2.27.2009

Friday, February 27, 2009

President Obama will make a stop in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune around noon today. www.wxii12.com/politics/18796832/detail.html

A Silver Alert has been issued for Barbara B. Lewis of Greensboro who suffers from dementia. Lewis had made dinner plans yesterday but never showed up. Lewis could be driving her green Chevy S-10 truck (NC plate # PYZ-4229) www.nccrimecontrol.org/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000005,000081,001683&mpa=1175

Auction in the Fellowship Hall at Home Moravian Church in Old Salem at 10am this Saturday morning. Items found in the attic will be sold to raise money for the church.
www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/27/no-ordinary-sale-curious-collection-of-objects-fou/

A copy of the original "Superman and Friends" comic book is going on the auction block today. Collectors expect the comic book to go for $400,000.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/books/02/26/comic.book.auction/index.html

In an effort to save money on salaries and benefits, the city of Winston-Salem is offering some employees a $20,000 cash incentive to retire by Aug. 31. The one-time payment is available only to employees who are eligible for full retirement benefits. Eligible employees have until April 17 to apply.
www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/27/270150/city-offers-lure-to-leave/news/

THE BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION IS LAYING-OFF 55 EMPLOYEES…OR ABOUT 10% OF ITS WORKFORCE.The ministry telling the Charlotte Observer that contributions have been down and lower returns on endowment funds have forced the layoffs.

A happy ending for one missing 2 year old girl in Clemmons yesterday. 2-year-old Athena Hyatt wandered away from her grandmother’s house in Clemmons around 5:30 p.m. yesterday. The girl was found next door playing in her neighbor's cat litter box. Police said Athena had crawled into a doggy door. www.wxii12.com/news/18805431/detail.html

Some lawmakers in Raleigh have introduced Senate Bill 272 “Defense of Marriage” that would let NC voters decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Forty-one states have laws defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. Thirty states have already passed constitutional amendments on traditional marriage. www.wral.com/news/local/story/4604539/

Officials in Raleigh may cut some $900,000 dollars that the state contributes to promoting the High Point Furniture Market. In all, North Carolina taxpayers spent more than $2.5 million to support the market last year. One UNC Greensboro economic researcher estimated the market has a $1 billion impact. http://www.wxii12.com/money/18804644/detail.html

MICHAEL W. SMITH AND STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN ARE BACK ON THE ROAD TOGETHER. Smitty and Steven kick off the spring leg of their "United Tour" on March 28th, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Dove nominations have been announced: Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, TobyMac and Chris Tomlin have been nominated for Artist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association. Chris Tomlin receiving 7 Dove nominations. Natalie Grant and newcomer Francesca Battistelli each receiving 5 Dove nominations. www.doveawards.com/doveawards/

Start voting TODAY for ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘New Artist of the Year’. This is the first year that fans can take part in voting in these two categories. The 40th annual GMA Dove Awards happens April 23rd.
Check out www.wbfj.fm for a voting link.

2.26.2009

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Some lawmakers in Raleigh have introduced Senate Bill 272 “Defense of Marriage” that would let NC voters decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Forty-one state have laws defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. Thirty states have already passed constitutional amendments on traditional marriage. Voters in California voted in November to overturn a court ruling that allowed same sex marriage.Only Massachusetts and Connecticut allow same sex marriage, while Vermont, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions. www.wral.com/news/local/story/4604539/
How would you vote? www.wral.com/news/local/poll/4604514/?show_poll=1

A survey saying that one-in-four Americans have put off needed health care in the past year because of cost. In all, 53% of Americans in a recent ‘Kaiser Family Foundation poll’ finding that they or a family member living with them cut back on health care in one or more ways to save money in the past 12 months. Most commonly, people relied on home remedies or over-the-counter drugs instead of seeing a doctor. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090226/D96J8FQO0.html

Greensboro will be the host of the US Figure Skating Championships in 2011. More than 4,000 skaters, coaches, trainers, media members and fans are expected to come to Greensboro for the eight-day spectacle…bringing in an estimated $30 million boost to the local economy. http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/24/article/2011_us_skating_championships_are_greensboro_s

President Obama will make a stop in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune on Friday. Officials saying that the President will stress that all US combat troops leave Iraq by August 2010. http://www.wxii12.com/politics/18796832/detail.html

The State Department has released its annual report on Human Rights Conditions around the world. Countries in question include: China, Russia, Burma, North Korea, Iran, Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-26-voa15.cfm

General Motors reporting huge losses for the fourth quarter of 2008…posting a loss of $9.6 billion dollars. For 2008, General Motors reporting a $30 billion dollar loss. So far, General Motors and Chrysler have received nearly $17 billion dollars in federal bailout money.

A 20-year improvement plan implemented by the City leaders in Pilot Mountain doesn't include mobile homes, and that isn't sitting well with some homeowners who say they will have to buy a house or move out of town. The new regulations allow for existing mobile homes to remain
(even repaired and fixed) but they can not be replaced with a new model.
www.wxii12.com/news/18795229/detail.html

Former Governor Mike Easley will work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as a paid consultant, promoting his ‘Learn and Earn’ High School program across the country.

Sports: Tiger Woods winning his first tournament in 8 months. Tiger had surgery on his left knee last June.

ACC Basketball last night: Duke over Maryland…78 – 67
Tonight: NC State @ Wake Forest (8pm at the Joel)
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

2.25.2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Job Expo 2009 is happening today from 10 – 4pm TODAY at Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro. Employment recruiters and trainers from The HR Group will provide FREE resume assistance. The job fair is presented by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Greensboro JobLink Career Center, Triad Careers and the N.C. Employment Security Commission. www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/25/article/job_expo_to_be_held_in_greensboro

Teachers Needed: Wycliffe Associates is in need of teachers and support staff for a school in Kathmandu, Nepal. Beginning in August (2009), there are six key positions that need to be filled: Teachers (Grades K-6), Secondary principal, Primary music teacher, PE teacher and Hostel parents. Wycliffe Associates was founded in 1967 to support and encourage Bible translators around the world. www.wycliffeassociates.org/news/articledetail.asp?ID=385
1-800-THE WORD (800-843-9673)
web@wycliffeassociates.org

Greensboro Coliseum officials have scheduled a news conference for noon today to make “a major announcement.” Sources saying that Greensboro has landed a big one: The city will host the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/24/article/2011_us_skating_championships_are_greensboro_s

A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle announcing his resignation on Tuesday citing family and personal reasons. Battle’s last day will be June 30.
www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/24/article/at_surprised_by_battle_s_departure

President Obama going prime-time with his State of the Union Address last night. The President painting a ‘grim’ portrait of the US economy…saying that the $787 billion dollar stimulus plan he signed last week was a first step toward recovery. The other steps he referred to were investments in areas such as education, healthcare, energy independence, and technology.

LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL PROVIDING THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ADDRESS LAST NIGHT saying that Republican politicians want to partner with President Obama and other Democrats to resolve the nation's economic crisis. BUT, fellow Republicans have a responsibility to be candid and offer better ideas for a path forward.

