habit.

State News

Chapel Hill Condemns Iraq War
According to one town here in North Carolina, the war in Iraq is illegal. The Town Council in Chapel Hill passed two resolutions during a meeting on Monday night, condemning the current conflict in Iraq and demanding that President Bush put an end to it. Officials from the council and people in the area explained that they believe the war is draining our resources and taking away money that could be used here in the United States. The resolutions will be sent to both the President and Congress, in hopes that they would act on it.

Officials Hunt Escaped Con In Siler City
Officials in Chatham County are hunting an escaped prisoner today. 38-yr-old Sean Wheeler ran off from a work release program on Monday, heading into the nearby woods. Officials from the Highway Patrol, Department of Corrections and the Siler City Police Department all joined in the search, but they hadn't been able to locate the convict. Wheeler had been serving a six year sentence for kidnapping that started in 2002. It's believed he could be heading home to Greensboro.

More Water Problems For City Of Hickory
The city of Hickory had to swim through some more water related problems this week, after work crews hit a water line. Portions of Highway 321 were closed down Monday night while work continued on the problem. The crews had originally been out to do repairs on the sinkhole near Old Lenoir Road and 321 but workers hit a water line buried underground, shooting water over one hundred feet into the air. The crews had been informed about a water line nearby, but didn't realize how close it really was. With the line repaired, cleanup is expected to continue for at least the next several weeks on the sinkhole.

Two North Carolina Plants To Shut Down
Nearly two hundred workers in Robbins North Carolina will find themselves on the unemployment line this Christmas, after two local furniture plants shut their doors. Company officials from Klaussner Furniture said they hoped to grow their business by shifting resources to the retail side and away from production. 188 people worked at the two Klaussner plants. Now they either have to relocate to another of the company's plants in North Carolina or accept a severance package.

Former College Quarterback Running For Congress
A former college quarterback has announced his plans to run for Congress here in North Carolina. Former University of Tennessee quarterback Health Shuler, who also played for the NFL's Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints, has decided to run for the Democratic nomination in the North Carolina district where he now lives. Shuler will be going up against Republican incumbent Charles Taylor in the race. He said that he wants to be in Congress to help as many people as he can.

Church Robbed During Social Dinner
The members of Anchor Baptist Church in Charlotte gathered together for a meal this week, to officially dedicate their new building. While the members were eating however, thieves were busy stealing their wallets, cash and credit cards from the pocketbooks and briefcases that had been left in the sanctuary. Within a few minutes, purchases were being made with the cards all across town. The church does however have a surveillance camera and officials are taking a look at it for evidence.

Sports Headlines

New Quarterback For NC State
There'll be a new face under center this weekend for the NC State Wolfpack. Senior Jay Davis has been replaced by sophomore Marcus Stone, as State looks to recover from a 2-4 start. Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi will be Stone's first start in his college career. Coach Chuck Amato said that while Davis played well, it was time for a change.

Duke Lands Another Recruit
While this season hasn't gone as hoped for the Duke football team, next year is already looking better. The team landed yet another recruit this week, as New York linebacker Vincent Rey committed to the school. The 6'1 260 lb. Rey has 86 tackles so far this season while also running the 40 yard dash in 4.8 seconds. Having already graduated from high school, Rey will become the 14th member of Duke's 2006 recruiting class after finishing up this season at a prep school.

Grant Hill Suffers Another Injury
In the NBA, some bad news for a former Blue Devil. Grant Hill had to go back to the doctor after yet another injury. The injury plagued Hill, who last year made a return from a career threatening ankle problem, has now strained parts of his abdomen working out with the team. Tests so far aren't showing any tears or other damage, however just to be sure, team officials set up appointments both in LA and also at Duke Medical Center. If surgery is necessary, Hill would be out for up to three months, derailing any playoff hopes his team the Orlando Magic had.

Carolina Panthers Update
Some good news however on the injury front for the Carolina Panthers. Virtually the entire staff has a clean bill of health, heading into Sunday's game with Minnesota. Fullback Brad Hoover, linebacker Dan Morgan and defensive end Julius Peppers are all set to play on Sunday, despite suffering injuries in the game against Detroit. Meanwhile, Peppers revealed that he'll be playing the rest of the season with a broken bone in his right hand, wearing a cast to protect against further injury.

