Fly-In To Be Held This Saturday
As Wilkes County gets set to celebrate the 4th of July, a tribute of a different kind will be held tomorrow. The 15th annual Fly-In will go on at the Wilkes County Airport, with all types of aircraft up for display. The event, which begins at 9am and lasts til 3pm in the afternoon, will feature planes from World War II, a Blackhawk helicopter will be on display and also Army paratroopers will perform jumps at 11am and 1pm. There’s also going to be games for the kids with an air walk, several ball games, a money in the hay search and other activities. The Mountain View Ruitan Club also plans to have live music performing during the event.

Stuff The Bus Begins Tomorrow
The annual Stuff The Bus program will get underway tomorrow, helping to provide needy kids with supplies for school. There are several locations around the Wilkes County area for you to drop off supplies this year. There will be buses at Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd, Staples and also between the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in North Wilkesboro. You can also drop off supplies at Dollar General, Super 10 and the Communities in Schools office. All different types of school supplies are needed, everything from paper to pens to calculators. For more information you can call Communities in Schools at 651-7830.

Local Woman Falls Victim To Credit Card Fraud
A Roaring River woman got in touch with deputies on Wednesday, after discovering that someone had been impersonating her. Sometime during the last week the woman’s credit card had disappeared. Now it turns out the thief had been pretending to be her and using it at local businesses, to the tune of $3695. Information is still being collected as the investigation goes forward.

Thieves Break In Just To Hear The News
A Lenoir man came to check on a camper he owned off of Livingston Road earlier this week, only to find that thieves had beaten him there. One of the windows had been damaged, along with parts of the camper’s siding. Taken from inside were two portable radios, along with a Troybuilt generator. There is however a possible suspect in the case and that investigation continues.

Toymaker Orders Recall
This next bit of news is for all parents and grandparents out there, as a recall has been ordered of a specific toy. About 3500 models of the Primary Sounds Toy Vehicles, sold from Kohl’s Department Store, are involved in the recall. That includes the yellow taxi, police cars and fire engine models. All are about 6 inches long and 5 inches wide. The problem stems from the hubcaps on the toy’s plastic wheels, which can come off and present a choking hazard. Customers are being asked to get in touch with the manufacturer, Kids Preferred LLC, for a full refund. The number to call is 1-866-763-8869.

Wreck On Main Street Totals Two
Two cars were totaled after an accident Wednesday afternoon in Wilkesboro. The incident happened on East Main Street, as a Wilkesboro woman was preparing to turn off onto a side street. The driver behind her, a North Wilkesboro man, didn’t see her slow down in time to avoid a collision. No serious injuries were reported from the crash, but both cars were totaled with estimated damages placed at $5000.

3WC Healthwatch: The Road To A Clear Mind
The way you eat could be a strong defense against Alzheimer’s disease, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. Doctors at the Columbia University Medical Center have released information about a study they performed, involving older patients and their diet. They discovered that people who eat from a Mediterranean style diet are 40% less likely to develop Alzheimers. 2258 elderly people were part of the study, done over a four year period in New York. That type of diet includes eating a lot of vegetables, fruits, cereal and fish, while limiting how much meat and dairy products that you eat. In addition, people on this type of diet try to stay away from foods rich in saturated fats, as much as possible. The information was recently published in the online version of the Annals of Neurology.

Thieves Go On Spending Spree With ATM Card
A North Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when she checked her bank account earlier this week. Not only was it empty, but someone continued to charge things on the account, running up overdraft fees. All total, the combined money stolen and fees from the bank totaled $1041. It’s still unclear exactly how or when the woman’s ATM card was stolen, as she hadn’t even noticed it was missing. There is a possible suspect and the investigation continues.

Two Hospitalized After Wreck On Hwy 421
Two people were sent to the hospital after an accident Tuesday night on Hwy 421. A Wilkesboro man was heading east on the highway when suddenly another driver cut in front of him, causing a collision. Debris from the accident also hit a third car, which was in a nearby lane. The first two drivers were both taken by EMS to Wilkes Regional, while estimated damages were placed at $19,350. The driver who cut in front, 71-yr-old Thomas Prevett, was charged with unsafe movement by Wilkesboro police.

State News

Bush To Visit NC Troops
President Bush will be back in North Carolina on July 4th, celebrating with the troops at Fort Bragg. The White House announced the visit yesterday, saying that he plans to speak at their holiday event. This will mark the third time since 2001 that the president has been to Bragg. Back in March of 2002 he spoke about fighting the Taliban and then in June of 2005, he explained why the war in Iraq was necessary.

Beachgoers Ignore Rip Current Warnings
So far this summer season, 153 people have been rescued from rip currents at North Carolina beaches. The problem, say rescue officials, is that beachgoers are ignoring the warnings, both those posted up and also from lifeguards. At Wilmington’s Wrightsville Beach alone, 108 people have been saved from the deadly current, which pulls people out into the ocean as it returns from the shore. Right now the beach is on track to break last year’s total, which stood at 122 people.

Guilford County May Have Link To Missing Person
One Guilford County resident could have found a link to help investigators solve a missing persons case. On Wednesday, a man came out to some property he owned in Summerfield to find a skull sitting in the driveway. After deputies were called to the scene, they did a search and found the rest of the remains nearby. Now the body has been taken to the medical examiner’s office, to get a positive ID. Officials said that they were still trying to determine the cause of death and the case hasn’t been labeled as a homicide.

NC Community College Strained By Workers
The recent influx of workers going back to college has brought one community college in the state to a breaking point. Officials from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College announced this week that their resources are almost tapped out, due to a massive increase in students, most of which are unemployed textile workers. The college has since received a warning from its’ main accrediting agency, which was concerned because full evaluations of both the teachers and programs weren’t done this year, due to a lack of funding. Cabarrus has been given one year to turn in the evaluations or the school could be placed on probation.