A Turkish Airlines plane from Istanbul to Amsterdam crashed upon landing earlier this morning in Amsterdam. Dutch airport authorities report at least nine dead and 50 injured. The plane was carrying 127 passenger and seven crew members. Reports from the scene indicate that the plane broke into three sections after it crashed. www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/25/turkish.plane.amsterdam/index.html

The recession is actually causing some airlines to drop their airfares. AirTran Airways is reducing airfares to all its destinations for flights through the middle of Fall. American, Continental and JetBlue saying that they will match the airfare cuts on routes where they compete with AirTran. www.airtran.com/Home.aspx www.wxii12.com/travelgetaways/18785346/detail.html

Faced with mounting unpaid lunch charges in the economic downturn, Albuquerque Public Schools last month instituted a "cheese sandwich policy," serving the alternative meals to children whose parents fail to pick up their lunch tab. Unpaid lunches jumped to $130,000 at the end of the 2007-08 school year. The first 5 months of this school year…$140,000.
www.myfox8.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-cheese-sandwich-flap,0,5897580.story

The recession is actually causing some airlines to drop their airfares. Discount carrier AirTran Airways has launched a ‘fare sale’ to all its destinations for flights through the middle of fall. Many other airlines are following suit. American, Continental and JetBlue saying that they will match the airfare cuts on routes where they compete with AirTran. www.wxii12.com/travelgetaways/18785346/detail.html

Sports: ACC Basketball tonight: Virginia Tech @ Clemson…Duke @ Maryland
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

2.24.2009

Fat Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Today is FAT TUESDAY

Join the WBFJ Morning Show TODAY for lunch and-or supper during the
"Celebrity Serve for Wishes." The event is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western NC.
Lunch: (Darren + Tami) Beef O’Bradys (Robinhood Road in WS)
Supper: (Verne + Tami) River Birch Lodge (Robinhood Road in WS)
For more details online @ http://www.wbfj.fm/

Today is National Pancake Day at IHOP
Get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at participating I-HOP Restaurants today (til 10pm). In return for the ‘Free’ pancakes, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/
Local IHOP Locator : http://ihop.know-where.com/ihop/cgi/selection?mapid=US&place=Winston-Salem&region=NC%2CUS

The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Triad Job Fair from 1-5:30pm (TODAY) at First Christian Church in Kernersville. 25 employers will be on hand. You can also attend seminars focusing on resume writing and interviewing. A seminar on finances will also be taught in Spanish. The Triad Job Fair is FREE and open to the public. Details: 993-4521
http://www.fcc-kville.org/

President Obama will address the nation tonight at 9pm. The President will outline his domestic and foreign policies.

The Dow Jones Industrial average and the S + P 500 both closing at 12 year lows on Monday. The NASDAQ also closed in negative territory.

North Korea is preparing to launch a communications satellite...adding to the speculation that North Korea may actually be preparing to test-fire a long-range missile. During her trip to Seoul last week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned North Korea not to engage in what she called "provocative" behavior.

More than 500 people have been arrested and 48 juveniles taken into protective custody in a 29-city ‘crackdown ’ at combating child prostitution. The four dozen juveniles were recovered in the third phase of Operation Cross Country, an initiative that seeks to help child prostitutes and crack down on people who control them and patronize them. Many were young runaways. www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/23/child.prostitutes/index.html

MARY MARY (‘Shackles’) IS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY. The sister duo will be among of several acts performing in honor of Stevie Wonder, as he receives a Library of Congress Award. Tina Campbell says she and her sister, Erica, are excited about the path on which God has them and they plan on using, quote, "every open door to introduce others to His goodness and love."Mary Mary has been nominated for four Dove Awards.And the sisters just won a Grammy Award and an NAACP Image Award.Their new album is titled "The Sound".

Start voting on FRIDAY: The Gospel Music Association is opening up voting for ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘New Artist of the Year’. The cumulative fan vote will account for one-third of the total votes in these two categories. The 40th annual GMA Dove Awards happens April 23rd. Voting begins on February 26th at http://www.wbfj.fm/

Check out Tobymac’s new video for “Lose My Soul” on Amazon .com.
The video features Tobymac, Kirk Franklin and Mandisa. Scroll down and look for the video:
www.amazon.com/Portable-Sounds-Tobymac/dp/B000MGUZRU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1234905087&sr=8-1

Teachers needed: The Kathmandu International Study Center (a K-12 school) in Kathmandu (the capital of Nepal) is in need of teachers. Beginning in August 2009, there are six key positions that need to be filled:
Teacher-Lower elementary (grades K,1,2)
Teacher-Upper primary (grades 3,4,5,6)
Secondary principal
Primary music teacher
Physical education teacher
Hostel parents
FYI: Wycliffe Associates was founded in 1967 to support and encourage
Bible translators around the world
www.wycliffeassociates.org/news/articledetail.asp?ID=385
Simply reply to web@wycliffeassociates.org
1-800-THE WORD (800-843-9673)

2.23.2009

Monday, February 23, 2009

Join the WBFJ Morning Show (Darren, Tami and Verne) tomorrow (Feb 24) for lunch and-or supper during the "Second Annual Celebrity Serve for Wishes."
The event is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western NC. ALL money raised will stay right here in North Carolina to help make ‘wishes’ come true for kids with life-threatening illnesses.
Lunch: (Darren + Tami) Beef O’Bradys on Robinhood Road in WS
Supper: (Verne + Tami) River Birch Lodge on Robinhood Road in WS

Participating restaurants will donate at least 10% of the daily sales to Make-A-Wish.
Tips earned by the Celebrity Personalities will be donated to Make-A-Wish.
www.ncwish.org/make_a_wishfoundationofcentral_westernnorthcarolina_celebrityserve.html
Toll FREE in NC: 1-877-677-WISH (9474)

Dove nominations have been announced. Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, TobyMac and Chris Tomlin have been nominated for Artist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association. Chris Tomlin receiving 7 Dove nominations. Natalie Grant and newcomer Francesca Battistelli each receiving 5 Dove nominations. The 40th annual GMA Dove Awards happens April 23rd. See the list: www.doveawards.com/doveawards/

For the first time you can vote for Dove ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘New Artist of the Year’. The cumulative fan vote will account for one-third of the total votes in these two categories. Voting begins on February 26th. Details online at http://www.wbfj.fm/

The rags-to-riches drama "Slumdog Millionaire" captured eight Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director at the 81st annual Academy Awards in Hollywood last night. "WALL-E" winning for ‘Best Animated Feature’. ‘Best Supporting Actor’ nods going to the late Heath Ledger for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." Heath Ledger's Oscar was accepted on his behalf by his father, Kim Ledger; mother, Sally Bell, and sister, Kate Ledger, who flew in from the actor's native Australia for the ceremony.

NASA HAS INDEFINITELY POSTPONED THE LAUNCH OF SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY. Engineers are still trying to determine why a fuel control valve was damaged during Endeavour's mission last November.

THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY WILL BE THE FOCUS OF A MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MANY OF THE NATION'S GOVERNORS TODAY. The president will hear from governors who support and governors who dislike his recently enacted 787 billion dollar economic stimulus package. A handful of Republican governors are expected to refuse at least some of the federal stimulus money that’s been set aside for their state.

SUV Driving 80 MPH Crashes Into Greensboro Home
www.wxii12.com/news/18771836/detail.html

The Guilford County school system will hold a "Kickoff to Kindergarten Parent Day" at the Greensboro Children's Museum today. The free event will run from 11am to 1pm and 5 to 7pm (today). Guilford County Schools will start kindergarten registration on March 2. www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/18/article/kindergarten_registration_starts_march_2
To find a child's assigned school: GCS Locator link: Call 370-8303 www.gcsnc.com/locator0809/streetsearch.aspx


Sports: ACC Basketball: Duke over Wake Forest…101 – 91
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

NASCAR: 2 in a row…Matt Kenseth winning the Auto Club 500 in Fontana.

2.20.2009

Join the Morning Show this Tuesday

If you could have one wish…what would it be?
The WBFJ Morning Show (Darren, Tami and Verne) will be 'at your service' this ‘Fat Tuesday’ (February 24, 2009)
"Second Annual Celebrity Serve for Wishes"
The event is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western NC
ALL money raised will stay right here in North Carolina to help make ‘wishes’ come true.
Making wishes come true for children (ages 2 - 18) with life-threatening illnesses.

Lunch: Beef O’Bradys on Robinhood Road in WS (Darren + Tami)
Supper: River Birch Lodge on Robinhood Road in WS (Verne + Tami)

Restaurants are asked to donate at least 10% of the daily sales to the Celebrity Serve for Wishes event. Tips earned by the Celebrities/Personalities will be donated to Make-A-Wish.

