12.31.2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Your WBFJ ‘New Year’s Eve’ Family Station Forecast
Today: Cloudy skies with a shower possible…High near 40
Midnight tonight: As you ‘Ring in the New Year’… cloudy skies with temperatures around 38 degrees.

Just a reminder…you have until midnight tonight to make that last minute contribution to your favorite ‘non-profit’ organization so you can claim that tax deduction.

Rush Limbaugh admitted to the hospital
www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/31/rush-limbaugh-admitted-honolulu-hospital/


WHILE THE U-S IS STILL CONSIDERING THE USE OF FULL BODY AIRPORT SCANNERS, DUTCH AND NIGERIAN OFFICIALS PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THEIR USE. The Dutch Interior Minister sais Wednesday that all passengers flying to the United States from the Netherlands will have to pass through a full body scan.

BROADCASTERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN SAY THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN JAMMING INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS INTO THE COUNTRY. The jaming has affected television programs by Voice of America's Persian News Network and Radio Free Europe.

THE U-S TAKES MAJORITY OWNERSHIP OF G-M-A-C AS THE U-S TREASURY GIVES THE COMPANY 3-POINT-8 BILLION DOLLARS.
G-M-A-C says this additional money will give the company the capital buffer it needs to meet the worse-than-expected economic scenario.

WATER MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL IS ANNOUNCING "I RAISE MY GLASS", A NEW YEAR'S CAMPAIGN THAT URGES PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENT KIND OF RESOLUTION. A resolution to help provide safe, clean drinking water to those without in 20-10… on behalf of the nearly one billion people who lack access to safe water.
The goal of the campaign is to get two thousand people to donate ten dollars and get ten friends to do the same on New Year's Eve. Each ten dollar donation will provide a lifetime of safe water for one person in need. If the New Year's goal is met, W-M-I would be able to give sustainable safe water access to seven communities around the world. http://www.watermissions.org/

RECALL: Johnson & Johnson is expanding a voluntary recall of ‘Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplets’ due to consumer reports of a moldy smell that can cause nausea and sickness. The recall includes all product lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplets in the 100-count bottles with the red "ez-open" cap. Call Johnson and Johnson at 1-888-222-6036.
http://www.tylenol.com/

Beginning midnight on Saturday, January 2, smoking will be prohibited in all enclosed areas of all North Carolina restaurants and most bars. North Carolina lawmakers passed the smoking ban earlier this year in large part because the U.S. Surgeon General said there's scientific evidence that proves any level of second-hand smoke is dangerous.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-smoking-ban-091229,0,6793422.story

THE GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL HONORS THE MOST POPULAR MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE YEAR IN ITS ANNUAL GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL VIDEO AWARDS. The 2009 winners will be announced in a one-hour television special on G-M-C TV this Saturday night ( January 2ND) at 7 p.m. http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/gmcva

SPORTS
College Bowl Games
Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta: Virginia Tech vs Tennessee (7:30pm)

College Hoop action tonight:
UNC-G hosting NC State at the Greensboro Coliseum (6pm)
Wake Forest hosting the Richmond Spiders at the Joel tonight (7pm)

12.30.2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast
Today: Mostly cloudy…High 43
Tonight: Rain mixed with freezing rain after midnight…Low 32
Thursday: Freezing drizzle early. Mostly cloudy…High 48

New Year’s Eve Forecast ( 11:59pm Thursday night )
Cloudy skies with a shower possible…around 42 degrees as the ‘Ball Drops’
Looking Ahead to New Year’s Day: (Friday): Morning showers. Cloudy skies…High 43

RECALL: Johnson & Johnson is expanding a voluntary recall of ‘Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplets’ due to consumer reports of a moldy smell that can cause nausea and sickness. The recall includes all product lots of Tyenol Arthritis Pain Caplets in the 100-count bottles with the red "ez-open" cap.
If you want a refund or replacement… www.tylenol.com
Call Johnson and Johnson at 1-888-222-6036.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tc-biz-brf4-tylenol-1229-123dec30,0,7318174.story

Former WXII 12 news anchor Tolly Carr is back on the air at a station in Charlotte following his time in prison after a fatal drunk driving incident. Carr served nearly two years in prison for the drunken driving death of 26-year-old Casey Bokhoven, who was hit and killed in March 2007.
Officials at WCCB, the Fox affiliate in Charlotte, say that Carr has been doing some ‘fill in’ work over the holidays. Carr's also been volunteering for the Crash Prevention Network -- a project of long-time Triad anti-drunk driving activist, Mike Jackson.
http://news14.com/triad-news-94-content/top_stories/619766/former-winston-salem-anchor-tolly-carr-back-on-air

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s office is reporting that a woman who called Forsyth Medical Center and threatened to abduct an infant is in custody. 33 year old Paula Pigg was charged with attempting to defraud welfare services by faking a pregnancy. Recently public safety representatives at Forsyth Medical Center were alerted about an individual who could potentially pose a security threat at Forsyth Medical Center. Forsyth Medical Center has the only birthing unit for women in Forsyth County. http://www.wxii12.com/news/22081845/detail.html

SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH PARTIES IN DC ARE CASTING BLAME IN THE WAKE OF THE CHRISTMAS DAY TERROR INCIDENT ON BOARD AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT BOUND FOR DETROIT. PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DETROIT TERRORIST INCIDENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE WHITE HOUSE BY THIS THURSDAY. The father of the suspect warned U-S officials in Africa about his son's extremist views at least two weeks ago.

IRAN'S PRESIDENT HAS ACCUSED THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL OF STAGING SUNDAY'S ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS. AT LEAST EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE PROTESTS.

Beginning midnight on Saturday, January 2, smoking will be prohibited in all enclosed areas of all North Carolina restaurants and most bars. North Carolina lawmakers passed the smoking ban earlier this year in large part because the U.S. Surgeon General said there's scientific evidence that proves any level of second-hand smoke is dangerous.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-smoking-ban-091229,0,6793422.story

The world's oldest living dog…could be living in Greensboro. The dog…‘Scruffy’ was born around January 1989. If that estimate is correct, Scruffy will turn 21 in about a month. Jan Pegram found Scruffy as a stray puppy in July 1989. And according to Pegram, Scruffy is currently about six months older than the current Guinness record holder for the oldest living dog.
Along with medical records and affidavits, Pegram has to provide Guinness with pictures of Scruffy through the years. (FOX 8)

THE GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL WILL PRESENT ITS 2009 MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS THIS WEEKEND. Among the nominees in the Contemporary category:
Jonny Diaz for "More Beautiful You"
Brandon Heath for "Wait And See"
Francesca Battistelli for "Free To Be Me"
Jars of Clay for "Two Hands"
-Worship category nominees:
Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band and Michael W. Smith.
- Pop category nominees: tobyMac with Kirk Franklin and Mandisa;
and Mary Mary.
The winners will be announced this Saturday, January 2, 2010.
Details: http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/gmcva

SPORTS NFL: Julius Peppers and DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers have earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Reagan beat Winston-Salem Prep to win the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic Title

College Bowl Games today: The Humanitarian Bowl + The Holiday Bowl

12.29.2009

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Sunny and breezy…High 43
Wind gusts as high as 23mph.

