New Bill Would Mean No School Until Age 5 For Wilkes Kids
A new bill in the North Carolina House could have Wilkes County kids starting school a year later. In the proposed bill, created by Forsyth County Rep. Dale Folwell, all kids entering kindergarten would have to be five years old. Currently state law allows some four year olds to enter school early, as long as they turn five before October 17th. Now that deadline has been moved back to August 31st, in order to guarantee that virtually every student is at least five. The reason for the change is that some state officials are concerned four year olds aren’t mentally or in some cases physically ready to begin kindergarten. The bill was introduced over the weekend in the House and should be up for consideration in the next few weeks.

Local Woman Falls Victim To ID Theft
A Millers Creek woman got a surprise this week, when she received a phone call from Social Services. It turns out that someone had obtained her information and was trying to use her Social Security card to get assistance. The request for assistance was denied, however Social Security couldn’t provide any information on the suspect besides a name. However additional sources have come forward and given deputies information on a possible suspect. That investigation continues.

Vandals Hit PeaceHaven Church
Vandals hit PeaceHaven Church earlier this week. The church, on Bryd Ridge Road in North Wilkesboro was targeted sometime between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Deputies arrived to find profanity sprayed on parts of the church and also on some of the church’s playground equipment. A window at the playground had also been shattered. There are suspects in the cases however, as it appears the vandals signed their names on the playground. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Bike Rodeo Coming Up Tomorrow
The 4th Annual Seth Teague Bicycle Rodeo is coming up tomorrow here in Wilkes. The event will go on Saturday from 10am til 2pm at the Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse on Hwy 421 with officials from SAFE KIDS on hand to instruct on bike safety. Helmets will be given out to any riders who don’t have one, also kid’s IDs will be provided. In addition, SAFEKIDS will perform minor repairs and adjustments for any bikes that need them. Ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters and police vehicles will also be on display for anyone who wants to take a look. For more information about the event, you can contact the Wilkes Chapter of SAFEKIDS at 921-7534.

Drove Off From The Driveway
Deputies were called out after a Wilkesboro man had his car stolen this week. The incident happened at a residence on Roses Lane, as the man had parked his car and got a ride, because the vehicle was in need of repair. When he returned home Wednesday afternoon the car was gone and neighbors told of a man in a tow truck driving off with it. A description of the thief along with information about the car was turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation continues.

Preparing For Summer Part III: Pet Care
With temperatures hitting the mid 90s this week, we’ve been sharing several different ways to help beat the heat. But while preparing for summer, we tend to forget about the effects heat has on our pets. Dogs are especially susceptible to the hot weather, with heatstroke being one of the major problems. Dogs are actually more affected by the heat than we are, mainly because their bodies conserve heat more than ours do. Panting and drinking plenty of water helps, but brain damage can set in after 15 minutes of exposure to temperatures over 100. Some ways to keep your pet cool are first and foremost, make sure they have a shaded place to go, such as a basement or other place out of the heat. Also you can take an cold towel, soak it in cool, but not cold water. Ice cold water would be a shock to the dog’s system, after coming in from the heat. Cool water however can help the animal maintain a lower body temperature. And aside from making sure they have plenty of water to drink, give the pets small ice cubes they can lick. Keep in mind that pugs and bulldogs, along with all older animals are extremely susceptible to heatstroke.

Vandals Hit Little Dipper
Vandals targeted another Wilkes County business on Monday, this time hitting the Little Dipper in North Wilkesboro. Early Monday morning, employees came in to find that someone had pried open the Pepsi machines outside. Salt had been poured into the coin changer and the vandals additionally tried to pry off the lock to a nearby storage building. Despite the damage, which was estimated at $150, nothing was taken. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Mailbox Vandals Cause Damage Of A Different Sort
Mailbox vandals targeted a neighborhood in North Wilkesboro this week, causing damage of a different sort. Instead of using baseball bats and cars, they used a marker. Mailboxes at homes on Maple Drive and Byrd Ridge Road had profanity written on them in permanent marker. There is a suspect in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Thieves Break Into Damaged Car
Thieves took advantage of an auto accident this week to run off with over $100 in merchandise. A Thurmond woman had been involved in an accident in Surry County and got her vehicle towed to a nearby lot. When she came back on Tuesday to pick up the vehicle, the CDs and CD player inside were missing. That investigation is ongoing.

Wilkes Animal Shelter To Hold Adoption Fair
Coming up this Saturday, the Wilkes Animal Shelter wants to help you find a furry friend to take home. They’re holding an Adoption Fair this week, courtesy of the Wilkes Humane Society. The event will run from 10:30am til 3pm at the shelter on 408 Call Street in Wilkesboro. It costs $75 to adopt a dog or puppy and $55 for a cat or kitten. That fee covers the cost of all vaccines and exams the animal would need, along with paying to have the pet spayed or neutered. If you want to look at some of the animals up for adoption before going over, they’re on the Humane Society website at www.humanesocietyofwilkes.org.

State News

North Carolina Guard Short On Vehicles
Some problems have arisen for the North Carolina National Guard, made worse by the beginning of hurricane season. Under current policy, Guard units leave their vehicles & most of their equipment behind when returning from Iraq. But as more units are shipped out and vehicles are destroyed, the Guard finds itself in the midst of a shortage. North Carolina’s Guard units are missing 300 Humvees out of its’ normal group of 750, which could spell trouble if a hurricane hits the state. Army & Guard officials say that they’re working to correct the problem, but won’t be able to guarantee when the vehicles will arrive. The latest estimate projects that it will be at least the end of this month before any new vehicles or equipment arrives, meaning that Guard units will have to make do with what they have in the case of an emergency.

Fire Started By Baptismal Equipment
Officials in Winston Salem have determined what caused a local church to go up in flames. Early Sunday morning, the Heavenview United Pentecostal Church caught fire with an estimated $1 million in damage done. Now fire marshals believe the blaze started with an electrical short. It’s believed that the baptismal pool’s pump and heater system shorted out, starting the fire which quickly spread to the rest of the sanctuary.