Former Cafeteria Manager Gets Almost Four Years
A sentence was handed out yesterday in the case of a Wake County cafeteria manager who stole money from her school. Frances Parker pleaded guilty earlier this month to taking over $200,000 from Garner Senior High School’s nutrition program and going on a spending spree with the money. Thursday morning, a Wake County judge sentenced her to at least 44 months in prison. Parker also agreed to refund the school for what she took.

Sports Headlines

South Caldwell Pitcher Commits To Tarheels
A high school pitcher from within the region will soon be suiting up for the Tarheels. South Caldwell pitcher Madison Bumgarner announced his decision this week. The junior helped lead his team to the State 4A championship and along with way he picked up a 12-2 record with a 0.99 ERA. The 6’5 ft. Bumgarner, who’s lefthanded, has impressed scouts with a fastball that reaches speeds of 97 mph at times. He’s also not bad at the plate, batting .392 this past season with 14 home runs and 39 RBIs.

Boateng To Leave Duke
In college basketball, the Duke Blue Devils will be one man short when the season starts next fall. Center Eric Boateng has announced that he plans to transfer from the school. The 6’10 ft. Boateng saw limited time with the team this season, averaging .7 points and .6 rebounds in 20 games.

State Player Has Hearing Postponed
The fate of one NC State basketball player is still up in the air today. The immigration hearing for Wolfpack forward Gavin Grant has been delayed until July 11th, due to scheduling conflicts. Grant stands accused of entering the U.S. illegally as a child and if found guilty, he could be forced to leave the country. Grant’s legal team meanwhile says that the player did in fact enter through legal means and has the paperwork to prove it.

ACC Players May Get Opportunities
In the wake of last night’s NBA draft, several players from North Carolina schools were on the outside looking in. Wake Forest guard Justin Gray went undrafted, as did his teammate forward Eric Williams. In addition, UNC Charlotte forward Curtis Withers was left off the list. For two out of the three, there’s still hope their future could be in Carolina. Before the draft, the Bobcats told Withers that if he wanted it, there would be a spot for him on their summer league team. Charlotte has also expressed interest in Gray, possibly to bring him in as the team’s third point guard, who could one day serve as the backup to starter Raymond Felton.

Two More Hurricanes To Try Free Agency
The changes keep coming for the Carolina Hurricanes. Two more members of the team have announced they plan to test the free agent waters this summer. The contracts for Matt Cullen and Aaron Ward are set to expire this Saturday, when the new business year officially starts in the NHL. Both said they’re interested in returning and the team wants them back, however some other things could be in play. The 29-yr-old Cullen is also considering a potential deal with the Minnesota Wild, who play in his home state, after a season where he scored a career high 25 goals. Meanwhile the 33-yr-old Ward has been linked to the Detroit Red Wings, who he played for earlier in his career.

NASCAR News
Around the NASCAR circuit, one team has been locked up for a few years. Jimmy Elledge agreed to a contract extension with Chip Ganassi Racing, extending his tour of duty on the No. 41 Dodge, driven by Reed Sorenson. Ganassi said that Elledge has been a key part in developing the organization’s young drivers and believed that assistance should be rewarded.

State Health Director Wants Wilkes Smoke Free
If North Carolina’s health director has her way, all Wilkes County businesses could be smoke free by next year. Dr. Leah Devlin is calling for all businesses across the state to ban smoking inside their respective buildings. Devlin’s call comes after a new report from the U.S. Surgeon General was released on Tuesday. It found that nonsmokers who were exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of heart disease by up to 30% and their risk of developing lung cancer also goes up to 30%. That could cause problems here in North Carolina, where an estimated 23% of all adults smoke and 43% of the entire population is exposed to secondhand smoke. Already across the state, 39 hospitals are completely smoke free, including Wilkes Regional. Dr. Devlin also wants people to know that North Carolina has a program to help people quit, which you can learn about at www.quitnownc.org or by calling 1-800-784-8669.

Local Woman Falls Prey To Forgers
A Boomer woman got a call from her bank earlier this week, as several suspicious checks had come in that supposedly she had signed for. When she went to take a look at her account, the woman noticed that several of her checks had gone missing. The two people who were attempting to cash the checks had apparently done some home repairs for the woman in recent days and that’s when it’s believed they took the checks. The account was closed and information was turned over to sheriff’s deputies. That investigation continues.

Wilkes County Bridges In Need Of Repair
Wilkes County bridges could use a facelift. That’s according to AAA of the Carolinas, who released their annual list of the most dangerous bridges in the state. Wilkes County had four rank in the Top 650. The bridge over Reddies River on US 421 Business came in at #231, while the one over Mulberry Creek on Hwy 268 fell right behind at #305. The bridge over Cub Creek on State Road 1001 was also labeled as hazardous, being ranked #381 worst in the state. And finally coming in at #644 was the bridge over Bugaboo Creek on Hwy 268. In general, bridges across the state are in worse shape now than in January of 2005. Last year, 30.5% of all bridges in NC were labeled as substandard or dangerous. In 2006, that number has increased to 31.2%. Money for bridge repair comes out of the state’s highway trust fund, which has been raided in recent years by lawmakers. Money that was supposed to go for replacing roads and bridges has instead been used on pet projects, to the tune of $250 million being taken out each year.

Focus On The Family
As we near the midpoint of election season, who’s looking out for issues affecting the family? Here in North Carolina, the Family Policy Council is dedicated to doing just that. Coming up on today's Focus on the Foothills, Brian will be interviewing John Rustin, the Director of Government Relations for the FPC. They'll be discussing where North Carolina stands in regards to certain issues such as gay marriage, the lottery and where funds are being directed in the state budget. They’ll also be talking about how people can get involved and help make a difference in each of these issues. That’s coming up today at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

All This Just To Watch TV
Thieves broke into a Traphill woman’s home earlier this week, running off with a DVD Player and a television. The incident happened sometime early Monday morning on the Traphill Ridge Road. However despite the theft, there was no sign of a break-in and no damage done to the property itself. Neighbors were able to give deputies a potential suspect, as it’s believed the thief had a key and walked right in. That investigation is ongoing.