Toll FREE in NC: 1-877-677-WISH (9474)
www.ncwish.org/make_a_wishfoundationofcentral_westernnorthcarolina_celebrityserve.html
Current Amber alerts / Silver Alerts in North Carolina
www.nccrimecontrol.org/?CFID=530706&CFTOKEN=49901492

Friday, February 20, 2009

The New York Post has issued an apology…a day after publishing a cartoon appearing to compare the President to a chimpanzee in a commentary on his recently approved economic stimulus package. Wednesday's Page Six cartoon -- caricaturing Monday's police shooting of a chimpanzee in Connecticut -- has created considerable controversy. To view the cartoon: www.nypost.com/delonas/delonas.htm
More on the story: www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/19/chimp.cartoon.apology/index.html

US ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYS THE United States IS ESSENTIALLY A ‘NATION OF COWARDS’ WHEN IT COMES TO DISCUSSING MATTERS OF RACE. Holder is the nation's first African-American Attorney General. He made his controversial remarks at a Justice Department Black History Month event on Wednesday.

Former President Bill Clinton giving former President George W. Bush a harsh review on the economy…saying that Bush could have prevented 90% of the nation’s current financial mess. Clinton blaming Republicans for the current fiscal crisis for not moving sooner to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/President44/story?id=6916695&page=1

As a former Virginia state trooper Charles Carrico learned the value of prayer and turned to it many times. Carrico now represents Grayson County, Virginia as a member of the House of Delegates. Carrico decided to act after chaplains in the Virginia State Police were ordered last summer to give only ‘generic prayers’ at public functions, a ruling that several interpreted as a ban on uttering "Jesus." "As a Christian, I must pray to Jesus Christ," Carrico said. Rather than comply, six of the agency's 17 chaplains resigned. Carrico authored a Bill which would guarantee that state-police chaplains can pray as they wish. Carrico's bill passed in the House but faces a critical Senate committee vote later today.
www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/20/police-chaplain-prayer-at-issue-in-virginia/

IN PAKISTAN, AN APPARENT BOMB BLAST HAS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF AT LEAST 21 PEOPLE IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION. Another 57 people were wounded.

NASA MANAGERS ARE MEETING TODAY TO DETERMINE IF IT'S SAFE TO SCHEDULE A LAUNCH OF SHUTTLE DISCOVERY NEXT FRIDAY. A problem with a fuel control valve has already delayed the launch of Discovery two other times.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been chosen to form Israel's next government.

Guilford County Schools will start kindergarten registration on March 2. On Monday, the Guilford County school system will hold a "Kickoff to Kindergarten Parent Day" at the Greensboro Children's Museum. The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday. Resources available for parents about the school district and community.
www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/18/article/kindergarten_registration_starts_march_2
To find a child's assigned school…Call 370-8303 or go online:
GCS Locator link:
http://www.gcsnc.com/locator0809/streetsearch.aspx

Principal of Mount Tabor High School Martha Land announced her retirement yesterday. "There is a point in your life where you want to close a chapter and start a new one," Land said. "I am at that point in life." Land will retire on July 1st after working in the Winston-Salem /Forsyth County Schools for nearly 38 years.
www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/19/190010/long-time-principal-will-retire/

GMAC, the financing company of auto maker General Motors, is considering moving its headquarters from Detroit to Charlotte. The CEO of GMAC (Alvaro de Molina) joined GMAC back in 2007 after 17 years with Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. www.wxii12.com/news/18757054/detail.html


Give me your money...you can keep the cookies? Two little girls and their troop leader were robbed outside a Walgreens in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday night. The 9-year-olds had set up their cookies for sell at the local Walgreens. They were packing up…when a man walked up to their table and snatched their bag of money and ran off. Read more: http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Girl-Scouts-robbed-as-they-sell-cookies-outside/qqnmg6g66E-A34NOkFWAFQ.cspx

Grandparents listen up: The Glade Street YWCA in Winston-Salem has a sweetheart of an offer. Free Saturday afternoon swimming during the month of February for grandparents and their grandkids between 2:30 – 4:30. -The FREE Swimming happens between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. for grandparents and their grandchildren (ages 15 and under). No membership is required, and no strings attached. All you need is a swimsuit, a towel and a desire to have some serious fun. Reservations are not required. For more information call 722-5138.
www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/04/article/uncg_s_coliseum_deal_is_a_big_risk

Sports: ACC Basketball:
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html
Duke over St Johns…76 – 69
ASU over UNCG…70 – 69

ACC Basketball this weekend:
Saturday: Virginia @ NC State…UNC a@ Maryland
Sunday evening: Wake Forest @ Duke

2.19.2009

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Lake Wind Advisory remains in effect through this afternoon for Davie and Rowan counties

On Wednesday, President Obama unveiled a $75 billion dollar plan to help some 9 million homeowners restructure or refinance their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. Under current rules, refinancing is not an option for most homeowners who owe more than 80 percent of the value of their homes. www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/02/16/daily33.html?ana=from_rss

Job Alert for the Triad: ASCO Power Technologies will expand its operations in Welcome, adding 328 jobs over five years. ASCO makes emergency and standby power transfer equipment. The new jobs will pay an average of just under $44,000 per year (not including benefits).
www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/02/16/daily42.html?ana=from_rss

Guilford County Schools will start kindergarten registration on March 2. In a recent change in state law, incoming kindergarten students must turn 5 by Aug. 31. Previously, students had to turn 5 by Oct. 15. On Monday (February 23), the Guilford County school system will hold a "Kickoff to Kindergarten Parent Day" at the Greensboro Children's Museum. The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday.
To find a child's assigned school…Call 370-8303
GCS Locator link: www.gcsnc.com/locator0809/streetsearch.aspx
www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/18/article/kindergarten_registration_starts_march_2

Principal of Mount Tabor High School Martha Land announced her retirement yesterday. "There is a point in your life where you want to close a chapter and start a new one," Land said. "I am at that point in life." Land will retire on July 1st after working in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for nearly 38 years.
www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/19/190010/long-time-principal-will-retire/

About face for Facebook? Facebook Inc has gone back to its old rules on user content after a change made weeks ago. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday night in a post on the company's Web site that Facebook would work on having new terms in place within a few weeks but decided that going back to the previous conditions was best for now.
www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/02/16/daily36.html?ana=from_rss

The new IKEA store in Charlotte is now open to the public. The doors opened just before 9 am yesterday morning with the first 100 customers in line receiving Po-ng armchair that sells for $149. The only problem with the Grand Opening in Charlotte was the traffic backups. www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9866393&nav=0RaPQQYc
www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1407395.html
WHAT IS IKEA? Ikea is a Swedish furniture and home-furnishings retailer founded in 1943. It has almost 300 stores worldwide, plus a catalog business.
WHY THE FANATICISM? Ikea fans like the clean, contemporary look and the budget-friendly prices. For example, some of the company's popular Ektorp sofas are priced at $399. And a five-piece cookware set is $9.99. Check out the store: www.ikea.com/us/en/

Sports: ACC Basketball:
Carolina over State…89 – 80
Wake Forest over Georgia Tech…87 – 69
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

2.18.2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

IN HIS FIRST MAJOR MILITARY MOVE, PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ORDERED THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN. The President saying that "the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action." There are currently about 38 thousand U.S. troops and 19 thousand international troops in Afghanistan.

Police in Winston-Salem are warning people to lock their cars. 70 cars have been broken into over the past week in Winston-Salem. Police say the break-ins happened in the Robbins Brook, Vernon Farms, and Bedford Park developments… off Kernersville Road in the southeastern part of the city.

The family of the pilot of Continental flight 34-07 want people to know that their Christian faith is sustaining them. The pilot of the plane that crashed outside of Buffalo, New York last Thursday attended a Southern Baptist church near Tampa, Florida. The crash of Flight 3407 claimed the lives of all 49 people on board the plane and one person on the ground.

THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW CONCEALED WEAPONS TO BE CARRIED INSIDE OF CHURCHES. The measure now goes to the state Senate. Associated Baptist Press reports the bill's sponsor introduced the measure in response to a series of church shootings across the country.

AUTHORITIES IN CHINA HAVE ARRESTED MORE THAN 60 HOUSE CHURCH LEADERS. In addition to the dozens of Chinese house church leaders who were detained, two South Korean pastors were also taken into custody.

The English band Delirious is donating proceeds from the sale of their 2008 CD ‘Kingdom of Comfort’, to help open a medical clinic in Mumbai, India. Delirious front-man Martin Smith says the medical center will house victims of prostitution and their children…teaching residents a trade and provide academic opportunities, among other benefits.

G-M AND CHRYSLER ARE ASKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR NEARLY $22 BILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL LOANS. The two auto giants have already received more than $17 billion dollars in federal ‘bail-out’ money.

THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE TOWARD PAKISTAN'S DEAL WITH THE TALIBAN TO ALLOW ISLAMIC SHARIA LAW IN THE NATION'S BORDER REGION WITH AFGHANISTAN. Many observers fear the deal could lead to the oppressive type of Taliban rule that was seen in Afghanistan before coalition forces invaded the country.

Steven Curtis Chapman says that the Chapman family is beginning to, quote "feel some healing take place”…some nine months after the death of their adopted daughter Maria Sue. Steven and his 18-year old son Will speaking with People Magazine at the Grammy Awards. Will was behind the wheel of the family SUV that accidentally struck Maria Sue last May. Steven says he's now able to look at pictures and watch video of Maria Sue. “I really do believe we're proving out everything we believe and God's healing our hearts." Despite the tragedy, Steven says his family has managed happy moments in the last year as well, including celebrating daughter Emily's marriage in October and planning for eldest son Caleb's upcoming wedding.

The Davidson County Health Department is offering free radon test kits to the public for a limited time. The kits enable homeowners to test their homes for elevated levels of Radon gas, which is tasteless, odorless and invisible to the naked eye. Details: (336) 242-2310.
www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-free-radon-kits-090216,0,585040.story

‘Bee School 2009’ hosted by the Forsyth County Beekeepers Association starts this Saturday, February 21and runs through April. Location: Forsyth County Agricultural Building in Winston-Salem. Time: 9 -11:30am School dates: February 21, 28; March 14, 28; April 4, 11 (Test Day: April 11) Contact: Christopher Petree http://forsythbeekeepers.org/bee-school/

2.17.2009

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
"Speak up for the unspeakable...defend the rights of the poor and needy."

WBFJ "Days of Compassion" Pray about sponsoring a child through Compassion International Call now: (336) 777-1893 www.wbfj.fm

A pedestrian out walking their dog was struck by a van and killed early this morning in Winston-Salem. The incident happened on Buchannan Street just after midnight.

An 85-year-old elementary school crossing guard at Draper Elementary School in Eden was hit and killed yesterday morning while he was directing traffic. Bennie Eanes had worked as a crossing guard off and on for about 15 years. http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-school-crossing-guard-090216,0,4324447.story

The director of The Children's Home saying that coyotes are a major problem on their campus. George Bryan Jr literally took a mounted coyote to the city council meeting last night. The coyote was caught on the campus of The Children's Home last year. "We've caught three so far this year." Seems like the coyote problem in Winston-Salem started around five years ago.
-City council members say they are aware of the coyote issue, but the animal control department barely has enough money to handle cats and dogs.
www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=119350

The Davidson County Health Department is offering free radon test kits to the public for a limited time. The kits enable homeowners to test their homes for elevated levels of the gas, which is tasteless, odorless and invisible to the naked eye.
www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-free-radon-kits-090216,0,585040.story
More details: Call (336) 242-2310.

Two Triad TV stations will make the switch from analog to digital today…WXLV (ABC - 45) and WMYV (MyNetwork - 48) will go digital on Tuesday. The switch to digital will not affect you if you have cable or satellite. Across North Carolina, 13 of the 50 TV stations will make the switch on Tuesday. The new transition to digital date is June 12th. (Greensboro News n Record)

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS SET TO SIGN THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND RE-INVESTMENT ACT INTO LAW TODAY. The president will be in Denver to sign the $787-billion dollar economic stimulus package into law.

General Motors and Chrysler must submit restructuring plans to Congress today before they can get another $7 billion in Bailout money.Instead of a ‘car czar’, the Obama administration has set up a task force to oversee the restructuring.

CREWS HAVE REMOVED ABOUT HALF OF THE WRECKAGE FROM THE DEADLY CRASH SITE OF CONTINENTAL FLIGHT 3407. The NTSB says it hopes to have everything cleared from the site by tomorrow. A snow storm is expected in the area.

A winter storm blanketed parts of California with heavy rain and snow on Monday…forcing the closure of a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in both directions in the mountains north of Los Angeles. Heavy flooding forcing the cancellation of the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090217/D96D0TK00.html

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER WILL BEGIN SENDING LAYOFF WARNINGS TO NEARLY 20,000 STATE WORKERS TODAY. He says the move is necessary because the state legislature has failed to approve a budget.

2.16.2009

RECALL: Specific 'peanut' products at Food Lion
An alert regarding additional peanut products recalled today by National Raisin, one of Food Lion's suppliers. www.foodlion.com/recalls

FYI: Peanut butter sold in jars at our stores is not affected.

Information regarding ongoing recalls:
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html .

Monday, February 16, 2009

WBFJ / Presidents' Day Forecast: Mix of sun and clouds. Breezy…High 43

President Obama deciding that it will take more than one "car czar" to help get the embattled American auto industry back on track. A presidential task force will direct the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler. www.wxii12.com/automotive/18722482/detail.html

The FAA saying that the plane that crashed into a house near Buffalo, killing 50 people, was on autopilot when it went down. Pilots on the Continental Connection flight discussed "significant" ice buildup on their wings and windshield just before crashing Thursday night.
www.wxii12.com/news/18719945/detail.html

ELECTION OFFICIALS IN VENEZUELA SAY PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ HAS WON A REFERENDUM ON LIFTING TERM LIMITS. The victory means that Chavez will now be able to stay in office as long as he continues to win elections.

Nuclear-armed submarines from Britain and France collided deep under the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, causing damage to both vessels but releasing no radioactivity. The incident was first reported by a British newspaper yesterday. No members of the crew were injured. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090216/D96CL4F80.html

HILLARY CLINTON ARRIVES IN JAPAN TODAY ON HER FIRST OVERSEAS TRIP AS SECRETARY OF STATE. Japan is the first stop on a four-nation tour of Asia.

Do you live in an empty neighborhood? According to Forbes magazine, there are lots of empty neighborhoods in Greensboro. With so many homes and apartments standing vacant, Greensboro now the fourth emptiest city in America. Making fourth on the list is bad news for sellers, but great news for those trying to buy a home. www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=119291

Two Triad TV stations will make the switch to digital this week. WXLV (ABC - 45) and WMYV (MyNetwork - 48) will go digital on Tuesday. The switch to digital will not affect you if you have cable or satellite. Across North Carolina, 13 of the 50 TV stations will make the switch on Tuesday. The new transition to digital date is June 12th.
(Greensboro News n Record)

African honey bees, or "killer bees," were recently discovered for the first time in Utah’s in Washington and Kane counties. Seven hives — three in the wild and four managed by private beekeepers — contained Africanized bees. http://www.myfox8.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-africanized-bees,0,5608924.story

You can learn more about regular honey bees at the upcoming ‘Bee School’ hosted by the Forsyth County Beekeepers Association. The Bee School starts this Saturday, February 21and runs through April. Location: Forsyth County Agricultural Building in Winston-Salem. Times: 9 -11:30am School dates: February 21, 28; March 14, 28; April 4, 11 (Test Day: April 11) Contact: Christopher Petree http://forsythbeekeepers.org/bee-school/
www.forsythbeekeepers.com

OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED A LARGE FIREBALL IN THE TEXAS SKY ON SUNDAY MORNING. It was seen by people across Texas with some people in the eastern part of Texas also reported a sonic boom. The Joint Space Operations Center doesn't believe that the fireball was from any of the 18,000 man-made objects it monitors.

