Took Clothes and Cologne

On Thursday May 19th Wilkesboro Police Department responded to a Larceny Call at Kohls. LP officers told the Wilkesboro police they watched a women take jewelry and cologne and conceal it in her bag and in her pants pockets. They also stated that the suspect removed 3 anti-theft systems from other items. After searching the woman the Police found drug Paraphernalia. She was arrested and placed under a 5000 dollar secured bond. 

Congressional Election on June 7

The Wilkes Board of Elections reminds everyone that we have yet another primary in June here in Wilkes and all of NC.  Absentee voting began last month in 16 congressional primaries across the state after a federal court in February ordered legislators to redraw district lines.  Election day is June 7 and will include a statewide primary for N.C. Supreme Court. The State Board of Elections is encouraging voters to consider participating by mail in what is expected to be a low-turnout election.  The state’s stand-alone congressional primary in 1998 drew only 4% of registered voters. Citing the unexpected nature of the June Primary, members of the State Board ordered counties to carry-forward absentee ballot requests from the March Statewide Primary. County officials are now mailing more than 55,000 ballots, with more requests expected before the civilian deadline on May 31.  For more information, call the Wilkes County Board of Elections at 336-651-7339.

Frozen Food Recall

Amid a massive frozen foods recall involving millions of packages of fruits and vegetables that were shipped to all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, authorities who want to stem the listeria-linked illnesses and deaths worry it’ll be difficult to get consumers to dig through their freezers and check for products they may have bought as far back as 2014. It’s one of the largest food recalls in recent memory, with well over 400 products from CRF Frozen Foods in Pasco, Washington, sold under more than 40 different brand names at major retailers like Costco, Target, Trader Joe’s and Safeway. So far, eight people have been sickened by listeria that’s genetically similar to that found in CRF vegetables, and two have died, though listeria was not the primary cause of death. “Unquestionably, this is a lot of product. … It reflects the severity of listeria as an illness, the long duration of illnesses and the outbreak and the long shelf life of the products,” said Matthew Wise, who leads the outbreak response team at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hosting Military at Governor's Mansion

Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory hosted military families at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh to thank veterans, military service members and their families for their service. The event is an annual tradition for Governor and First Lady McCrory. "Honoring and supporting our veterans, active duty military members and military families are among our most important priorities," said Governor McCrory. "These families are the best of North Carolina and understand better than anyone the sacrifices that accompany military service."In attendance were military families from numerous branches and bases including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Fort Bragg, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Camp Lejeune, Camp Johnson and the North Carolina National Guard. "We want to do everything we can to support our military families and thank them for their service and sacrifice," said First Lady Ann McCrory. "Hosting these families at the Executive Mansion each year is a small way we can show our appreciation and support." 

Wilkes Board of Elections reminds everyone that we have yet another primary in June

The Wilkes Board of Elections reminds everyone that we have yet another primary in June here in Wilkes and all of NC.  Absentee voting began last month in 16 congressional primaries across the state after a federal court in February ordered legislators to redraw district lines.  Election day is June 7 and will include a statewide primary for N.C. Supreme Court. The State Board of Elections is encouraging voters to consider participating by mail in what is expected to be a low-turnout election.  The state’s stand-alone congressional primary in 1998 drew only 4% of registered voters. Citing the unexpected nature of the June Primary, members of the State Board ordered counties to carry-forward absentee ballot requests from the March Statewide Primary. County officials are now mailing more than 55,000 ballots, with more requests expected before the civilian deadline on May 31.  For more information, call the Wilkes County Board of Elections at 336-651-7339. 

A Lenoir man was apprehended on foot

A Lenoir man was apprehended on foot about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after leading law enforcement officials on a motor vehicle chase in the Mount Pleasant area. John Davis was apprehended after the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office spotted him off the side of Lewis Fork Baptist Church Road about two miles from Champion-Mount Pleasant Road. The incident began about an hour earlier when a Deputy saw a car that appeared to be suspicious on the Mount Zion Road and a little while later on nearby Champion-Mount Pleasant Road. Deputies tried to stop the car the second time they saw it and the vehicle instead drove off, starting a motor vehicle chase that ended when the car entered a yard off Lewis Fork Church Road and stopped. Davis then Jumped out of the car and fled on foot where he was eventually spotted and arrested. Davis already was awaiting a July 25 trial date in Caldwell County on charges of fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger, driving 80 mph in a 5o mph and driving with no registration and no tag. He also faces two counts of failure to appear in court in Caldwell, one for felony financial card withholding and the other for financial card fraud. Davis also is charged with felony ID theft in Caldwell. He was placed in the Wilkes County Jail Wednesday afternoon with a $100,000 secured bond.

Governor Pat McCrory has granted a Pardon of Innocence

Governor Pat McCrory has granted a Pardon of Innocence to Edward McInnis, who served 27 years in prison for crimes he did not commit.  Governor McCrory called McInnis today to inform him of his decision. McInnis was convicted in 1988 of several felony charges and was sentenced to life in prison. In March of 2015, an investigation was initiated into a claim of actual innocence brought by McInnis.  DNA samples were tested again and showed that McInnis was not responsible for the crimes.  In August, the District Attorney’s Office for Hoke and Scotland counties filed a Motion for Appropriate Relief based on the newly discovered evidence.  On August 11, 2015, Superior Court Judge Tanya Wallace ordered him to be released immediately. “On behalf of the State of North Carolina, I apologize to Mr. McInnis for the 27 years he had to spend behind bars for crimes he did not commit,” said Governor McCrory.  “While we cannot give him back those years of his life, I wish him well as he resumes his life as a free man.” 

Pickup was heavily damaged when it collided with a tractor-trailer

A pickup was heavily damaged when it collided with a tractor-trailer Wednesday afternoon on N.C. 268 East at the intersection with Rock Creek Road. After the collision, the pickup slid across a grassy median and into the parking lot of a convenience store. The tractor-trailer came to rest in the highway. A passenger in the pickup was hurt and taken to Wilkes Regional Medical Center by ambulance

Murder in Wilkes

On Wednesday May 18, 2016, at approximately 3:15pm Deputies with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious person complaint on South Wood Dr. in the Hays Community of Wilkes County. Officers arrived and to find Anthony Wayne Sheppard 28, of Moravian Falls, NC, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Sheppard died from his injuries at the scene. Shane Lee Meyerhoffer 23 years old of. Hays has been charged with Murder. Meyerhoffer remains in the Wilkes County Jail with no bond. It is believed that the two men were acquaintances and were involved in some type of argument when the assault took place. Meyerhoffer was also suffered injuries during the incident. Information as to the nature of the argument is still under investigation.

Want to jump off a building for NC Special Olympics?

Want to jump off a building for NC Special Olympics?  Superpowers or not, adventure seekers have the opportunity to rappel Raleigh's 30-story Wells Fargo Capitol Center and be a superhero for Special Olympics North Carolina.  Over the Edge will deliver high-flyers an extreme descent plus scenic and historic views from the heart of North Carolina's capital city on Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. Registration is now open at www.overtheedgenc.com. Special Olympics North Carolina provides year-round sports training and competition for nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the state. Over the Edge netted $177,000 in 2015. No climbing or rappelling experience is required and Over the Edge will provide rope access experts and veteran adventure professionals. Participants must weigh at least 110 be at least 14 years of age. Again, registration is now open at www.overtheedgenc.com.