Mentor Training Today
Currently just over 60 kids are on a waiting list at Communities in Schools, as the need for a mentor is greater than the supply. If you have a few extra hours in the week and want to make a difference in a child’s life, a volunteer training session is being held today. The session will last just one hour, from 12 noon til 1pm at the Communities in Schools office. If you’re interested in signing up or just want more information, you can give them a call at 651-7830 extension #21. The Communities in Schools office is now located at 613 Cherry Street in what used to be the old Lowes complex.

Golf Tournament To Benefit Respite Care
For all you golfers out there, how would you like to play the game you love and help a good cause at the same time? Coming up later today, a golf tournament will be held at Stone Mountain Golf Club, with the first prize winner walking away with 4 tickets to the Bank of America 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway. It costs $50 per person to enter and all the proceeds from today’s event will go to benefit Respite Care of Wilkes. The starting time is set for 1pm this afternoon with a free lunch provided beginning at 11:30am. All you have to do to sign up is pull in at the Stone Mountain Golf Club’s Pro Shop and they’ll be able to get things squared away.

Baby Teethers Recalled
Before you give that teether to your baby, there’s some news you need to hear. A recall has been ordered of five different styles of teethers, put out by The First Years Inc. 500,000 of the teethers have been called back due to a possible contamination of bacteria inside. The company has learned that in several liquid filled teethers, the bacterias aeruginosa and putida can be found. If somehow the teether gets punctured and a baby ingests the liquid, that can cause serious illness. The recall involves all Disney Days of Hunny Soft Cool Ring Teethers, all Disney Soft Cool Ring Teethers, the Sesame Beginnings Chill and Chew Teether, the First Years Cool Animal Teether and the First Years Floating Friends Teether. A hotline has been set up to get more information at 1-866-725-4407. You can also get information from the company’s website at www.thefirstyears.com.

Dog Stolen From Purlear Home
A Purlear woman came home on Monday to find that her dog had been stolen. The incident happened on the Dockery Road, as witnesses told deputies that the thief walked right into the back yard, unchained the dog and carried it off. The name of the suspect along with a location where he lives was given over to sheriff’s deputies and the investigation continues.

State News

State Lawmaker To Resign
One North Carolina lawmaker plans to give up his seat in the midst of controversy. Durham Representative Paul Miller gave House Speaker Jim Black his official letter of resignation last Friday, but offered no explanation as to why he was quitting. Miller stands accused of mail fraud, after being arrested earlier this month by federal authorities. He’s believed to have sent the U.S. Department of Education fake checks which he tried to pass off as proof that he had repaid over $20,000 in student loans. Larry Hall, the Democratic nominee for Miller’s seat in the upcoming elections, is expected to be the party’s recommended choice to take over for the remainder of the term.

Evidence In Massive Drug Bust Burns
Sheriff’s deputies in Wake County recently found an abandoned 18-wheel truck just off US 64. The keys were still in the ignition and the engine was running, but no driver could be found. Once they looked inside, deputies found over one ton of marijuana along with 25 pounds of cocaine. The sheriff’s department has since incinerated most of the drugs involved and are continuing the investigation to find the missing driver.

NC State To Pay For Toxic Dump
NC State is going to have to spend millions of dollars over the next few years to clean up one of their mistakes. Between 1969 and 1980, the university’s agriculture and science labs dumped acids, dead animals which contain radioactive waste and chemicals into a 1.5 acre site near the school. Over time that site has become one of the most polluted areas in the United States, with contaminated water seeping into the nearby Richland Creek. Cleanup was supposed to begin 10 years ago, but State requested time to prove to the EPA that the chemicals would dissolve on their own. That plan failed and so now university officials have to fork out money for 17 extraction wells on the site, which will be used to pump out the tainted water and clean up the toxins. All total the cleanup is expected to cost $3.8 million and could take up to 30 years to finish.

Jacksonville Residents No Longer At Risk
The rainfall earlier this week proved to be both a blessing and a curse for residents in Jacksonville North Carolina. While the local crops needed the water, heavy rains damaged a privately owned dam in the area and led to some residents being evacuated. The road near the dam’s spillway was washed out by the water and officials Tuesday morning started warning people to consider evacuating just in case the dam should collapse. Now after two days of sun, the danger has passed and people are being welcomed back in. Jacksonville officials said their main focus now is to work on repairing the damage left behind, estimated to be in the millions.

Jobs Coming To Guilford County
More jobs will be coming to Guilford County over the next three years, as a sports equipment company plans to move in. Legacy Paddlesports, makers of kayaks and canoes, will bring with it 244 jobs when the company’s new plant is built. The move comes thanks in part to a $100,000 grant from North Carolina and company officials said that the state’s well trained workforce was another major factor in the decision. Construction is expected to begin on the plant within the next two months.

Sports Headlines

NC State Lands Another Recruit
Another day and another recruit in the fold for the NC State football team. Henry Lawson, a 6’3 ft. 290 lb. junior from Charlotte Catholic High School has committed to the team. The offensive lineman was a key part of a Charlotte Catholic squad that has a 32 game winning streak heading into next season and State coaches believe he could possibly compete for a starting job as a freshman. Lawson turned down offers from Wake Forest and Boston College to join the Wolfpack, who have locked up seven recruits for their 2007 class from North Carolina. Last year they had just six.

Winthrop Coach Changes Schools
In college basketball, Winthrop’s streak of making it to the NCAA postseason tournament might be ending. Head coach Gregg Marshall announced this week that he’ll be leaving, to take the coaching job at College of Charleston. Over his eight year career at Winthrop, Marshall built the Eagles into a contender, putting together 165 wins and six appearances in the NCAA tournament. Now Marshall will return to the school where he began his coaching career, looking to improve on the Cougars’ 18-10 record last season.

Bobcats Select
With the third pick in last night’s NBA draft, the Charlotte Bobcats chose Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison. The 6’8 ft. junior averaged 28 points a game last season and earned the nickname “Ammo” for his ability to hit shots from anywhere. In the second round, Charlotte went for a defensive presence by choosing UCLA center Ryan Hollins. The 7 ft. Hollins is a shot blocker and rebounder who was a big part of the Bruins’ run to the title game last season.

