Forum Today For New Voting Equipment
A public forum is going on later today at the Wilkes County office building, to let people have a look at the new voting system. All the counties across North Carolina have been ordered to replace their systems before the elections next year. Here in Wilkes, the Board of Elections has chosen a new system to use, but it first must be approved by county commissioners. That will happen after the public forum, which will go on from 2-4pm in the commissioners' room of the county office building. People will have a chance to see the equipment and also ask questions. Then early next month commissioners will vote on the request, deciding if they'll approve the purchase. The reason for such a quick decision is that a contract with the vendors has to be signed by January 20th, in order for the machines to be up and running in time for next year's elections. State leaders called for the switch after several problems came up during the 2004 campaigns, including 4000 ballots disappearing in the agriculture commissioner's race.

More Counterfeit Money Enters Wilkes
Wilkesboro police are checking into another case of counterfeit money today. Recently a man went into Dollar General and attempted to pay for his purchases with a fake $5 bill. The man told police that he had been given the money as change, while shopping at another store and didn't notice it was fake. He provided police with a list of the stores he had visited and that investigation continues.

Heat Relief Possibly On The Way
Good news today for anyone struggling to pay your heating bills. Some help could be on the way. As it stands right now, the gas tax here in Wilkes and across North Carolina is supposed to increase by 2.9 cents on Sunday. However some state lawmakers are working behind the scenes to try and prevent that from happening. At stake are several proposed breaks for citizens, including lower taxes on natural gas, oil and other things used to heat your home. Gov. Mike Easley however is against the plan, saying that North Carolina needs the extra money brought in by taxes. He also told lawmakers that he's been working with Duke Power and other utility companies, setting aside $10 million which would be used to help cover payments for low income families. How that money would be used is a little vague, as it's up to the utility companies who qualifies. An estimated 70,000 families here in Wilkes and throughout North Carolina fall into the low income category.

Car Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro home on Wednesday, after the owner returned to find his car had been stolen. The vehicle had been left there while the homeowner went out of town for Christmas. The car had been left unlocked, with the keys in the ignition. Later on Wednesday night, deputies were able to locate the vehicle, which had been wrecked on Hwy 16. There are no suspects but the investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
As we're less than two days away from the New Year, it's a time for celebration. But with all those holiday parties come the potential for accidents and injuries. With the local blood supply still right at critical levels, the Wilkes Red Cross is making one last attempt to prepare for the holiday. A blood drive is going on today at Baptist Home Church from 2-6:30pm. Just remember before giving, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. To call ahead and set up a time to give, the number is 838-4563.

Tuition Should Be Based On Income
Good news for anyone preparing for college. How much you pay for tuition could depend on what you have in the bank. Several state lawmakers are working on making changes to the tuition rates for public universities here in North Carolina. According to Senate leader Marc Basnight, the new plan would use the same concept as our income tax. Your income and any investments would determine the cost of your tuition. No decision has been made as yet, however the UNC Board of Governors are working to possibly have something in place before next fall.

Recall Of Some GM Vehicles
General Motors announced this month that it's issuing a recall of some of its' passenger and cargo vans. Both the Chevy Express and GMC Savana models from 2003-2006 have been recalled, due to problems with some seat belt buckles. GM says that warranty claims have been piling up, with people reporting issues either locking or unlocking the buckle. As a result of the recall, GM will replace the buckle assembly to solve the problem. If anyone owns either of those vehicles, you can get in touch with the dealership that ou bought it from.

Regional News

Man Killed In Wreck Near Dobson
A wreck Wednesday night near Dobson led to one man being killed. The incident happened on Zaphyr Road and it's still unclear what happened. All that's available at this time is the fact the man's vehicle flipped over and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicle is believed to be involved at this time and authorities have not yet released the man's name.

State News

Mountaineers On The Way To London
A group of Appalachian State students are on their way to Europe to celebrate the new year. The Appalachian University Band has been invited to play in the New Year's Day parade in London, one group out of the more than 100 performers involved. The band made the trip to Charlotte Wednesday night, where they took off for Europe.

Cold Medicine Could Be Harder To Come By
Some bad news for anyone struggling to get over a cold here in North Carolina. It could be harder to get medicine once the new year comes around. Beginning January 15th, all Sudafed, Drixoral, Claritin-D and other cold medicines will go behind the counter at the drug store. The reason for the change is due to the ongoing fight against meth makers, who are using the medicine to help cook up their drugs.