NASCAR Considering Changes After Wilma
Hurricane Wilma could be bringing some changes to the Chase for the Cup. Homestead Miami Speedway was front and center as the hurricane passed over, with significant damage done to the area. Light poles, portions of the garage, the grandstands and sections of the catch fencing were all damaged by the storm, with the major problems coming from the lighting system. A replacement track will be considered if repairs can't be made in time for the Ford 500, the Nextel Cup's season finale planned for November 20th.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

 

News & Sports For October 25th

Wilkes County Kids Rising Out Of Poverty
Some mixed news today for Wilkes County families, as a study was released from the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute. The good news is that families here in Wilkes are improving their situation, with only 13.7% of those with children currently living in poverty. That's a drop from the year 2000, when 13.9% lived in the same conditions. The bad news however is that the families are moving out of poverty but are still dependent on governmental assistance. Families with children who are on the Food Stamp program increased 22.3% over the last five years and the number of children enrolled in Medicaid here in Wilkes has risen 17%. The condition of families was another problem cited by the study, as here in Wilkes only 70% of all children are raised by a two parent household. That's a decline of 6% over the last ten years. While the number of two parent families has fallen, the amount of children here in the county has actually increased. As of last year, 15191 children were living in Wilkes, with over 80% of those kids 14 and under. On tomorrow's newscast we'll go over the education rates here in the county and examine if the graduation rate has climbed since the last study was done. Then on Thursday we'll go over the Institute's recommendations and what's being done about them.

Counterfeit Money Continues To Flow In
Over the weekend, more counterfeit money continued to pour into Wilkes County, although this time there's a face to go with it. A white man in his mid 20s walked into the Fast Track on Winkler Street in Wilkesboro, bought some cigarettes and paid for his purchase with what turned out to be a fake $20 bill. Then later on Sunday, an older white man came into the KFC in Wilkesboro and did the same thing, paying for his meal with a fake $50 bill. When asked about the money, the man took off running out the door. In both cases, security cameras were able to take a picture of the suspects and the information was turned over to Wilkesboro police. That investigation is still ongoing.

Wreck On 421 Totals One
Two cars were involved in a wreck on Hwy 421 earlier this week. A North Wilkesboro woman was sitting in her vehicle, waiting for her light to change from red when another car slammed into her from behind. That second vehicle was driven by a Lexington man, who didn't slow down in time to avoid a collision. Estimated damage in the wreck was placed at $3100. Thankfully however no one was injured in the crash.

Pregnancy Center Needs Volunteers
As we reach the end of October, the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center finds itself in need of help. The Center is looking for volunteers, to work two to three hours a week. However before someone can begin helping, they need to go through a training session. Coming up next month, there will be a three day session beginning November 10th and finishing Saturday November 12th. The sessions last for 2 ½ hours on Thursday and Friday, then wrap up with a three hour session on Saturday. For more information about what training involves or if you want to sign up, you can call the Center at 838-9272.

Purlear Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Purlear woman got a surprising call from her bank over the weekend, asking about some purchases made in St. Petersburg Florida. Apparently someone had gone on a spending spree, using her bank information to do it. The total bill added up to $5966. Wachovia has started their own investigation into the case and believe this situation is tied in with several other cases of ID theft that have gone on over the past few months. The account has since been closed and sheriff's deputies are continuing their investigation.

Car Stolen From Moravian Falls Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a home in Moravian Falls over the weekend, after thieves drove off with the homeowner's vehicle. The woman stepped outside and noticed the vehicle was missing during the night, despite there not having been any noise as it was driven away. There was also no signs of a break-in or any damage left behind. Deputies however found the vehicle, wrecked and abandoned on Highrock Road in Boomer. It's still unclear exactly how the vehicle was taken or who stole it.

Drive Through Flu Clinic Coming Up
With the cold weather moving into Wilkes, flue season's not far behind. To plan ahead this year, the Wilkes Health Department is holding a drive through flu clinic next Saturday November 5th. People can just drive up in their car, receive the shot and then take off down the road. For adults or children on Medicaid, there is no charge, however for everyone else, there is a cost. It will cost $20 for an flu shot and $33 for an pneumonia shot, that's for both adults and children. There is no sign up sheet or reservations, you just drive up to West Park Medical Center on Nov. 5th anytime from 8am til 3pm. For more information you can call the Health Department at 651-7450.

Everything Taken But The Kitchen Sink
A Traphill couple got a surprise when they walked outside earlier this week. One of their cars had been damaged and portions of it were missing. Gone was the car's bumper, one of the headlights and all four tires. Also one of the passenger windows had been smashed. There is a suspect in the case and sheriff's deputies are continuing the investigation.

Mailbox Vandals Hit Another Wilkes Home
Yet another home here in Wilkes fell victim to mailbox vandals earlier this week. A Millers Creek woman walked outside her house to find that someone had literally ripped her mailbox out of the ground. Gone was both the box and the post, however no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone during the night. That investigation is still ongoing.