The pro-marriage movie ‘FIREPROOF’ won the ‘Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie of 2008’. Other family-friendly movies winning awards included "Wall-E", "Ironman", and "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed".The Epiphany Awards gala was sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation and presented by Movieguide founder Ted Baehr last week.
The complete list on the News Blog: www.movieguide.org

Sports: ACC Basketball:
-A 3-pointer lifting UNC over Miami…69 – 65
-Boston College shocking Duke…80 - 74
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

Matt Kenseth taking the checkered flag at the Daytona 500. The race was called at lap 152 (out of 200 laps) because of rain.

Former Wake Forest basketball standout Chris Paul has a big game as the West routs the East in the NBA All Star game on Sunday.

2.13.2009

Friday, February 13, 2009

No survivors in the crash of Continental Flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York last night. All 48 people on board the plane, as well as one person on the ground were killed. The plane was on its way from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. An investigation is underway.

Investigators with the NTSB have confirmed that Canada geese got into both engines of US Airways Flight 1549 and forced the plane to make an emergency landing into the Hudson River last month. www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/12/hudson.plane.geese/index.html

College tuition will likely go up for in-state undergraduate students at public universities. The UNC system Board of Governors will likely raise tuition and fees by 3.9%. www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/534218.html

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board being told that more than 1,200 jobs may have to be cut. School superintendent Peter Gorman telling the board that the system faces a shortage of $85 million to $100 million dollars.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/13/article/largest_nc_school_system_may_cut_1200_jobs

Two Triad TV stations will make the switch to digital next week. WXLV (ABC - 45) and WMYV (MyNetwork - 48) will go digital next Tuesday. The switch to digital will not affect you if you have cable or satellite. Across North Carolina, 13 of the 50 TV stations will make the switch next week. The rest will wait to the extended transition date of June 12th.
(Greensboro News n Record)

Top-40 radio station WKZL-FM has stopped playing music by singer Chris Brown, after he was arrested on an alleged domestic dispute over the weekend. "We understand that Mr. Brown has not been found guilty of any crime, yet we feel it is our duty to respect the wishes of our listeners," Bruce Wheeler. www.wxii12.com/entertainment/18701058/detail.html

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has sent its Rapid Response Team to assist victims of the Australian wildfires. The fires in the state of Victoria have claimed nearly 200 lives.

So, have you ever wanted to go ‘back stage’ with the members of Third Day? A new documentary titled "Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage and Backstage” gives a candid look at Mack Powell and the guys of Third Day. The 75 minute documentary set to be released on April 7th. www.thirdday.com

Vaccines aren't to blame for autism. A special federal court who decided the case expressed sympathy for the families, some of whom have made emotional pleas describing their children's conditions, but the rulings were blunt: There's little if any evidence to support claims of a vaccine-autism link. www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/12/health/main4796512.shtml

Another member of the secular metal band Korn says that he has accepted Christ. According to an upcoming autobiography, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu came to faith in Christ following the death of his father from a mysterious illness. It was the dying wish of his father that ‘Fieldy” would come to faith in Christ. Fieldy's dad was a born again Christian. It was about five years ago that Korn's lead guitarist, Brian Welch, accepted Christ. Reginald Arvizu's forthcoming book "Got the Life: My Journey of Addiction, Faith, Recovery, and Korn" is set to be released on March 10th.

Saturday is Valentine's Day. Have a heart for soldiers and give them a gift to connect with their loved ones. Liberty Tax Service and Cricket in Asheboro are collecting Used Cell Phones for Soldiers this Saturday from 11:30 to 2:30pm at the Liberty Tax location on Dixie Drive in Asheboro. Their goal is 100 phones.

Grandparents listen up: The Glade Street YWCA in Winston-Salem has a sweetheart of an offer. Free Saturday afternoon swimming during the month of February for grandparents and their grandkids between 2:30 – 4:30. The FREE Swimming happens between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. All you need is a swimsuit, a towel and a desire to have some serious fun. Reservations are not required. For more information call 722-5138.

Sports: ACC Basketball: Saturday, Feb 14 Florida State @ Wake Forest…NC State @ Georgia Tech Sunday, Feb 15 Duke @ Boston College…North Carolina @ Miami 7:45 PMwww.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

Daytona 500 this Sunday afternoon on Fox.
Front row at Daytona: Martin Truex Jr. (poll) and Mark Martin
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/02/08/nascar.daytona.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories

2.12.2009

Thursday, Febrary 12, 2009

Wind advisory for the Triad
High Wind Warning until midnight for the Foothills and N. Mtns
Red Flag Warnings posted for central NC
The National Weather Service warning that wildfires could be a problem today because of the gusty winds.

Gusty winds knocking out power to thousands of customers in western North and South Carolina. More than 1,200 residents in the Spencer area lost power overnight.

Paying more at the pump. Triple A saying that gas prices are 16 cents higher today than a month ago. The national average price for regular unleaded is just over $1.95 a gallon. The good news: compared to one year ago, we're paying about a dollar less a gallon.

Congress hammering out a compromise on the Economic Stimulus Package. The $789 billion dollar measure is expected to go up for a vote in the House and Senate as early as today.

A Fish Consumption Advisory is in effect for Badin Lake, where high chemical levels pose a potential problem to consumers. N.C. Division of Public Health officials stating that large mouth bass and catfish in the lake, located between Stanly and Montgomery counties, had elevated PCB levels. Since 2006, the fish have been under statewide and regional mercury advisories. www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/12/officials-warn-about-eating-fish-badin-lake/

Authorities say that the father of a middle-school student who brought a gun onto a bus and wounded a friend has been charged.The dad (Lawrence Muzzon) was charged with failing to store a firearm to protect a minor. The students go to Zebulon Middle School. www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/12/wake-county-boy-shot-on-way-to-school/

Firefighters still battling wildfires in the Australian state of Victoria. Close to half of the 30 fires have been contained. The official death toll is 181…but the number will likely double.

Compounding the cost of octuplets? A big share of the financial burden of raising Nadya Suleman's 14 children could fall on the shoulders of California's taxpayers.
Even before the 33-year-old single, unemployed mother gave birth to octuplets last month, Suleman had been caring for her six other children with the help of food stamps, plus Social Security disability payments for three of the youngsters.
Medical costs: The Suleman octuplets' medical costs have not been disclosed, but in 2006, the average cost for a premature baby's hospital stay in California was $164,273…eight times that equals $1.3 million.
For a single mother, the cost of raising 14 children through age 17 ranges from $1.3 million to $2.7 million. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090212/D969R99O0.html

North Carolina resident and grad student, Anoop Desai has made the top 36 for season 8 of "American Idol." For the next three weeks, different groups of 12 singers will perform. The top three vote-getters from each group will advance and become one of the show's top 12 finalists. The judges will then select the final three contestants following a special wild card round on March 5. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090212/D969PU580.html

Sports: ACC Basketball: Big Four match-up last night:
State over Wake…82 – 76 Carolina over Duke…101 – 87
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

The US beating Mexico 2 - 0 in a qualifying game for the World Cup.

Brett Favre is retiring…again. The 39-year-old quarterback insists he's done playing football, telling the New York Jets on Wednesday that his injured shoulder is still bothering him and he's retiring after 18 seasons in the NFL.

Sprint Cup qualifying starting today at 2pm for the Daytona 500.
Daytona 500 this Sunday 3pm on Fox. Front row at Daytona: Martin Truex Jr. (poll). Mark Martin on the outside.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/02/08/nascar.daytona.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories

2.11.2009

Cover up...or leave?