ACC Players Picked Up In The Draft
There were also several ACC players picked up in yesterday’s draft. Duke’s Shelton Williams went with the 5th pick to the Atlanta Hawks while his teammate J.J. Redick was chosen with the 11th pick by Orlando. NC State’s Cedric Simmons found a home with the New Orleans Hornets, who drafted him 15th. And in the second round, UNC Tarheel forward David Noel went to Milwaukee with the 39th pick.

Hurricanes Continue To Make Changes
Some changes will be coming for the Carolina Hurricanes next season. The team will be losing backup goalie Martin Gerber, who told the Canes that he plans to test the free agent market, in pursuit of a starting job and also a raise. As a starter this season with Carolina, the 31-yr-old Gerber went 38-14, but was replaced by Cam Ward after a poor performance in the playoffs. Ward would go on to win the Conn Smythe trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup finals.

Changes Approved For Wilkes County Schools
There will be some more changes coming for Wilkes County schools this fall. The Board of Education met on Tuesday afternoon and approved some more personnel changes for next year. Rebecca Mastin will be taking over as principal for Moravian Falls Elementary. For the middle schools, there will be several new faces taking over as well. Sharon Shoupe becomes the new assistant principal at East Middle, assuming the role formerly held by Cynthia Altmueller, who left to become the principal at West Middle School. Speaking of West Middle, Ramona Hemric is the new assistant principal, taking the job of Wesley Wood. Mr. Wood left to take the assistant principal’s job at North High. At Central Wilkes Middle School, Stephanie Williams steps in as the new assistant principal. In addition, Katherine Cater will be the new assistant principal at East High. She takes over for Eric Barker, who left to become principal at Ronda Clingman. And finally Terri Wilson is the new assistant principal at West High. All of these changes will take effect in the fall.

Stuff The Bus Program Begins July 1st
The annual Stuff The Bus program will get underway this Saturday, helping to provide needy kids with supplies for school. There are several locations around the Wilkes County area for you to drop off supplies this year. There will be buses at Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd, Staples and also between the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in North Wilkesboro. You can also drop off supplies at Dollar General, Super 10 and the Communities in Schools office. All different types of school supplies are needed, everything from paper to pens to calculators. For more information you can call Communities in Schools at 651-7830. And once again that program kicks off in three days on July 1st.

Just Trying To Keep Cool
Some thieves broke into a building on the Rock Creek Church Road this week, apparently just trying to keep cool. They ran off with the homeowner’s air conditioner, along with 50 VHS movies, 20 books and several small tools. An estimated total of everything stolen came out to be $1065. There is a suspect in the theft, as a man was seen hanging around the property by witnesses. That investigation is ongoing.

Focus On The Family
As we near the midpoint of election season, who’s looking out for issues affecting the family? Here in North Carolina, the Family Policy Council is dedicated to doing just that. Coming up on Thursday's Focus on the Foothills, Brian will be talking with John Rustin, the Council's Director of Government Relations. They'll be discussing where North Carolina stands in regards to certain issues such as gay marriage, the lottery and where funds are being directed in the state budget. They’ll also be talking about how people can get involved and help make a different in each of these issues. That’s coming up tomorrow at 1:05pm right after the midday stock report.

Thieves Drill In To Get What They Want
A man came out to check on his vacation home this week, only to find that someone had beaten him there. Thieves had drilled into a sliding glass door on the property, located on the Brushy Mountain Road, pulling the door off track and walking right in. Everything but the kitchen sink was taken from inside, including furniture, several tools and even some of the wall fixtures. Despite the massive theft, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone near the property. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

3WC Healthwatch: Better Living Through Venom
Scientists may have found a way to cure brain cancer, as we explain in today’s 3WC Healthwatch. The Henry Ford Health System is conducting a series of tests using a treatment derived from scorpion venom. In the procedure, doctors flood the venom with low level radiation and then inject it into a patient’s bloodstream. Once the mixture comes in contract with a tumor, it kills the cancer cells. Reports of the trials have been released this week at the Health Physics Society meeting in Rhode Island, with doctors claiming that the treatment is showing promising signs of working. Officials say however that it’s too early to determine if the venom can be used as a cure.

Keys Stolen From Local Residence
Some thieves were kind enough to return part of what they had stolen from a local residence this week. Last month, residents of the home on Greenhorn Road had lost their keys outside. Monday afternoon, they returned to find the keys on the kitchen counter, although some of them were still missing. A house key and a four wheeler key had been taken from the set. Aside from that, several things had been moved around inside but nothing else was taken. That investigation continues.

Car Stolen From Traphill Residence
Thieves took off with a Traphill man’s car earlier this week. On Sunday, he had parked the vehicle at a house belonging to his girlfriend’s aunt and left. When he returned on Monday, the vehicle was gone with a witness telling about a tow truck that had pulled up to the truck and carted it off. Deputies tracked down the wrecker driver, who said that he had been hired to tow the truck away from the house. The owner of the house told deputies she had nothing to do with the towing, however there is a suspect in the case and the investigation continues.

Regional News

Watauga Sheriff Facing Additional Lawsuit
More accusations are coming out against current Watauga County Sheriff Mark Shook, as he’s become the target of yet another lawsuit. On Friday of last week Patricia Shook filed suit against the sheriff, claiming that she lost her job because she complained about sexual comments he made toward other female workers. Shook worked as the chief of communications for Watauga and also claimed that she was told her job would be on the line if she kept complaining about another worker’s poor performance. This comes in the wake of another lawsuit, filed back on June 13th by former chief deputy Paula Townsend, who accused the sheriff of firing her after she turned down his request for a date.

State News

Storm System Could Cause Problems
A storm system just off the North Carolina coast could potentially spell trouble later on this week. The National Hurricane Center is watching a low pressure system that’s about 90 miles south of Cape Fear and drifting towards North Carolina. Officials say that the conditions exist for the system to become a tropical depression at any minute. Even if the system doesn’t turn into a tropical storm, the National Weather Service says to expect periods of heavy rain and wind over the next two days.


