10.26.2010

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast: Morning showers moving out. Cloudy and breezy. High 78

The 10-day suspension of a Northern Guilford Middle School student for bringing a loaded handgun to school has some parents scratching their heads. The school district hearing officer will assess the suspension case and make a ruling later in the week. Last Friday, a tip from another student led school officials to search an 8th-grader’s locker. That’s when they discovered two hand guns and 11 rounds of ammunition. One of the guns was loaded.
Police are still trying to find out how the student got the guns. Also last Friday, a student at the Kennedy Learning Center in Winston-Salem brought a loaded handgun to school. In this case, school officials would not release information concerning the suspension. (Fox8)

Nearly 80 current and former dry-cleaning facilities in nine of the Triad’s 12 counties will soon be investigated for possible solvent contamination. Perchloroethylene, a chemical widely used in dry cleaning, has been classified as a ‘human carcinogen” by the U.S. government. According to the Triad Business Journal, AMEC, a company based in England has been awarded a 5 year contract to investigate and clean-up potentially contaminated sites. The contract is funded by the North Carolina Dry-cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act Program. For a list of Dry Cleaners: www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2010/10/25/triad-dry-cleaners-to-be-investigated.html

Adam Baker, the father of a missing 10 year old girl from Hickory, was arrested Monday on eight charges, including five counts of writing bad-checks. The latest charges are unrelated to the disappearance of his daughter, Zahra Baker, who was reported missing on October 9. The step-mother Elisa Baker has admitted to writing a fake ransom note, a day after the girl's disappearance was reported to police. (Fox8)

One week until the November 2nd mid-term Elections. Early voting continues in North Carolina through the end of the week. For a list of early voting sites in your city or county:
www.novemberiscomingnc.com/
FYI: Back in 2008, 60% of votes in our state were cast before Election Day.

Speaking of voting: Casting Crowns, MercyMe and TobyMac are nominated in the Contemporary / Inspirational Favorite Artist Category’ for the American Music Awards. You can vote at www.amavote.com The 38th annual American Music Awards will air Sunday, November 21st on ABC.

Among the organizations working to halt the outbreak of Cholera in Haiti north of Port-au-Prince is Water Missions International. The ministry over the weekend airlifted and trucked in five water purification systems that would be able to provide safe water for 50 thousand people. The ministry already has 115 water treatment systems in Haiti serving 200 thousand earthquake victims. The recent outbreak of Cholera has claimed at least 269 lives. In all, more than 33-hundred cases have been reported. The main emphasis in the country right now…is on prevention. (RnR / CNN)

The artist line up for Winter Jam 2011 Tour Spectacular has been announced. Scheduled to appear: Chris Sligh, Chris August, Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli, Kutless, David Crowder Band and Newsboys. The Tour is hosted by NewSong along with a message of hope from Tony Nolan. Winter Jam 2011 happens Feb 5th at the Greensboro Coliseum. More info at www.jamtour.com www.facebook.com/winterjam

Less than 2 months until Christmas: Officials in Winston-Salem are searching for the perfect local Christmas tree. If you have a spruce or fir tree on your property that's at least 50 feet tall, you may have the next ‘Christmas tree’ be displayed at Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem. There are incentives (beyond bragging rights) if your tree is chosen: The city will pay you for the tree. Plus, crews will cut it down and grind the stump for free. Submit your tree entries on line by November 10. Contact the vegetation management team by email: www.citylink@cityofws.org Call 727-8000
http://www.cityofws.org/Home/Departments/MarketingAndCommunications/NewsArchive/News2010/Articles/CityLookingForAHomeGrownChristmasTree

Sports: Monday Night Football: Giants over the Cowboys…41 – 35. Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo broke his left collarbone in the second quarter. Romo is likely out for the rest of the season. Vikings QB Brett Farve suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle in Sunday night’s game in Green Bay.

(Major League Baseball) Game one: GIANTS vs RANGERS…World Series starts on Wed…Oct 27.