Controversy continuing after a woman was asked to cover up while she breastfed her child at a local Denny's Restaurant in Asheville. Crystal Everitt says she was asked to leave the Denny's in Asheville on Sunday because she was breastfeeding her child. Complaints poured into management and some patrons left. A manager asked Everitt to cover herself or go somewhere more private. When Everitt said her legal rights were being violated, the police were called. Everitt tells News 13 she was asked to leave the restaurant, or face trespassing charges. The Asheville Police Department says their officer informed Denny's that indecency laws do not apply to breastfeeding mothers, but that they could charge Everitt with trespassing since Denny's is a private business that reserves the right to refuse service. Everitt says she and others are planning a demonstration against the Denny's chain. There's no word yet on when that will happen.
www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/wlos_vid_2111.shtml

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wind Advisory: Stokes, Davie, Yadkin and Rowan
High Wind Warning: Tonight through Thursday for Surry and Wilkes
A strong cold front is making its way to North Carolina. A line of showers and maybe a few thunderstorms will move through the area this evening. Expect widespread wind gusts from 30 to 60 mph.

UPDATED: Rescue crews are continuing their search for survivors after a tornado ripped through Edmond, Oklahoma yesterday. Edmond is about 100 miles south of Oklahoma City. The death toll is now at 15. Severe weather blamed on damage and power outages in Oklahoma City and western Texas. Baseball-sized hail accompanied some of the storms. www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,490665,00.html

The cost of mailing a letter is going up. First-class postage will increase 2 cents to 44 cents, starting May 11th. The Postal Service said the price increase was necessary because of rising production costs. Until the new prices go into effect, customers can buy "Forever Stamps" at the current 42-cent rate.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/11/stamp.increase/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

The CEOs of eight banks that received billions from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) will appear before lawmakers on Capitol Hill today. The executives will likely face tough questions over what they have actually done with the money.

A 10 year old Sussex Spaniel called Stump became the oldest Best in Show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club last night. In human years, Stump is almost 70 years old! FYI: Actually, Stump barely made it past age 5. Stump left the dog show circuit in 2004 and later nearly died from a mysterious medical condition. The vets at Texas A&M saved him. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090211/D969BB0G0.html

One of the two suspects from Monday’s bank robbery, high speed chase and gunfight with police has died.Di-mark-chrisy Majors died late Monday night at Moses Cone Hospital.
Christopher Patterson also remains in the hospital. www.journalnow.com

A former employee has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Brinks security driver at the Old Navy store at the Friendly Center in Greensboro.

Sarah Palin will not be attending the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington later this month. The Alaska governor had been expected to headline the three day event.
Scheduled to appear: Rush Limbaugh, Mike Huckabee and Ann Coulter. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Workers at the PetSmart in Rossfield, Ohio are used to worried pet owners bringing their animals in to be treated in the store's clinic.
But a surprise visit by a deer to the local PetSmart on Saturday was a first for the staff. Manager Trudi Urie telling reporters that a wounded doe was hanging out behind the store…and then ran through an open door into a stockroom. Read more:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090210/D968U1FG1.html

Sports: ACC Basketball: Big Four match-up tonight:
Wake at State (7pm)
Carolina at Duke (9pm)
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

2.10.2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

There is already a law against teenagers from talking on a cell phone while driving. Now some lawmakers in Raleigh want to stop all drivers from text messaging. The proposed bill would make texting punishable by up to a $100 dollar fine and court costs. http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/10/article/text_messaging_ban_for_drivers_sought_in_house

A local aircraft maintenance services and sales company is expanding. Piedmont Aviation Component Services LLC is relocating its sister company, Limco, to its Kernersville location bringing 120 new jobs to Forsyth County. The average pay will be around $44,000 dollars a year, not including benefits. http://www.wxii12.com/money/18672451/detail.html

Auto insurance companies in North Carolina are asking for a 1.4% rate increase. The annual request comes despite the North Carolina Rate Bureau's appeal of a state order in 2008 to decrease auto insurance rates by 16.1%.

A NEW ‘lead’ law taking effect today could force retailers such as Thrift Stores to toss toys, children's clothes and books. New federal restrictions on lead and other harmful substances take effect today. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Details: www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/08/thrift.stores.lead/index.html?iref=mpstoryviewPresident
Obama making his case last night before the American people for the $800 billion dollar (plus) Stimulus Package. Obama saying that the package which still being debated in Congress contains both tax cuts and measures to create jobs. The president also saying that ‘government alone should not be expected to create jobs or economic growth.’

FBI agents raiding a Georgia peanut butter plant yesterday due to an ongoing investigation into tainted peanut butter that is the source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The latest outbreak has made nearly 600 people sick (including eight deaths) in 43 states. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/10/peanut.butter.raid/index.html

The death toll from wildfires in southeastern Australia has climbed to 181. The latest wildfires have consumed hundreds-of-thousands of acres and more than 900 homes. Arson is suspected in some of the fires.

A western Michigan Man has been reunited with his class ring after a 40 year absence. A stranger actually returned Richard Parker’s missing class ring last week. Parker graduated High School in 1966. He soon married and boxed up the class ring and forgot about it.
Reda more: http://www.mlive.com/muskegon


Toby Mac saying that it was an ‘honor’ to win his first Grammy as a solo artist. TobyMac won four Grammy Awards as a member of dcTalk. Toby’s "Alive and Transported" winning for Best Rar/Rock Gospel Album. TobyMac was on the road with the WinterJam Tour when the Grammy Awards were handed out on Sunday.

ACC Basketball: Last night (#8) Lady Tarheels beat (#4) Duke…75 - 60
(Men) BIG game on Wednesday: Carolina at Duke 9pm
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html

Update: New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking performance enhancing drugs while he was with the Texas Rangers back in 2003

And baby makes 4: A son born to Tiger Woods and wife Elin on Sunday. Charlie Axel Woods is the second child for the couple; their daughter Sam was born in 2007. www.tigerwoods.com

2.09.2009

Monday, February 09, 2009

Fun Fact: The G.I. Joe doll debuted in 1964. A must have for every boy’s toy box growing up in the 1970s.

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Today: Mostly sunny…High 64

New Lead Restrictions could be ‘toxic’ for Thrift stores. NEW lead rules that will likely force retailers to toss toys, children's clothes and books.
New federal restrictions on lead and other harmful substances take effect tomorrow (Tuesday). After a wave of highly publicized tainted-toy recalls last year, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The new rules ban lead content in any product for children 12 and younger. The law not only makes it illegal to manufacture lead-laced products, but it also makes it illegal to sell them no matter when the products were made -- and stores found breaking the law could face fines of up to $100,000 per violation.
-The National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops say tens of thousands of secondhand stores across the country are at risk.
-The CPSC is allowing manufacturers an extra year to comply with the product-testing requirements, but it can't offer a reprieve for selling restricted products under the new rules. Congress has the sole power to change the implementation timeline set in the law.
www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/08/thrift.stores.lead/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Hundreds of wildfires burning out of control in southeastern Australia. So far, 131 people have lost their lives. 800 homes have been destroyed. More than 300 acres have been scorched in the Australia State of Victoria. Investigators suspect arson.

Another car company being hit hard by the sluggish economy. Nissan Motors will slash 20,000 jobs over the next year. The company suffered a third quarter loss of $860 million dollars.

President Obama will hold his first prime time White House news conference this evening. He will be pitching the latest Economic Stimulus package making its way through Congress.

A British nurse that was fired for offering to pray for a patient has been given her job back. Caroline Petry, a Christian nurse, saying that the patient in the case was not offended by Petry's offer to pray for her…and that the incident was reported by someone else. The health care company said it is, quote, "acceptable to offer spiritual support as part of care when a patient asks for it."