Travelers flying in and out of PTI in Greensboro have yet to see many changes in security after last Friday’s thwarted terror attack on an international flight into Detroit. In flight restrictions since the weekend have been eased. It is up to the captain on each flight to decide whether passengers can have blankets or other items on their laps…or if they can move around during the last hour of a flight. More security info at http://www.tsa.gov/

It could be mid-week by the time power is fully restored to people in Watauga and Ashe counties. Last week's ice storm took out power to more than 8,000 homes. As of Sunday evening, 6,000 were still without electricity. Officials say more than 200 line men are working daily to restore power. Crews from neighboring utility co-ops are also helping.
http://news14.com/triad-news-94-content/local_news/triad/619729/full-power-still-days-away-for-mountain-residents

NORTH KOREA SAYS IT HAS ARRESTED AN AMERICAN WHO ILLEGALLY CROSSED THE BORDER FROM CHINA LAST WEEK. U-S Christian missionary and human rights activist Robert Park entered North Korea on Christmas Day. Park was reportedly carrying a Bible and a written human rights appeal for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

AL-QAEDA IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY MONDAY FOR THE CHRISTMAS DAY ATTACK ON A DETROIT BOUND PLAINE. The Al-Qaeda affiliate says it was in retaliation for alleged U-S strikes on Yemeni soil.

POLICE IN NORTHHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS ARE LOOKING FOR AN ARSONIST WHO SET 18 FIRES LAST NIGHT. Two people lost their lives as a result of the blazes.

THE NUMBER OF FATALITIES HAS RISEN TO 40 IN A TERRORIST BOMBING IN NW PAKISTAN.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNINA MEGACHURCH PASTOR CHUCK SMITH HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER HAVING WHAT DOCTORS DESCRIBE AS A MINI STROKE. Close friend and fellow pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California reports that Smith was taken to the hospital late Saturday night. He urges prayers for the 82-year-old minister. Smith started pastoring Calvary Chapel in 1965

SPORTS: Monday Night Football: Vikings fall to the Bears in OT…

John Fox will likely keep his job based on the turn around of the Carolina Panthers over the last 3 games.

College Basketball: Wake Forest over UNC-G…75 – 60
Wake blocked 16 shots in the win

Frank Spencer Holiday Classic tournament…
Reagan vs Winston-Salem Prep play at the Joel tonight in the Championship game

12.23.2009

The GOOD NEWS for Christmas

Isaiah 9:6 - 7 (NIV)

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

WE NEED YOUR HELP:
Do you have extra clothes that you could donate to help out the needy? You can drop off clothing donations behind the Millennium Center (dock) starting at 3pm this afternoon. The clothing will be distributed tonight at the Christmas for the City celebration in downtown Winston-Salem. The Millennium Center is located on 5th street across from the new bus depot in downtown Winston-Salem. (5th and Trade…or…5th and Liberty Streets)
Details and details about Christmas for the City
http://www.christmasforthecity.com/

A major winter storm is promising to bring a white Christmas to parts of the West and Midwest. The storm is expected to dump more than a foot of snow on parts of Colorado today.

CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE WELCOMING THE ‘DEFECTION’ OF FORMER DEMOCRAT PARKER GRIFFITH. Griffith, who represents the fifth district of Alabama, has announced he is switching parties.

Democrats are ready to push President Obama's health care overhaul past one last 60-vote hurdle to final Christmas Eve passage. The third procedural vote comes this afternoon, when Democrats will have to put up 60 votes for the last time to cut off debate on the legislation. Democrats are also expected to turn back points of order raised against the bill by Republicans, including one questioning the constitutionality of requiring most every American to buy health insurance. http://www.seattlepi.com/business/1310ap_us_health_care_overhaul.html?source=mypi

BlackBerry customers finally have their e-mail and Internet back. Services were down for more than eight hours overnight. This was the second such outage for Blackberry users in less than a week.

The parents who pulled off the balloon boy hoax are scheduled to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to charges that they carried out the stunt in October to promote a reality TV show. The husband faces up to 90 days and jail, and the wife faces up to 60 days. The couple could be forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in restitution over their stunt.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091223/D9CP0C5O0.html

THE SUPREME COURT OF BRAZIL HAS DECIDED TO RETURN A NINE YEAR OLD BOY TO HIS AMERICAN FATHER. Sean Goldman was taken to Brazil five years ago by his mother. The mother passed away last year during childbirth. The mother's family has been fighting to keep the boy in Brazil.

Ninety-one people were taken to the hospital after an American Airlines plane over-ran a runway and crashed into a fence near Kingston, Jamaica. Flight 331 from Miami, Florida, was carrying 148 passengers plus six crew members. There were no fatalities reported.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/22/jamaica.plane/index.html

CNN Money: A list of the 50 Best jobs in America on the News Blog at wbfj.fm
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/snapshots/1.html

SPORTS
College Basketball: Carolina over Marshall…98 - 61

College Bowl Games: Las Vegas Bowl: BYU ripped Oregon State last night…44 – 20
Tonight: Utah vs California in the Poinsettia Bowl

Serena Williams has been named top female athlete by the Associated Press. On Monday, Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive titles, was named Male Athlete of the Year by the AP. www.nascar.com

You can choose the best 9 Christian songs of 2009. Details on how you can win a
WOW 2010 CD and dinner at Midtown Café online at www.wbfj.fm

12.22.2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Triple A predicts a drop in travel over Christmas and New Years. More than 3 million North Carolinians are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home this year…down nearly 5% from 2008. According to AAA Carolinas, the average gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the state is 92 cents higher than a year ago. http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/12/21/daily7.html

Have you ever been stuck on a commercial flight for hours? The Obama administration is imposing a three hour limit on commercial airliners stuck on tarmacs. The three-hour limit and other new regulations are meant to send a message to airlines not to hold passengers hostage on stuck planes. The regulations go into effect in 120 days.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091222/D9CO6B7G0.html

NewBridge Bank will acquire the business operations of Bradford Mortgage. All Bradford Mortgage employees should keep their jobs.