Jobs On The Way To Davie County
There’s some good news for people in Davie County as more jobs could be on the way. County officials have been alerted about a manufacturing company who wants to move into the area, there’s just one catch. In order for the town of Mocksville to land the business, they and the county have to put up at least $100,000 in economic incentives. A public hearing will be held in the county to discuss the issue on July 10th, but until then officials aren’t releasing the name of the business. Over 100 new jobs would come into the area with the new company if the incentives are approved.

Fayetteville Standoff Leads To Arrest
A standoff that lasted for several hours in Fayetteville finally came to a close yesterday afternoon. Cumberland County officials had been searching for 29-yr-old Kennard Meshawn Fisher, who was wanted on robbery, kidnapping and drug charges. They found Fisher inside a trailer at a mobile home park off of Highway 301, armed and refusing to come out. Also inside the home were several of Fisher’s family members. Eventually they helped convince him to give up and turn himself over to deputies, who took him in peacefully. Fisher now faces charges of maintaining a dwelling for the sale of drugs, robbery, first degree kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.

Son Arrested After Duke Athletic Director’s Boating Accident
The son of Duke University’s athletic director is facing charges today after an accident that injured his father. Athletic director Joe Alleva (Ah-Leev-ah) was out with his son on Hyco Lake when the boat they were in ran aground on some rocks. The athletic director had to be taken to Person Memorial Hospital to be treated for a head injury, while his son was asked to and refused to take a breathalyzer test. 27-yr-old Joseph David Alleva was driving the boat and officials have charged him with operating a motorboat while impaired. Joe Alleva has since been released from the hospital and is expected back at work this week.

New Commander Takes Over NC Marines
North Carolina’s Marines will soon have a new general in command. Major General Keith Stadler has been nominated for a promotion to lieutenant general and with that comes an assignment to lead the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, stationed at Camp Lejeune. Stadler will come over from Quantico Virginia, where he currently serves as commander of the Marine Training and Education Command. He’ll be taking over from Lieutenant General James Amos, who is being reappointed to a position at Marine headquarters in Washington.

Sports Headlines

49ers Building New Stadium
Another stadium is getting set to go up in the Charlotte area, this time for a local university. UNC Charlotte has announced plans to completely overhaul their baseball facilities, putting $5.9 million into the project that officials say will be one of the best baseball stadiums in the entire Southeastern United States. The new 1,000 seat stadium will hold a press box for both radio and television, brand new dugouts, hospitality suites and a picnic area near the right field foul line. Construction starts this coming August and Hayes Stadium is expected to be finished by the time the season starts next spring.

State Lands Another Football Prospect
The NC State football team added another piece to the puzzle this week, as defensive tackle Justin Whaley committed to the school. Whaley, a 6’4 ft. 260 lb. junior from Wilson Hunt High School in North Carolina, told reporters that this was a dream come true as he’s been a Wolfpack fan all his life. State coaches want to utilize Whaley’s size and have him play on both sides of the ball, working on the offensive line as well. The commitment is State’s sixth for 2007.

Panthers Reset Their Return Game
In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers are planning to make some changes for the upcoming season. Wanting to protect wide receiver Steve Smith from injury, the team is pulling him from doing kick returns. Instead, rookie tailback Deangelo Williams has been getting most of the reps as a member of the return team, along with cornerback Chris Gamble. Williams actually volunteered for the job, as he wanted to be used wherever he could help the team.

NBA Draft Coming Up Tonight
In the NBA, the clock is counting down for several former ACC players, as they wait to see who will take them in tonight’s draft. Duke’s Shelton Williams is expected to be a top five pick while his former teammate J.J. Reddick is also projected to go in the top ten. Meanwhile NC State’s Cedric Simmons is also expected to be a first round choice. Also some other ACC players are on the bubble, waiting to see if they’ll be picked up in round two. Wake Forest’s Eric Williams, his teammate Justin Gray, UNC Tarheel David Noel and UNC Charlotte’s Curtis Withers are all in the mix as the draft tips off tonight at 7pm.

Hurricanes Offer Contracts To Free Agents
On the ice, the Carolina Hurricanes are taking steps to bring back their team for another shot at the title. The team’s five free agents were all given qualifying offers on Monday, that had a 10% raise attached from this year’s salary. Eric Staal, Erik Cole, Justin Williams, Mike Commodore and Chad LaRose will all see their contracts expire on June 30th, but under the current labor agreement, they can’t accept the terms until July 1st as they won’t technically be free agents before then. Also by extending the offer, Carolina is allowed to match any contract the players might get from other teams on the free agent market.

Hunting To Become An Official Sport
For all you hunters out there, it might be time to get out that rifle and start practicing. The World Hunting Association has announced plans to create a competitive hunting tour starting this fall. Over $500,000 would be up for grabs in the tournament, which would take hunters around the world in competition. During the tournament hunters will use tranquilizers to shoot white tailed deer and other animals, beginning with the first competition this fall at the Lost Arrow Ranch in Michigan. An official date for the competition has yet to be set.

Wilkes County Still Under Flood Watch
Wilkes County is under a flash flood watch today, which is expected to remain in effect until at least tonight and possibly Wednesday morning. With rainfall already reaching over 2 inches in places, the National Weather Service is warning that small creeks and streams could flood their banks. The rain is expected to continue periodically throughout today, as a front is remaining stationary over the Appalachian Mountains. Also this rainfall may be heavy at times, with an additional 2 to 3 inches predicted to fall by Wednesday.

Sex Offenders Leaving List
Monday on the 3WC News, we told you about a new program State Attorney General Roy Cooper wants to install, to protect against sex offenders. Now we take a look at why it’s needed. Under current North Carolina law, sex offenders have to be registered for a 10-yr-period and then their names are taken off the list. For those offenders who were registered in 1996, that means they’re no longer in the system as of this year. That however doesn’t apply to repeat offenders or violent predators, who have to stay registered for life. In Wilkes County, there are currently 97 registered sex offenders living in areas stretching from North Wilkesboro to Boomer, none of which are classified as violent. Across North Carolina, there are over 9000 people registered as sex offenders. As we approach the midpoint of election year, members of the House are re-examining the law to possibly make changes and keep all offenders registered for life. No decision has been reached however, on the Attorney General’s proposed program.