Fugitive Arrested In Durham
Officials in Durham captured a fugitive this week that had been on the run for over a month. 39-yr-old Stevie Floyd Gardner was arrested on Tuesday after police tracked him down by using phone records. Gardner had been wanted on charges of kidnapping his 4-yr-old son and taking his girlfriend’s father hostage when law enforcement closed in. Gardner is now in the Durham jail awaiting his day in court with bail set at $1.2 million.

University City A Source Of Bad Air
Bad news for anyone planning on attending UNC Charlotte in the fall. Your lungs might pay for it. EPA officials announced this week that University City is one of the worst areas in the state, in regards to air quality. The problem stems from major traffic congestion in some parts of the area, which helps to generate more pollution than normal. University City rates 106 on the government’s Air Quality Index, a test where bad air quality means a higher score. Those areas rating a 100 or worse have until 2010 to clean up or they’ll lose billions in federal dollars for road repair & transportation.

North Carolina Radio Legend Passes Away
North Carolina said goodbye to a radio legend on Wednesday. Ralph Epperson was a member of the North Carolina Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame and was one of the first DJs to feature local bluegrass performers on his radio station. That station WPAQ 740 AM went on the air back in 1948, blending bluegrass & folk music with news delivered from the station’s Mt. Airy studio. Epperson had continued to work at the station until May 12th, when he fell & suffered an injury. Then while recovering in the hospital he suffered a stroke. Ralph Epperson was 85.

Sports Headlines

Patriots In Action Tonight
In American Legion baseball, the Wilkes Post 31 Patriots take to the field tonight looking to rebound from a slow start. The team is 0-6 after Wednesday’s loss to Yadkin County and now face six games in the next seven days. Today they’re on the road against Lexington with the first pitch set for 7pm.

Basketball Camps Start On Monday
The first basketballs camp of the summer start on Monday here in Wilkes County. For girls in first through ninth grade, a camp is going on at Wilkes Central June 5th-8th from 8-11am. The event is going to be held at Wilkes Central and early registration costs $50 or you can sign up the day of the event for $60. Also the North Wilkes girls camp starts on Monday as well. That’s for girls in 2nd-9th grade and will be held from 12 noon til 3pm June 5th through the 8th. The cost is $45 but all rising ninth grade girls coming from North Middle School can attend for free.

Panthers Picked To Win Super Bowl
In the NFL, the preseason is still several months away but magazines are already selecting their picks to win the Super Bowl. Street & Smith, which is getting set to release their Pro Football Yearbook, has chosen Carolina as the team to win it all this year. The Charlotte based company has Denver as the Panthers’ opponent in the big game, believing they’ll beat Indianapolis while Carolina is expected to knock off Seattle.

Fines Handed Out In NASCAR
Fines & penalties were handed out this week on the Nextel Cup circuit. NASCAR officials put driver Kyle Busch on probation, effective til December 31st. They also fined him $50,000 and took away 25 points in the Chase for the Cup. All of that comes from Busch’s actions Sunday after a wreck with Casey Mears, when he walked back onto the track and tried to toss a piece of his car at Mears’ vehicle. The points deduction drops Busch from 9th to 10th in the Chase for the Cup, as he’s now 14 points behind Kevin Harvick. Also Jeremy Mayfield was docked 25 points after his car failed inspection. The roof of the No. 19 Dodge fell below the minimum height requirement of 51 inches.

Good & Bad News For Wilkes County Vets
It turns out that some Wilkes County vets may be at risk of having more than just their personal information stolen. Earlier this month, 3WC News told you about the theft of computer files that contained information for over 26 million vets, taken from the home of a Veterans Affairs official. Now comes word that the theft may be more serious than originally thought. Memos from VA officials were obtained and released this week by the Associated Press, detailing that in addition to social security numbers and birthdates, the vets’ phone numbers and home address were taken in the theft. Also a list of those who participated in chemical testing programs during World War II, which totals up to include 6744 vets was taken. What can local vets do to prevent becoming a victim? The Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that you continue to keep a close eye on your bank statements and check your account regularly. Be sure to let officials at your bank know if you notice any irregularities. You can also call one of the major credit bureaus and check to make sure your information is secure, either by calling Equifax at 1-800-525-6285, Experian at 1-888-397-3742 or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7298.

Thieves Break Into Lowes Foods
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Lowes Foods on Statesville Road earlier this week after thieves broke in. The call came out at 3:30am Monday morning when employees came in and found the back door had been pried open. All total an estimated $9100 in damage was done, as the thieves attempted to pry open the safe, cut through the security wiring and also damaged the central security system box. After all that however the only things missing from inside were 51 cartons of cigarettes along with some ribeye steaks. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Money Orders Stolen From Traphill Home
Be careful who you let inside your house. A Traphill couple found that out the hard way recently. Earlier this week they called sheriff’s deputies to report the theft of several money orders that had been left at their residence on Billings Hill Church Road. Just over a week ago, they had invited some people in, leaving the orders stuffed in a cabinet. After the guests left, unfortunately so did the money. After getting in contact with authorities, the couple found that two out of the three orders had been cashed over the past week. Names and descriptions of the suspects were given over to deputies and that investigation continues.

Preparing For Summer Part II: Home Invasion
Heat exposure has killed eight thousand people in the last twenty years and most died in their own homes. So how can you keep the heat out of your house? In today’s second installment of our Beat The Heat Summer Series, we’re examining quick and easy ways to sunproof your home. First check to make sure your attic is properly ventilated. If insulation or anything else is clogging the vents, the attic temperature can climb as high as 150 degrees. Also make sure that all blinds and curtains have been pulled down in all areas of your home. That alone could help the temperature drop more than ten degrees in your home. For anyone with an air conditioner, clean the filter every month. A dirty filter on your AC will force it to work harder, raising your energy bill while not exactly keeping things cool. Also be sure and check your weather stripping. A properly sealed door can keep most of the hot air outside and away from you. Finally, make sure to turn down your fans to the low setting when it’s humid outside. The reason being is that slower movement can allow the fan to pull moisture out of the air, basically acting as a buffer to drain that humidity and make things more comfortable. Coming up in tomorrow’s third segment of the series, we’ll take a look at ways to help our pets survive in the heat.