Citadel Broadcasting Company, the third-largest radio group in the US, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Citadel has stations in 25 states…with programs including ABC News Radio and The Huckabee Report.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/20/news/companies/citadel_bankruptcy/

Carrie Underwood is engaged to Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher. Her publicist confirmed the engagement yesterday. They have been dating for about a year. No wedding date has been set for the couple. http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2009/12/carrie_underwood_engaged_to_nh.html

The new CBS reality series “Undercover Boss” will make its debut in one of the most coveted time slots on television — right after the Super Bowl (February 7 on CBS). “Undercover Boss” follows corporate executives who slip anonymously into low-rung jobs in their companies. The first episode features the head of Waste Management as he cleans portable toilets and sifts through waste at a landfill. http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2009/12/corporate_execs_take_entry-lev.html

Billboard Magazine reveals the Top Christian artists, albums and songs for 2009…and the decade. You can choose the best 9 Christian songs of 2009. Details on how you can be a WBFJ Taste Tester….online at www.wbfj.fm
Top for 2009: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091216/billboard-reveals-top-2009-artists-albums-and-songs/index.html
MERCY ME topping the list of Best Selling Christian Artists for the Decade.
Tops for the decade: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091217/billboard-reveals-decade-s-top-christian-artists-albums-and-songs/index.html

CPR, even when performed by an untrained by-stander, is OK. One study finding that the risk from an untrained bystander can do harm by giving CPR, to someone who collapses in public, is minimal. The latest study found in the latest online issue of Circulation. http://www.healthday.com/

SPORTS NFL: Monday Night Football: Giants dominating the Redskins last night 45 - 12
Las Vegas Bowl BYU vs Oregon State (8pm ESPN)

Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive titles, earned mainstream recognition yesterday when he was honored as the Male Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press. www.nascar.com

12.18.2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

Winter Storm Warning for western North Carolina through Saturday evening
SNOW in the forecast…Friday afternoon into Saturday morning
Today: Breezy with snow…High 35. Total snow accumulation (this afternoon) 3 to 5 inches possible.
The latest from the National Weather Service:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Winston-Salem&state=NC&site=RAH&textField1=36.1021&textField2=-80.2498&e=0

PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ARRIVED IN COPENHAGEN FOR THE UN SUMMIT ON GLOBAL WARMING. Leaders of over one hundred other nations are gathering for the final day of the conference in the Danish capital.

THE BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION HAS KICKED OFF A MASSIVE TV OUTREACH PROJECT IN THAILAND. The country is predominantly Buddhist. More than 36-thousand Christians representing 17 hundred churches will participate in the three-day outreach. They will invite friends and family to their homes to watch sermons from Franklin and Billy Graham dubbed in the Thai language. The program also includes testimonies and songs from Thai Christians.


SPORTS College Hoops: NC State outlasting Elon…79 – 76

The Colts remain undefeated with a win over the Jaguars last night in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Walter Payton Award going to ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards. http://www.goaus.com/

Its graduation day for the ‘Nu’ culinary class at Triad Community Kitchen.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC's Triad Community Kitchen program offers a 10-week culinary curriculum at no charge to unemployed, underemployed and homeless individuals to prepare them for careers in the food service industry.
Details: http://www.hungernwnc.org/how-we-work/tck.html

12.17.2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Winter Storm Watch for central North Carolina for Friday afternoon through Saturday evening
Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Today: Mostly sunny…High near 50
SNOW in the forecast…Friday afternoon into Saturday

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN IS CALLING ON BRITISH AIRWAYS AND WORKERS TO RESTART TALKS TO AVOID A STRIKE. The threatened twelve-day strike would hit travelers at the height of the holiday season. The disagreement involves pay and working conditions, according to the London Times.

Expect more people on the highways this Christmas into New Years. Triple A is projecting close to 88 million Americans will be travelling 50 miles or more from home over the next two weeks.

A ‘roundabout’ could be one option at one of the busiest intersections in Winston-Salem. The Winston-Salem Journal is reporting that the city is considering a ‘roundabout’ where Miller Street meets Cloverdale Avenue. The goal is to improve pedestrian safety.
http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/17/city-considers-options-for-intersection/news-local/

Citigroup Inc. will suspend foreclosures and evictions during the holiday season. The ‘suspension’ will run from this Friday through January 17th. The foreclosure suspension applies only to about 4,000 borrowers whose loans are owned by Citi…and borrowers who make payments to Citi.
Loans owned by other investors are not included. http://www.wxii12.com/money/21989056/detail.html

Roy Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney, passed away yesterday after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer. His father, Roy O. Disney, co-founded the Disney entertainment business with Walt Disney back in 1923. Roy Disney was 79 years old. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/12/16/roy.disney.obit/index.html

SPORTS College Hoops: Wake Forest over UNC Wilmington last night …80 - 69
Tonight: NC State hosting Elon

12.16.2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A federal recall of 800,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine -- including nearly 18,000 doses in North Carolina -- is expected to cause few problems locally. Health officials saying that the doses were included in pre-filled syringes meant for children ages 6 months to 35 months. "There are no safety concerns with these lots of H1N1 vaccine," said Megan Davies, an epidemiologist with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "The concern is that the recalled vaccine may not be strong enough to provide full immunity. However, children in this age group should have adequate protection because we already recommend that they receive two doses of the vaccine." Swine flu was first identified in April. During the first seven months of the pandemic, it has sickened about 50 million Americans and killed about 10,000, according to CDC estimates. http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/16/flu-clinic-goes-on-nc-is-unaffected-by-recall-of-v/news/

FYI: The second of 2 flu clinics is still going on today til 7pm in the Education Building at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds in Winston-Salem. The vaccines will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Winston-Salem Forsyth County School Board met last night to discuss the possibility of cutting teachers next school year. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, the school board debated whether the school district should cut experienced teachers or those who have shown growth in student achievement. No decision was made but the board plans to discuss the issue further. www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/16/school-board-faces-hard-choices/news/

The Greensboro City Council voted last night to move forward with building an Aquatic Center. The Council’s approved plan will use $6.8 million dollars of local hotel tax money in addition to the $12 million dollar bond approved by voters last year.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON, DC HAS GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL FOR SAME SEX MARRIAGES IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL. The Mayor of DC is expected to sign the legislation by the end of the week. The proposal then goes to the U-S Congress before it can become law.

THE SEARCH HAS BEEN SUSPENDED INDEFINATELY FOR TWO HIKERS MISSING ON MOUNT HOOD IN OREGON. Authorities say the weather is preventing a ground search for the foreseeable future. In searches such as this one, the odds of finding someone alive after two days are around one percent (according to Doctor Terri Schmidt, of Oregon Health and Science University).

A woman accused of robbing a Lexington pharmacy and forcing the lockdown of Lexington memorial has been arrested. Police said 29 year old Sherrie Pennington of East Holly Grove Road was arrested yesterday morning…and charged with a felony after stealing narcotics including Oxycotin valuing at $4,000 from the Medical Park Pharmacy located on South Main Street in Lexington. A court date is set for Jan. 19.

