County Commissioners Approve Re-Financing Loan

The Wilkes County Commissioners met Tuesday night for their regularly scheduled meeting. There was a Public Hearing and a Board vote concerning re-financing the high school construction/renovation loan of 2006.  Finance Officer of Wilkes, Jerry Shepherd, said he believes it will save the county and the school system money.  Initial estimates for refinancing the high school debt is that it could save 3.2 million dollars over the 20 year life of the loan.  These savings would be split between the County and the School System.  Shepherd said they are hoping for approval for the refinance loan by the LGC or Local Government Commission by November.  The payoff on the loan will be in 2036.  The refinance will not extend the time and will not extend the debt; rather it will save money for the County and School System who split the cost of the original construction/renovation loan.

Cigerette Thief on Foot

The only thing stolen from the store was cigarettes.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called to investigate a break-in and theft at Thurmond Grocery.  Tuesday, a Deputy was dispatched to a breaking and entering at Thurmond Grocery on Hwy 21.  Security camera footage at the store shows a white male wearing a towel over his head, gray t-shirt, dark colored shorts, and white tennis shoes(possibly Nike) enter the store by prying the locks off the front door. After the suspect made entry, he took several cartons and packs of cigarettes before leaving the property. The unidentified male suspect left on foot traveling north on Hwy 21 toward the foot of the mountain.  Stolen property was valued at $55 and damages to the door are estimated at $20. 

$10,000 Theft and Arrest

Approximately $10,000 in property was stolen and there has already been an arrest.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called this week regarding a report of Larceny at the Gardner Glass property on Statesville Road. The reporting party stated that 250 racking beams were stolen from the property of Gardner Glass.  He stated that the beams were around $40 a piece, so stolen beams totaled about $10,000.  According to the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, Robert Eugene Wohlers was arrested for this theft.  He was charged with larceny and obtaining property by false pretense. 

First CNA Class to Come through Herring Hall

The first CNA class in the new Herring Hall of Wilkes Community College just finished. Wilkes Community College congratulates its recent CNA program graduates, who were taught by instructor Misty Marshburn, R.N. The graduates are from Wilkes County: Beth Phillips, Ashley Wood, Hannah Horton, Steven Kilby, Marie Dunlap, Melissa Kyle, and Joseph York.  CNA Graduates from Iredell County:  Kelsey White and Kim Alexander. This was the first CNA cohort to complete the program at Herring Hall off Brushy Mountain Road.  Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. 

Living History on NC Battleship

Since 1997 aboard the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, the Living History Crew weekends have been a tradition at the battleship in the program called "Battleship Alive." The Living History Crew provides insight into the daily life and routine of the crew aboard the USS NORTH CAROLINA by explaining the duties specific to the sailor's ratings (jobs) and demonstrates activities that occurred aboard the ship.  It's a great event for all ages, and the next Battleship Alive is set for Saturday, September 26. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax supported and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship's Store, donations and investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal levels. Located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on the Cape Fear River. Visit www.battleshipnc.com for more information.

Bonner Bridge to Be Built....Finally

Governor Pat McCrory announced the final roadblocks were cleared Friday allowing the N.C. Department of Transportation to proceed with construction of a new Herbert C. Bonner Bridge on N.C. 12 over the Oregon Inlet in Dare County. Completing the terms of a settlement agreement reached in June, environmental groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center have dropped all remaining lawsuits that prevented NCDOT from replacing the 52-year-old Bonner Bridge with a new bridge parallel to the existing one.  “This marks another historic milestone in finally replacing the critical lifeline bridge for residents and visitors of the Outer Banks and supporting our continued efforts to connect North Carolina,” said Governor Pat McCrory.  With the final dismissals, NCDOT and the contractor expect to complete final design and preconstruction work in time to begin building the new bridge in Spring of 2016. In addition to replacing the Bonner Bridge NCDOT will also:  Construct a new interim bridge over the breached inlet on Pea Island and Construct a 2.5 mile-long Pamlico Sound bridge, known as a “jug handle,” from the southern end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge into Rodanthe.  NCDOT awarded a $216 million design-build contract for the 3.5 mile-long Bonner Bridge replacement to the team of PCL Constructors Inc. and HDR Engineering Inc. of the Carolinas in 2011. This contract is still in place and the final contract amount will be adjusted to meet current costs associated with the construction delay.

Out the Door With Over $300 in Property

She had already been banned from all Walmart Stores for shoplifting but that didn't stop her from coming back to steal again.  Wilkesboro Police were called to the local Walmart regarding a theft.  Kayla Lemly of Lexington pushed a shopping cart full of various items through the pharmacy area and into the parking lot without stopping to pay.  She was detained until Police arrived.  The $347 in stolen property was recovered and returned to the store.  Lemly was arrested for larceny and trespassing.  She was taken to the Wilkes County Jail with bond set at $1000.

Racing: One Caught and One Sought

One was caught and Police are still looking for the other.  A Wilkesboro Police Officer was behind two cars on Hwy 421 over the weekend, when the two vehicles started racing with speeds exceeding 70mph in a 55 zone.  The Officer attempted to pull over both cars.  One car exited off as if stopping and then took off again.  The second car continued on Hwy 421.  The driver of the first car finally stopped for Police at Oakwoods Grocery.  The 20-year-old driver admitted to doing wrong, and said he didn't stop immediately because he was scared.  Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also found in the car.  The driver admitted to not having insurance.  Police determined the tag on the car was registered to a pickup and the title to the car had not been registered.  The 20-year-old from Millers Creek was arrested on multiple charges and taken to the Wilkes County Jail. His bond was set at $1000.  Two passengers in the car was allowed to call for someone to pick them up at the scene.  The identity of the second driver is known to Police, a warrant has been issued, and charges are pending. 

Stolen Weedeater and Chainsaw

Tools outside or in outbuildings are often too much for some thieves locally to resist. The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called to investigate a theft from a residence in Elkin.  The property owner reported that a Cub Cadet Weed Eater valued at 200 dollars and a Stihl Chainsaw valued at 300 dollars were taken from their home.  No suspects were listed with the report.  The theft happened sometime between August 14 and 17. 

Stealing Donations

The suspect was seen stealing donations.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office responded to the Millers Creek Thrift store in reference to a larceny.  An unidentified suspect took donations from the donation area of the Thrift Store. There is video footage that captured a good description of the suspect who took the donations.  Charges are pending.