Gas Thieves Target Wilkes Businesses
Several businesses here in Wilkes fell victim to gas thieves this week. A man pulled up to the Run-In on Hwy 421 West in Wilkesboro Monday night. He pumped $10 worth of gas, then jumped into his Chevy Blazer and took off down the road. Neighbors’ Store in Elkin meanwhile was hit Tuesday morning, as a man came in and paid for several purchases. However as he pulled out, employees discovered that he had also pumped $63 worth of gas but failed to pay for it. Information regarding the man and his vehicle were turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

All For A Few More Cans
Moody’s Grocery fell victim to thieves earlier this week, who seemed to come in with a singular purpose in mind. The glass was shattered in the front door and it appears the thieves walked right in. However they didn’t bother the cash register, only leaving with 3 bundles of Copenhagen dipping tobacco and a $6 roll of change. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Focus On Teens
May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month across North Carolina, something definitely needed as the latest numbers show 45% of all firstborn children are born to unwed mothers and teens. Laura Edwards from the Community Health Connection will be Brian’s guest today for Focus on the Foothills, as they’ll be taking a look at what the numbers say for Wilkes County. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Loading Ramp Stolen From Holly Mountain IGA
Thieves targeted the Holly Mountain IGA earlier this week, but not for any of the items contained inside. The building’s loading ramp was stolen sometime Sunday night, picked up from the back of the business. Nothing else was damaged or even touched at the building but deputies are continuing the investigation.

3WC Healthwatch: Lack Of Iron Causes Baldness
For anyone whose hair is starting to vanish, the answer to regrowing it could be in your kitchen, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic have released a study which links baldness to iron deficiencies in the body. The study took several test subjects and examined their body’s reaction when given iron rich foods to eat. What it found was that the subjects who were losing hair were also suffering from some form of iron deficiency in their body. As they were given iron rich foods to eat, the rate of hair loss was dramatically slowed. Officials from the clinic say that more testing is needed to definitely link the two conditions, but encourage people to eat foods rich in iron if they notice their hair is falling out. Foods such as watermelon, strawberries, bananas and liver were suggested as the best things to try. Liver by itself has more iron in it than virtually anything else, with 8 miligrams of iron for every three ounces of liver. Prune juice is right behind it, with 7.4 miligrams of iron in every ¾ of a cup. The study was published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Two Cars Totaled On Wilkesboro Blvd
Two cars were totaled after a collision on Wilkesboro Blvd earlier this week. On Tuesday afternoon, a North Wilkesboro man slowed down for traffic just after 5:30pm, near the intersection with East Main Street. The driver behind him, another North Wilkesboro man, couldn’t slow down in time to avoid a collision. An estimated $4000 worth of damage was done in the wreck but thankfully no injuries were reported.

State News

Minimum Wage Increase Approved
Minimum wage workers across the state came one step closer this week to a pay raise. The North Carolina House, by a vote of 72-43 on Tuesday, approved a $1 an hour increase in the minimum wage. The increase was already approved by the Senate, so now all that’s needed is to determine if the new law will be part of the state budget or presented to the governor as a stand alone bill. A decision is expected within the next month.

Massive Wreck On I-85 Snares 50 Cars
It took just under three hours for Highway Patrol officers to sort out the chaos from a series of wrecks on I-85 & I-40 yesterday. 82 cars were involved in the incidents, which happened in Orange County around 7:30am Tuesday morning. Heavy rainfall in the area is being held responsible for most of the problems, as drivers were heading into work. Within a five mile stretch of the two highways, there were 44 collisions with one person having to be carried off by helicopter to the local hospital. 34 other injuries were reported from the scene, but none of them were serious. I-85 opened back up by 11am.

Quest Continues To Save Ocean Isle Beach
Work continues by the Army Corps of Engineers today as they try to save a North Carolina beach. 48,000 cubic yards of sand has been brought in by the Corps to help rebuild Ocean Isle Beach in Brunswick County. Due to hurricanes and other storms over the past few years, erosion has taken off at the beach with an average of 6 feet of sand disappearing per month. With hurricane season once again upon us, that puts local homes at risk with no barrier between them and the ocean. The Corps started rebuilding the beach this past weekend, first stacking sandbags over an estimated 800 feet of land and then covering it with the sand.

Durham Student Had His Mouth Taped Shut
A lawsuit has been filed against a Durham school teacher this week, accusing her of taping a student’s mouth shut during class. The parents of the 9-yr-old boy filed the suit, which targets the teacher, the principal at Hope Valley Elementary, the Durham school board and the local superintendent. The boy, who suffers from cerebral palsy, also has asthma and is blind in one eye. According to court papers, the teacher pulled out some tape during class after growing tired of sounds the boy was making and put it on his mouth. The teacher was released from her job less than two weeks after the alleged incident happened.

Landing Field May Be Moved From NC
A five year battle by the Navy to purchase land in North Carolina could be coming to a close. Since 2001, the Navy has been trying to build a runway on 30,000 acres of land in Washington County, to use as a practice field for pilots at Oceana Air Station in Virginia Beach. But the move has been blocked by environmental activists, who say that it would damage nearby wildlife habitats. That battle could be ending as a federal commission has recommended moving practice sessions to already established Cecil Field in Jacksonville Florida, which would save thousands in building costs alone. A decision is expected before the end of the year.

Sports Headlines

Post 31 Results
In local baseball last night, the Wilkes Post 31 Patriots took a hit as they fell to Yadkin County 8-2. With the loss, Wilkes drops to 0-6 in American Legion play, with a rough schedule ahead of them. They’ve got six games to play in the next seven days, with a road trip to Lexington starting things off on Friday.

Catawba College Gets To Keep Name
Around the college scene, one North Carolina school got a reprieve from the NCAA on Tuesday as they can keep their mascot. Catawba College had been one of several schools targeted by the NCAA for what they called mascots offensive to minorities, as Catawba’s teams are called the Indians. However after reviewing the case, NCAA officials agreed to remove Catawba from the list after receiving a letter from the Catawba Indian Nation, who gave its’ blessing for the name to stay.