Evangelist Oral Roberts passed away on Tuesday due to complications from pneumonia. Roberts rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century…founding Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1963. His son, Richard, and daughter, Roberta, were at his side yesterday. Billy Graham released statement that, quote, "Oral Roberts was a man of God, and a great friend in ministry. I loved him as a brother." Oral Roberts was 91. www.christianpost.com/article/20091215/charismatic-leader-oral-roberts-dies-at-age-91/index.html

SPORTS
College Hoops: Duke Blue Devils over Gardner Webb 113 – 68
Tonight: Wake Forest vs UNC Wilmington

12.15.2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Dense Fog Advisory through mid morningVisibility down to a quarter of a mile or less in some areas


Have you mailed all of your holiday packages or Christmas cards? Monday was considered the busiest mailing day of the year. Post Office officials estimated that more than 830 million pieces of mail were processed. Need to mail a package to someone by Christmas day?
You have until next Monday, December 21st for first-class mail and priority mail.
And, next Wednesday, December 23 for Express Mail packages.
http://www.wxii12.com/news/21964805/detail.html

Moses Cone Health System has lifted its ban on visitors younger than 18 years of age. Most area hospitals initiated a ban on younger visitors to help curb the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. Baptist Medical Center, Forsyth Medical and High Point Regional have no plans on lifting the restrictions.
http://www.wxii12.com/h1n1/21959666/detail.html
H1N1 Flu Clinics happening today and Wednesday (December 15 & 16) from 7am – 7pm at the Education Building at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds.
Contact information: Cynthia Jefferies at 703-3103

Blizzard conditions are slowing the search for two missing hikers on Mt Hood in Oregon. Up to 2 feet of new snow expected overnight into Tuesday.

Granite Tactical Vehicles Inc. (maker of armored vehicles for the U.S. military) is expanding…creating 200 jobs in Surry County.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-granite-tactical-expansion-091214,0,121960.story

ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN MARK KIRK IS CALLING THE PLAN TO MOVE TWO HUNDRED AND 15 TERRORISTS TO HIS STATE AN UNNECESSARY RISK. Kirk says basic questions need to be answered before the move is made. Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Kirk says the facility is only 22 miles from a nuclear reactor, and wants to know what precautions are being taken. He alsao wants to know how the federal government intends to protect the families of jurors and prosecutors serving on commissions.

12.11.2009

Friday, December 11, 2009

MANY AMERICANS BLEND CHRISTIANITY WITH NEW AGE BELIEFS.
That's according to a new study out by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, evidence that New Age and Eastern mysticism is widespread. The survey also found that three in ten Protestants say they attend multiple types of religious services, including services at denominations different from their own. USA Today article: http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=490

Special ceremony to honor veterans going on at the Joel Coliseum tomorrow morning: The National ‘Wreaths Across America’ event will honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery AND at over 400 additional locations nationwide. The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem is one of the participating locations. The local chapter of the Civil Air Patrol is sponsoring the event that begins just before noon tomorrow. Seven wreaths (one for each branch plus one for POW’s) will be on display in front of the Memorial Wall in the Atrium lobby of the Joel until after the New Year. Contact Major Ron Cheeks (813-2438 or 764-3278)

Spare change could change a life this weekend. From now through December 13th, while you are shopping at the JCPenney at Hanes Mall, you can ‘round up’ your purchase (voluntarily) to the nearest dollar to support the Northwest North Carolina YMCA Afterschool Programs. 100% of the funds collected goes directly to 10 local YMCA programs, funding Christian Child Care to families in need. Phone: 336.768.2510

Pastor Rick Warren is opposing a Bill in Uganda that would establish tough penalties for homosexuals. In a letter to pastors in Uganda, Warren says the church must stand to protect the dignity of all individuals. Warren reaffirmed that God intends marriage to be between one man and one woman. However he says Jesus has taught up that we are to treat all with respect.
Warren cautions that the law would also require pastors to report conversations with homosexuals to authorities.

Police are asking for your help in identifying two armed men who robbed the Wilco-Hess station at the corner of University Parkway and Coliseum Drive in Winston-Salem. The men robbed the gas station and then hit the clerk in the head with a gun. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 727-2800. http://www.wxii12.com/news/21927430/detail.html

The North Carolina Granite Corporation in Mount Airy had placed a bid to cut granite for the National September 11th Memorial in New York, but they have learned that those jobs will be shipped overseas. The company had put in a bid to cut granite brought in from Canada at their Mount Airy location, but they learned that the contract had been awarded to an Italian company that will cut African granite for the memorial. Without the contract, some jobs could be lost.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-911-memorial-granite-091210,0,251549.story

TRAFFIC UPDATE: Crews are expected to do some ‘blasting’ this morning to remove some large boulders along Highway 321 north of Lenoir. After the blast, crews will spend the weekend hauling material from the site. Predicted winter weather Saturday night and into Sunday could slow the clean up process. That section of Highway 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock should be back open by the middle of next week.
BTW: A rock slide will keep a portion of I-40 (west of Ashville) near the North Carolina –Tennessee border CLOSED for the next several months.
Details about the detours http://www.ncdot.org/traffictravel/

State High School Football Playoffs (Championship games)
Two area teams hoping to take home a championship banner…
1-A: Mt Airy (15-0) vs Wallace-Rose Hill (noon) at BB+T Field in WS
3-A West Rowan (15-0) vs Eastern Alamance (11:30am) Carter Finley in Raleigh

FCS College Football Semi-Finals: Appalachian State travelling to Montana for Saturday's 4pm match-up. http://www.goasu.com/

Cincinnati head football coach Brian Kelly has accepted the top coaching job at Notre Dame. Kelly, who earned the Home Depot National Coach of the Year award on Thursday night, signed a five-year contract and will be introduced at news conference Friday afternoon in South Bend. Kelly will not be on the sidelines for Cincy’s Bowl game…# 4 Bearcats (12-0) will play Florida in their first Sugar Bowl appearance on January 1st.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12643620/cincys-kelly-heading-to-notre-dame-will-not-coach-cats-in-sugar-bowl

12.10.2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

High Wind Warning until 6pm this evening for the Northern Mountains
The strongest winds should occur this morning with occasional gusts of 60 to 65 mph.

Governor Perdue will turn on the lights to the state Christmas tree this evening in Raleigh. The fir tree brought in from Ashe County will stand on the south side of the old Capitol square in downtown Raleigh. Details about the tree-lighting ceremony and directions:
http://raleigh2.com/default.asp?smenu=1&sdetail=1906

More winter weather heading to the Midwest. Snow remains in the forecast for parts of Kansas and Montana. A Blizzard Warning is still in effect for Michigan…which could see as much as eight more inches of snow today. Dangerously cold temperatures are predicted, with wind chills dipping as low as 25 degrees below zero. At least 16 deaths associated with the latest winter blast. http://www.weather.com/

A Denton man was killed when high winds brought down a tree on top of his pickup truck yesterday afternoon. 44-year-old Johnnie Jernigan (of Denton) was killed after a tree fell on the truck he was driving on Highway 109. Officials saying that heavy rains that fell early yesterday morning saturated the ground, and the high winds helped bring the tree down.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-man-killed-davidson-091209,0,3528403.story

President Obama accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway this morning. The Nobel committee made the announcement that Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize in October…after nine months on the job. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma and a cash award of $1.4 million dollars. The Nobel Prize has been awarded every year since 1901.
The founder was Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/09/obama-note-irony-peace-prize-wartime/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Fpolitics+%2528FOXNews.com+-+Politics%2529&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Second Harvest Food Bank opening another ‘Kids Café’…this time at the Gateway YWCA in Winston-Salem. Kids Cafes provide ‘at risk’ children food, tutoring and enrichment activities three nights a week throughout the year. The program is part of Feeding America, the Second Harvest Food Bank’s national network. About 40 children will participate in the Kids Cafe at the Gateway YWCA. FYI: Donations of food are up 15%, but demand from the food bank's partner agencies is up 75%. Want to help? http://www.hungernwnc.org/
http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/10/food-bank-opens-another-kids-cafe/

The YWCA of Greensboro is relocating. The Greensboro YWCA, founded back in 1903, will move to a smaller building next month on Spring Garden Street. The current Y home located at One YWCA Place is on the market for nearly $3 million dollars.