Missing Man Found Dead
A missing persons case has been solved in Greensboro. 66-yr-old Charles Edward Lucas, a Mocksville man who's been gone since July, was found dead this week near I-40. The man was discovered inside his truck by some deer hunters, some 60 feet from the highway. It appears he lost control of the vehicle, skidded off the road and into the woods. The search gained national attention thanks to CNN and the CBS show "Without A Trace", where his picture was shown.

Sports Headlines

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scene last night, it was Auburn beating Winthrop 64-62. Kansas State knocked off Belmont 66-62 and Davidson fell to Illinois Chicago 76-67.

NC State To Possibly Lose Another One
The bad news keeps popping up for the NC State Wolfpack. As the team prepares for Saturday's bowl game against South Florida, junior offensive tackle Derek Morris announced that he's considering a jump to the NFL. Morris, a 6-6 327 lb. lineman, said that he has a lot of opportunities and will take time out to weigh his options. One of the junior's goals has been to play for a national championship, but Morris said he'll pray and ask God for guidiance before making the decision with his family.

Panthers News & Notes
The Carolina Panthers might be saying goodbye to one of their players after this season. Bretson Buckner, a defensive tackle on the team, is considering retirement. The 34-yr-old Buckner has played 12 years in the league and said this week that he's coming close to the end of his career. He said that one of his goals is to try and play three more years, to make it to 15, but he'll take time with his family after the season before coming to a decision. In other news, wide reciever Steve Smith's checkbook is a little lighter today after he caught a $15,000 fine from the NFL. Smith was fined for touching an official during Sunday's game, which he was ejected for.

NHL: Philly at Carolina
It took overtime to do it, but Philadelphia beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 last night. Despite the loss, Carolina stays atop the Southeastern Conference.

Top Sports Story Of The Year
With the clock ticking down on 2005, the Associated Press has put together their top sports stories of the year. The Patriots' Super Bowl victory made the top five, as did the steroid scandal in baseball. Lance Armstrong's seventh Tour de France victory and Hurricane Katrina's impact on the Saints were also on the list. But the top sports story, as reported by the AP was the Chicago White Sox bringing the Windy City their first championship since 1917.

Charter To Raise Rates In 2006
Bad news today for any subscribers to Charter Communications. You'll be paying more out of pocket in the new year. Beginning in January, Charter customers will see rates increase on their services. Phillip Haron, the office manager here in Wilkes County explained why earlier this week in an interview with Brian. He said that all customers who get the basic package will see their bill increase by two dollars. The hike has been attributed to the rising cost of programming, which has continually become more expensive for the business to buy.

Boomer Man Falls Victim To Fraud
A Boomer man got a surprise on Tuesday when he checked his credit account. Someone had gone on a spending spree using his card over the last few months, racking up just over $800 in expenses. The man got in touch with the company and cancelled his card, to prevent any more money from being taken. After tracing the purchases, a suspect was found in Dallas Texas. It's unknown how the man managed to get ahold of the credit information, but that investigation continues.

Blood Drive Later Today
With the new year less than three days away, it's a time of fun, family and fellowship. Unfortunately it can also be a time for drinking and driving. As we reported on Wednesday, Wilkes County is ranked 31st out of the state's 100 counties in regards to accidents on the roads, a number added to by drunk drivers. Keeping that in mind, the Wilkes Red Cross is working to maintain the blood supply with a drive going on today. That will be held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church from 3-7:30pm. No appointments are needed, but you can call ahead to schedule a time at 838-4563.