Instant Replay Changes Coming To College
Some changes will be coming next season in college football. The NCAA announced a change to the instant replay rule this week. Under the revised rules, coaches can challenge one play each game to be reviewed by instant replay, but only if the team has a timeout left. If the ruling is reversed, the team won’t be charged a timeout but if it stands, one timeout will be taken away.

Summer School Starts For Panthers
In the NFL, summer school officially started for the Carolina Panthers. The team began their voluntary workout program, which will last for the next 3 ½ weeks. The only player not in camp was wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who the coaching staff said was taking care of personal issues and would be back on Friday. The only player not taking part in drills Wednesday afternoon was defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead, who’s recovering from a knee injury.

Mayfield’s Car Fails Inspection
On the NASCAR circuit, bad news for fans of the No. 19 Dodge. Jeremy Mayfield’s ride failed the post race inspection after Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, as the roof didn’t mean the minimum height requirement of 51 inches. No official announcement has been made as to what the penalty will be, although points are expected to be knocked off and at least a $20,000 fine handed out.

Stewart To Start On Sunday
Some good news however for Tony Stewart, as he won’t have to undergo surgery on his fractured right shoulder. Stewart injured the shoulder in a wreck Sunday night during the Coca-Cola 600, on the same shoulder he damaged during a crash Saturday in the Busch Series race. Doctors now say that only time and rest will heal the injury, however Stewart is climbing back into his car this weekend for the Neighborhood Excellence 400. Stewart will qualify for Nextel points because he started the race, but he won’t be going the distance. Ricky Rudd will step in as a replacement driver for the No. 20 at a certain point in Sunday’s race, which could be the standard procedure for at least the next month.

Record Highs Set Across Wilkes County
Wilkes and the surrounding region saw the heat wave continue on Tuesday. Record highs were set in the area, as the temperature hit 94 degrees. That breaks the old record of 91, set back in 1969. However some good news as we’ll see some relief from that hot weather at least for the rest of the week. The National Weather Service is calling for highs in the mid 80s with the possibility of thunderstorms today through Friday. That storm system is expected to push back the hot air and by next Sunday, we could see highs only reaching the mid 70s and lows back in the mid 50s.

Explosives Found At Local Home
The Wilkes Hazardous Devices Unit was called out Monday night after some explosives were found at a home on North Ridge Road. The owner of the house was packing up to move and came across 14 sticks of dynamite while cleaning out a storage shed. HDU secured the explosives and took them to the sheriff’s department training ground, where they were disposed of. It’s estimated that the dynamite was around 20 years old and is believed to have been bought by another member of the homeowner’s family but then forgotten.

Vandals Take Aim At Local Schools
Two Wilkes County schools fell prey to vandals over the weekend. Over a thousand dollars worth of damage was done to West Wilkes High and Roaring River Elementary. At West High, several drink & snack machines were broke into, but nothing was missing from inside. Nothing else was damaged or even touched on the property. Over at Roaring River, vandals tossed rocks through several windows, shattering them and causing an estimated $500 in damages while also shattering the street light nearby. But despite the damage, nothing was missing or even disturbed inside the school itself. Deputies are continuing the investigation in both cases.

Two People Injured In Wreck On 421
One car was totaled and two people were rushed to the hospital after an accident Monday on Hwy 421. The incident happened just after 2pm as a North Wilkesboro man was slowing down for a yellow traffic signal. The second driver, a Purlear man, was following behind and smoking a cigarette. He dropped the cigarette and bent down to pick it up, unaware the vehicle in front of him was stopped. Both drivers were taken to Wilkes Regional and estimated damages were placed at $2300.

Preparing For Summer Part I: Taking Care Of The Car
Over the past week, the temperature has hit the mid 90s several times, reminding us that summer is just around the corner. But before the heat wave arrives, we have some tips on how to prepare both your house and your car in our Beat the Heat Summer Series. In our first segment today, we’re taking a look at ways you can protect your car against the weather.
First, in heated conditions, make sure to keep your car filled with antifreeze. If you’re running low, fill it up before you take off, otherwise your car could overheat before you get to your destination. Also open your car doors and let the air circulate before starting it up. That won’t just help the car, but also make it a little easier for you to bear the drive before the AC kicks in. And speaking of the air conditioner, never crank it all the way up to full blast when first starting the car. Instead start off at the regular or mild setting, to give the vehicle a chance to get started. Otherwise you run the risk of straining the air conditioner’s capacity while the car won’t be getting cooler any faster. If possible, put a sunshade on your car’s windshield when you get out. It will help cut down on the car’s temperature by reducing the heat buildup inside. And finally, more important than the car is your safety, so be sure and bring water with you on a hot day, to avoid getting dehydrated. And if you find yourself in need of help on the road, dial * HP so the highway patrol can help you out. Tomorrow in part two of our series, we’ll be going over some ways to keep your home cool.

Thieves Run Off With Local Man’s Mailbox
A North Wilkesboro man got a surprise when he walked outside to check his mail on Monday. Both his mailbox and the post it had stood on were missing. Nothing else was damaged or even touched on the property and no one could recall seeing anything unusual during the day. Deputies are continuing that investigation.

Just Came In For Some Late Night Shopping
Deputies were called out to Thurmond’s Grocery early Tuesday morning, after some would be thieves hit the place. An alarm was triggered just after 3am, but when deputies arrived on the scene nothing was missing and the only thing damaged was the store’s front glass panel. Apparently the thieves weren’t able to get inside and took off running once the alarm sounded. That investigation is ongoing.

Recall Ordered Of Volkswagen Cars
There’s bad news for some Volkswagen owners out there, as the company has discovered a problem in their Jetta and New Beetle models. A recall has been ordered of all Jetta and New Beetle models from the years 1999 through 2002, due to an issue with the brake system. After a period of time, the vehicle’s brake light switch may malfunction, either leaving the lights on all the time or causing them to go dead. Owners can take the car back to the dealer they got it from for a free repair and for more information you can call 1-800-822-8987.