The crash of a small passenger plane in Brazil over the weekend has claimed the lives of 24 people. There were 4 survivors. The plane went down in a river in the northwestern part of the country on Saturday afternoon. The plane was carrying 18 members of one family, on their way to a birthday party. An investigation is underway.

Winning BIG at the 51st Grammy Awards:
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant taking home 5 Grammys for their collaboration
on the hit album "Raising Sand" including album of the year.
Christian Artists winning Grammy’s last night
Best Gospel Performance – “Get Up” Mary Mary
Best Gospel Song – “Help Me Believe” Kirk Franklin
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album – “Alive and Transported” TobyMac

Sports:
And baby makes 4:
A son born to Tiger Woods and wife Elin on Sunday. Charlie Axel Woods is the second child for the couple; their daughter Sam was born in 2007. tigerwoods.com.

Front row at Daytona: Martin Truex Jr. taking the poll with Mark Martin right beside him.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/02/08/nascar.daytona.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories

Four sources independently telling Sports Illustrated that New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroid use in 2003 in his final season with the Rangers. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/02/07/alex-rodriguez-steroids/index.html?eref=si_topstories

ACC Basketball: On Sunday...
Wake over BC...State losing to Virginia
(Women’s) Tonight:: Duke at Carolina
BIG game on Wednesday: Carolina at Duke 9pm

2.06.2009

Kids Day @ LifeWay this Saturday (February 07)

‘Abe and the Amazing Promise’ will also be premiered
tomorrow between 11 and 2pm during the Kids Day at LifeWay
Location: Join Verne and Kurt at the LifeWay Christian Store in Winston-Salem.
WBFJ will be broadcasting LIVE from 11-1.

Also: Catch 'Abe and the Amazing Promise’ the latest VeggieTales adventure Saturday (Feb 07) on the Gospel Music Channel (DirecTV channel 338) at 9am and 2pm.
http://bigidea.com/index.aspx

Friday, February 06, 2009

Today is ‘Wear Red Day’ bringing awareness to women’s heart health.
Sponsored by the American Heart Association. www.goredforwomen.org/national_wear_red_day.aspx

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Today: Sunny…High near 50.
Sunny and warmer for the weekend

First he lost a major sponsor, then he got suspended. Michael Phelps has been suspended from competetive swimming for 3 months. Phelps also losing an endorsement from Kellogg after photos of Phelps smoking marijuana surfaced in a British newspaper. Phelps has apologized for what he called "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment".

Job Alert: Great Wolf Lodge is holding a job fair today through Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway…hoping to fill 500 jobs. The resort off I-85 near Concord opens at the end of March and will offers an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park and more than 400 hotel rooms.
Details: The job fair at the speedway will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. www.wxii12.com/news/18645726/detail.html

Some concerns for people using online social networking Web site Facebook.One Triad woman had to shut her Facebook page down after she became the victim of an internet scam. www.wxii12.com/news/18644880/detail.html

More details coming out about the mother of the Octuplets. Public documents showing that 33-year-old Nadya Suleman, who now has 14 children in all, actually struggled with depression for years. She always wanted a huge family to make up for the isolation she felt as an only child. Suleman also struggled for seven years before finally giving birth to her first child in 2001 through in vitro fertilization. www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090205/APA/902051485

A 60-year-old Canadian woman has reportedly given birth to twin boys after undergoing fertility treatments. The first-time mother, Ranjit Hayer telling the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that she has tried to conceive naturally for decades. Giving birth at that age is rare but not unheard of. In November, a woman in India who claimed to be about 70 gave birth to her first child. Her age could not be confirmed because she had no birth certificate.
www.wxii12.com/health/18654812/detail.html

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is recovering after pancreatic cancer surgery yesterday. The early stage cancer was discovered during a routine check-up in late January. The 75-year old Ginsburg was appointed to the High Court by President Clinton in 1993.

Nearly 168,000 emergency meal kits sent to Kentucky in the wake of an ice storm had been recalled more than two weeks earlier because some contained peanut butter that could have been contaminated by salmonella. www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090205/APA/902051313

Pirates have released that Ukranian ship after receiving a $3 million dollar ransom. The ship loaded with military weapons and tanks has been held by Pirates off the coast of Somalia since September. Pirates have captured nearly 50 ships since last year off the Horn of Africa.

Grandparents listen up: The Glade Street YWCA in Winston-Salem has a sweetheart of an offer. Free Saturday afternoon swimming during the month of February for grandparents and their grandkids. The FREE Swimming happens between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. for grandparents and their grandchildren (ages 15 and under). No membership is required.
All you need is a swimsuit, a towel and a desire to have some serious fun.
For more information call 722-5138.

Kids you can catch “Abe and the Amazing Promise’ that latest VeggieTales adventure tomorrow on the Gospel Music Channel (DirecTV channel 338) At 9am and 2pm. http://bigidea.com/index.aspx
‘Abe and the Amazing Promise’ will also be premiered tomorrow between 11 and 2pm during Kids Day at LifeWay Christian Store in Winston-Salem.
WBFJ will be broadcasting LIVE from 11-1.


Sports: Davidson beat UNC-G…75-54 . Davidson moves to within one win of matching the longest league winning streak in Southern Conference history. (Stephen Curry scored 29 points)

Head basketball coach for Tennessee, Pat Summitt winning her 1,000th career game last night…becoming the first Division I coach - man or woman - to win 1,000 career games. Tennessee over Georgia…73-43

2.05.2009

Thursday, February 05, 2009

The Homeschool legal defense Association is not happy with proposed legislation in New Hampshire. According to the group, the measure would be one of the most restrictive homeschool laws in the nation…giving ‘subjective’ authority to a superintendent or non-public school principle to terminate a family's homeschool program. And an increase in testing and reporting requirements.The Home School Legal Defense Association says New Hampshire already requires parents to provide annual assessments. www.hslda.org/default.asp?bhcp=1

During the National Prayer Breakfast this morning, President Barack Obama commented that faith too often has been used "as a tool to divide us from one another. There is no religion in the world that is based on hatred." Obama, in prepared remarks, said, "There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being." Obama is also telling the gathering that the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships won't favor any religious group, or favor religious groups over secular groups. He says it will help organizations that want to "work on behalf of our communities," without "blurring the line" between church and state.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_PRAYER_BREAKFAST?SITE=NCGRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-02-05-09-06-40

Pier 1 Imports is cutting 10% of its full-time positions and may close up to 125 underperforming stores nationwide. The company has five stores in the Piedmont Triad. www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/02/02/daily30.html?ana=from_rss

Job Alert: A new water park resort in Concord is looking to fill 500 jobs for the summer. Great Wolf Lodge is holding a job fair today through Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The resort off I-85 near Concord opens at the end of March and will offers an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park and more than 400 hotel rooms.
Details: The job fair at the speedway will be noon-8 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. www.wxii12.com/news/18645726/detail.html

Grandparents listen up: The Glade Street YWCA in Winston-Salem has a sweetheart of an offer. Free Saturday afternoon swimming during the month of February for grandparents and their grandkids. The FREE Swimming happens between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. for grandparents and their grandchildren under 15 years of age. No membership is required, and no strings attached. All you need is a swimsuit, a towel and a desire to have some serious fun. Reservations are not required.
For more information call 722-5138.

President Obama putting a $500,000 dollar ‘compensation cap’ paid to top executives at firms receiving federal bail out money from the government. Plus, if the executives receive any additional compensation…it should be in the form of stocks that can't be paid out until the federal loan is repaid.

THE SENATE COULD VOTE AS EARLY AS TODAY ON A $900 BILLION DOLLAR ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE. Last night, Senators approved a Republican-sponsored amendment to provide a $15-thousand dollar tax credit for homebuyers. The Senate also approved a measure to soften so-called "buy American" language in the stimulus package.