Mailbox Vandals Target More Homes
Deputies are investigating two more cases of mailbox vandalism that occurred over the weekend. On Mountain View Road, a man called deputies after vandals hit his mailbox on both Friday and Saturday night. An estimated $60 worth of damage was done and deputies were able to retrieve some evidence from the scene, as part of the vandals’ car appears to have fallen off. Deputies were also called out to Center Church Road in Thurmond, as vandals targeted another home. Sometime early Sunday morning a car drove by the house and ran over the mailbox, causing an estimate $20 in damage. Both investigations are ongoing.

Truck Stolen From Wilkesboro Home
Thieves drove off with a Wilkesboro man’s truck over the weekend. The man, who lives on Fishing Creek Arbor Road, called deputies after coming outside Sunday morning to find his truck was missing. There were signs that a tow truck at been in the driveway and it appears that the vehicle was hooked up and towed away. A description of the vehicle was turned over to sheriff’s deputies and that investigation continues.

Recall Ordered For Pacemakers & Defibrillators
Some bad news today for anyone who has a pacemaker, as it could be defective. That was the announcement made on Monday by the Boston Scientific Corporation, which has issued a recall of an estimated 23,000 pacemakers and defibrillators. The problem comes due to a malfunction in one of the device’s electrical components, which can cause the device to short out. Already five such malfunctions have occurred after patients went through surgery to receive the device. In two cases the patients became temporarily unconscious as a result. Those who have pacemakers are being asked to set up an appointment with your doctor at the earliest possible time, to determine if your device is one that falls under the recall and what steps to take.

Thieves Break In To Play Video Games
It appears thieves had just one thing on their mind after breaking into a home on FA Foster Road this weekend and that was playing video games. The homeowner returned from church on Sunday to find one of his windows had been shattered and the screen pulled out, but for the most part, things were just like he had left them inside. The only things missing were 50 Playstation games, worth over $1000. However a neighbor down the road was able to give deputies a description of a truck that had been at the residence earlier in the day along with a possible suspect. That investigation continues.

Samaritan’s Christian Ministry Update
Samaritan’s Christian Ministry has been expanding their operations in the last few months, to the point where they now deliver meals to over 450 different families across Wilkes County. That’s just over 1600 meals that need to be prepared, loaded up and delivered each week. With that progress comes a greater need for volunteers, as the organization finds itself falling short in most categories. The man need is for drivers to transport the meals on Saturdays, however cooks, assembly line workers, greeters and other volunteers are needed as well. If you’re interested in volunteering or just want some more information, you can give them a call at 838-5331.

Car Damaged While Visiting A Friend
A North Wilkesboro woman got a surprise when she came back to her car Saturday night. The back glass was shattered and an estimated $400 worth of damage had been done to the vehicle. The incident happened on the Red, White and Blue Road, as the woman was visiting a friend. Despite the damage, no one in the area could recall hearing or seeing anyone around the property. That investigation continues.

State News

Catawba Schools Go After Google
The Google search engine is under attack by a school system here in North Carolina. On Friday, the Catawba County School System filed an injunction against the company, demanding that any information related to it be removed. The problem was discovered last week, when a Catawba County official performed a search on the web and uncovered the Social Security numbers and test scores of 619 of the county’s students. They were on a Google search page, available for anyone to see. It’s still unclear exactly how the information was accessed by the search engine in the first place.

Fort Bragg To Cut Jobs
Bad news for people living around Fort Bragg, as the base is having to cut civilian jobs in the wake of a budget crunch. The organization in charge of overseeing Army bases, the Installation Management Agency, has announced that they plan to drop the current budget by at least an estimated $530 million as of September 30th. That leaves Bragg operating at 1/5 of their normal budget, which stands at $1 million. As a result, nine temporary civilian positions at the base have been eliminated, use of government vehicles on the base has been limited and office staff won’t have the money to buy new pens, paper or other supplies until October 1st. In addition, agency officials said that further cuts could be coming in 2007, as they look to provide as much money as possible to the units deployed oversees.

Body Turns Up In Rocky Mount
A father and son in Rocky Mount got a surprise over the weekend during a trip to the park. While tossing rocks into the Tar River, the pair found something floating in the water and tried to get a closer look. What they found was a partially decomposed body that was traveling down the river. Rocky Mount police are working to determine both the victim’s ID and also what caused his death, as it appeared he had been in the water for some time.

Gardner-Webb Vice President Dies In Crash
Gardner-Webb University is mourning the loss of a staff member today. Over the weekend, David Boan (Bo-ann) was killed after a car wreck in Tennessee. Boan, who served as the university’s vice president for development, was traveling on Hwy 154 when he lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over. According to the Highway Patrol Boan wasn’t speeding and he was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. He had just been promoted to his current job in March of this year, after working in the university’s fundraising department since 2002. A funeral will be held later today at 2pm at the Boiling Springs Baptist Church.

Stanley County Residents Evacuated After Leak
On Monday, residents of one Stanley County neighborhood were evacuated after a gas leak was discovered at a local plant. Just after 9am, an accident occured at the Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant. Workers were attempting to change gas cylinders when one of them malfunctioned and chlorine gas started leaking out. It took all of the morning and most of the afternoon to contain the problem, as local officials ordered an evacuation of a half mile all around the plant. No one was seriously injured in the accident, however two plant workers had to be taken for treatment at Stanly Regional Medical Center.

Sports Headlines

Beavers Win World Series
On the college scene, there's a new national champion in college baseball. The Oregon State Beavers knocked off the UNC Tarheels last night 3-2 in the third and final game of the College World Series. The win marks Oregon State's first ever national title.