Gun Drops & Vanishes On Highway
A Ferguson man called sheriff’s deputies on Monday after misplacing a handgun. He had left the weapon sitting on his truck’s tailgate and then drove from the Rom Eller Road to the Ferguson post office. When he arrived at the post office and remembered the pistol, he looked back to find it was gone. Also after retracing his route, the gun was nowhere to be found. Information on the .22 Smith & Wesson was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

State News

NC Withholds Votes Due To High Salaries
North Carolina’s retirement system is taking a stand against what its’ officials are calling extremely high salaries. The system, which owns 11 million shares of Exxon stock, announced this week that it will be withholding its’ support from the current board of directors, some of whom are up for re-election. The decision is based on an estimated $400 million retirement package given out to former Exxon chairman Lee Raymond, along with other deals handed out to executives. State Treasurer Richard Moore said that he feels oil executives are hiking up gas prices to fatten their own wallets and those excessive pay packages will likely diminish the value of individual stocks.

High Gas To Increase Tourism
The high gas prices could actually be good for North Carolina’s economy, according to travel bureaus across the state. Unable to head out of state on vacation, people are choosing to travel closer to home and North Carolina businesses are reaping the rewards. The number of in state visitors heading to the North Carolina coast has risen 25% over this same time a year ago.

Powerball Suffers A Setback
While North Carolina’s lottery got off to a good start earlier this year, the same couldn’t be said for its’ Powerball game. The latest addition to the state lottery began selling tickets at 5am Tuesday morning, but some vendors failed to read instructions sent out by lottery officials and caused a temporary crash. In the email, officials warned not to turn off the machines, as they take a while to restart and download the data again. An estimated 800 vendors in gas stations and other stores across the state forgot and flipped the switch anyway, leaving them with no tickets for consumers. The machines were back up and running by Tuesday night, but it’s unknown how much money was lost during the 12 hr. period most of the machines were down. Today’s first Powerball prize is estimated to be at $38 million.

Vance County Nets Largest Seizure In History
A routine traffic stop for sheriff’s deputies in Vance County soon turned into a history making arrest over the weekend. At 10pm Friday night, deputies were running a traffic safety check on Hwy 1 when they encountered an unlicensed driver. While checking the truck for drugs, $1,550,000 in cash was found in the back seat. Officials from the DEA were contacted and the money was seized, along with the truck. Both the driver and passenger were also arrested. When the final total from the bust was released this week, it turned out to be the largest amount of cash ever seized in county history.

High Point Church Falls Prey To Arson
A church in High Point fell prey to arsonists on Monday. Officials from the High Point fire department were called out to Springfield Baptist Church around 2:30am Monday morning, after someone driving by saw the flames. Portions of the sanctuary, the pastor’s study and the Sunday School department were all damaged in the blaze, which has been officially labeled a case of arson. It’s unknown if the fire is connected to a series of break-ins that the church has suffered over the past eight months.

Sports Headlines

Basketball Camps Coming Up At West High
With summer officially arriving in Wilkes County, basketball camps are just around the corner. At West High, basketball camp for girls ages 8-14 begins next Monday June 5th and continues until June 9th. The program will run each day from 9am til noon and costs $65. To sign up, you can call Coach David Beck at 973-4503 extension 149. On the boys side of the court, camp starts June 12th for boys ages 7-14 and will run until June 15th. The boys program starts at 8:30am and runs til noon each day, with a cost of $60. Coach Larry Siers can be reached for more information or to sign up at 973-4503.

Post 31 Baseball Tonight
The Wilkes Post 31 Baseball team will be in action again tonight, taking on Yadkin County and the 3WC Sports Team will be on hand to bring you the play by play. Gametime is set for 7pm over at Wilkes Central and we’ll go on the air with the McDonald’s pregame show around 6:45pm, then turn things over to Ken Byrd at 7pm for the first pitch.

NC State Player To Turn Pro
The NC State Wolfpack officially lost another member of their basketball team on Tuesday, as sophomore Cedric Simmons announced he was staying in the NBA Draft. Underclassmen can go through the draft workouts without signing an agent as long as they pull out before the actual draft. However Simmons stepped over all that by signing with agents Justin Zanick and Andy Miller. In his second year at State, Simmons averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds and is projected to be a first round pick.

NHL Playoffs: Game 6
On the ice last night, it was the Buffalo Sabres winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, beating Carolina 2-1. With the win, Buffalo ties the series up at 3 games each with Game Seven set for this Thursday.

Car Of The Future Being Tested By NASCAR
Nextel Cup crews are getting their first look at the future of the sport this week, as testing continues on NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow”. The new model is 2 inches taller than the current car and 4 inches wider, with several new safety improvements as well. Eight drivers were out yesterday and back on the track today testing the car. Joe Nemechek, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman, Brian Vickers, Scott Riggs, Denny Hamlin and Jeff Burton all took their turn behind the wheel. The new car will make its’ Nextel Cup debut in 2007 on just the short tracks, building to a full time schedule in 2009.

Some Long Distance Tax Relief On The Way
Some tax relief will be on the way for Wilkes County citizens, to the tune of over one million dollars. The US Treasury Department announced over the weekend that it will stop collecting the excise tax on long distance calls and plans to refund an estimated $15 billion to citizens across the country. The excise tax appears on your monthly statement and how much you pay depends on how long you talked on the phone. 3% of the total bill is taxed and those taxes added on to your monthly charges. For example, if your bill was $100, the excise tax would make up $3 of it. Even for a normal phone bill which might not reach above $50 a month, that’s around $18 a year paid out in taxes. The tax itself is over 100 years old, created back in 1898 to help finance the Spanish-American War. Now Treasury officials say they’re not just going to stop collecting the fee, but also refund some of the $300 billion that has been brought in over the years. On next year’s tax return, you’ll be able to claim three years worth of excise fees, which can be found on your current monthly bill. Find the excise tax charge, then multiply it by 12 to get what you pay out over a full year. Then multiply that result by 3 and you have the total of what you’ll be able to claim on next year’s taxes. Business will also be able to claim a refund.

Thieves Target Local Business
A local business fell prey to thieves late last week as sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Randy Miller Lumber Company. The incident happened sometime late Wednesday night, as an employee noticed the damage when they came in Thursday morning. Thieves had broke into two locked rooms at the building, gaining access by climbing onto an oil drum outside and then pushing open a window. Several hundred dollars worth of tools and other equipment was taken in the theft and that investigation continues.