Lexington Memorial Hospital remains under lockdown this morning after authorities believe a woman ran onto the hospital campus after an attempted robbery at a local pharmacy. Visitors and patients are only being allowed to enter the hospital through the emergency room entrance.
http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-lexington-hospital-lockdown-091209,0,5415601.story

12.09.2009

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Wind Advisory remains in effect for the Piedmont Triad through early evening
Winds will increase this afternoon…with wind gusts up to 40 mph at times.

Northern Mountains are under a High Wind Warning
Wind gusts over 50 mph are expected at the highest elevations.
Winds this strong coupled with wet ground may down trees and power lines.

Flood warning til 1:30pm for communities in southwest Virginia
(Carroll and Grayson Counties + City of Galax)
As of 9:40, flooding of several creeks was reported across the area.

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast:
Clearing skies with some sunshine. Very windy this afternoon...High 62

1.8 million Duke Energy customers in the state will see their bills go up in January. North Carolina regulators have given the OK for Duke Energy to raise rates by 7% over the next two years. This is the first general rate increase since 1991. www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/08/nc-utilities-panel-agrees-duke-energy-increase/

MORE HARSH WINTER WEATHER IS EXPECTED TODAY FOR THE NORTH AND EASTERN US.

A LOW TURNOUT IS EXPECTED IN MASSACHUSETTS TODAY AS VOTERS TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO SELECT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE LATE SENATOR TED KENNEDY.

World Against Toys Causing Harm (or W.A.T.C.H.) wants to warn parents about potentially dangerous toys. The group says in the past year, there have been 31 toy recalls representing 4.6 million toys. A list of "10 Worst Toys" for 2009 includes the Disney-Pixar Wall-E Foam Rocket Launcher. The group says the rocket launches at a high rate of speed with the potential to cause serious eye injuries. Check out the complete list: http://www.toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.shtml

All the recent rain has slowed the curbside leaf collection in Greensboro, forcing the city to change the pick-up schedule. The city of Greensboro will extend the collection date for the first round of pickups by one week. All leaves that are already left by the curbside will be picked up by Dec. 19. Leaves that are left by the curb by Dec. 21 will be picked up by Jan. 22.
The collected leaves are made into compost to fertilize city gardens.
Residents may purchase the compost at the White Street Landfill
Details: (336) 373-2489.
www.myfox8.com/wghp-story-rain-leaf-colleciton-0901204,0,910643.story

Bryant Gumbel shocked Kelly Ripa when he dropped a medical ‘bombshell’ while co-hosting "Live With Regis and Kelly." Gumbel revealed that he had surgery for lung cancer two months ago when a malignant tumor and part of his lung were removed. Gumbel had been keeping his condition a secret, but had to tell Kelly Ripa when she tried to get him to dance and he said he wasn't up to it.

Spare change could change a life: From now through December 13th, while you are shopping at the JCPenney at Hanes Mall, you can ‘round up’ your purchase (voluntarily) to the nearest dollar to support the Northwest North Carolina YMCA Afterschool Programs. 100% of the funds collected goes directly to 10 local YMCA programs, funding Christian Child Care to families in need. Phone: 336.768.2510

A member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians pleaded guilty yesterday to trafficking dozens of bear gall bladders against tribal law. Prosecutors said Clement Calhoun transported and sold 51 bear gall bladders that had a retail value of $6,600 dollars. The gall bladders are used in Asian medicine. Cherokee code prohibits members from selling parts of big game animals beyond the boundaries of tribal trust lands.
http://www.digtriad.com/news/most_popular/article.aspx?storyid=134257&provider=top

THE TSA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RELEASE OF SENSATIVE INFORMATION. The Screening Management Standard Operating Procedures manual was improperly posted by the agency to the Federal Business Opportunities Web site. Although the TSA has removed the document from the government contracting website, several online sources have uploaded it onto their websites. The T-S-A is reviewing the incident.

Hip to be 'Square': Twitter creator Jack Dorsey is giving the first public demonstration of his hotly-anticipated latest venture -- a device to allow credit card payments by cell phone -- and revealed it would be given away for free. Dorsey says the “Square” is scheduled for launch on iPhones and iPods in March 2010.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/ptech/12/09/twitter.dorsey.credit.card/index.html

12.08.2009

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Carroll County, Virginia
Winter Weather Advisory - from 6 PM this evening til 6 am Wednesday morning for ‘Freezing rain’.

An early Winter Blast: The system that brought heavy snow and gusty winds across the West yesterday will impact much of the rest of the country today and tomorrow. Heavy snow and gusty winds are expected over much of the country. As of 6am this morning, 22 states were under some advisory, watch, or warning for wind, with 30 states under some sort of advisory, watch, or warning for wintry weather, both stretching from California to Maine. www.weather.com

Developing story: Paramedics responding to a 911 medical call at Tiger Woods’ home early this morning. Two news sources are reporting that an unidentified middle aged woman was taken from Tiger Woods' Florida mansion early this morning to a near by hospital by ambulance after that 911 call was made. WFTV.com reporting that a Black Cadillac Escalade (like Tigers) was later seen at a local hospital.
http://www.myfox8.com/os-tiger-woods-scandal-emergency-call-20091208,0,1278645.story

New this morning: Over 100 people killed and some 200 injured in five separate terror bombings earlier today in central Baghdad.

SENATOR BEN NELSON OF NEBRASKA HAS INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT TO THE SENATE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT FEDERAL FUNDING OF ELECTIVE ABORTIONS. The amendment mirrors the Stupak language added to the House health care bill and has received the support of pro-life advocates.

Rare coins found in Triad Red Kettles. According to Captain Tony Perez of the Salvation Army in High Point, an anonymous donor put 15 ‘Morgan Dollars’ in kettles at four locations in the High Point area on Saturday. Morgan Dollars are silver U.S. coins minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. Depending on its condition, a Morgan Dollar can range in value from $25 to more than $1,000 dollars. The Salvation Army is consulting with a local bank to determine the value of the gift. http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-rare-coins-donated-091207,0,395359.story

Update: Over $16,000 dollars worth of items stolen from two Davidson County churches over the weekend have been recovered. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office said an anonymous tip led deputies to the items in a building on Old Highway 52. The owner of the building gave the sheriff's office permission to search, and deputies found items that had been identified as stolen from First Wesleyan Church and Mt. Carmel Free Will Baptist Church. Deputies said the owner of the building is not a suspect.