Jewelry Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro house on Tuesday, after thieves paid a visit. The owner came back to find that some of her jewelry had gone missing, including her wedding ring and another diamond ring, totaling an estimated $600. Nothing else was taken or even touched in the home and there was no sign of a break-in. There is however a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Focus On Foxx
With time ticking down til the new year, it's important to know what's going on in our government. Coming up later today, Brian will be sitting down with 5th district congresswoman Virginia Foxx, as they'll be discussing illegal imigration, gas prices going back up and also what the new cuts in spending could mean for your medicare plan. All that's coming up on Focus on the Foothills, today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Thieves Rip Out Tractor Battery
A Wilkes County man called sherrif's deputies on Tuesday after discovering that someone had stolen parts of his tractor. The incident happened on the Boss Blackburn Road, although it's unknown exactly when, as the tractor hadn't been used in several weeks. The battery from the man's Massey Ferguson tractor was taken, along with the battery charger. Nothing else appeared to be damaged or even touched on the property. That investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Food For The Blind
It turns out that mom was right about eating your vegetables, as we explain in today's 3WC Healthwatch. A study was released this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showing that people who eat foods rich in antioxidants are less likely to have vision problems as they get older. Foods rich in vitamins C, E and zinc, along with beta carotene help to lower the risk of macular degeneration, according to the study. Over a thousand people were used in the study, which took place over an eight year period. Those who had a diet containing carrots, eggs, grains, peppers and potatoes, among other antioxidant rich foods were 25% less likely to be affected by the disease. Doctors said that if people begin following such a diet now, it'll help prevent problems 10 to 15 years down the road.

State News

Fort Bragg Installing New Security System
Some changes will be taking place at Fort Bragg over the next month, as the military base installs a new security system. The system, which will cost $11 million to build, contains seveal hydraulic nets that would capture any unauthorized vehicles before they could escape. X-ray scanners, cameras to photograph drivers' faces and additional barriers are all part of the upgrade. Fort Bragg is one of the first bases in the nation to use both the hydraulic net system and the scanners.

Buncombe County Jailer Now Facing Prison Time
A jailer in Buncombe County now finds himself looking at prison from the other side of the bars after being arrested this week. 33-yr-old Michael Dean Parham was charged with taking bribes from the inmates and assisting a man in his escape attempt. The inmates involved in the scheme, Jeremy Lee McSweeney and David Doran now face additional charges and more time added on to their sentences.

Yadkin County Paying For Fugitive's Arrest
Yadkin County taxpayers are having to foot the bill for an arrest made over two years ago, according to local officials. In 2003, William Joseph Spencer was arreste don fugitive warrants from West Virginia. However Spencer fell into a coma and had to be put into the hospital, while awaiting extradition. Instead, West Virginia authorities changed their mind, reversing the request for extradition and leaving Spencer in Baptist Medical Center. As a result, the cost of his medical care was turned over to Yadkin County, a sum totaling almost $165,000. Since then Spencer has recovered and the county has negotiated the fee down to $57,000, which is being paid by tax money.

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Day Two
Around the high school scene, last night was day number two of the Wachovia Shootout. In one of the best games played this season, Wilkes Central knocked off East Wilkes 73-70 in double overtime to take the boy's title. It was just one big shot after another as both teams battled back and forth. Cody Cook led East Wilkes with 20 points, while Nathan Duncan had 28 for the Wilkes Central Eagles. Nathan Duncan was also named MVP of the tournament for the boys. On the girls side, it was the Lady Eagles of Wilkes Central beating North Wilkes 69-43. Laura Rollins led the Lady Eagles with 20 points, as the team was playing without starter Amy Will. Blake Shumate had 18 to lead East. Earlier in the consolation game, it was the West Wilkes Blackhawks beating North Wilkes 72-55. On the girls side it was the Lady Blackhawks of West winning their first game of the season, beating the Lady Cardinals of East 50-49.

NCAA Scoreboard
Taking a look at the college scoreboard last night, it was Coastal Carolina over Ohio Valley 109-76. Also East Carolina beat Limestone 87-54, Utah beat High Point 80-44 and the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs hung tough for most of the game but faded down the stretch against Ohio State, as the Buckeyes won 87-58. NC State took care of New Hampshire 81-62, thanks in part to 15 points from Engin Astur. It was a competitve game between UNC Asheville and the North Carolina Tarheels, then the two teams took the court. 89-47 was the final score, as the Tarheels ran over Asheville. Five players scored in double figures for the Heels.

Bobcats Beat Chicago
The Charlotte Bobcats have a winning streak going, after they beat Chicago last night 93-80. Melvin Ely led Charlotte with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Primoz Breznec added 17 points and 13 rebounds. The win brings the Bobcats to 10-19 on the year, good enough for 4th place in the Southeast Conference.

NHL: Carolina vs. Ottawa
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes took on one of the top teams in the nation and fell just a bit short last night. They lost to the Ottawa Senators 6-2. The loss drops Carolina to 23-10 on the year, still five games ahead of second place Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division.