Car Stolen From North Wilkesboro Home
Be careful where you leave your car keys. That’s the lesson a North Wilkesboro man learned late last week. The incident happened at a home on the Yellow Banks Road, as the man woke up and prepared for work. However as he walked out the door, the man discovered his truck had gone missing. He had left the keys in the ignition when parking the vehicle the night before. However no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anything during the night. Over the weekend the truck was discovered abandoned in Giles County Virginia.

Local Business Falls Victim To Fraud
Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Grocery Bag late last week after the business fell victim to fraud. A woman came in and cashed a check for $225, which later turned out to be fake. A description of the woman was turned over to deputies along with the fake check and that investigation continues.

3WC Healthwatch: Chocolate Good For The Brain
Chocolate might not just taste good but it could actually be good for you, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. A recent study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia has showed that eating milk chocolate could actually increase your brain power. The reason being that chocolate contains several stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine. For the study, people were given 85 grams of milk chocolate, 85 grams of dark chocolate and 85 grams of a imitation substance. After 15 minutes, those who were given the chocolate performed better at tasks involving memory and problem solving. They also showed a quicker reaction time and had a longer attention span. Researchers do warn however that while moderate doses of chocolate can be beneficial, too much can lead to health problems. Any amount over one fourth of a pound a day is considered to be unhealthy.

Recall Ordered Of Cigarette Lighters
This next bit of news is for all those cigarette smokers out there. A recall has been issued of over half a million Speedway Cigarette Lighters, due to some malfunctions in the equipment. The Speedway SuperAmerica Corporation announced the recall this week, due to a defect which can cause lighters to suddenly catch fire after a undetermined amount of time. At least six serious injuries have been reported across the nation, dealing with burns to the head and hands when the lighter suddenly goes up in flames. All recalled lighters have the "Speedway" logo on the front and "Acculite" written on one of the sides. They were sold in convenience stores across North Carolina and throughout the U.S. for the last year. Anyone who has one is being asked to return it to the store for a full refund and for more information you can call the company at 1-800-643-1948.

Red Cross Looking For Fundraising Help
We’ve talked a lot here on the news about the need for blood in Wilkes County. But thanks to last year’s hurricanes and the cost of relocating survivors, the local Red Cross needs help of a different kind as well. The local chapter continues to sell cookbooks, to help raise the money it needs to cover costs of daily operations. The Wilkes chapter finds itself struggling financially after a very slow first quarter in terms of donations. The cost of a cookbook is $10 and it contains recipes from chapter members along with their family and friends. For more information or to purchase one, you can call the Red Cross at 838-4563.

Just Came In To Have A Look Around
Some would be thieves broke into a local residence but left empty handed. The homeowner returned to the property, on Single Gap Road, to find a window shattered but nothing missing from inside. In addition there was nothing else damaged on the property, which has been unoccupied for several months. There is a suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Regional News

Jonesville To Have Town Hall Built
People in Jonesville will soon have a town hall to call their own. Officials announced over the weekend that construction on a town hall will be built on donated land starting this November. The plan is to have a 5500 sq. foot building on NC Hwy 67 near the I-77 intersection. Included inside will be a visitors center, town council chamber and a drive through where citizens can pay bills and handle their affairs. In addition, the Jonesville Police Department will base their headquarters out of the building. It's expected to cost an estimated $1.2 million and should be finished by November of 2007.

State News

College Students Could Have Background Checks
Before going off to college, high school seniors could have one more hurdle to climb if some North Carolina lawmakers have their way. Under a new bill filed this weekend, all incoming students would be required to undergo a criminal background check before being admitted. Fingerprints would be taken and tested, along with a complete background check. The move comes after two UNC Wilmington students were killed last year by fellow students, both of which had lied about their criminal history. The bill would only affect students planning to attend a college in the UNC system.

Cumberland County Falls Victim To ID Theft
One North Carolina county is working to recover after falling victim to ID theft. An estimated $6759 in taxpayers' money was stolen from Cumberland County, thanks to a series of counterfeit checks. Two people, 44-yr-old Edwin Lynwood Reid and 40-yr-old Gloria Elizabeth Wade both of Fayetteville, have been arrested in connection with the scheme. Police are also investigating another counterfeiting scheme involving Reid, this time in his own town of Fayetteville. With other charges possibly pending, Reid is facing 10 counts of obtaining property by false pretense and is in the Cumberland County jail awaiting trial.Wade is facing charges of conspiracy, also remaining in the Cumberland Jail. The county won't actually lose money, as the debt will fall on the businesses who accepted the checks.

Church Destroyed In Winston
One congregation in Winston Salem is having to pick up the pieces today after their church burned to the ground. The Heavenview United Pentecoastal Church went up in flames early Sunday morning, caving in the sanctuary's roof and causing one of the walls to collapse. It's unknown what caused the blaze, but fire officials don't believe that arson was involved. For right now the church is holding services in the fellowship hall and plans to continue until the sanctuary can be rebuilt.

Sports Headlines

State Recruit Decides To Stay
Good news today for the NC State Wolfpack, as one basketball recruit has decided to stay. Since ciach Herb Sendek left for another job, the university announced it would allow recruits to renounce their letters of commitment and pick another school if they wanted. Several took State up on the offer but one has decided to stay. 6'7 ft. high school senior Dennis Horner reaffirmed his commitment to the team over the weekend, saying that he was comfortable with the team and with new coach Sidney Lowe.

Gardner-Webb Joining Big South
A process that began almost five years ago will soon be finished, as Gardner-Webb is set to join the Big South. The university is currently just an associate member of the conference, participating in football. But as of July 1st 2008, all 20 of the school's athletic teams will compete in the Big South conference. The conference association brings with it a chance to play for the conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I tournament.

NC Teams Make It To World Series
Several North Carolina teams will be in the field of 64 for the College World Series when play starts this week. NC State and UNC Chapel Hill were two out of the seven ACC teams to make the field. In North Carolina's case, they'll host a first round matchup on Friday, the first time they've done so since 1984. Also making the field was UNC Asheville, coming in with a record of 28-33 and advancing to the playoffs for the first time in school history. Regional games start at the different locations Friday afternoon.