UNC Lands Coveted Running Back
In college football, the UNC Tarheels added another member to their 2007 team with Ryan Houston committing to the school. Houston, a 6’2 ft. 245 lb. tailback at Butler High School in Matthews, rushed for 1914 yards as a junior while putting up 34 touchdowns. Scouts say that Houston’s size, along with his 4.6 speed in the 40-yd-dash remind them of former NFL star Natrone Means. Houston turned down offers from Clemson, Florida and Miami to join the Heels, saying that he felt the new offense run by Heels coordinator Frank Cignetti would fit him the best.

Coaches Want NCAA Tournament To Increase
If several college coaches have their way, the NCAA basketball tournament will see a major expansion next year. This week the NCAA is holding its’ annual coaches basketball committee meetings in Florida and the main topic is expanding the tournament. Instead of the current 65 teams involved, a proposal is one the table to double the size and allow 128 teams to play for the title. Members of the National Association of Coaches suggested the increase because they believe that making the postseason could help several of their colleagues keep their jobs.

State Lands Basketball Recruit
In other college hoops news, NC State got a much needed shot in the arm on Sunday, as Johnny Thomas committed to the school. Thomas, a 6’5 ft. shooting guard/small forward at Greensboro Day High School, is the first recruit for new Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe. As a junior last season, Thomas averaged 17 points a game and also impressed college scouts with his ability to rebound and great shooting skills. He turned down an offer from Virginia Tech to play with the Wolfpack, saying that he thought it was a better fit.

Hurricanes Lock Up Coach
Less than a week after winning the Stanley Cup, Carolina Hurricanes officials showed their appreciation to head coach Peter Laviolette by inking him to a new five year contract. Laviolette’s current contract had been set to expire at the end of June along with members of his staff. The assistant coaches were also resigned, with Kevin McCarthy and Jeff Daniels both agreeing to five year contracts. McCarthy will also see a promotion, as he’ll now be the new associate head coach of the Canes.

Vickers Officially A Red Bull
In NASCAR, Brian Vickers now has a ride locked up for 2007. The current driver of Hendrick Motorsports No. 25 Chevy will switch teams and race for Team Red Bull beginning next season. Earlier this year the 22-yr-old Vickers had asked for his release from Hendrick Motorsports, to pursue other opportunities. In the current season, Vickers stands 20th in points, 1619 behind current leader Jimmie Johnson.

Dooley Opens To Packed House
Hundreds of people braved the rain on Friday night to see the first 2006 performance of “Tom Dooley”. A full house of 850 people was on hand as the Wilkes Playmakers opened up the new Forest Edge Amphitheater at Fort Hamby. County commissioners, along with state and national lawmakers were also in the crowd as the site was dedicated. Then the audience was treated to a performance by the Kingston Trio before the play started. As for the venue where the play took place, it cost $750,000 to build the Forest Edge Amphitheater, most of which came from grants and private donations.

Nominations Open For Southern Gospel Awards
Voting has started for this year’s Southern Gospel Music Awards. From now until midnight on June 30th, you can nominate candidates in 27 different categories like favorite male singer and also favorite small market radio station. After the deadline on June 30th, the votes will be totaled and the Top Ten Nominees in each category will be announced. If you want to nominate someone, all you have to do is log on to www.thesoutherngospel.com and click on the awards link at the top of the page.

New Plan Would Alert Parents If Sex Offender Moves In
If State Attorney General Roy Cooper has his way, parents of Wilkes County students would be alerted if a sex offender moved next door. As state lawmakers continue to debate what the final budget should look like, Cooper is asking them to set aside some extra money for a new project. He wants to create a new email service, called the NC Sex Offender Watch Program. The alert service would automatically warn people when a sex offender moves within a mile of a certain building, such as their child’s school. Inside each email there would be a photo and description, so people could recognize the offender and also a list of his crimes. If it’s approved, parents could sign up for the project and designate certain areas where they would be alerted if a sex offender moves nearby. Cooper is requesting $300,000 to get the project started in addition to over $500,000 to hire more personnel to help track child predators.

Blood Drive Coming Up Later Today
Each day 1500 pints of blood are needed across North Carolina. With that being the case, not all the supply taken in local drives can go to Wilkes County as there are more immediate needs. To help build the supply back up and lend a hand to other counties, a drive is going on today at the Pilgrim Baptist Church from 2:30-7pm. And just as a reminder, anyone who signs up and donates will be entered into a drawing for a free $1500 Citgo gas card. To call for an appointment, the Red Cross number is 838-4563.

How To Fight Against ID Theft
Over the past month, everyone from war veterans to housewives have been exposed to identity theft. Over one million troops had their information stolen from the Veterans’ Affairs office, while Wachovia customers fell victim to a potential hack of the company’s system. But a new law here in North Carolina could help protect you from being robbed of your information. The Identity Theft Protection Act is a new law that went into effect last December. It will allow you to block access to your credit records, preventing any would be thieves from gaining access and ruining your finances. There is a catch however, as you’re able to do that thanks to a security freeze. While thieves won't be able to use your credit to purchase things, neither can you. Once the freeze is placed on, no company or business can check up on your credit history until its' lifted. If you do want to fill out an application for a credit freeze or just want more information, you can log on to the state Department of Justice website at www.ncdoj.com/idtheft.

Recall Ordered Of Windsuits
This next bit of news potentially affects all families with boys from newborn to age 7. A recall has been ordered for a particular type of child’s windsuit this week. The Reebok company has issued a callback for an estimated 55,000 windsuits, a zip up jacket and pants set sold in Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us and Mervyns stores across the country. The problem comes from the Reebok logo which hangs on the windsuit’s zipper. In several cases it has detached from the zipper and been swallowed by the child, who picks it up and starts chewing on it. Reebok is asking that customers either cut off the rubber logo themselves or return the item for a free replacement suit. For more information you can call 1-800-873-5570 or log on to the Reebok website at www.Reebok.com

Heat Relief Available For Elderly
Summertime can mean problems for the elderly, with rising temperatures leading to sickness and possibly death. With that in mind, the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council is giving away fans this summer to any senior citizen that meets their requirements. In order to get a fan, you must be at least 60 years old, live in Wilkes and be served by Duke Power. In addition, your home situation must present a threat to your life without the fans. Applications are being taken from 8:30am til 5pm at the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council office, located at 228 Fairplains School Road. For more information you can contact them at 651-7811.