Coats For Kids Still Going Strong
A lot of people have coats in the closet that never get worn. If you want to give those coats away, Our House has somewhere that’ll take them. The organization, in connection with Christmas in Wilkes, is running their annual Coats For Kids drive. Any and all coats are welcomed, new or used, child or adult size, whatever you have to give will be used and appreciated. Two locations here in the area are accepting the coats, Wilkesboro Cleaners and Hourglass Cleaners in North Wilkesboro. Donations can be dropped off any day between now and October 28th. During the week, you can drop off coats from 11am til 7pm Monday through Wednesday, then from 9am til 5pm on Thursday and Friday. For more information you can call Sherry Mabry at Our House. The number is 667-5555.

State News

Undercover Operation Nets 20 Dealers
Officials in Durham are cracking down on the drug trade in the area, thanks to a 16-month undercover operation. Durham police announced this week that 20 of the top level dealers in the area have been arrested as a result of the sting with more possibly to come. Those already arrested could face up to 20 years in jail.

Harnett County Celebrates Milestone
A special milestone in history was observed this week in Harnett County, as the area celebrated its' 150th anniversary. Locals held a religious ceremony at Campbell University to celebrate, including hymns and a special prayer time. During the event, locals also honored their Scottish heritage with a presentation of Tartans, fabrics with designs to represent different families in the area.

Katrina Refugees In NC Face Problems Thanks To FEMA
More problems have popped up with the FEMA administration, this time affecting refugees here in North Carolina. Several hundred refugees here in the area are facing eviction after their federal relief checks were lost in the mail, with some being sent to their old address in New Orleans and others turning up in Charlotte. FEMA officials say that workers have been sent out to correct the problem and that such glitches should be expected with such a massive operation.

Samaritan's Purse Offers Help To Pakistan
Help is on the way to Pakistan today, as a North Carolina group flew out Monday afternoon with supplies. Samaritan's Purse,. The organization led by Franklin Graham, packed 120 tons of supplies such as blankets and food into a 747 Monday afternoon before departing. An estimated 79,000 were killed in the October 8th earthquake and now with snow falling in the area, more lives are at risk unless supplies are provided.

Garbage In & Money Out
North Carolina could be seeing a ton of garbage heading this way in the near future. Several tons in fact. Officials from different sections of the state are negotiating for five landfills to be built across the Piedmont, with most of the trash coming from other states like New York. Current target areas include Camden County, Hyde County, Richmond County, Columbus County and Brunswick County. Some state officials are concerned however because the extra garbage will help fill the already shrinking landfill space here in the state, which experts predict will only last 18 years at the current rate.

Sports Headlines

Local Teams Move Up In Soccer Rankings
Around the high school scene, several high school teams climbed the ranks in this week's top ten poll from the NC Soccer Coaches Association. Wilkes Central jumps one rung up the ladder to sixth place, after their 8-0 win last week over Surry Central. The 13-1-1 Eagles could be one win away from breaking into the top five. Meanwhile East Wilkes retains their spot at number 10, after a 1-0 loss last week against Elkin.

Powder Puff Football Coming Up Tonight
There will be football of a different type taking place tonight at East Wilkes. For anyone who wants to come out and watch, the annual East Wilkes Powder Puff game will kick off at 6:30pm. Admission is $3 and all proceeds will go to the school.

Duke Leads ACC Preseason Polls
With the college basketball season just a few weeks away, more preseason polls are being released. In the ACC, the Duke Blue Devils have been picked to win the conference. Wake Forest comes in third, followed in fourth by the NC State Wolfpack. Last year's champions, the UNC Tarheels, fall all the way to sixth place, just ahead of Miami.

Wolfpack Recovering
As for the NC State Wolfpack, they might have to start the season without one of their starters. Senior guard Tony Bethel won't be able to start practicing until next Wednesday, as he's still recovering from a groin injury sustained this past summer. Meanwhile two members of the Tarheels are also coming back from the injured list. Freshmen Michael Copeland and Marcus Ginyard have both been held out of practice so far. Copeland is returning from knee surgery and is expected back by next week, while Ginyard still has a cast on his left hand. He's not expected back for at least another two weeks.

Chase For The Cup Standings
After this weekend's race at Martinsville, the Nextel Cup standings have been slightly shaken up. Tony Stewart sits alone in first place, 15 points head of second place Jimmie Johnson. Ryan Newman is in third, with Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards rounding out the top five. The bottom have of the Chase starts with Rusty Wallace in sixth place, followed by Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Jeremy Mayfield.