Hurricanes Have To Play Without Cole
Some bad news for the Carolina Hurricanes, as they'll be one man short the rest of the playoffs. Forward Erik Cole had to go on the disabled list earlier this year with a fractured vertebra, but had been hoping to return by the end of this series. Now it turns out that while Cole is continuing to heal, he's not at the point yet where physical contact is allowed. In 60 games this season before the injury, Cole had 30 goals and 29 assists. The Hurricanes take the ice tonight holding a 3-1 lead in the series against Buffalo.

NASCAR Points Standings
A second place finish in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 didn't have any effect on Jimmie Johnson. He stays atop the points standings, 109 ahead of second place Matt Kenseth. Mark Martin is in third, 209 points behind, while the crash Sunday dropped Tony Stewart all the way to fourth place, 231 points behind. Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounds out the top five, 271 behind the leader.

Stewart Injured In Sunday's Race
Sunday was a bad night for Tony Stewart. Not only did he lose the race, but a wreck he was involved in sent him to the hospital. Now the diagnosis might have him on the sidelines for at least one week, as Stewart has a broken right shoulder blade. What makes it worse is that the injury happened to the same shoulder he bruised Saturday night during a crash in the Busch race. Stewart was released from the hospital and is described as being day to day. Team officials said a decision will be made later this week as to when he'll step behind the wheel again.

Principal Assignments Handed Out By Wilkes
A game of musical chairs is going on in the Wilkes County school system, as several new principals will be coming in next year. Wilkes County Superintendent Dr. Steve Laws announced the changes on Friday, detailing who will be coming & going as preparations continue for the fall. Four elementary schools will have new principals when classes start back in August. Carrie Allen is the new principal at CB Eller, working for the first time as a principal after serving as a principal fellow. Mount Pleasant will also have a change at the top, with Susan Blackburn coming over from West Middle School, where she served as principal. Eric Barker will be leaving his job as assistant principal at East High to take over as principal at Ronda Clingman next year. And Wilkesboro Elementary will have a new face in the principal’s office as well, with John Parsons coming over from North High, where he served as assistant principal. For the middle schools, Cynthia Altmueller will replace Susan Blackburn at West Middle, coming over from East Middle where she worked as assistant principal. And East Middle will get a new principal as well, with Jodi Weatherman coming into the county. She had formerly served as the assistant principal for Onslow County High School. Finally two high schools will see a change at the top as Wilkes Central & West High will get new principals. Steve Moree will switch from West Wilkes to Wilkes Central and Hal Gatewood, formerly the principal over the Elkin City Schools, will step in at West High. Joey Bullis, formerly the principal at East Middle, will take over as head of the Career Center.

More Changes For Wilkes School Personnel
In addition to appointing new principals, Dr. Laws also named two new assistant principals for county schools on Friday. Wayne Triplett will leave his job as Career Center principal, to take over as assistant principal at North Wilkesboro. Also Wesley Wood will make the move from West Middle School to North High, taking over as that school’s new assistant principal. Also announced was the formal resignation of Wilkes Central principal Scott Kaufman, although no reason was given. Plus Jim McRae, Jerry Swaim, Ken Tucker, Bob Habershaw and Mike Dancy all announced their retirement from the school system.

Fire Labeled As Arson
A fire on Groce Road last week was the result of arson. That was the determination of Wilkes Fire Marshals, after investigating the case. The structure on Groce Road hadn’t been lived in since 2001 and the power had been cut off. Despite all of that, the place went up in flames last Monday, already beyond saving by the time Ronda firemen arrived on the scene. Fire marshals said that someone went inside and used some old junk left behind by the owner to start the blaze. There are currently no suspects in the case but the investigation continues.

Nance Found Not Guilty
Not guilty. That was the verdict handed down in the case of a Wilkes County man accused of manslaughter. On Wednesday of last week, jurors found 28-yr-old Charlie Randall Nance not guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Christopher Lee Caudill. The 19-yr-old Caudill was stabbed to death on October 25th of last year, in the home which he shared with his sister and Nance, the father of his sister’s three children. During a heated argument between the two, Nance stabbed Caudill but defense attorneys argued it was self defense as he feared for his life. Nance they argued had tried to escape by going into the bathroom and shutting the door, but Caudill broke it down. The district attorney’s office didn’t dispute the defense’s case, but said that Nance had used too much force to defend himself, by pulling a knife on an unarmed opponent. Caudill later died while being transported to the hospital. It only took an hour of deliberations for the jury to return with a verdict.

Vandals Target Mt. Pleasant School
Sheriff’s deputies were called out late last week to Mt. Pleasant School after vandals paid a visit. On Thursday morning, officials came in to find that someone had broke into the playground area at the school, proceeding to spin tires and do doughnuts in the grass. All total an estimated $250 worth of damage was done, however the school itself was untouched. The vandals also left something behind as they drove off, as a North Carolina license tag was found in the area. Deputies are tracking down the tag’s owner.

Thieves Target Local Business
A local business fell victim to thieves late last week in Wilkesboro. The alarm went off at Greene’s Equipment and Supplies, as deputies arrived to find the front door shattered. Glass was sprayed across the area as it appeared the thieves walked right in, picked up the cash register and walked out. Nothing else was missing from the business, although several TVs and VCRs had been taken off their shelves and tossed on the floor. Shoe prints were found by the door and a beer bottle, along with a crowbar had been left lying nearby. All of the evidence was taken in for fingerprinting and that investigation continues.

Thieves Target North Wilkesboro Home
Thieves targeted a home in North Wilkesboro last week, running off with almost $3000 worth of merchandise. The incident happened on the Elledge Mill Road, as there was damage done to both the front and basement doors, along with a basement window. Once inside, the thieves broke into the homeowner’s safe, running off with several guns stored there. Taken from the sale was a 12 gauge shotgun, a .22 Heritage revolver and a 7mm rifle. That investigation is ongoing.