Wilkes County Flu Clinic Coming In January
Good news for anyone suffering from the flu here in Wilkes. The county's health department will be hosting a flu shot clinic on Saturday January 7th. The clinic, held in connection with Wilkes Regional Medical Center, will be from 8am til 3pm and appointments must be made in advance. So far people in North Carolina have managed to avoid a major flu outbreak, with just two reported cases across the entire state. Still, with several months still left in this year's flu season, it helps to be prepared. Another thing to consider, with the peak of flu season still on the way, it's important to get the vaccine now, as it takes 2 weeks to build up immunity to the virus. To make an appointment for Saturday's clinic, all you have to do is call the Health Department at 651-7450.

Wilkes County Considered Accident Prone
Well it appears that Wilkes County is slightly accident prone. That was the report taken from AAA of the Carolinas, who issued their annual list of the most dangerous counties across the state. Wilkes came in 31st in regards to total crashes during the year, recording a total of 1677 accidents. Only eight of those accidents had fatalities involved, while 1040 were injured. In general across the state, the total amount of wrecks were down .3 percent, as 230,577 were recorded. However the number of fatal crashes rose 1.4 percent, to finish out at 1574. New Hanover County was ranked as the most dangerous, with Mecklenburg coming in second. On the other side of the coin, Curriuck County was ranked as the safest, with Swain in second place.

Car Stolen From North Wilkesboro Residence
Sheriff's deputies were called out to a North Wilkesboro residence early Tuesday morning, after a local woman walked outside to find her car was missing. On Monday night, a member of the household had left the keys in the ignition and the vehicle unlocked but no one could recall hearing or seeing anything unusual. All the information has been turned over to sheriff's deputies and that investigation is ongoing.

Focus on Foxx
With time ticking down til the new year, it's important to know what's going on in our government. On Thursday, Brian will be sitting down with 5th district congresswoman Virginia Foxx, as they'll be discussing illegal imigration, gas prices going back up and also what the new cuts in spending could mean for your medicare plan. All that's coming up on Focus on the Foothills, this Thursday at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Gas Thieves Hit Another Wilkes Business
Gas thieves hit another business in the Wilkes County area this week, targeting Wyke's Food Mart in Wilkesboro. A man pulled up in a truck, pumped $30 worth of diesel and then took off down the road. Employees inside the store were able to get a description of both the man and his truck, which were turned over to sheriff's deputies. That investigation continues.

Wilkes Cares Needs Help
As we head into the new year, many families face a struggle to put food on the table. Wilkes Cares has been there to help, providing food and also clothes to needy families here in the county. But now Wilkes Cares is facing a problem of their own, as their shelves are almost empty of food and they don't have enough clothes to give out. One of the major needs is for childrens' coats, especially with winter weather constantly in the forecast. If you have any children's clothes or extra food to donate, you can drop it by to Wilkes Cares. They're located on the Elkin Hwy in North Wilkesboro. You can also call at 838-4900.

Thieves Run Off With Guns From Purlear Home
Monday afternoon, thieves broke into a Purlar woman's home, running off with several hundred dollars worth of guns. The homeowner and family had been out of town for the Christmas holiday and returned Monday night to find the weapons missing. However there was no sign of a break-in and nothing else damaged or even touched on the property. Taken in the theft was a 410 Winchester rifle and a 12 gauge Stevenson shotgun. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

State News

Durham Police Searching For Murder Suspect
Officials in Durham are on the hunt today for a teenager they believe to be involved with a murder. 17-yr-old Lamar Bass is accused of killing one teenager and wounding another after a confrontation in the parking lot of Northgate Mall Monday night. It's believed that the shooting was the result of a fight that started before the teens arrived at the mall. Warrants have been issued for Bass' arrest charging him with murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

DOT Examining Problem With Trucks
North Carolina taxpayers are having to pay for problems in the trucking industry, according to the state DOT. Earlier this year the department did a study which showed that road damage and other problems from certain trucks cost taxpayers an average of $130 million each year. Those trucks are any that weigh more than 80,000 pounds. Now the DOT is being asked to expand the study and report its' findings to state lawmakers in February, after which some changes to the law might be considered.