3WC Techwatch: Sniffing Out A Good Movie
The next time you’re in a movie theater, you might be able to smell what’s happening on screen, as we explain in today’s 3WC Techwatch. A Japanese company has developed “smellovision”, a new way for movie audiences to interact with the characters. When certain scenes appear on the screen, special machines under the seats release different fragrances. For an emotional scene, you might smell peppermint or for a joyful time you could smell a blend of orange and grapefruit. The idea is being tested out on Japanese audiences this summer and if it proves successful, could be coming to a theater near you by 2007.

Regional News

Taylorsville Wife Charged In Husband’s Death
One month after her husband was murdered, a Taylorsville woman has been charged with the crime. 84-yr-old Fielding Strikeleather was gunned down in the couple’s home May 21st, by what his wife told police was an intruder. She said that a man came to their door, asking for help as his car was out of gas. Her husband went to the basement to get a gas can and minutes later she heard gunshots. However after a monthlong investigation, local officials couldn’t find any evidence to prove that another man had been in the house. Now 57-yr-old Brenda Strikeleather has been charged with her husband’s murder, although Alexander County officials refuse to say what proof led to the arrest.

Three Man Facing Charges In Surry County Assault
Three men in Surry County are in jail today, charged with the vicious assault and hanging of a woman in Mount Airy. The incident happened early last week, as the woman was sexually assaulted by three men, then injected with some unknown substance before being hung from a tree. She was later released and the men ran off. Officials have now charged Mount Airy resident Jerry Gray Worrell, Raymond Max Eddy Jr. of King and Wayne Ray Lawson with the crime. Worrell and Lawson are facing charges of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and felony strangulation. Eddy Jr. meanwhile is only charged with kidnapping. There is still no motive for the crime.

State News

University Official Wants To Help Illegals
If one official at NC State University has his way, in state tuition will be handed out to the children of illegal immigrants. NC State Provost Larry Neilsen spoke out on behalf of the illegals during a conference held last Thursday, saying that we should do everything in our power to help them become educated citizens. Neilsen is calling for a plan to be revived in the General Assembly which would give the children of illegals access to cheaper in state tuition fees and grants if they want to attend college.

Bill Of Rights Coming Back To NC
North Carolina owns the Bill of Rights. That was the decision of a federal appeals judge late last week. At the end of the Civil War, North Carolina’s original copy of the Bill of Rights was stolen and had found its’ way into the hands of a Connecticut businessman, who put its’ price tag at $30 million. That soon became moot as federal officials raided the man’s office and seized the document back in 2003. Now the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has supported that seizure, saying that North Carolina holds the rightful possession of the document. The businessman’s attorneys are saying that their client plans to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Davie County Deputy Fired
One Davie County sheriff’s deputy has been fired after being placed in the center of a state investigation. Detective Robert Trotter was suspended a month ago for what officials are calling “alleged criminal conduct”. Now the 16-yr vet of the sheriff’s department has been fired, despite no criminal charges being filed. No one is willing to say what exactly Trotter had been accused of doing.

Sports Headlines

College World Series
In college baseball last night, the Carolina Tarheels fell just short in their bid to become national champs. They lost in Game Two of the College World Series Finals to Oregon State 11-7. The Beavers of Oregon State blew up against Tarheel pitching, exploding for 7 runs in the fourth inning alone. The third and final game will go on tonight.

State To Lose Football Player
The NC State football team will be one player short when it starts playing later this summer. Quarterback Mike Greco announced last Thursday that he’s transferring out of the program. The 6’3 ft. 220 lb. Greco was a freshman redshirt last season and now finds himself behind both junior starter Marcus Stone and fellow sophomore Daniel Evans, while also competing for time with incoming freshman Justin Burke. That isn’t to say that Greco doesn’t have talent, as this spring during practice he tossed a 60-yd touchdown and also showed some speed, rushing for another 60-yd score. That athleticism had State officials considering a change of positions for the sophomore, who says that he wants to play quarterback. To do that, he’s enrolled at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi and will play with their football team the Wildcats while sorting out his options.

Duke Recovering From Injuries In college basketball, one of the ACC’s top programs should be back up to full strength by the time the season rolls around. Duke point guard Greg Paulus is almost fully healed from wrist surgery, according to team officials. The rising sophomore is expected to be 100% by August and should be able to play the full season without any complications. Also fellow sophomore David McClure is recovering from his knee surgery and is expected to be ready for the season opener.

Bobcats Narrow Down Choices
The Charlotte Bobcats are still trying to decide who will be their picks in this week’s draft. Last week, several candidates were brought in, including two ACC stars and one player from Charlotte. Wake Forest graduate Trent Strickland, Maryland’s Nik Caner-Medley, UNC Charlotte grad Curtis Withers and Georgetown’s Brandon Bowman were all brought in for a workout. Withers, a 6’8 ft. forward with a talent for rebounding, impressed team officials to the point they told him if he doesn’t get drafted, there’s a spot waiting on Charlotte’s summer league team.

Hurricane Forward Receives Award
A few days after winning the Stanley Cup, one Carolina Hurricane isn’t done picking up awards. As the NHL handed out its’ offseason awards last week, Carolina forward Rod Brind’Amour received the Selke Trophy, given out to the league’s best defensive forward. He landed over 50% of the vote, picking up 80 of the 129 possible votes. Shortly after Brind’Amour got more good news, as he signed a new five year deal which will keep him in Carolina until he’s 40 years old.

NASCAR Results
On the NASCAR circuit, it was Jeff Gordon picking up the checkered flag in the Dodge/Save Mart 350. Ryan Newman came in second and Terry Labonte rounded out the top three.