Wildlife Resource Commission Warns About Boating
Memorial Day is normally the start for boating season across the state, when people here in Wilkes and around the area go out on the lake. But before you load up, there are some things to careful of, according to the Wildlife Resource Commission. Before you take the boat out, be sure to inspect everything. Just because it worked before doesn’t mean it’ll be ready to go now. Also most important, be sure and follow the guidelines, which includes making sure that everyone on board has a personal floatation device on. North Carolina law makes it mandatory that kids ages 13 and under wear one and adults are cautioned to as well. Otherwise just be safe and have a great time out on the water.

Tag Stolen From Hays Woman’s Car
A Hays woman called sheriff’s deputies over the weekend after discovering that something was missing from her car. The vehicle’s license plate had been ripped off sometime in the last 24 hours, however she had no clue when or where it happened. The tag’s information was given to sheriff’s deputies and they are continuing the investigation.

Regional News
Mount Airy Family Featured In National Geographic
A Mount Airy family is getting some national attention, as they’re the focus of an upcoming magazine. The Bunker family from Mount Airy is featured in next month’s issue of National Geographic, detailing their legacy through the years. The family, which consists of hundreds of people across Surry County, can trace their heritage back to Eng and Chang Bunker, conjoined twins who were somewhat famous during their lives in the 1800s. Before their death in 1874, the twins married two sisters from the area and had 21 children. The article, which will be in the June issue of National Geographic, is entitled "Zip USA Mount Airy NC 27030 Together Forever". Several of the family’s living members are interviewed in the piece.

Wreck Friday Sends Six To Hospital
Six people were taken to the hospital in Surry County on Friday afternoon after an accident on the Little Mountain Church Road. 16-yr-old Zach Yarbrough lost control of the car he was driving while going around a curve in the road and slammed head-on into another vehicle, driven by a local woman. Both the woman, 69-yr-old Elva Danley and all five of the teenagers in the car were taken to Baptist Medical Center with serious injuries. Hospital officials however said that none of the wounds appear to be life threatening.

State News
Lawmakers Work To Keep Eye Exams Alive
A controversial law got some help from State Democrats over the weekend. Earlier this year, House Speaker Jim Black added a new program into the state budget, making it mandatory for kids to get a thorough eye exam before they would be allowed to enter kindergarten. These new exams were supposed to help catch vision problems early and make it easier for kids to learn, but parents and other lawmakers protested due to the extra cost. The exams had been set to begin this year, but a state judge put a hold on the program until at least 2007 after school systems threatened a lawsuit. Now State Democrats are looking to make sure the program isn’t eliminated entirely, as some Republicans have threatened to do during the short session this summer. Democrats filed a new bill in the State House this weekend, which would guarantee the eye exams would in fact go on as scheduled in 2007. Opponents of the bill argue that the exams take away a child’s right to a free education, placing additional costs on parents.

Raleigh Man Arrested For Check Fraud
Officials in Raleigh have arrested a local man for over $76,000 worth of check fraud. Over the past three weeks, 36-yr-old Darren Durrell Disroe made over 12 trips to a check cashing business, passing forged checks for an estimated $76,434. He has been charged with trafficking counterfeit instruments and in the Wake County jail awaiting his court date.

Man Drowns In Winston Lake
One man is dead after a swimming accident Saturday afternoon in Winston. The incident happened at a lake near Mallard Lakes Drive, as firefighters were called out with reports of a man drowning. Several people in the area had already started searching for the man by the time firefighters got to the scene, but it took a dive team to locate his body about one hour later. Police are investigating the incident but haven’t released any information, except to say the victim was a 21 years old male.

Reward Issued For Murder Suspect
Business owners in the Raleigh area have put together a reward for help in tracking down a murder suspect. 77-yr-old James "J.P." Morris was found dead on May 12th, inside the Growing Motors company that he owned. He was also the host of a Christian radio program in the Raleigh area. The companies, in connection with the victim’s friends & family are offering $5000 for information leading to the arrest of 34-yr-old Robert Randolph Watson. Raleigh officials say they believe Watson is still in the state and has connections in Roxboro, Burlington and the city of Durham. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-919-683-1200.

Sports Headlines
Central Falls In Soccer Championship
In high school sports, the season came to an end Saturday night for the Wilkes Central Lady Eagles. They lost in the state 1A/2A soccer championship to the Lady Pirates of Swansboro 5-0. Swansboro kept Wilkes Central in check by double and sometimes triple teaming senior Katie Andreski. The Lady Eagles will wrap up the season with a record of 25-3.

NC State Recruit Changes Mind
Around the college scene, NC State’s men’s basketball program will be one man short when the season begins this fall. High school senior Larry Davis announced over the weekend that he was renouncing his commitment to the Wolfpack. After coach Herb Sendek left for Arizona State, NC State officials told recruits they would be released from their commitments if they wanted to attend another school. The 6’3 ft. Davis took the Wolfpack up on the offer and will join Seton Hall instead. Davis said that new Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe had nothing to do with him leaving the Wolfpack, it’s just that Seton Hall is closer to his family’s home in New York.

ACC Baseball Championship
In college baseball, the NC State Wolfpack came close but couldn't seal the deal as they lost in conference play. The #25 ranked Wolfpack lost to the #2 team in the nation Clemson 8-4 in the ACC championship game. Now both teams have to play the waiting game as they see if they've got a shot at making it to the College World Series.

NHL Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals
On the ice last night, it was the Carolina Hurricanes moving one step closer to the Stanley Cup finals as they beat Buffalo in overtime 4-3. With the win, Carolina takes a commanding 3-2 lead in the series and can seal the deal at Buffalo Tuesday night.

Minor Leaguer Gets His Chance
Last week on the Sportsdesk we told you about Carolina Panthers minor leaguer Tony Brown, who won co-Defensive MVP honors in the NFL Europe league this season. Now comes word that the former University of Memphis defensive tackle has been invited to Panthers training camp and will get a shot to make the final roster. Brown had 40 tackles, 4 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception and two blocked field goals this year while playing for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.

NASCAR Results
Around the NASCAR circuit, it was Kasey Kahne pulling into victory lane last night in the Coca-Cola 600. Jimmie Johnson ws second, Carl Edwards third, Mark Martin fourth and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five.