Military Banning Cell Phones On Base Roads
Drivers entering military bases here in North Carolina will have to turn off that cell phone from now on. Pope Air Force Base is banning the use of cell phones on all roads in and around the base area. Base officials said the reason was to keep drivers focus on the roads, so that there aren't as many accidents. The ruling goes beyond drivers, to also ban any cyclists or joggers from using their cell when near the roads on base. A similar ruling could become official at Fort Bragg in the next few months, after the base commander meets with Army lawyers.

Wilmington Hospital To Possibly Offer Room Service
Patients at a Wilmington hospital could be confusing the building for a hotel in the near future. New Hanover Regional Medical Center is considering adding room service for their patients, allowing them to choose their meals from a provided menu. The service, which wouldn't cost anything extra, allows patients to place an order anytime from 6am til 8pm from a menu designed for their individual restrictions. Hospital officials said they wanted to start the program as a way to enhance customer service while cutting down on food waste, because patients would be getting the meals they want.

Religious Rules Clarified For Wake County Schools
The rules were clarified for Wake County students and their parents this week. Classes can chant, engage in rituals and repeat phrases as long as it doesn't involve religion. Parents had complained after their children came home telling stories of the stress reduction workshops they had taken part in, events that contained lights, chanting and breathing exercises. The parents and a local Christian group called the workshops an exercise in New Age activities, but the Wake County superintendent disagreed. Because the program is based on African culture and doesn't verbally promote any religion, he said that it was acceptable

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Day One
Taking a look at high school basketball last night, it was the first day of the Wachovia Shootout. The Wilkes Central boys made it two in a row over West Wilkes, as they knocked off the Blackhawks 68-37. Meanwhile in the other boys game, it was the East Wilkes Cardinals beating North 58-43. On the girls side of the court, it was the Lady Vikings of North outlasting the East Wilkes Lady Cardinals 50-46 while the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles earned a spot in the title game with a 64-40 win over the Lady Blackhawks. So tonight's action shapes up like this. It'll be the Wilkes Central boys taking on East Wilkes at 7:30pm for the boys championship, while the Lady Eagles will be facing off against North Wilkes at 9:15pm for the girls title. During the afternoon, the West Wilkes boys will face off against North in the consolation game at 4pm, while the Lady Blackhawks will take on the Lady Cardinals at 5:45pm for the girls consolation game.

Top 25 Released For NCAA
Some changes are in store for the college scene, thanks to the news Associated press poll. Duke stays atop the NCAA with a perfect 11-0 record, while UCon and Villanova maintain their spots at two and three. Oklahoma makes the biggest drop, falling from 7th all the way to 14th place while NC State moves up to 19th. Wake Forest stays at 22nd and North Carolina drops to 23rd on the list.

NCAA Scoreboard
Around college basketball last night, it was Hawaii over NC A&T 66-60, while College of Charleston knocked off UNC WIlmington 81-77.

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Atlanta
The Charlotte Bobcats got the final week of 2005 started off on the right track, with a 93-90 win over Atlanta. Charlotte was led by Brevin Knight, who had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The team improves to 9-19 on the year, with a game tonight against Chicago.

Be Careful What You Leave Behind
Be careful what you leave behind. A Wilkesboro man found that out the hard way over Christmas, as he had $60 stolen. The man had gone to work out at the YMCA and left the money, along with some credit cards in his gym bag. When he returned later that night, everything was missing. The cards have since been cancelled and there is a suspect in the case. That investigation continues.

3WC Eye On Safety: Backpack Problems
With the kids out for winter break, it’s a good time to take a look at what they’re carrying supplies in, as we explain in today’s 3WC Eye on Safety. A study done this month by the University of California at San Diego found that for the most part, childrens’ backpacks are too heavy and could lead to back and shoulder pain. According to the study, the weight balance should be different for each student. Each child shouldn’t be carrying more than 15% of their body weight. For example, a child weighing 100 lbs. shouldn’t carry more in their backpack than 15 lbs, while someone weighing 70 lb. shouldn’t have more than 10.5 on board. One major problem with the increased weight is that is prevents normal blood flow. On average students now carry an estimated 22% of their bodyweight in the backpacks.

