2.15.2011

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Back to more normal temperatures. Mostly sunny. …High 55
Thanks for your help with the WBFJ Valentine Sweetheart Surprise.  Over 7,000 cards and Valentine's were collected from area Lowes Food locations across the Piedmont. The majority of the Valentine's are being distributed this week to area Senior Services in Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson and Stokes counties. (WBFJ)


Over 70 wild fires flared up across the Piedmont yesterday, scorching more than 500 acres. In northwestern Surry County, firefighters are waiting to see if a wildfire that has consumed 190 acres in the Low Gap community will burn itself out. The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at Mountain View Baptist Church. www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-rock-fires-100214,0,138998.story

With state budget cuts looming, school officials in Randolph County are considering several possible solutions to money problems. One of the most common ideas: switching to a four-day school week which could save the county almost $800,000 dollars, while keeping the impact on the classroom relatively small. Other ideas mentioned: contracting out services such as lunchroom food programs, central administration cuts and reducing instructional support like nurses and social workers. www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-randolph-school-budget-110214,0,3489727.story


The Medal of Freedom will be given to 15 individuals during a ceremony at the White House today. Among the recipients: former President George Bush, Sr, musician Yo-Yo Ma, poet Maya Angelou and Dr. Tom Little. Dr. Little provided medical care for the people of Afghanistan through the Christian relief organization “International Assistance Mission. He was murdered by the Taliban last August. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian award. (RnR)

Man vs machine on ‘Jeopardy’. So far, it’s a tie. An IBM supercomputer named ‘Watson’ is competing against two former Jeopardy champions, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. On Monday, the show ended with Watson tied for first place…and three thousand dollars ahead of the third contestant. Watson receives all the questions electronically.  Man vs machine continues through Wednesday.


‘OPERATION HEART FELT SALUTE’. Support our military and their families at your local CBL Mall location between now and March 12th. You can donate items for a care package, purchase a Heart Felt Salute Bracelet or write letters of encouragement to be sent in care packages to our troops. Stop by the customer service locations at Hanes Mall, Friendly Center, Oak Hollow and Randolph Mall to find out more information.  Call 1-800-333-7310 for more information. Details: http://www.shophanesmall.com/shop/hanes.nsf/Custom/OHFS+Main+Page+Details

SPORTS…Wake Forest will travel to Chapel Hill to take on the Tarheels.