Zhu Zhu Pets…safe?? One of the hottest toys for Christmas is now on the ‘hot seat’ after a consumer group raised concerns about one of the pets, Mr Squiggles. The California-based consumer group Good-Guide stated over the weekend that ‘antimony’ (a potentially harmful heavy metal) exceeded legal levels in a Mr. Squiggles model of the robotic hamsters.
A spokesman for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission now saying that the toy in question "is not out of compliance" with a U.S. toy safety law that went into effect this year.

Cheaper gas prices mean less reimbursement for motorists who use their vehicles for business. The IRS has issued its 2010 optional standard mileage rates. Here’s how it breaks down:
*50 cents per mile for business miles driven (down from 55 cents in 2009)
*16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes (down from 24 cents)
*14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations (no change)
The IRS notes that taxpayers have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle, rather than using the standard mileage rates
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/11/30/daily78.html

TRAFFIC: Potential Rock Slide…
U.S. 321 is closed between Lenoir and Blowing Rock because engineers are concerned about large boulders that are loose on the side of the road. DOT officials say that a portion of 321 could be closed for several days while officials drill in the area. Also…A rock slide I-40 near the North Carolina –Tennessee border is expected to last through the winter.

12.07.2009

Monday, December 07, 2009

Senate Democrats hope to move closer to embracing a major health care bill this week by tackling the topic of abortion. Pro-life lawmakers in both parties have insisted that taxpayer funds not be used to pay for abortions in government-run health programs.

RECALL: All Slim-Fast ready-to-drink canned products are being recalled because of possible contamination of a bacterium that may cause diarrhea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting. The recall involves all ready-to-drink Slim-Fast products sold in cans, regardless of flavor, "Best-By" date, lot code, or UPC number. The recall does NOT include any other Slim-Fast products, such as powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20091204/all-slim-fast-cans-recalled?ecd=wnl_nal_120409

RECALL: Texas health officials have issued a health alert about oysters sold in North and South Carolina. Several people have become sick after eating oysters harvested in San Antonio, Texas. Officials have recalled the oysters. The product has a label indicated it came from San Antonio Bay.The dates in question are between November 16 and November 25. If you purchased any, throw them out.

A consumer group contends one of the holiday season's must-have toys is unsafe. A study by San Francisco-based GoodGuide that said higher-than-allowed levels of the chemical antimony were found Zhu Zhu Pets (hamsters). Good Guide named Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters one of the top-selling toys with low ratings after finding antimony, which can cause health problems, on the hair and nose of one of the toy hamsters, called Mr. Squiggles.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/national_world&id=7155928

Auditions in the Triad TODAY: The men behind movies like "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" and "Fargo" are looking in the Piedmont for a star for their next movie. The Coen Brothers need a young teenage girl for their new movie "True Grit" and they are holding auditions at Coliseum Park in Winston-Salem Monday, Dec. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m.
The role is for a teenage girl around 14 years old. Those who wish to audition do not need to have acting experience, but you should bring a current picture of yourself to the audition. http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-coen-brothers-casting-091206,0,7344538.story

The football-inspired drama "The Blind Side" beating out "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" to claim #1 at the Box Office over the weekend. Great word-of-mouth from fans has sustained "The Blind Side," in which Sandra Bullock plays a woman whose family adopts homeless teen Michael Oher, now a rookie tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091207/D9CEEP000.html

The UN Global ‘Climate Change’ conference begins today in Copenhagen, Denmark. President Obama will attend. The White House says China and India have for the first time set targets to reduce their carbon intensity. The Climate Change conference will last through December 18th.

An electrical fire at a home on Bywood Road in Greensboro displaces a family of 11 last night. The Greensboro Fire Department says the fire started due to faulty wiring in the kitchen. Everyone made it out of the house safely. The Red Cross is assisting the family.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-greensboro-house-fire-091206,0,3773396.story

Two Lexington churches located about one mile from each other were broken into and robbed this weekend. The First Wesleyan Church on Winston Road was broken into and robbed Friday morning. Mt. Carmel Free Will Baptist Church on Arrington Drive in Lexington was broken into sometime early Saturday morning. Police are unsure if the robberies are related.
http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-lexington-churhces-broken-into-091206,0,1960511.story

Winston-Salem Police are looking for a driver who backed over a Wake Forest University student early Saturday morning. The 20 year old student was walking behind a tan SUV on Indiana Avenue in Winston-Salem when the vehicle backed over him. Police are looking for a late-1990s Nissan or Infiniti SUV. The student is listed in serious condition.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-wake-forest-hit-and-run-091205,0,3093893.story

FIVE MORE HOUSE CHURCH LEADERS IN CHINA HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO LABOR CAMPS WITHOUT A TRIAL. ‘China Aid’ reports that the five were accused of "gathering people to disturb the public order". The charge refers to the one-thousand-believer prayer rally held on September 14th.

SPORTS: College Bowling…
-UNC will play Pitt in the Meineke Car Care the day after Christmas in Charlotte.
-East Carolina will face Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl on January 2 in Memphis.

**FCS Playoffs: Appalachian State outlasting Richmond to play Montana www.goasu.com

NFL: Carolina Panthers over Tampa Bay…16 – 6. Saints and Colts remain unbeaten.

High School Football State Playoffs (Finals)
Still playing in our listening: West Rowan and Mt Airy

12.04.2009

Friday, December 04, 2009

Come experience Bob Timberlake’s private studio this weekend (Dec 4-6)
The Charity League of Lexington is hosting its 50th Annual Holiday House in conjunction with the 200th Anniversary of the Bob Timberlake Studio. This will be the first ever public tour of the Bob Timberlake Studio located at NC Highway 47 in Lexington. The public tours are going on this Friday – Sunday. Cost is $10.oo per person (money raised going to local charities).
There is also ‘shopping’ at the Shops of Holiday House nearby at the American Children’s Home (gym). For ticket info: 382-5187
Details and directions:
http://charityleaguelexington.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=46392&PID=742466

Spare change going to a good cause. From now through December 13th, while you are shopping at the JCPenney at Hanes Mall, you can ‘round up’ your purchase (voluntarily) to the nearest dollar to support the Northwest North Carolina YMCA Afterschool Programs.
100% of the funds collected goes directly to 10 local YMCA programs, funding Christian Child Care to families in need. Phone: 336.768.2510

Forsyth Tech and Winston-Salem State have entered into an agreement that will allow students ‘seamless’ admission to both institutions. The Dual Admissions Program is designed to provide support and resources to students including shared student advising, access to resources at both campuses, and opportunities to participate in university activities.
The DAP program will begin in fall 2010. http://www.wxii12.com/education/21801059/detail.html