Wilkes Elections Board Unveils New Voting Equipment
As we told you earlier this month on the news, North Carolina has ordered all counties to replace their voting systems before next year's elections. Wilkes County's Board of Elections has been hard at work to do just that, trying out demos of the different products. Now that they've found one, a public forum will be held this Friday, December 30th from 2-4pm. This will go on in the Commissioners' room of the County office building and will allow people to come and see the new equipment, while also getting a chance to ask questions. After the forum is over, then the commissioners will vote on the request, deciding if they'll approve the purchase. The reason for such a quick decision is that a contract with the vendors has to be signed by January 20th, in order for the machines to be up and running in time for next year's elections. State leaders called for the switch after several problems came up during the 2004 campaigns, including 4000 ballots disappearing in the agriculture commissioner's race.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as we enter a new year. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is taking applications for their financial assistance program. The program is open to anyone who can demonstrate a need for help paying utility or rent bills. However before going out, please remember that you can only be seen with an appointment, during either Tuesday or Thursday from 1-5pm. Also there is a limited amount of money available to help, given out on a need based approach. The Salvation Army is located in the Wilkes United Way office building, at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information or to set up an appointment you can call 651-7800.

Car Damaged At Wilkesboro Home
A Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when walking outside late last week. Someone had demolished her car. Over one thousand dollars worth of damage was done to the vehicle. Since then the person responsible has come forward and promised to pay for repairs.

DirecTV Offering Refunds
Good news for any DirecTV customers in Wilkes County. You may be eligible for a refund. North Carolina's attorney general has reached a settlement with the satellite company, requiring DirecTV to pay back customers who feel they were lied to. The small print in DirecTV's ads proved to, on occasion, contradict the offer on the same page. Now to avoid a legal battle, DirecTV customers can appy for a refund. You're eligible for a refund if you believe to have been overcharged for anything by the company since 2001. That includes contract terms, installation problems, programming issues or cancellation charges. To apply for a refund, you need to mail a complaint to DirecTV Complaint Program P.O. Box 29079 Glendale California 91209-9079.

Students To Possibly Pay More For College Loans
Bad news for anyone either starting college or just graduating. Beginning in 2006, it may be a lot harder to pay back those college loans. The U.S. Congress is close to approving some new legislation that would cut down on the federal deficit, but use college students to do it. Currently in the UNC college system, there are 138,844 people that took out student loans to pay for class. That rounds out to 70% of the student population. According to the government's own study, the average college graduate leaves with $17,500 in debt. How will the new proposal affect students? $14.3 billion is scheduled to be trimmed from student aid programs, meaning that instead of grants, people will have to take out more loans to cover the cost. $5800 in fees and interest would be added to existing loans that span over a 30-yr-period.

State News

Toll Roads May Become NC Reality
Bad news today for anyone planning on taking a trip to Virginia. You might have to pay for it. A plan has been proposed for the governments of North Carolina and Virginia to partner up and create a toll road. Anyone crossing state lines on I-85 or I-95 would have to pay a $5 fee. The plan still has to go before both states for a vote, which could come in the next few months.

NC Businesses Seeing Holiday Rise
The holiday turned out better than expected for most North Carolina businesses. After a somewhat slow Christmas season, early returns show that sales this year in the state will in fact be 5% higher than 2004, according to the National Retail Federation. And the number could rise even higher, depending on how many people return gifts this week.

Former Lawmaker Celebrates Before Going To Prison
Most people spend time at home before going off to prison. Former state congressman Frank Balance however is holding a party. On Wednesday, Balance is holding a party in Roanoke Rapids, two days before he’s to start serving a four year sentence for fraud. In addition to the celebration, guests are asked to make donations to the former lawmaker. Earlier this year Balance pleaded guilty to using taxpayer money for his own personal benefit.

Sports Headlines

Wachovia Shootout Gets Underway Tonight
Taking a look around the high school scene, Wilkes County’s annual holiday tournament gets underway tonight at North High. A rematch of Friday’s 3WC Game of the Week tips off the event, with West Wilkes playing Wilkes Central. The boys teams will take the court at 4pm today. Then at 5:45pm, the girls teams from North and East Wilkes will play, followed at 7:30pm by the boys varsity from both schools. Then at 9:15 in the final game of the evening, the Lady Eagles of Wilkes Central will take on the Lady Blackhawks of West. All this is taking place once again at North Wilkes High School and tomorrow 3WC will be in the stands to bring you the championship games.

Asheville Coach Pegged As Coach Of The Year
In high school football, Danny Wilkins was named North Carolina's Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Wilkins led Asheville High to a perfect season and brought the school its' first state title in 80 years.