Hurricanes Beat Senators
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes pulled out a close one, beating Ottawa 3-2. The win brings Carolina up to 5-2 on the season and continues their unbeaten streak at home. The loss was the Senators' first this season.

Monday, October 24, 2005

 

News & Sports For October 24th

Wilkes Man Killed In Iraq
A Wilkes County Navy corpsman was killed last Friday in Iraq. A roadside bomb attack killed 25-year-old Chris Thompson of Millers Creek. Thompson was assigned to a Marine unit and was serving his second combat tour in a job similar to an Army medic. Thompson and another Marine died in the blast about 25 miles west of Baghdad. Chris is the son of Larry and Geraldine Thompson also of Millers Creek. The Thompson's were home around 9:30 on Friday evening when two Navy officers arrived at their house to deliver the bad news.

Christmas In Wilkes Taking Applications
Starting today, applications will be taken for this year’s Christmas in Wilkes program. The program helps each year, by providing needy kids with clothes and toys their parents couldn’t otherwise afford. People can apply from now until Nov. 4th at certain times during the week. You can drop off applications at the North Wilkesboro Rotary Club Building, located behind Cooks in West Park. Monday through Wednesday, you can come by from 11am til 7pm, then on Thursday and Friday, from 11am til 5pm. When coming to apply, parents or guardians must bring a picture ID, proof of their current income and social security cards for both the parents and children. For more information you can call Judi Mitchell with Christmas in Wilkes. Her number is 667-7174.

Assault & Robbery At Wilkesboro Business
Wilkesboro police were called out to the Fast Track on Hwy 421 late last week after a fight broke out in the parking lot. A Boomer man had been assaulted in the parking lot, with the robbers taking his wallet. Witnesses described both the suspects and the vehicle they drove off in. After viewing the security cameras and getting a positive identification, warrants were taken out on 31-yr-old Michael Dewitt Ferguson Jr for strong armed robbery, assault and trespass.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Despite gas prices dropping around the area, some people here in Wilkes are still refusing to pay. Late last week gas thieves hit the Run-In on Oakwoods Road. A man came into the store, told employees he didn’t have enough money to pay for his gas and left his driver’s license as proof that he’d be back to pay. Instead he drove off down the highway and didn’t come back. Later on that night, Wilkesboro police tracked him down on Hwy 268, where he admitted that he wasn’t planning on returning, despite having left his license. 19-yr-old Tyler Ian Wray was arrested and charged in addition to the gas theft, with drug possession after deputies found marijuana inside his car.

Truck Stolen From Millers Creek Home
Be careful where you leave your vehicle. That proved true for a Millers Creek man last week, after his truck was stolen. He had parked the vehicle near a local store, then carpooled to work. However when returning that night, the vehicle was missing. No one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything, however the investigation is ongoing.

Lunch Buddy Training Session
Communities in Schools again finds itself short on volunteers as we near the halfway part of the school semester. Over a hundred kids are still on a waiting list, hoping to be paired up with a lunch buddy for the rest of this year. By joining the program, adults agree to meet up for about one hour a day with a kid at one of the local schools. The pair eat lunch together and get to know each other, giving the child a friend that otherwise they might not have. Coming up this Wednesday, a training program for the lunch buddy program will be held from 12 noon til 1pm. That will go on at the Communities in Schools office, just off School Street on College Ave. here in Wilkesboro. For more information you can call Amie Blevins, the program’s director. Her number is 651-7830 extension 23.

Wreck On Collegiate Drive Totals One
A wreck late last week on Collegiate Driver damaged one car and totaled another. A Boomer woman was driving down the road and had to slow down for oncoming traffic. The vehicle behind her, driven by a Wilkesboro woman, couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. That second vehicle was totaled, with estimated damages placed at $2500, while $500 worth of damage was done to the first car. Thankfully however no one was injured in the wreck.

Pistol Taken From Open Car
Always lock your car when you leave. A Wilkesboro woman found out last week that’s especially true when you have a pistol in the vehicle. She had secured the weapon, then left the vehicle unlocked while going to visit relatives. When she returned to the car, the pistol was missing. A description of the weapon was given to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Stress Kills
This next bit of news is for all the men in their 20s and 30s. Your job could literally be killing you, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A study released this weekend by researchers in Finland discovered that stress at work leads to problems in men’s arteries. Just over one thousand people were tested for the study, which found that men with high stress levels usually showed signs of artery disease. That’s where the artery narrows, preventing blood from getting through and leading to a heart attack or stroke. The same study found however, that the problem was unique to men and that women of the same age didn’t suffer the same way, although it was unclear why. The best way to prevent the arteries from narrowing, according to the study, is to make yourself take a day or two off from work at least every two months. That way you can relax and the strain won’t continue to build.

