Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Mix of sun and clouds through the weekend. An isolated afternoon thunderstorm possible…High near 90 BTW: The ‘Dog Days of Summer’ continue through next Wednesday (Aug 11)
The NC TAX FREE WEEKEND going on through midnight Sunday (August 6 – 8). Details and exemptions: www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html
Mortgage rates continued to fall. The average rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage has fallen below 4 percent. Freddie Mac in its weekly report, said a 15-year fix fell to an average of 3.95 percent, down from 4 percent. And, a 30-year fix-rate mortgage averaged 4.49 percent in the week ending Aug. 5th. In the Triad, home sales for the second quarter were up nearly 20 percent versus a year ago. www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/08/02/daily40.html
Two men have been charged in connection with one of several armed robberies reported in Winston-Salem earlier this week. Police said the two could face more charges in the other robberies. Arrest records on both men show a history of convictions for offenses including drug possession, breaking and entering and robbery. www.wxii12.com/news/24525169/detail.html
The state releasing its annual ABC’s of Public Education on Thursday…with area school systems overall doing better. The Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County system went from having nine individual schools rated as low-performing to having none in that category for the 2009-2010 school year. Schools in Guilford County making big improvements from last year. (WS Journal , Greensboro News Record)
School lunches will be healthier under child nutrition legislation passed by the Senate yesterday, a key part of first lady Michelle Obama's campaign to end childhood obesity. The $4.5 billion legislation would create new standards for all foods in schools, including vending machine items, to give students healthier meal options. (AP)
BP has finished pumping cement into its blown-out Gulf oil well. The procedure is a major step in plugging the well for good.
The US Senate confirming Elena Kagan as the 112th Supreme Court justice. Republicans in the Senate have called Kagan a political activist with little judicial experience. www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/05/kagan.supreme.court/index.html?hpt=T2
A woman and her dog were bitten by two pit bulls in front of her home Wednesday night on Sawyer Street in Winston-Salem. Iva Flynt said she and her Daschund, Cookie, were sitting on the front porch when two pit bulls ran over from a neighbor’s yard and attacked them.
Flynt was bitten on the hand and wrist. She was taken to the hospital to be evaluated. The Daschund was taken to the vet where it underwent surgery. Officers with the Forsyth County Animal Control took the Pitt Bulls into custody. The owners will face charges. http://www.wxii12.com/news/24526559/detail.html
How about seeing the Fall foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway by way of train?
Demand is expected to be strong this year for the “Virginia Autumn Special” traveling to Roanoke, Va. Saturday, Oct. 30 and the “Blue Ridge Special” traveling to Asheville on
Oct. 31. The ‘day trip’ train excursions from Greensboro and Spencer to Roanoke, Virginia on October 30 and to Asheville, N.C. on October 31, 2010.
For tickets, go to http://www.nctrans.org/ or call (704) 636-2889, ext. 232
Out on Blu-Ray and DVD this week: “To Save a Life”
The film rated PG-13 tells the story of the difference one person can make when they use their influence and time for others. Written by youth pastor Jim Britts, the film's main character is a high school basketball star who witnesses a childhood friend take his own life. The tragic event affects him deeply and sends him on a search for answers to what he wants his life to be about.
***Overall, this summer at the Box Office: "Toy Story 3" remains on top with a gross of almost $400 million, followed by "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" ($288 million), "Inception" ($193), "Despicable Me" ($190), "The Last Airbender" ($127), and "Robin Hood" ($105). No other film but those has broken a hundred. www.dvdtown.com/news/new-in-theaters-august-6---/7875
Just in time for Back-to-School, JC Penny stores nationwide and locally will once again ask you to ‘round up’ your total bill for a good cause. The JC Penny Afterschool Round Up helps kids through charitable organizations. The JC Penny location at Hanes Mall continues its partnership with the YMCA afterschool programs of NW NC. The Round up goes through August 17th.