NC State Could Lose Williams To Draft
Taking a look at the college football scene, NC State could be one player short when they kick off next season. Junior defensive end Mario Williams has taken one step towards entering the NFL draft, by submitting his name to the underclassman advisory committee. The committee helps college players by letting them know where they're currently ranked and what their chances are of being drafted. So far, most mock drafts have Williams ranked as a top ten pick. Williams and the Wolfpack will take on South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on New Year's Eve in Charlotte.

NHL: Carolina at Tampa Bay
In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes saw their winning streak come to an end as they lost to Tampa Bay 5-4 on Sunday night. It took overtime for Tampa to knock off the Hurricanes, who fall to 23-10 with the loss.

There are reports from Wilkes County Communications of patches of black ice all over the county this morning. Even though the air tempratures are above freezing, there are pockets of cold air at the surface. There have been several accidents due to the black ice this morning and the DOT is working all over the county to treat the slick spots. Also, the Circket-Millers Creek Water Association is reporting a major water leak this morning. Customers in the Mt. Pleasant, Boiling Springs, and Purlear areas will be without water most of the day. The association is also asking other customers to conserve water.

Man Hit By Vehicle On Yellowbanks Road
One misplaced step could cost a local man his life. 24-yr-old Mike Church was standing in the middle of the Yellowbanks Road Friday morning, talking to someone in a nearby car. During the conversation however, he stepped back, right into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Mr. Church was seriously injured and rushed to Baptist Medical Center, with what doctors were calling life threatening injuries. No other update on his condition was available at this time.

Black Ice This Morning
According tothe Wilkes County Communications Center, there are reports of black ice all over the county this morning. The air temperature's are well above freezing but there are pockets of belowing freezing air at the surface. Please be careful driving this morning.

Consumers Still Need To Pay Attention To Dog Food Recall
Pet owners here in Wilkes and across the state are being asked to pay close attention to a recall going on. Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler echoed his earlier remarks over the weekend, calling this a serious matter. Several animals in North and South Carolina have already died after being exposed to cerain types of Diamond Pet Food. Included in the recall are all brands that were produced at the company's Gaston South Carolina facility, due to a toxic chemical that was discovered. The chemical aflatoxin, which is found in corn that's been infected with a certain type of fungus, was located in several cans of the food. It can make a pet sluggish and even in some cases cause sudden death. North Carolina's Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler is asking pet owners to get in touch with their local vet immediately if their pet has been weak, sluggish or just generally out of sorts. The brands involved are:
All types of Diamond Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Country Value Dog and Puppy Food
All types of Professional Dog, Puppy and Cat Food
You can determine if your brand is one of those under recall by checking to see if it has a Gaston facility production code. The South Carolina facility's codes have a capital G as either the 11th or 12th letter. Also those brands all have a sell by date of anywhere from March 1-June 1st 2007.

Tip At Local Inn Leads To Drug Bust
Wilkesboro police were called out last week to the Red Carpet Inn, after reports came of some suspicious activity. A man had been seen walking to and from the building, trying to hide something in his coat. When officers knocked on the man's door, a woman answered and let them inside. In the room was a glass smoking pipe, which both woman and her female friend admitting to using. Just under an ounce of meth was found inside, along with a roll of aluminum foil and baking soda. 18-yr-old Kara Summer Christine Ballard and 18-yr-old Kayla Ann Hawkins were both arrested and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cut Up Your Holiday Boxes
So now the presents have been unwrapped, the stockings put away and Christmas is over. But what should you do with all those boxes the gifts came in? According to law enforcement around North Carolina, it might be a good idea to cut them up, if you don't plan to reuse them next year. Leaving empty boxes by the roadside with your trash or even in a nearby dumpster is almost like painting a target on your house. Thieves see the boxes and assume that you have something valuable to steal in the home. It's a simple fact, say law enforcement officials; the fewer Christmas boxes you throw away in plain sight, the less likely your home will be robbed this time of year.

Wilkesboro Man Has Car Vandalized Over Holiday
A Wilkesboro man called police last week after coming out to find his car had been vandalized. The car had been parked right across the street from Social Services and when the owner returned an hour later, he found the back window had been shattered. Estimated damage was placed at $300 and that investigation continues.