One area church received a blessing this week after a prayer concern on Sunday. Canaan Land Church on Fannie Pullum Road in Davidson County reported some music instruments and other equipment stolen last Sunday. Good news: Deputies were able to locate the stolen items (worth more than $3,000 dollars) at pawnshops in High Point and Thomasville. A Thomasville man, who used to do work at the church, has been was charged with breaking and entering, and larceny. http://www.wxii12.com/news/21798912/detail.html

The students at Weaver Academy in Greensboro are hoping that someone will purchase their class project…a house. Students at Weaver Academy built the 1,344-square-foot house over the past two years on the school’s campus. The house failed to sell at auction on Thursday.
The next auction will take place sometime in January. The minimum acceptable bid is set at $38,500 (which does not include transportation of the house and land). When the house sells, the money will go back into an account to pay for the next home construction project.
Contact information: Tom Bader (the construction technology teacher at Weaver)
Email: badert@gcsnc.com.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/12/03/article/looking_for_a_home_school_needs_a_buyer

Expect your new yellow AT+T phonebook to be smaller…about 300 pages smaller. AT+T will be delivering phonebooks in January without the ‘residential listings’. If you want the white pages…you will have to request them. (Greensboro News n Record)

The daughter of a US Senator was carjacked in DC last night. Julia Corker, the 22-year-old daughter of Senator Bob Corker (R) Tennessee, was dragged from her SUV in Northwest D-C, and thrown to the ground. The daughter is a little sore this morning, but she was well enough to go to police headquarters to identify the two carjackers. The vehicle was quickly found in suburban Maryland. The police tracked down the vehicle and the suspects in Maryland thanks to the OnStar system.

Running for a good cause. TOBYMAC and his wife Amanda, will take part in the ‘Run For Hope’ half marathon this spring in Nashville. Last April, fan support raised $5 thousand dollars for his charity during the run through Nashville last April. The cause is the same as last year, to raise money for New Hope Academy, a multi-cultural school. This time, TobyMac is inviting fans to run with them as Team TobyMac aka "The Freakazoids.” Runners and walkers of all levels are welcome. Find out more: http://www.whatpowersyou.org/

SPORTS:
ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards and Elon wide receiver Terrrell Hudgins are two of the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award (that’s the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy). The winner will be announced on December 17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Appalachian State will travel to Richmond for Saturday's second-round FCS playoff game. Kick off is set for 7pm. Richmond is the current FCS National Champion . http://www.goasu.com/

High School Football State Playoffs (semi-finals)
Still playing: Lexington, Greensboro Dudley, West Rowan, Salisbury and Mt Airy

Panther’s QB Jake Delhomme suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Jets. Backup QB Matt Moore will likely get the call to start this Sunday against Tampa Bay. Saints and Colts remain unbeaten at 11 – 0.

12.03.2009

Tour Bob Timberlake's Private Studio

Come experience Bob Timberlake’s private studio this Friday – Sunday. (Dec 4-6)

The Charity League of Lexington is hosting its 50th Annual Holiday House in conjunction with the 200th Anniversary of the Bob Timberlake Studio. This will be the first ever public tour of the Bob Timberlake Studio located at NC Highway 47 in Lexington.
The public tours are going on this Cost is $10.oo per person (money raised going to local charities).
There is also ‘shopping’ at the Shops of Holiday House nearby at the American Children’s Home (gym). For ticket info: 382-5187
Details and directions:
http://charityleaguelexington.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=46392&PID=742466

Thursday, December 03, 2009

The annual Moravian Christmas star lighting and worship service happening this afternoon. The service (postponed from Monday) will take place at 5:30pm this evening at the employee parking lot on Cloverdale Avenue across from the Shell gas station. The public is invited.
Details at the WBFJ Christmas celebrations link at wbfj.fm: http://wbfj.fm/christmascelebrations.html

Nominations for the upcoming Grammy Awards announced last night…
Nominations for Best Gospel Song category: Third Day, TobyMac, Matthew West, Israel Houghton, and Mary Mary. This is the first nomination for Matthew West.
The Grammy Awards on CBS: Sunday, January 31, 2010
(Click on the link for more ‘gospel’ Grammy nominations)
http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list.aspx

Novant Health Inc. and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center agreed yesterday to a settlement that could result in community hospitals being built in Advance, Clemmons and Mocksville in phases through 20-17.
http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/03/hospitals-agree-to-bury-hatchet/

The House Committee on Homeland Security is scheduled to ‘hear’ from the couple that crashed a White House State dinner recently. However, the Chairman of the committee has been informed that Salahis may not appear as requested. The Committee is prepared to issue subpoenas to the couple to make an appearance. The director of the Secret Service, Mark Sullivan, also has agreed to testify. The Salahis are aspiring reality TV stars who made it through the security checkpoint at the White House.

COMCAST AND NBC UNIVERSAL ANNOUNCING THEIR MUCH-ANTICIPATED $30 BILLION DOLLAR MERGER. FYI: Comcast would gain control of the NBC broadcast network, the Spanish-language Tele-mundo and about two dozen cable channels, including USA, Sci-Fi and The Weather Channel. FYI: The merger could mean that movies could reach cable more quickly after showing in theaters, and that TV shows could appear faster on cell phones and other devices. http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/03/comcast-buy-controlling-stake-nbc-universal/

Bank of America Corporation will re-pay its portion of the TRAP or government bailout money in the next few days. The Charlotte based bank received $45 billion dollars of TARP money during the height of the credit crisis last year and after its purchase of Merrill Lynch & Co. earlier this year. http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/03/bank-of-america-says-it-plans-to-pay-back-tarp/business/

More trouble for Tiger… On his website, Tiger Woods apologizing for his ‘transgressions’ saying that he has ‘let his family down’ after further revelations about infidelity.

Hours after the outgoing Greensboro City Council voted 7-2 to fund a $18.3 million dollar aquatic center, the incoming council voted to reconsider the contract and open the decision up to further discussion.

SUSAN BOYLE'S "I DREAMED A DREAM" ALBUM HAS ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST FIRST WEEK SALES FOR ANY FEMALE ARTIST IN THE HISTORY OF THE BILLBOARD CHARTS. The album hit number one on Amazon-dot-com within 48 hours of its announcement. It has also reached the number one spot in the U-K, Australia, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. Boyle has over three hundred million YouTube hits and nearly two million Facebook friends.

SPORTS: College Basketball: Big Ten wins ACC / Big Ten Challenge
Wisconsin topples Duke…73 - 69

ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards and Elon wide receiver Terrrell Hudgins two of the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award (that’s the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy). The winner will be announced on December 17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

12.02.2009

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Flash Flood Watch through this evening
Forsyth, Davidson, Guilford, Davie and Randolph Counties

-1 to 2 inches of rain possible today
Severe weather threat ‘possible’ between 6pm this evening and 3am Thursday morning

Wind Advisory through midnight tonight (Surry and Wilkes)
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are likely at the highest elevations.