Broke In To Get The Wallet
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence over the weekend, after thieves ran off with the homeowner’s wallet. There was no sign of damage done to the property and also no clear indication as to how thieves got inside the home. However the homeowner’s wallet, along with his driver’s license and social security card was missing. Nothing else was stolen from the home. There is however a suspect and deputies are continuing that investigation.

State News

Storms Aid Recovery Of Ancient Ship
The recent storms on the Carolina coast may have helped solve a longstanding question. The wind and rain unearthed some medical supply bowls, two cannons and other debris from the shipwreck some believe to be The Queen Anne’s Revenge. While recent dives haven’t been able to officially determine the ship’s identity, the medical bowls and other collected debris could.

FBI Looking Into NC House Speaker
Less than a week after his political director was accused of violations, State House Speaker Jim Black finds himself under investigation. The FBI this weekend seized records related to Black’s political meetings at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte and also obtained records of Black’s campaign finance reports. Officials say that it’s part of an ongoing investigation into the video poker industry but didn’t specify further.

Jobs Coming To Newton
Some good news today for people in Newton, as 150 new jobs will be coming into the area. Flowers Foods, a Georgia company, has bought out what used to be the Harvest States plant. The area will be expanded to 150,000 square feet over the next four months and 150 new jobs will be created as a result.

More Inmates Possibly Up For Parole
More of the inmates in North Carolina prisons could soon be out on the street, now that a new law has taken effect. Under the new law, the Parole Commission has to attempt to release at least 20% of the eligible inmates that were sent to prison before 1994. Officials say the change will help to free up room for newer inmates, who are more of a threat to society. Just under 4000 prisoners will be effected by the new law.

People Arrested After Dumping Gas
Throughout the area, people have been searching for cheap gas. However over the weekend in King North Carolina, police arrested two men for pouring it out. The two men drove up to a local McDonald’s and poured 60 gallons of gas down a storm drain, before being arrested for illegal dumping. No reason has been given as to why they decided to dump the gas.

Jobless Rate Takes A Fall
Some good news for the North Carolina economy, as the state’s unemployment rate fell to 5.5% at the end of September. That’s down from 5.6% in August and it continues a rebound from the all time high this year, which was 5.7% in July.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
Taking a look around the high school scene, it was Wilkes Central beating North Surry 10-7. With the win, Central improves to 2-7 on the year. Meanwhile a tough break for West Wilkes, as they fall to Mount Airy 16-0. Mistakes and dropped passes caused problems for the West offense, as the team falls to 6-3 with the loss. Next up they'll take on East Surry, looking for win number seven on the season. And North Wilkes falls against Surry Central, losing 47-12. With the loss, North drops to 1-9 on the year. And finally East Wilkes took care of business on Friday, beating South Stokes 24-0.

ACC Scoreboard
Wake Forest took a step toward fixing their season with a 27-19 win over NC State. Chris Barclay ran 36 times for the Deacons, racking up 117 yards. Wake improves to 3-5, while State falls to 2-4 and drops into last place in the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Up the road in Chapel Hill, the defense was solid all day for the Tarheels, as they beat the 23rd ranked Virginia Cavaliers 7-5. Ronnie McGill, in his first full game back from injury, ran 23 times for 118 yards. The win pulls Carolina up to 3-3 on the season, tied with Miami for second place in the Coastal division of the ACC. Finally Florida State beat Duke 55-24, in the most competitive game played between the two schools in over five years. Duke freshman Requan Boyette rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown as the team drops to 1-7.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look around the rest of the college scene, it was Memphis beating East Carolina 27-24, dropping the Pirates to 3-4 on the season. It took triple overtime but Gardner-Webb pulled out the 55-52 victory over VMI. Elon was blown out by Furman 45-6 and Appalachian State clocked Wofford with a 49-17 win. Richie Williams tossed for 249 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 73 more. With the win, the Mountainers improve to 5-2, good enough for second place in the Southern conference.

Gordon Wins At Martinsville
It was Jeff Gordon taking the checkered flag Sunday at Martinsville. Points leader Tony Stewart came in second, Jimmie Johnson third, Bobby Labonte fourth and Jeff Burton rounded out the top five.

Hurricanes Blow Out Capitals
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes improved to 4-2 on the year with a blowout 4-0 victory over Washington. The Hurricanes took 41 shots during the game but lost rookie goalie Cam Ward, who sprained his left arm after a collision at the net.

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