Health Department Offering Car Seat Help
85% of child safety seats across Wilkes County were not installed correctly, according to the local SafeKids organization. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it’s still high enough for concern. And as we prepare to enter into the new year, it's important to get those seats installed correctly before heading out to visit family members. The Health Department can help with that. To set up an appointment, you can call Jean Edwards at the Health Department. Her number is 651-7478.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
The Red Cross finds itself in need of help as we head toward the end of the year. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations, in addition to the funds used to help victims of the recent hurricanes. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. With Christmas coming next week, it might be a good idea for last minute shoppers. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Regional News

Police Have Suspect In Jonesville Robbery
Officials in Jonesville are asking for help in bringing a robbery suspect to justice. 21-yr-old Aaron James Moore is wanted in connection with a recent robbery at Mountain National Bank. Moore, who’s from Clemmons NC has been charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit murder. Officials are asking anyone with information about Moore’s whereabouts to call 336-835-2855.

A 7 year old boy was killed after an accident in Surry County on Saturday morning. According to Surry County officials a minivan ran off the side of the road neal Pilot Mountain and overturned several times, throwing the boy from the van. The van was being driven by 26 year old Earl Manchester. Manchester, his girllfriend, and his three brothers were traveling from Ontario, Canada to South Carolina when the accident happened.
Surry County officials have also identified a man killed in an accident on Friday in the Westfield community. 39 year old Christopher Beck of Pilot Mountain was thrown from the car and killed on impact. The accident happened around 6:30 on Friday evening and officials believe speed wad involved.

State News

North Carolina Growing At Rapid Pace
North Carolina is on the rise, according to the US Census Bureau. The state has the 5th fastest growing population in the country, which rose by 1.7% over the past year. That brought the population up to 8 million 683 thousand people.

Advance Fighting Order To Leave NC
A lending company is going to court in order to stay in North Carolina. Advance America was banned earlier this year, for charging loan fees that would equal an annual interest rate of more than 400%. North Carolina’s Banking Commission handed down the ruling, which is now being appealed by the company, who plans to take the case to the state court system.

History For Sale By Wake Forest
A piece of U.S. history is being sold by Wake Forest University. A cyclorama, a unique portrait of the Battle of Gettysburg which gives viewers the impression of being in 3D is up for sale. The painting, one of only two left in the entire world, stands 22 ft. high and 376 ft. long and was created in the 1880s. University officials said that they wanted to sell it to someone who could take care of it and display it properly.

Sports Headlines

High School Basketball
On the high school basketball court Friday night, it was Wilkes Central over West Wilkes 62-50. On the girls side of the court, it was Wilkes Central over West Wilkes 52-37 in a game plagued by turnovers and fouls. Several members of both teams got into foul trouble early in the second half, but West Wilkes just couldn't convert the opportunities when they were given.

Asheville Coach Pegged As Coach Of The Year
In high school football, Danny Wilkins was named North Carolina's Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Wilkins led Asheville High to a perfect season and brought the school its' first state title in 80 years.

Bobcats Streak Snapped Against Clippers
The Charlotte Bobcats saw their winning streak come to an end Friday night, as they lost to the LA Clippers 97-88. Charlotte was led by Primoz Breznec, who had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Also some more bad news, as rookie Sean Mays will be out at least 3 games with an injured knee. He had surgery on the knee this fall and still is having occasional pain.

Panthers Lose To Cowboys
Taking a look at the NFL, some questionable calls by the refs led to a Panthers loss on Saturday. The Cowboys won 24-20, despite 260 yards passing from Jake Delhomme and 3 sacks from Julius Peppers. The Panthers drop to 10-5 and have to beat Atlanta next week in order to get into the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes Continue Streak
The good news keeps coming for the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat Florida on Friday 4-3. Eric Staal had a goal and an assist to lead Carolina, after learning this week that he'd be playing on the Canadian hockey team. The Hurricanes maintain their lead in the Southeastern Conference with a 23-9 record.

NASCAR News & Notes
Some NASCAR headlines as Travis Kvapil (Ka-pill) has found a ride for 2006. Kvapil and the #32 Chevy will race for PPI Motorsports in the Nextel Cup circuit next season. He ran in the #7 Dodge this past year as a rookie for Penske, but that team was discontinued. Kvapil takes over from Bobby Hamilton Jr., who had three top 15 finishes with the car in 2005.

posted by Scott Roberts  # 7:04 AM