Forsyth County is defending its public ‘prayer policy’ in a new court filing after a magistrate judge issued a preliminary ruling last month that suggested the county's ‘prayer policy’ was unconstitutional. Now that the county has filed its response to the preliminary ruling, the plaintiffs who originally sued over sectarian prayers have 10 days to file their response. Some time after that, Chief District Court Judge James Beaty Jr. is expected to rule on the case.
-On Nov. 9, Magistrate Judge Trevor Sharp recommended that the federal district court for the Middle District of North Carolina make a ruling that Forsyth County's prayer practices are unconstitutional.
-Under the county's policy, clergy are invited to give the invocation before board meetings on a first-come, first-served basis. The board makes no effort to monitor the content of the prayers.
-A lawsuit was filed against Forsyth County in March 2007, asking that all prayers of a sectarian nature be banned at board meetings. The plaintiffs were supported by the American Civil Liberties Union.
http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/nov/30/forsyt-county-files-response-lawsuit-over-sectaria/

Take Action: Voice your support…
http://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/Commissioners/elec_MeetTheBoard.aspx


President Obama outlined his plan for Afghanistan during prime time last night. The President will send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan but will start removing US troops by the middle of 20-11. Some Democrats are complaining about the President’s escalation of the war in Afghanistan. Republicans are unhappy with his promise to withdraw troops in 18 months.

An agreement reached yesterday by Novant Health Inc. and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center may lead to both health systems moving forward on building competing community hospitals. A news conference is set for 1:30 p.m. today. http://www.journalnow.com/content/2009/dec/02/novant-wfu-reach-a-deal-on-hospitals/news/

Recall: Nestlé Prepared Foods Company issuing a recall of three of its Lean Cuisine Frozen Chicken Meals that may contain small pieces of hard plastic. Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 227-6188.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_043_2008_Release/index.asp

Update: A Triad family’s stolen van and wheelchair found. A van stolen from Hanes Mall Monday afternoon that carried a wheelchair for a disabled person was found yesterday afternoon just north of downtown Winston-Salem. Police said that Denae Ayers was shopping at Hanes Mall on Monday and returned to the parking lot to discover that her 2002 Ford Windstar van was missing. Ayers said her daughter's wheelchair was inside the van.
http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-wheelchair-donated-091201,0,6271865.story

A stay-at-home mom’s recipe for sesame crouton Thai chicken salad could be worth $1 million dollars. Katie Long was chosen as one of 100 finalists in the annual Pillsbury Bake-Off contest. Katie Long, a stay-at-home mother of four from Summerfield, submitted five entries for the contest -- four cookie recipes and the chicken salad recipe -- and was surprised to find out the entrée made the cut. Katie’s recipe was chosen from tens of thousands of entries from across the country. Katie (along with the other 99 finalists) will travel to Florida in April for the official bake-off, where they'll have to make their recipes and present the dishes to the judges. The winner is awarded $1 million.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-summerfield-woman-pillsbury-bake-off-091201,0,3071149.story

SPORTS:
College Basketball: ACC / Big Ten Challenge
Wake Forest and NC State both lose
UNC over Michigan State…89 - 82
(series tied 3 to 3)

FSU head coach Bobby Bowden will retire after Bowl Game

Case closed? Even though Tiger Woods refused to talk to the Florida Highway Patrol, Woods has been charged with careless driving, which carries a $164 fine and four points on his driving record.

12.01.2009

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

The Biggest Loser - University Edition? Lincoln University in Pennsylvania is telling students to shape up - not academically however, but physically.
http://campuscontroversy.blogspot.com/2009/11/biggest-loser-university-edition.html
Check your BMI (here) www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body ‘fatness’ for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

In conjunction with World AIDS Day, the Guilford County Department of Public Health will be offering FREE and confidential HIV and syphilis testing in UNC-G’s Elliott Center Auditorium from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m today (Dec 01). For more information about HIV/AIDS and testing, contact Guilford County Department of Public Health at (336) 641-7777 www.guilfordhealth.org

Postponed until this Thursday… The weather should be better on Thursday for the annual Moravian Christmas star lighting and worship service at Baptist Hospital. The service (postponed from Monday until this Thursday) will take place at 5:30pm at the employee parking lot on Cloverdale Avenue across from the Shell gas station. The public is invited.
Details at the WBFJ Christmas celebrations link at wbfj.fm: http://wbfj.fm/christmascelebrations.html

From a ban on texting while driving to more rules for people who own venomous snakes, more than 50 new state laws go into effect starting today. A list of the new laws: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/documentsites/legislativepublications/2009%20Effective%20Dates/2009%20Effective%20Dates.pdf
You'll have to scroll down to find the new laws for December 1st.
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/78204302.html

THE NUMBER OF STATES REPORTING SWINE FLU INFECTIONS HAS DROPPED FROM 48 TO 32. Most of the Midwest, a few states in the Southeast, Washington State and Hawaii are experiencing a decline in H1N1 flu cases. The report is from the week ending November 20th from the Centers for Disease Control.

DEVELOPING STORY: Early this morning, Seattle police have fatally shot, Maurice Clemmons, the man suspected of gunning down four police officers at a coffee shop Sunday morning in Lakewood, Washington (a suburb south of Seattle). http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,578292,00.html

PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL ADDRESS THE NATION THIS EVENING AT EIGHT EASTERN TIME TO LAY OUT HIS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

‘Cyber Monday’ shoppers bought more but spent less. On-line shopping sites reporting a surge in sales and traffic on Monday…spending a total of 11% more than they did a year ago at that time. But, the average size of each sales ticket had slipped nearly 14% from last year.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,578291,00.html?test=latestnews

A minivan with a child's wheelchair inside was stolen outside the JCPenney store at Hanes Mall around lunchtime yesterday. The mother, Denae Ayers, told police someone stole her 2002 Ford Windstar Minivan around noon. According to Ayers, an expensive wheelchair for her handicapped daughter was inside the van. Heather Ayers, 10, suffers from a severe seizure disorder and generic muscular condition. She is able to walk with braces on her legs but primarily uses her wheelchair. A new replacement wheelchair will likely costs $4,500 dollars.
Fox 8 reporting that the stolen van is a 2002 Ford Windstar Minivan, tan, with a Make-a-Wish bumper sticker on the back. If you have any info contact WS police.
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-story-van-wheelchair-stolen-091201,0,6238670.story

SPORTS: Monday Night Football: New Orleans over New England…38 - 17. Saints and Colts remain unbeaten at 11 – 0.

Panther’s QB Jake Delhomme suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Jets. Backup QB Matt Moore will likely get the call to start this Sunday against Tampa Bay.

College Basketball: ACC / Big Ten Challenge continues tonight…
Wake Forest at Perdue (7pm)
NC State hosting Northwestern (7pm)
UNC hosting Michigan State (9pm)

Update: Tiger Woods has withdrawn from his own golf tournament, the Chevron World Challenge. More fallout from Tiger’s mysterious car accident.