The recent fatal shooting of an A&T senior at an off-campus apartment has the Greensboro Police Department looking to expand the territory covered by campus police departments.
By law, campus police have the authority to work on property owned by the university that employs them and on public roads that run in or around university property.

Sports: Big upsets in the ACC last night:
Miami over Wake Forest…79 - 52
Clemson over Duke…74 - 47
(Both suffering 27 point defeats)

Tonight: UNCG plays Davidson College at the Greensboro Coliseum.
FYI:Later this year, the city of Greensboro and the university will launch a four-year partnership to host UNCG basketball games at the coliseum.
www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/04/article/uncg_s_coliseum_deal_is_a_big_risk

2.04.2009

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Wind Chill will make it ‘feel like’ the teens this afternoon…
Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Today: Mostly sunny and breezy. Cold…High 33
Tonight: Clear and cold. Breezy…Low 17
Winter Storm Warning for the Northern Mountains
FYI: 6 to 12 inches of snow by Thursday morning for elevations above 3,000 feet

Today is National Thank A Mailman or mailperson day and Homemade Soup Day!

President Obama telling Fox News that he made a "mistake" in his handling of Tom Daschle's Cabinet nomination and takes full responsibility for a process that ended in Daschle withdrawing his name amid tax problems. Actually, three of President Obama’s top picks have been caught with tax related problems. www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/02/03/obama-admits-mistake-handling-daschle-nomination/

The President is standing firm on a Feb. 16 deadline for the economic stimulus. Speaking of the economic stimulus bill…stuck inside the stimulus package. The Senate did pass a tax break to new car buyers allowing a tax deduction for the cost of automobile sales taxes and interest payments on car loans.

A second case of rabies being reported in Guilford County so far this year. The Guilford County Department of Public Health saying that a rabid fox was found on Chalmers Court in Summerfield earlier in the week. All pets, including barnyard pets such as goats, horses and cows need to be vaccinated. For more information…please contact the Guilford County Department of Public Health at 641-5990. www.guilfordhealth.org

It’s Your Birthday...(Minnesota) A Twin Cities man was looking for a challenge on his 30th birthday. B.J. Van Beusekom decided to celebrate his 30th birthday by running on a treadmill for 24 hours straight. The birthday boy raised just over $3,000 dollars for the American Lung Association. Van Beusekom covered about 80 miles before he stopped running at noon on Tuesday…only taking breaks to use the restroom and change clothes. To keep him motivated, a local fitness center held a ‘dance’ complete with a DJ, a slumber party and a big screen television. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090204/D964F8L00.html


‘It wasn’t mine!’ That was the explanation that an Atlanta taxi driver gave for helping to return a bag of jewelry to Miki Cooper of Naples, Florida. Miki was in Atlanta during the weekend when she left the bag on the floor of Walter Fernandez' taxi. The lost bag contained items worth thousands of dollars - three diamond rings, two one-carat diamond stud earrings and a Rolex watch. It also held her passport. Fernandez got a hug and kis from Miki…plus a $200 reward. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090204/D964F8KO0.html

Sports
ACC match-ups tonight: Wake Forest vs Miami…Duke vs Clemson

2.03.2009

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Today: Mostly sunny and breezy…High 42
A 30% chance of snow showers overnight into Wednesday morning. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Wednesday: A mix of sun and clouds…High only 36

Now that we are over the closings and delays this morning...let's eat!
FREE Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny’s today til 2pm. There are 3 Denny’s locations in the Triad (K-ville, Thomasville and Greensboro) http://www.dennys.com/

It’s called the ‘The Big Eat’ 15 downtown restaurants in Winston-Salem are offering 50% discounts on signature dishes every Tuesday night…starting TODAY (Feb 3) through the end of March. Check out the list here: www.dwsp.org/theBigEat.htm


The State Highway Patrol is cracking down on aggressive drivers on major interstates across NC. The two-week enforcement operation started Monday. Officers will keep a close watch on drivers along specific stretches of Interstate 77 in Iredell County and I-85 near Concord.

Former North Carolina insurance commissioner Jim Long has died. Long suffered a serious stroke late last month and passed away yesterday surrounded by his family. Jim Long was 68. Long served as insurance commissioner for 23 years. He was the longest-serving member of the Council of State, a powerful panel of 10 statewide elected officials.

The spring Furniture Market in High Point will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in April. Caterers needed! The High Point Market Authority is asking for bids from caterers interested in handling the food and beverage services at its “Stars Under the Stars” concert events at the spring High Point Market. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 16.
The Spring Market runs from APRIL 25-to-30
Details: www.highpointmarket.org/default.aspx
www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/02/02/daily6.html?ana=from_rss

Christian Music News
FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT PHIL STACEY HAS SIGNED WITH REUNION RECORDS (a division of the Provident Label Group). The new project is expected to be released sometime this summer. FYI: Phil recently completed his four-year commitment to the U.S. Navy and is still in the Navy Reserves. He holds a degree in vocal performance from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Phil lives in Nashville with his wife Kendra and two daughters. http://philstacey.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm?inc=5&news_id=15223

2.02.2009

Monday, February 02, 2009

Winter Storm Watch for the northern mountains (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Your WBFJ "Groundhog Day" Forecast: Today: Sunshine early then increasing clouds this afternoon…High 60 Tonight: A 50/50 chance of snow overnight…Low 30
Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Today is Groundhog Day. In Pennsylvania…Punxsutawney Phil DID see his shadow this morning! Legend has it that we'll have six more weeks of winter weather. Phil has seen his shadow since the year 2000.
Our own Kerners Folly Lydia (Tami’s family guinea pig) also saw her shadow this morning. So, more winter weather on the way.

Groundhog Trivia: Groundhog and woodchuck are names of the same animal.
Groundhogs are related to squirrels. They can climb trees and swim.
www.groundhog.org/

Recall: Mushrooms produced by Phillips Mushroom Farms in Pennsylvania.
The recall covers 3.5-ounce packages of ENOKI mushrooms. Preliminary test results showed potential listeria contamination. Enokis are long, thin white mushrooms, often used in Asian cuisines. Recall details: www.phillipsmushroomfarms.com/ 1-800-722-8818

THE U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SAYS IT IS DISAPPOINTED IN RECENT BEHAVIOR BY GOLD METALIST MICHAEL PHELPS. Phelps has embarrassed himself again after getting his picture snapped while smoking a marijuana pipe. The photo wound up in a British tabloid on Sunday. Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games last year.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090202/D963DBE00.html

National Guard troops are going door to door checking on families in parts of Kentucky. At least seven deaths have been blamed on a severe winter ice storm that has paralyzed most of Western Kentucky fro close to a week. Close to half a million residents are still without power. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,486366,00.html

The UK in the middle of its worst snow storm in 18 years. Snow forced the cancellation of more than 650 flights at London's Heathrow airport. Severe weather warnings have been posted for Monday and Tuesday. www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/02/europe.snow/index.html

Police arresting 73 people in Randolph County on Saturday in the largest cockfighting bust in that county’s history. Animal control officers seized 130 roosters used in the fights. Cockfighting carries a felony charge and a maximum 10-year sentence in North Carolina. The practice is illegal in 48 states. It’s legal in New Mexico and Louisiana. www.wxii12.com/news/18613480/detail.html

FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT PHIL STACEY HAS SIGNED WITH REUNION RECORDS…a division of the Provident Label Group. Producing Phil's new album is CCM veteran producer Brown Bannister. The new project is expected to be released sometime this summer.
FYI: Phil recently completed his four-year commitment to the U.S. Navy and is still in the Navy Reserves. He holds a degree in vocal performance from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Phil lives in Nashville with his wife Kendra and two daughters.

SPORTS:
The Steelers winning their 6th Super Bowl title last night. The Steelers scored with 35 seconds left in last night’s game to beat the Arizona Cardinals 27 to 23 in Super Bowl 43.
FYI: Schools in Pittsburgh opened 2 hours late this morning.